About Us
The award-winning Forestwood Middle School Orchestra, under the direction of Jenny McHenry, offers an outstanding music program where every student has a place to grow and succeed. With four orchestras designed for all skill levels, students build confidence, develop their musical skills, and experience the fun of performing together. Whether you're picking up an instrument for the first time or striving to reach the next level as a musician, everyone is invited to make music with us!
Jenny McHenry, Director
Jennifer (Jenny) McHenry began teaching Orchestra in 1995 in Arlington ISD, then Suzuki Strings in HEBISD. She moved to LISD, Forestwood Middle School in 2014. Mrs. McHenry received her Bachelor of Science degree in Instrumental Music Education K-12 from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She has enjoyed her work with private studio students, UTA Summer Strings, DFW WOW Suzuki Summer Institute, UNT Suzuki Institute, DFW area solo and ensemble contests, North Texas Suzuki Association Trophy Festival, Flower Mound United Methodist Church and local performance ensembles. She is a member of the following professional organizations: Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Suzuki Association of the Americas. Mrs. McHenry is the Forestwood Middle School Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026.
Mrs. McHenry began playing the violin in her fifth grade public school orchestra while growing up in Tennessee. She participated in private lessons and the Chattanooga Youth Orchestra, which led to more opportunities at the region and state level. She has enjoyed making music with friends and colleagues from childhood to present times.
While attending the Brevard Music Center in, she met her husband, who currently plays bass trombone with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Her sons are both engineers and cellists. They are alumni of the Flower Mound High School and Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras. Mrs. McHenry spends her spare time walking the dog, playing violin, gardening, reading, and relaxing with family and friends.
Our Orchestras
Chamber Orchestra
This is an advanced orchestra of primarily 7th and 8th grade students who chose to audition into placement. All four instruments are grouped into one class. This class performs at concerts and UIL activities, and private lessons are the norm. Students are encouraged to audition for the All-Region Orchestra.
Philharmonic Orchestra
These students have completed the intermediate class and are now considered advanced middle school musicians. All four instruments are grouped into one large class. This class is made up of mostly 8th grade students and performs at concerts and UIL activities.
Symphony Orchestra
These students have completed the beginning orchestra class and are now considered intermediate musicians. All four instruments are grouped together in class. This class performs at concerts and UIL activities.
Prelude Orchestra
This group includes beginning violin, viola, cello and bass students with little to no prior instruction. Students receive instrument specific small group instruction. These classes often combine into one large orchestra at concerts.
FMS Orchestra Board
President: Erica Varner
Vice President: Melissa Andersen
Treasurer: Jamie Monson
Secretary: Aled Jones
Communications: Leslie Brewer
Volunteers: Gaby Ramos
Uniforms: Shabnam Taneja
Hospitality: Position Vacant
New
Student Info
About the
Instruments
Instruments available for beginner
orchestra students include Violin, Viola, Cello,
and Double Bass. We encourage everyone to give
every instrument an equal chance! This is a big commitment,
and we want you to love the instrument that you choose.
Instrument Rentals
You'll find many wonderful local music shops nearby that offer instrument rentals. Just click below to download the latest info from our vendors.
FAQs
Should I take private lessons before I get to orchestra?
Private lessons before 6th grade starts are not required or necessary. We will teach you everything you need to know! If you'd like to have private lessons once school starts, we have many highly-qualified private teachers who come directly to the school during the day. These teachers are director approved.
Can my child be in orchestra and sports?
Yes! We have very few after school commitments and work with the coaches to avoid schedule conflicts as much as possible. In addition to sports, our students are also involved in drama, art, choir, cheerleading, extra-curricular clubs and Spanish.
What if I have been playing my instrument for awhile? Can I advance to an older orchestra?
You will need to play a live audition for Mrs. McHenry in order to be considered for a higher orchestra. Send us an email if you would like to be considered for this: mchenryj@lisd.net
Resources
Practice Resources
Free Sheet Music
Student Handbook
2026-2027 Calendar
LISD VOLY Account
for Volunteering
Area Youth
Orchestras
Scientific Benefits
of Music
Summer
Orchestra Camps
Hearing the Music, Honing the Mind:
The Benefits of Music Education:
Neuroscience Research
Learning, Arts, and the Brain:
Neuroscience Research
Private
Lessons
Why Take Private Lessons?
In a group setting like Orchestra class, students can't get the individual attention they need to progress at their own pace. Private lessons offer that one-on-one, weekly focus – and they're not just for struggling students. Every student benefits: those who need extra help can catch up, while average to advanced players can dive into more repertoire, pursue performance opportunities, and stay challenged beyond the classroom.
Why Take Private Lessons at Forestwood?
The FMS Orchestra private lesson staff are experienced teachers and performers on their instruments, selected by the Orchestra Directors and LISD background-checked and fingerprinted. They work closely with Mrs. McHenry to support each student's success. Lessons take place at Forestwood during the school day, so there's no extra travel for parents. LISD's standard pay scale also keeps rates more reasonable than many private teachers outside the district.
2025-2026 Lesson Rates
Degreed teacher, 22 minute lesson -- $21 every week
Non-degreed teacher, 22 minute lesson – $17.50 every week
Support Us
As school budgets get cut more every year, it is arts programs like this that get cut first. The orchestra program gets some funding from the school but it doesn't cover all expenses for music, buses, competition fees, etc. The booster club fills this gap and also helps keep the orchestra program up to date with technology and other classroom needs. This is an opportunity for you to directly help here in the local community. We are a "qualifying” 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your purchases and donations are tax deductible.
Please consider making a tax-deductable donation on our Online Store page.
Kroger Community
Rewards Program
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Once logged into your Kroger account you can search for Forestwood Middle School Orchestra Booster Club either by name or Kl202 and then click ENROLL
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Must re-link to FMS Orchestra every fall after Aug 1.
Tom Thumb
Good Neighbor Program
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Print the registration form at www.tomthumb.com/content/dam/store/good-neighbor/GOOD_NEIGHBOR_CHARITY_TT.pdf
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Link our FMSOBC account # 14192 to your indvidual loyalty account and we will earn while you shop!
Questions About FMS Orchestra?
Reach out to us at fmsorchestraboosters@gmail.com
© 2026 by Forestwood Middle School Orchestra.