The Chamber  Orchestra is a competitive ensemble at the 6A Varsity level, performing a wide variety of concerts on and off campus throughout the year. The Varsity Orchestra performs music at the highest level and students must demonstrate sufficient skill to audition into the ensemble. Participation in private lessons, Solo & Ensembles, & All-Region Orchestra are strongly encouraged. Students must maintain Academic Eligibility and must attend all required rehearsals, sectionals, and performances to remain in this class.

The CHS Mariachi, Los Tigres, is a competitive medium ensemble at the 6A Varsity level. Students explore a variety of traditional Mariachi styles and perform in traditional trajes de charro. Students must have at least 2 years of consecutive experience playing Violin, Viola, Vihuela, Guitar, Guitarron, Harp, or Trumpet and pass a successful audition into the program. Students must maintain Academic Eligibility and must attend all required rehearsals, sectionals, and performances to remain in this class.

The Symphonic Orchestra is a competitive ensemble at the 6A Non-Varsity level, performing regular concerts throughout the year. Students perform music at the intermediate-advanced level and must demonstrate sufficient skill to audition into the ensemble. Participation in private lessons and CISD Honor Orchestra, Solo & Ensembles, or Region Orchestra, are strongly encouraged. Students must maintain Academic Eligibility and must attend all required rehearsals, sectionals, and performances to remain in this class.

The Camerata is a competitive ensemble at the 6A Sub-NV level, performing regular concerts throughout the year. Mostly freshmen, students in Camerata work to refine intermediate skills using a wide range of musical styles and techniques. Participation in private lessons, CISD Honor Orchestra, or UIL Solo & Ensemble contest are strongly encouraged. Students must maintain Academic Eligibility and must attend all required rehearsals, sectionals, and performances to remain in this class.

The Philharmonic Orchestra is a non-competitive orchestra at the 6A SNV level and performs at regular concerts throughout the year. Students build intermediate skills using a wide range of music and styles, focusing on developing confidence and fundamentals to prepare students for advancement. Sectionals are not required and after-school commitments are low. Students must maintain sufficient skill to remain in the ensemble.

The Sinfonietta is a mostly-freshman, non competitive ensemble at the 6A SNV level focused on the development of beginner-to-intermediate skills. Students perform at regular concerts throughout the year using a variety of music, styles, and techniques with the goal of helping students to develop skills which would allow them to advance. There are no sectionals and after-school commitments are low. Students must meet benchmark standards to remain in the class or to advance.

The Quintet is an ensemble made of our top students. It is comprised of two violinists, a violist, a cellist, and a bassist. They perform music at the highest level at a wide variety of concerts on and off campus throughout the year. Students must demonstrate sufficient skill to audition into the ensemble. Students must maintain Academic Eligibility and must attend all required rehearsals and performances to remain in this ensemble.

Every year students in the top orchestras get to form into smaller ensembles or solo to compete in the UIL Solo & Ensembles competition. Students must demonstrate sufficient skill to be invited to participate. Students must maintain Academic Eligibility, must commit to practice, and attend all required rehearsals to participate.