Coming in the 2025-26 school year, a third and brand new level of orchestra called “Advanced Concert Orchestra” will take center stage. Technically, there are already three classes of orchestra: Spartan, Concert, and Chamber. Chamber is an invite-only level while the Advanced Concert course is open to anyone who is willing to audition to enter. 

To be in the new level, students must have taken Spartan and Concert orchestra for at least one school year. Additionally, they will need to perform an audition. The idea was first thought of by orchestra director Amy Eichers and band director Daniel Eaton. 

“Eaton and I both agreed that it was a good time to add a third group,” Eichers said. 

Class sizes were also taken into consideration.

 “Spartan orchestra is at over 40 students and with the incoming eighth graders, the room can’t handle it,” Eichers said. 

More challenging music will also be introduced in this new level.

“It is going to elevate both of the top groups (Concert and Advanced) and it will allow freshmen trying to get into the top groups,” Eichers said. 

There will be no new events in the level, but there has been some discussion about attending a UMD concert which other levels have done in past school years.