The Orchestras

Lawler Orchestra offers five different levels of orchestra instruction. Students are placed in an ensemble based on prior knowledge and ability on their instrument. 

Beginner Orchestra – our beginner orchestra includes students with no experience as well as students with some prior experience who need to refresh their basic technique. In beginner orchestra, students will learn the fundamentals to become a great violinist, violist, cellist, bassist, or harpist!

Philharmonia Orchestra – Phil is our 7th grade Sub Non-Varsity orchestra. Philharmonia is the natural progression following beginner year of orchestra. Rising 5th grade students with experience can audition into the Philharmonia orchestra.

Sinfonia Orchestra – Sinfonia is our 7th grade Non-Varsity orchestra. This group includes select 6th graders by audition. An audition is required for placement in the Sinfonia orchestra.

Camerata Orchestra – Camerata orchestra is our 8th grade non-varsity orchestra.  Camerata is the natural progression after Philharmonia or Sinfonia level. An audition is required for placement in the Camerata orchestra.

Chamber Orchestra – Chamber orchestra is our varsity level ensemble open to 6th – 8th graders with at least a year of experience. An audition is required for placement in the Chamber orchestra and students enrolled in chamber orchestra are expected to pursue private lessons.

The Directors

Christine LaLonde – Orchestra Director

Mrs. LaLonde is the lead orchestra director of Lawler Middle School and specializes in upper strings (violin & viola). She has been teaching middle school orchestra for over 12 years and believes she has the best job on the planet! Mrs. LaLonde began her musical journey at the age of 5 when she started piano lessons. She began viola at age 9 and knew orchestra would be her home forever after. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of North Texas and has taught in the Dallas area ever since.

In her free time, Mrs. LaLonde loves to spend time with her family. She has a five year old son, two cats, a dog, and some fish. If she could, she would have a llama too.

Kevin Sluder – Orchestra Director

Mr. Sluder is the associate orchestra director of Lawler Middle School and he specializes in lower strings (cello & bass). Mr. Sluder started as a middle school orchestra director 15 years ago and after 5 years, moved to a 6A high school orchestra position for 7 years before joining the Lawler Orchestra team in 2019. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of North Texas.

In his free time, Mr. Sluder composes music (he has multiple published works) and enjoys traveling.

Young Park – Harp Instructor

Young Park is the harp director at Lawler MS School, Centennial HS, and Heritage HS. This is her 11th year teaching in Frisco.
Mrs. Park’s musical journey began at age 12 as she spent time under the guidance of her mother who was a pianist. Upon listening to her mother’s friend at church playing the harp, she decided to take one lesson and immediately fell in love. 
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Orchestral Instruments at Ewha Women’s University in Seoul, Korea. Afterward, she went to Paris to pursue her master’s degree in harp studies at Ècole Nationale de Musique de Chartres with eminent French harpist Cathrine Michel. Mrs. Park then continued her studies at Conservatoire de Boulogne-Billancourt. 
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, arranging music for harp, gardening, and cooking. She currently plays with her church’s choir on Sundays.