Since then the entire IRC strings program has grown
to 3 orchestra directors and a total of 3 middle schools and 1 high school program. The success of performing strings in our community and the impact it has had on student achievement both academically and artistically- speaks for itself.

Richard Ballinger has been the director of the Oslo Orchestra since 2004 and the Storm Grove Orchestra from 2009 to 2021.  Starting in 2021, he is the director full time at Oslo Middle School.  During the past 18 years, both school orchestras consistently earned Superior and Excellent Ratings at Florida Orchestra Association Music Performance Assessments, often earning Straight Superior ratings.
In 2017, the Oslo & Storm Grove Orchestras traveled to compete in the the Winter Park Ski-Music Festival and brought home Superior, Best in Class, and Grand Champion awards while competing with various middle and high school programs from around the United States and beyond.  The programs have successfully raised funds through OPUS (Orchestra Parents United in Support), a 501(c)(3) orchestra booster which continues to help the programs flourish.

Please feel free to contact school board members and principals with your words of encouragement and support. In a climate where the arts are the first cuts in school funding— we will continue to need parental and community involvement to keep this very valued program. Please also check out ways to support our Parent OPUS and become educated with the ways you can be a force for preserving music and the future of your childrens’ quality education. With your support we welcome you to another successful performance year of 2021-2022!