Welcome to the home of the award winning Morton Ranch High School Orchestra website, a Katy ISD Fine Arts program. As stated in the Katy ISD course catalog, "Orchestra continues the development of performance skills and sequence of instrumental music begun in junior high. Students study and perform literature for orchestra of varying forms and styles to establish understanding and a finer appreciation of music. Orchestra requires extracurricular components, including after school and weekend activities."
The mission of the MRHSO Program is to teach students how to express themselves through performing a stringed instrument. Students learn how to contribute their voice to the "Orchestra Team"! They also learn about culture and history through music, and how to make a positive impact on society through performance. By reinforcing dedication, teamwork, self discipline, hard work and accountability - students learn how to become responsible citizens after their studies at MRHS. There are four different Orchestra levels at MRHS: Sinfonia (Varsity), Camerata (Non-Varsity), Chamber Purple (Sub Non-Varsity) and Chamber White (Sub Non-Varsity). Both Chamber Purple and Chamber White students combine to form Chamber (Sub Non-Varsity) for after school rehearsals, concerts and UIL Contest. Sinfonia and Camerata combine to make the MRHS Symphony Orchestra for Varsity UIL Full Orchestra Contest. The Orchestras have consistently received superior ratings by the University Interscholastic League. The past several years we have won first place division in the small and large categories at the Texas Renaissance Early Music Festival. During the 2019-20 school year we were Houston Symphony Residency recipients and performed the National Anthem at an Astros game! We have an after school Mariachi Ensemble for students in Band, Choir and Orchestra who are interested.
The Officer Leadership Team is here for you, don't be afraid to reach out to your Officer colleagues when you need something. Officers will be paired with freshman buddies to make their transition to MRHS as smooth as possible. Many alumni of the Program have received scholarships to attend Colleges and Universities for participating and excelling in Orchestra. Every year Orchestra has several students in the Top 10 MRHS Senior Ranking.
