The West High Symphony Strings is part of the Iowa City Community School District which is located in Iowa City and home to the University of Iowa. West High is one of three high schools in the ICCSD and is a Grammy Signature Gold Award Winner. 

The Iowa City Schools offers instrumental music instruction in grades 5-12 and vocal music instruction grades 7-12. Students are able to participate in all three areas through high school. Each area offers multiple extra-curricular ensembles including chamber orchestra, jazz band, and show choirs. The district orchestra program offers a robust curriculum including opportunities to play advanced string orchestra repertoire, symphonic orchestra repertoire, and chamber music. Students that do not study privately receive weekly instruction from directors from grades 5-12. 

The West Orchestra Program consists of over 125 string students and the West High Symphony Strings is one of three co-curricular ensembles, an auditioned group reserved for our most advanced players. The West High Orchestra Program is recognized as one of the premier programs in the state:

• For the past decade, the program has been a leader (first or second) in All-State placements

• Won straight Superior ratings at 2018 ASTA NOF

• Was a selected participant at the University of Northern Iowa Invitational Orchestra Festival in 2019 and 2022

• Was a selected participant at the 2020 Festival Disney National Festival where the group earned straight Superior ratings, Best-in-Class, and the Festival Gold Award for Best Overall Orchestra. 

• The West High Symphony strings was an invited performer for the Capitol Orchestra Festival at Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. February of 2023 

• In March of 2025, the West High Symphony Strings made its Carnegie Hall debut in NYC. 

Under the tenure of Mr. Jonathan Welch, the group has held annual playing engagements with Orchestra Iowa, our regional professional orchestra, at the Paramount Theater in Cedar Rapids. Many of the students at West High benefit from private instruction through the Preucil School of Music as well as from the faculty at the University of Iowa: both institutions are local to Iowa City.