Director - Brett Nelsen 

Brett Nelsen is the Orchestra Director at Cinco Ranch High School and is also in his eighth season as the Greater Houston Youth Orchestra String Ensemble Conductor.

Mr. Nelsen has been Orchestra Director at Cinco Ranch High School since the school opened in the fall of 2000. He also served as the Orchestra Division Chair of TMEA Region 23 in 2002-03 and 2003-04. CRHS Orchestras have consistently earned Sweepstakes awards from UIL contests and have earned Outstanding Orchestra Awards in Festivals across Texas and also in Orlando, Florida and New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Mr. Nelsen has lived in the Houston area practically all his life. He graduated with a degree in Music and Managerial Studies from Rice University, where he studied cello with Shirley Trepel, former principal cellist of the Houston Symphony. He also studied orchestral conducting with Dr. Carol Smith at Sam Houston State University. Brett now lives in west Houston with his wife, Barbara, and son, Ethan.

Student Officers -  CRHS Orchestra 2007 - 2008

President: Jennifer Zhou

Executive VP: Rachel Le

Administrative VP: Cameron Beckett

Treasurer: Heather Menzie

Secretary: Cici Liu

Historian: Mary Zhou

Head Librarian: Jackie Hippard & Becky Zorn

Performance Ensembles
CRHS Orchestra 

The Cinco Ranch Orchestra program consists of five performance ensembles. All students in the various performance ensembles perform at regular concerts throughout the year, participate in community service projects and are encouraged to participate in the fundraising process. Members participate in the UIL solo and Ensemble Contest in February and the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contests in the spring semester. Additional activities include auditioning for Region, Area, and All-State Orchestras and other youth orchestras in the Houston area. All students are encouraged to participate in all social activities planned for the orchestra program and our annual spring trip.

Cinco Ranch High School Symphony Orchestra - This orchestra meets Monday evenings during the year and includes students from the Sinfonia and Sinfonietta along with select members of the CRHS Cougar Band. This orchestra competes in UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contests in the spring semester and in select years, travels to compete in a music festival.

Sinfonia Orchestra - This orchestra, the varsity ensemble, has Monday night rehearsals and may also have after school sectionals at the discretion of the director. They participate in the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contests in the spring semester. Together with the Sinfonietta Orchestra and select members of the CRHS Cougar Band they form the Cinco Ranch High School Symphony Orchestra.

Sinfonietta Orchestra - Also a non-varsity ensemble, this orchestra has after school sectionals and participates in the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contests in the spring semester. Members of this orchestra combine with the Sinfonia Orchestra and select members of the CRHS Cougar Band to form the Cinco Ranch High School Symphony Orchestra.

Philharmonia Orchestra - This non-varsity orchestra ensemble has after school rehearsals and participates in the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest in the spring semester.

Camerata Orchestra - This is a non-varsity orchestra ensemble. Members may audition to participate in sectionals and evening rehearsals of the Philharmonia Orchestra for the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest in the spring semester.