Annual High School Honors Orchestra
October 25, 2025
Gordon’s 2nd High School Honors Orchestra will provide a day-long immersive musical experience for any dedicated musicians who desire additional learning opportunities. Dr. Gabe Southard has conducted successful honors bands in Michigan for 15 years. His impact on over 1,000 students in that time has been immense, and we are thrilled to offer such an experience to Massachusetts orchestra students in 2025.
Your students will have the opportunity to work with our orchestra director and esteemed music director, Dr. Gabe Southard, on Gordon's beautiful campus. In the evening students will present a shared concert with the Gordon College Symphony Orchestra, including a combined work.
Repertoire: "How Suite It Is!"
Honors Orchestra:
- Grieg, Selections from Peer Gynt, Suite 1
Symphony Orchestra:
- Still, Danzas de Panama
- Faure, Pelleas et Melisande Suite
- Bizet, Selections from L’Arlesienne, Suites 1 and 2 *
*Honors Orchestra students will combine with the Symphony Orchestra to play selections from Bizet
Nominations
All students participating in this Honors Orchestra are nominated by orchestra directors and private teachers. In lieu of chair placements, we are asking that you briefly assess your student’s playing ability in your response below. You may nominate multiple students.
Deadline to nominate students: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
General Schedule
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
9:00 a.m. | Registration (Phillips Music Center) |
9:30 a.m. | Rehearsal (A.J. Gordon Memorial Chapel) |
11:30 a.m. | Complimentary Lunch (Lane Student Center) |
12:30 p.m. | Sectionals for Violin, Viola and Cello/Bass |
1:30 p.m. | Rehearsal (A.J. Gordon Memorial Chapel) |
3:00 p.m. | Tour of Campus (optional) |
4:00 p.m. | Rehearsal with the full Gordon Symphony Orchestra |
5:30 p.m. | Complimentary Dinner (Lane Student Center) |
7:00 p.m. | Symphony Orchestra Concert (A.J. Gordon Memorial Chapel) |
Questions? We're here to help
Dr. Gabe Southard
Director of the Gordon Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band
Cordelia Schirer-Suter
Director of Admissions, Adams School of Music and the Arts