You will have to choreograph at least one dance every year for a grade. Along with the dance you will be graded on a choreography paper that includes research and a lot of dance aspects. Yet, you do not have to choreograph a piece for the show if you do not want to.

There are approximately 11 performances all year.

The orchesis season is not year round but the most participation happens in the fall, spring and late summer. In the summer there is a three week, three hour long Orchesis camp from mon-thur to be better prepared for the following season. During the three weeks we work on technique, stretching/conditioning, auditioning and rehearsing dances that will be performed at the beginning of the year (Coronation). The fall is the busiest time for Orchesis since we hold rehearsals everyday after school for the annual showcase. During this time we perform coronation and get taught the AIR dance and work on cleaning it. In the spring we focus on perfecting chosen dances to go to different performances (Districts, IHSDF, Arts Unlimited and Japanese Exchange, mini concert).

There is no skill level or amount of experience required to be a part of orchesis. The components the director looks for to recognize potential are rhythm, coordination, flexibility, musicality, strength and performance skills.

Sports: Orchesis members can participate in other sports as long as they are in the winter and springtime. Clubs: Orchesis members are more than welcome to join clubs as long as they can honer their commitments and responsibilities in Orchesis.

• Members are penalized for frequent unexcused absences

In orchesis we value not only dance and performing but being a community of like minded individuals who work hard but have fun. This is why we have a “Social Outings Committee” that is dedicated to organizing fun events for Orchesis members to participate in. Most events are seasonal and centered around a certain activity or theme. Some examples are big sister-little sister reveal, beach bonding, haunted house bonding, cast party (after show), progressive dinner and a galentines bonding.

Technique class, ballet classes, jazz, musical theater, hip hop graded on the units and rehearse show dances.

Show season schedules look different for every dancer on orchesis. Orchesis prides ourselves on being very flexible. After show auditions there is a schedule made at the beginning of the year for after school rehearsals. You get to choose what dances you want to be in which decides how many days for how many hours you stay after school. A lot of people who have other commitments like extra studio classes, work, or a large amount of school work will decide to be in less dances.

Every rehearsal is different because different choreographers work in different ways. Typically the first couple rehearsals are learning the dance and getting knowledge of movement. The next rehearsals will be participating in “Informal auditions” to make formations and teach different group parts. Then the final rehearsals will be for the cleaning process to perfect a dance.

There are so many opportunities for Orchesis members. One of those opportunities is becoming a “student leader”. These are positions given by the director to students who show leadership qualities and are actively trying to get more involved in orchesis. If you are someone who is not very involved with dance but have great sewing skills or organization skills these opportunities are something you could get involved in.