Ironhorse Music offers a variety of programs for elementary through high school students. For detailed rehearsal or class meeting schedules, please visit https://ironhorsemusic.org/rehearsals.
Everyone at Ironhorse has enjoyed this summer’s Last Chance Lesson Camps and Last Camp Music Camp, but we are excited to get to work in the 2023-2024 season!
Ensembles
Ironhorse Full Orchestra (IFO) – 3:30-4:30 pm, Thursday, CRA Middle School
4:30-5:00 pm, Required string sectionals (every other week)
The Ironhorse Full Orchestra is one of the oldest in our organization. It is open to string students of all ages and ability levels as long as they are willing to practice and attend rehearsals. This ensemble plays repertoire for string orchestra and also performs a variety of symphonic orchestral works that include winds, percussion, and choir.
Ironhorse Orchestral Winds and Percussion (IWP) – 3:45-4:45 pm, Thursday, CRA Middle School
As Ironhorse Youth Orchestra expanded its repertoire to include symphonic literature, students from band programs were invited to join the ensemble. This orchestral ensemble is open to woodwind, brass, and percussion students of all ages and ability levels as long as they are willing to practice and attend rehearsals. This group explores chamber music and jazz standards in addition to orchestral repertoire.
Ironhorse Camerata Orchestra (ICO) – 4:30-5:30 pm, Thursday, CRA Middle School
4:00-4:30 pm, Required string sectionals (every other week)
The Camerata Orchestra was formed to provide additional challenges to string students at the high school level. It is open to all high school students without audition, and to other advanced players by audition. This ensemble plays advanced repertoire for string orchestra and other chamber music by established composers. Students in Camerata Orchestra are invited to attend Youth Orchestra (at no additional charge) on a limited rehearsal schedule.
Ironhorse Youth Chorus (IYC) – 5:30-6:30 pm, Thursday, CRA Middle School
The Ironhorse Youth Chorus is a community choir open to all singers in grades three through eight. The ensemble performs traditional and contemporary choral literature and joins the Youth Orchestra for various selections featuring orchestral accompaniment.
Ironhorse Rock and Funk Band (IRF)
During the spring semester of 2021, the first Ironhorse rock and funk band was born! The ensemble is not scheduled at this time, but we are hoping to get the band back together if enough students are interested in rehearsing.
Ironhorse Opera Chorus (IOC)
Everyone was thrilled with the addition of a children’s chorus to the Helena Symphony’s 2022 performance of Carmen! The Helena Symphony doesn’t need Ironhorse ensembles this season, but we look forward to working with them again in the future.
Ironhorse Woodwind Ensemble (IWE)
This ensemble, first formed in our 2021-2022 season, brought together high school age woodwind students to perform chamber music of all genres. The ensemble is not scheduled at this time, but we are hoping to reform if enough students are interested in rehearsing.
Other Programs
Early Childhood Music
Ironhorse is excited to introduce it’s first classes for the youngest musicians in our community, toddlers and preschoolers! Both classes will be scheduled based on family interest.
Movers and Shakers
This thirty minute class will provide our youngest musicians and their accompanying grown-ups an opportunity to sing, move, create, and explore together! We will use lap bounces, poems, songs, and dances to engage growing brains and create an environment filled with joy and creativity. We will build nurturing connections between children and their loving adults that will carry well beyond the walls of our music learning space.
Walkers and Dancers
This thirty minute class will provide learners of preschool age (and the adults who join them for class) space to explore music with more independence. We will focus on vocalization, creative movement, and early literacy skills. We will sing, dance, play instruments together, and explore a wide variety of musical styles from around the world.
Music and Technology Class
Started during the 2020-2021 season, this class explores broad topics related to technology in music (audio production, recording and editing tools, and music notation software are just a few topics). This class is presented in 10 sessions open to middle and high school musicians from any discipline. It will be scheduled based on student interest.
Private Instruction – Individually scheduled by students and teachers
Nothing builds musical skills as effectively as private instruction, so Ironhorse is excited to continue our private lesson program this season. Students of all ages and skill levels are welcome in private lessons, but availability depends on enrollment and teacher schedules.
The MET Live in Schools – Saturday mornings (October 21, November 18, December 9, January 27, May 11)
Ironhorse music is excited to support and assist with the Live in Schools program again this season. For sixteen years, the Helena School District’s partnership with the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York has allowed hundreds of students to see live, world class opera for free in our local movie theater. Because the program aligns with our organizational mission, Ironhorse staff are planning to provide instruction and student supervision at operas this season. The MET Live in Schools is and always will be free and open to every student!