Orchestra

About the Program 

North High School is proud to offer orchestra. The Iowa High School Music Association sanctions our high school orchestra festivals and events. Through involvement in orchestra, students learn valuable life skills including teamwork, concentration and focus, and confidence.    

Events 

Madrigal Dinner – The North High School choir department puts on an annual Madrigal dinner—which has been in existence for nearly 40 years. The choir department collaborates with the North High drama club and the North High orchestra in order to make this event a success!  

USD Symphonic Clinic – Each year, the USD’s Symphonic Band and its directors provide a clinic for nearly 300 high school musicians. Students perform for the college musicians who give them tips to improve their playing.  

Annual NHS Symphonic Orchestra Concert – The North High full symphonic orchestra puts on an annual concert featuring various wind, brass, and percussion players from the North High band.  

Sioux City Symphony Orchestra Principal Players Program – Middle and high school students who participate in the Principal Players Program receive additional instruction and guidance from the lead string players of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. 

Honors Orchestras and Festivals – Students can also choose to prepare, audition, and participate in honors orchestras and festivals. These events include, but are not limited to, the Iowa All-State Festival, the Northwest Iowa Honors Orchestra, the Dorian Orchestra Festival, the University of South Dakota Orchestra Festival, the Iowa String Teachers Association Orchestra Festival, and the IHSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival.  

Honors and Awards  

Hal Buntley Outstanding Senior Leadership Award Recipients 

• Emma Hawkinson, 2020 
• Raquel Valladolid, 2020 
• Dallana Aragon, 2020 
• Derek Hwang, 2020 

All-State Music Festival Participants  

The Iowa All-State Music Festival is a state-wide selective festival for the top high school musicians of Iowa. 

• Derek Hwang, cello (senior, 3 year all-state participant), 2019 
• Eleanor Chalstrom, oboe (senior), 2019 

Northwest Iowa Honors Orchestra Participants  

• Emma Hawkinson, violin (senior, 4+ year participant), 2020 
• Raquel Valladolid, viola (senior), 2020 
• Michael Toben, tuba (9^th grade), 2020 
• Angelica Jones, viola (6^th grade), 2020 
• Kaylee Olson, cello (8^th grade), 2020 

Festival Participants  

Dorian Orchestra Festival (Luther College) 

• Emma Hawkinson, violin 
• Raquel Valladolid, viola 
• Finn Coughlin, violin 
• Isabele Raveling, violin 
• Alexandra Kleinschmit, violin 
• John Lewis, cello 
• Jackson Wagner, violin 

Iowa String Teachers Association Orchestra Festival 

• Emma Hawkinson 
• Raquel Valladolid 
• Kaylee Olson 
• Angelica Jones 

University of South Dakota Orchestra Festival 

Meet the Director

• 

  • Kayla Priest
  • priestk@live.siouxcityschools.com