Students in CCSSD181 have the opportunity to participate in orchestra starting in fifth grade. Students in fifth grade orchestra receive one small group lesson during the school day and one group ensemble rehearsal before school at their home school, every week. Fifth grade orchestra performs in 2 concerts at their feeder middle school and 1 festival performance at Hinsdale Central High School
Middle school orchestra meets every other day for a class period. Each grade level has its own ensemble class (6th, 7th, and 8th grade orchestras). Middle school orchestra ensembles perform at 2 concerts at their middle school, 1 adjudicated performance, and 1 festival performance at Hinsdale Central High School.
Students in 6th and 7th grade orchestra have the opportunity to audition and join Soaring Strings (Clarendon Hills Middle School) or Chamber Strings (Hinsdale Middle School). This group is extra curricular and meets for one rehearsal before school every week. This group takes a trip every year including traveling to St. Louis/Nashville or Disney World every other year.