We want you to join the Lassiter Orchestra!

The Lassiter Orchestra has a long history of musical excellence and wewould love for you to be a part of it!

Read below to learn more about the Lassiter Orchestra…

Four reasons to join the Lassiter orchestra and continue playing your instrument in high school...

Invitation to Join the Lassiter Orchestra Program

Dear Rising Lassiter Families,

I hope you and your student are excited about the transition to high school next year. As the Director of Orchestras at Lassiter High School, I would like to personally invite your rising freshman to be part of the Lassiter Orchestra program.

Our orchestra program is built on excellence, community, and opportunity. Students in our ensembles experience high-level musical growth while also developing skills that serve them far beyond the orchestra room — discipline, teamwork, leadership, time management, and confidence. Orchestra students consistently demonstrate strong academic achievement, and they form friendships that often last throughout their high school years and beyond. Our orchestra family is very special!

At Lassiter, orchestra students have opportunities to:

Continue building technical skills on their instrument that will allow them to play at a high level for their lifetime
Perform at high-profile concerts and community events
Travel and participate in enriching performance experiences
Audition for ability-based ensemble courses
Participate in local honor orchestras and state honor ensembles
Grow as leaders within a supportive and motivated peer group

Most importantly, the Lassiter orchestra program is a place where students feel connected. High school can feel big at first, and being part of an ensemble immediately provides a built-in community of peers who share common goals and passions.

For next year, students have two course options:

Enroll in orchestra and be placed in the on-level orchestra class (Concert Orchestra)
Enroll in orchestra and audition for orchestra placement into Sinfonia (“Advanced” or “Junior Varsity) or Chamber Orchestra (“Mastery Level” or “Varsity”).

Please note that when a freshman student auditions for and is accepted into an upper-level orchestra, they are expected to behave like an upperclassman at Lassiter. This includes daily musical preparation, attendance, attitude, and demeanor.

Students that are interested in auditioning should begin preparing the required audition materials (see below).

Lassiter Orchestra Auditions are video recorded at home and submitted on Microsoft Teams. In addition to the audition, middle school directors are consulted for a recommendation. Audition videos are due on Sunday, March 29 at 11:59 PM. The audition packets contain full details and step-by-step directions.

Regardless of your student’s progress or musical goals, there is a place for them in Lassiter Orchestra! I’ve posted some Frequently Asked Questions below, but please do not hesitate to contact me if any questions about scheduling, placement, or what to expect next year.

Thank you for supporting your student’s musical growth. I look forward to welcoming the Class of 2030 into the Lassiter Orchestra family!

Sincerely,

Charles Laux, Ph.D.
Director of Orchestras
Lassiter High School

Charles.Laux@cobbk12.org

Audition Information 2026-2027

Auditions are required only for Sinfonia (“Advanced” or “Junior Varsity”) and Chamber (“Mastery” or “Varsity”). Students should prepare the required a scale and two excerpts.

No audition is required for Concert Orchestra (9th grade) or Philharmonia (grades 10-12).

Audition materials can be downloaded below. Please download the audition packet for your chosen instrument. The packet contains detailed information, directions for recording, and required audition materials (scales & arpeggios, excerpts).

Audition Packets (PDF)

Auditions are recorded by the student and uploaded to an assignment in Microsoft Teams. Many students have used this platform before. There are no live auditions.

Note: Students auditioning for Chamber Orchestra must prepare BOTH the Sinfonia audition and the Chamber audition materials – one video for each.

Placement results will be posted and sent to middle school directors sometime in April.

Audition deadline

Auditions are due Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Questions or concerns?

Please check the FAQ’s below or contact Dr. Laux with additional questions.

Frequently Asked Questions...

Do I have to audition to participate in high school orchestra?

Auditions are optional. Freshmen (9th grade) students who don’t want to audition will be placed in the on-level course, Concert Orchestra. Upperclassmen (grades 10-12) who do not want to audition will be placed in the on-level course for upperclassment, Philharmonia.

Auditions are required for students interested in participating in Sinfonia (“Advanced” or “Junior Varsity”), or Chamber Orchestra (“Mastery” or “Varsity”). There are different audition requirements for these two ensembles, and information was released on February 12, 2026. Auditions are recorded by the student and videos are due in Microsoft Teams on March 29, 2026. The audition packets are above.

Can I participate in sport or other activities and still do orchestra?

Yes! We have many students who participate in all types of school-sponsored and outside sports, church groups, and other activities.

Soccer, Basketball, Mountain Biking, Cheeleading, Football, Lacrosse, Baseball — you name it, and our students do it!

Can I still take advanced classes like honors/AP and survive HS?

Yes! Most current orchestra students take quite a few advanced placement courses and are able to manage everything. In fact, many students will tell you that orchestra is a relaxing break from the rigors of academic classes!

What if I’m not the strongest player? Should I play in high school?

Yes! There is a place for you in the Lassiter Orchestra! With four ability-based classes we have the ability to differentiate and provide a great experience regardless of your playing level, drive, or desire. This is one of the advantages of ability-based classes over grade-based. Concert Orchestra is the on-level course for Freshmen, Philharmonia is the on-level course for upperclassment, and Sinfonia/Chamber are the audition-based courses.

What are the different orchestra levels at Lassiter?

Lassiter offer 4 orchestra classes. Concert Orchestra is our entry level offering and is a non-auditioned class for Freshmen only. This course continues instruction after middle school and focuses on building technical skills, enhancing music reading and aural skills. Philharmonia a non-auditioned course for studetns in grades 10-12 and is the intermediate level.

Sinfonia is an advanced level auditioned orchestra for students in grades 9-12. Sinfonia can be considered our “junior varsity” orchestra.

Chamber Orchestra is the mastery level and is for students who are at the highest level of playing. Chamber Orchestras is considered our “varsity” orchestra.

Does the STEM schedule conflict with orchestra?

Sometimes there are scheduling conflicts or difficult scheduling situations. Dr. Laux makes these work the best he can. On average, about 60% of upperclassmen elect to forgo their lunch period so that they can remain in orchestra. When this happens, Dr. Laux is very flexible, allowing students to eat/snack during class. Dr. Laux would rather have these students eating during class than not in orchestra at all!