Welcome to the homepage for the Morton Orchestra Program

Not just a good orchestra; a great program!

The Morton Orchestra Program is a thriving music program in central Illinois that gives a fantastic music education and performance opportunities to over 150 students, grades 6-12.

13 qualify for All-District!

13 members of the MHS Orchestra qualified for the ILMEA District 4 Festival Orchestra in Macomb on Saturday, November 2. This is the largest number of qualifiers in a single year!

Congratulations to: Annie La, Calvin Leman, Camp Akers, Caroline Hillebrand , Clare Specketer, Joshua Rumbold, Luke Siebenthal, Nathan Park, Nissa Groth, Ryan Siebenthal, Sam Fisher, Vincent Zou, and Zack Tucker.

John Williams Concert!

The MHS Orchestra kicked off their 2024-2025 school year with an entertaining evening highlighting the music of John Williams. Melodies from Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Jurassic Park delighted the crowd, along with the outstanding lobby decorations courtesy of the Oram family. Click the link below to see pictures from the evening captured by Mark & Oliver Oram.

VIEW PHOTO ALBUM

Mr. Martin’s Last Concert!

After 33 years, Pete Martin retired as the director of the Morton Jr. High Concert. In front of a packed audience in the MJHS Gym, Mr. Martin took the podium one last time to conduct 230 of his current and former students.

The story was picked up by WEEK-News: STORY HERE

5 make All-State!

Congratulations to Josh Rumbold (bass), Ryan Siebenthal (cello), Nathan Park (violin), Zack Tucker (viola), and Calvin Leman (violin) on making the 2024 ILMEA All-State Orchestra. Calvin and Josh were selected for the Honors Orchestra!

“Vault Disney!” - MHS Orchestra Fall Concert

What a magical evening!

The MHS Orchestra kicked off its 2023-2024 performing season with an incredible, Disney-inspired concert on October 24. The students showed up in incredible costumes, Disney-themed treats and games were a big part of the evening, and the concert was filled with Disney classics old and new. Thanks to Mark and Oliver Oram for taking wonderful pictures of the evening. Click below to view them.

VIEW PHOTO ALBUM

Krannert01.JPG

MHS Symphonic Strings performed at All-State 2022!

The Morton High School Symphonic Strings Ensemble will perform at the ILMEA All-State Convention on January 27, 2022.

 
IPT02.jpg

Mr. Martin & Mr. Getz present on I.P.T. (Individual Practice Time) for ILMEA

Since 2014, the Morton Orchestra program has been utilizing student practice days where students have the freedom and autonomy to work on whatever they would like for structured periods of time. In March 2021, Mr. Martin and Mr. Getz presented a virtual webinar for ILMEA on this successful cultural practice. The slides from their presentation, entitled “Less Rehearsals, Better Concerts,” can be found below:

MJHS02_Festival.jpg

Watch Morton Orchestra Concerts on MPTV

All concerts this year are available to view On-Demand on the MPTV website.

Banner photo and video by Micah Hancock

For more content by Micah, visit www.thefearlesscreative.com