About the Orchestra Program
The Riverside Orchestra program is comprised of orchestras from both Riverside Intermediate School and Riverside Junior High School, encompassing over 250 students in grades 6-8. The program is highly successful, receiving national recognition and consistently high scores at festivals and competitions. The RJH Philharmonic Orchestra placed 2nd at the 2022 ASTA National Orchestra Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. All orchestras have earned nearly all gold ratings at ISSMA Organizational Contest, including twelve “With Distinction” accolades. The RJH Philharmonic Orchestra performed as an invited ensemble at the 2025 Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA) Professional Development Conference, and was twice a demonstration ensemble, in 2011 and 2015.
Students begin their studies in sixth grade, and can choose any of the four string instruments: violin, viola, cello, or bass. The Beginning Orchestra is open to all students who meet some minimum grade requirements. Beginning Orchestra meets every day during the last part of the school day. Participation in Beginning Orchestra is a year-long commitment. Students will meet in groups of like-instrumentation to learn from Mrs. Kitchell or another professional instructor. They perform two concerts each year, one in December and one in May. Students who did not start in sixth grade but wish to still learn may join in 7th and 8th; JH Beginning Orchestra rehearses and performs with the sixth grade beginning ensemble.
There are currently four orchestras at the junior high level: Concert, Symphony, Chamber and Philharmonic. These orchestras are open to any student who has been studying for at least one year. Placement in the four orchestras is based on demonstrated ability, as well as necessary balanced instrumentation. Orchestras meet during the school day (a class period), and perform in many concerts and events throughout the year. Performance opportunities are also available to students in the form of solo and ensemble events, special events, and Holiday Hawks. Holiday Hawks prepare and perform holiday music for caroling around HSE Schools and the Fishers/Indianapolis community.
About Mrs. Kitchell
Mrs. Johanna Kitchell is thrilled to be in her 17th year as director of the Riverside Orchestra program. She is is in her 6th year as the director of the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra program’s Concert Orchestra. This orchestra is a preparatory string-only group, comprised of talented young musicians from around Indiana.
Mrs. Kitchell is the 2023 Hamilton Southeastern Schools District Teacher of the Year and was named a 2023 Yamaha “40 Under 40” Music Educator. She is the 2018 Indiana ASTA Middle School Music Educator of the Year, and the 2014 recipient of the IMEA Outstanding Middle School Music Educator award. Also in 2014, Mrs. Kitchell was the recipient of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Pitz Leadership Award, which recognizes community contributions to the orchestra.
Mrs. Kitchell served a decade on the board of the Indiana chapter of the American String Teachers Association, including as treasurer and president. She currently serves on the ASTA K-12 National Committee. Mrs. Kitchell is the author of Golden Techniques for Intermediate Strings, an orchestral method book for second- and third-year players. She has guest lectured at multiple universities and has presented at several conferences including ASTA and IMEA. She was a D’addario Educational Consultant, helping to develop and film tutorial videos for string educators, available on the D’addario Orchestral YouTube channel. Mrs. Kitchell was the 2019 guest conductor for the INASTA North All-Region Allegro Orchestra, and the 2018 guest conductor for the Kentucky MEA Middle School District 7 Festival Orchestra. Mrs. Kitchell also served on the board of the Indiana Arts Education Network, an advocacy group promoting arts education in all schools across Indiana, as well as the board of the Indianapolis Suzuki Academy.
Mrs. Kitchell holds both a Bachelors and Master of Music in Music Education from Butler University. She loves teaching the middle and junior-high level, where she can work with budding string players, and strives to provide high-quality instruction to all students, developing playing ability and nurturing the love of music. She is passionate about supporting the next generation of string teachers, frequently opening her classroom doors to pre-service educators. A native of New York, Mrs. Kitchell enjoys running, working out, listening to music, watching Jeopardy, and spending time with her husband and son.
For more information, contact Mrs. Kitchell:
jkitchell@hse.k12.in.us | 317.915.4280 x6164