"Excellence through Music"
Updates and News
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The Fall Fruit Fundraiser is happening now! Please click below to order today! These boxes make great gifts and are delivered directly to the recipient's door! Sales end on December 15 to arrive before Christmas!
All funds will be used to purchase new instruments and storage units, transportation costs, and future performance trips! Please help us meet our goal of $25,000! 
Congratulation to those students who participated in the first round of All-State audition. These students made history becoming the first group to have a 100% pass rate and 100% acceptance rate for the GMEA District 1 Honor Orchestra. We are very proud of our students and their achievement!
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About Us
Welcome to the Richmond Hill Middle School Orchestra page.
Here at RHMS, our orchestra includes 4 different types of string instruments: violins, violas, cellos, and basses. We begin our students learning the basics of reading and playing music. Upon mastery, our students are moved onto the next level. The program comprises the 6th Beginning Orchestra, 7th Grade Orchestra, 8th Grade Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras, and a Chamber Orchestra.
The orchestra program at RHMS consists of 6th-8th grade students split across six classes. We typically have 3-4 performances/concerts each year. Occasionally, we will include other instruments (piano, drums, etc.) as necessary and collaborate with the other fine art departments to enhance our performances!
The 2023-2024 school year saw a 98% retention rate and a growth of 43%. With the largest beginning class ever, currently at 54 sixth graders and over 10 new students joining the seventh and eighth grade, the program total is over 120 members for the first time.
The 2024-25 school year saw another record with 146 students participating in orchestra with over 60 new students! Again, we saw over 95% retention and over 30% growth.
History
The Richmond Hill Middle School Orchestra began in 2006 by Dr. Emery Warnock as an after-school club. The group worked as small chamber ensembles until 2013, when a course was added to the fine arts department. The orchestra at that time was only 15 members. Since then, the program has grown to over 140 members. During the 2023-2024 school year, the program saw it's first All-State performer and the program's first Superior Rating at the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation. In 2022 and 2023, the group attended the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation earning Excellent ratings both years. In 2021, the orchestra received a considerable upgrade as the first dedicated orchestra rehearsal hall was opened to students.
Here at RHMS, our orchestra includes 4 different types of string instruments: violins, violas, cellos, and basses. We begin our students learning the basics of reading and playing music. Upon mastery, our students are moved onto the next level. The program comprises the 6th Beginning Orchestra, 7th Grade Orchestra, 8th Grade Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras, and a Chamber Orchestra.
The orchestra program at RHMS consists of 6th-8th grade students split across six classes. We typically have 3-4 performances/concerts each year. Occasionally, we will include other instruments (piano, drums, etc.) as necessary and collaborate with the other fine art departments to enhance our performances!
The 2023-2024 school year saw a 98% retention rate and a growth of 43%. With the largest beginning class ever, currently at 54 sixth graders and over 10 new students joining the seventh and eighth grade, the program total is over 120 members for the first time.
The 2024-25 school year saw another record with 146 students participating in orchestra with over 60 new students! Again, we saw over 95% retention and over 30% growth.
History
The Richmond Hill Middle School Orchestra began in 2006 by Dr. Emery Warnock as an after-school club. The group worked as small chamber ensembles until 2013, when a course was added to the fine arts department. The orchestra at that time was only 15 members. Since then, the program has grown to over 140 members. During the 2023-2024 school year, the program saw it's first All-State performer and the program's first Superior Rating at the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation. In 2022 and 2023, the group attended the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation earning Excellent ratings both years. In 2021, the orchestra received a considerable upgrade as the first dedicated orchestra rehearsal hall was opened to students.
Support the RHMS Orchestra
Donations are welcomed, please contact Mr. Mock at [email protected] if you would like to make a donation. Donations are allocated for new instruments, repairs, new music, festivals, travel, and clinicians for our growing program!
Upcoming Events
- Jan. 28 - Winter Concert (All Orchestras)
- Feb 4-5 - Possible Pre-LGPE performance at GSU (Chamber Only)
- Feb. 11 - Pre-LGPE Concert with high school
- Feb. 25 - LGPE in Savannah (7th/8th Intermediate Orchestra Only)
- Mar. 6 LGPE in Macon (Chamber Only)
- April 29 - Spring Concert (All Orchestras)
Quick Links
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