About

Superstars Orchestra Parents Association exists to support every facet of the Southwood Middle School Magnet Orchestra program, including raising essential funds to meet the progrma's needs, event planning, volunteer staffing, and more.

Established 50 years ago, Southwood Middle School is a Miami-Dade County public school known for exceptional visual and performing arts programs. The Magnet Orchestra program at Southwood enrolls students in grades 6-8 from across Miami-Dade County. 

Students enjoy two hours of daily instruction in string instruments – violin, viola, cello or bass – as well as music theory, music history and basic piano instruction. Segmented into beginner, intermediate and advanced orchestra groups, students learn to play as members of a symphonic orchestra as well as in solo and chamber settings.

Many students enter the program with no prior experience playing an instrument and complete middle school ready for high school auditions. 

Throughout the school year, students prepare for assessments including All-State, Solo-Ensemble, and District MPAs. They showcase their skills at Southwood Orchestra's winter and spring concerts, a piano recital, concerto competition, and the annual Community Concert that brings together K-12 public school music programs in the South Miami-Dade feeder pattern to perform before an audience of 700 guests. Each year, eligible students travel for an out-of-town performance competition such as Festival Disney or World Strides. 

Community service is also an important aspect of the program. Each year, students take a field trip to perform at area nursing homes and are often called on to play at community events.

Throughout the school year, Southwood Orchestra collaborates with numerous nonprofits and professional musicians to enrich student learning through coaching and master classes.