The orchestra department at Fort Collins High School is comprised of over 120 string players and is staffed by two string coaches and one director. The program boasts four traditional orchestras, and a chamber program that comprises several different string trios, quartets, and quintets as well as early music. The FCHS Symphony Orchestra performs with winds and percussion on nearly every concert of the season. Winds and percussion join the orchestra two days per week to rehearse full orchestra literature.
FCHS Orchestras consistently receive superior ratings at state festivals, and FCHS consistently sends many students to Western States Honor Orchestra and Colorado All State Orchestra. They are consistently invited to perform at the most prestigious events in the state, nation, and abroad.
Notable Performances:
December 2014 – Symphony Orchestra performed for over 1200 school board members, superintendent, and principals at the Colorado Association of School Boards conference in Colorado Springs.
March 2015 – FCHS Music toured Europe, performing in Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague.
January 2016 – Symphony Orchestra performed at the Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic and Conference, which is considered the highest honor in the state.
January 2018 – Tower Orchestra performed at the Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic and Conference, which is considered the highest honor in the state.
March 2018 – FCHS Music toured Australia, performing in Sydney and Brisbane.
March 2020 – Symphony Orchestra was invited to and attended the Music for All Festival in Indianapolis, IN. Only 7 orchestras in the nation were invited to perform.
January 2022 – Symphony Orchestra performed at the Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic and Conference, which is considered the highest honor in the state.
May 2023 – FCHS Performing Arts toured Europe, seeing seven professional performances in London and Paris, including the Paris Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall.
March 2024 – Symphony Orchestra was invited to perform at the Music for All Festival in Indianapolis, IN. They were one of 6 high school orchestras invited to perform.