It seems that this year has flown by very quickly, and it’s hard to believe that you’re about to embark upon your high school career! The information below from the Seven Lakes Orchestras has been provided to help you and your parents take an in-depth look at what the orchestra program at Seven Lakes is all about.
We have been very blessed at Seven Lakes High School. In our 20th year of existence, the orchestras have earned many accolades and have presented many outstanding performances. Our ensembles have won numerous “Sweepstakes” trophies at various UIL and festival contests. Our orchestras consistently rank in the top 10 among all high school orchestra programs in Texas.
In 2016 and 2020, the Symphony Orchestra was crowned State Champions; our Symphony Strings were also State Champions in 2024! The Symphony Orchestra has won several national awards, including the American Prize in Music and the Mark of Excellence Award from the Foundation for Music Education.
Each year, we bring in guest clinicians from all over the United States, and they rave about our ensembles. Our students have received masterclasses from world-class musicians from the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the Houston Symphony, and from many colleges and universities across the country. Our students have had the opportunity to perform and work with living composers such as Lowell Liebermann, Kinley Lange, Todd Frazier, Michael Markowski, and John Mackey.
One of our biggest concerts was when we performed with European pop superstar Alexander Rybak. Our talent has proven itself with dozens of Region Orchestra members, Area Orchestra members, and several All-State Orchestra members over the years. Hundreds of medals are earned at our UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest. We’ve also earned numerous consecutive “Sweepstakes” trophies at both Full Orchestra and String Orchestra UILs!
In addition to competitions, our students have attended field trips to experience world-renowned artists like the Tokyo String Quartet, the Eroica Trio, Joshua Bell, Itzhak Perlman, 2Cellos, and the Houston Symphony! Students enjoy social events such as Posters and Premieres, the O-Mazing Race, and Main Event! Our spring trips have taken us to San Antonio, Bandera, Dallas, Chicago, New Orleans, and Orlando! Last year, our students performed at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York City!
Our compassion shines through in our volunteer efforts at the Houston Food Bank. Students have also contributed to Toys for Tots and Katy ISD’s Santa Cops Program. Outside of music, our students have excelled academically and athletically, proving themselves as some of the best students at Seven Lakes.
Nevertheless, our students continue to enjoy performing great repertoire, making new friends, and being part of a hard-working, fun-loving, and musical family!
Please check out the following pages of Frequently Asked Questions. We invite you to be a member of one of the most exciting groups at Seven Lakes. As a flagship program of Katy ISD, Texas, and the nation, we want YOU to be a part of making musical history!
Musically Yours,
Desiree Overree, Director of Orchestras
Sean Carlton, Associate Director of Orchestras
Sean Kime, Assistant Director of Orchestras
Currently, the Seven Lakes Orchestras are divided into seven classes during the school day. With over 260 students enrolled, we are proud of all of our performing groups!
Next year, we will once again have seven string orchestras and one full orchestra:
Almost all of our groups compete at UIL Contests and participate in numerous concerts and performances.
With seven orchestra periods available to fit your schedule, there is a home for every player in the Seven Lakes Orchestras!
Students are assigned to orchestras according to ability, attitude, instrumentation, and the director’s recommendation. To be placed in the appropriate ensemble, an audition is required.
Each year, auditions consist of a performance of an etude or solo and scales. These auditions take place in April or May for the following school year. Audition information will be distributed to all interested students in January.
You have come from an outstanding middle school orchestra program with terrific directors and a strong musical background. Expect the same commitment to excellence and pursuit of knowledge.
At the high school level, there is a strong emphasis on performance, with units covering string orchestra literature, full orchestra literature, and chamber music. Refinement of rudimentary skills is a key focus. Additionally, all students study music theory—the math behind the music—in depth and develop an understanding of how music works through music appreciation.
This balance between performance and the academic study of music helps each student become a well-rounded musician.
Following your freshman year, students enrolled in subsequent years may choose to take orchestra with a GPA-exempt status. This means that if you maintain a grade of 80 or above in orchestra, that grade will not impact your GPA.
To qualify for this status, you must have completed one full year of orchestra at a KISD high school campus.
Absolutely! It is a misconception that students enrolled in Fine Arts must choose between athletics and music. Both the Athletics and Fine Arts Departments allow students to participate and compete in both areas.
Conflicts may occasionally arise, but we work them out. Good communication between students, parents, coaches, and teachers is key to maintaining a positive balance between your passions.
Our full orchestra, called the Symphony Orchestra, has been a tradition since our very first year. The top band and string players combine to perform symphonic literature each semester.
This school year, we have already had several performances and were honored to win our 18th “Sweepstakes” trophy at the annual UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest. In 2016 and 2020, the Symphony ranked number one in the state.
There is no additional class to register for, as this orchestra meets weekly on Monday nights from 5 to 7 p.m.
All students are encouraged to audition for membership in the Region 23 Orchestras during the fall term. Additionally, students may choose to continue working toward the highest level of orchestra: TMEA’s All-State. Seven Lakes has eight Orchestra All-Staters this year, and at one point, we had as many as 15.
The spring semester is highlighted by the annual UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest. At the highest level, students may compete at Katy ISD’s KYAC in May. Concerto competitions sponsored by local civic organizations and youth orchestras are also highly encouraged.
Most of our ensembles participate in a state assessment called the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Assessment.
No, students do not need to purchase a uniform. Katy ISD provides a formal uniform to every enrolled student; however, there is a maintenance and dry cleaning fee that must be paid.
Please note that different performances require different uniforms. While most performances require the formal uniform, there are occasions when students will wear an informal uniform, consisting of a purchased orchestra shirt and jeans, for more casual settings.
Like your junior high program, students may use a Katy ISD cello or bass for a fee per year. This fee is paid at the beginning of the school year. Violinists and violists will transport their instruments back and forth but have orchestra lockers to store them in. Seven Lakes does not provide violas or violins for school use.
Orchestra students must pass ALL classes in order to participate in extra-curricular activities of the orchestra, including contests, paid performances, and auditions for Region, Area, and State. Class time instruction and all after-school rehearsals and sectionals are considered “curricular,” and students participate in these regardless of academic eligibility. UIL rules have changed since 2021, and all students may participate in UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation.
Students, at the beginning of the year, pay an Activity Fee, a Uniform Maintenance Fee, and purchase a garment bag. As part of the performance uniforms, students provide their own tuxedo shirt, black socks, and black dress shoes (boys); and black hosiery and black dress shoes (girls). Additionally, students purchase the informal concert uniform, which consists of the orchestra t-shirt. Students choosing to participate in our social events pay for their admission and food costs. The spring trip at the end of the year is also an additional expense but is optional.
Our Student Officers select, plan, and coordinate all social aspects of the orchestra. This year, they planned “Posters and Premieres,” at-school socials, an outing at Main Event, our Informal and Formal Banquets, and more! Our biggest social event is our Spring Trip, which combines the fun of a mini vacation with a performance at an out-of-town major venue. Our ensembles have performed at the Meyerson Symphony Center and Majestic Theater in Dallas, Chicago’s Symphony Hall, Judson Performing Arts Center, and Tulane University. This year, we will be performing at the world-famous Carnegie Hall!
Desiree Overree, Director of Orchestras
Desiree Overree
Director of Orchestras
Seven lakes High School
Katy Independent School District
