Alpharetta High School opened its doors for the first time in 2004 with the orchestra under the direction of founding conductor, Sheldon Fisher.  While he was director of the AHS orchestras, the program would grow in size, scope, and quality. The Orchestra performed at the 2006 Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and the Symphony Orchestra performed at the same venue in 2012. The orchestra has performed several times in New York’s Carnegie Hall, and has performed both internationally and at other prestigious events such as the American String Teachers Association Conference in 2008. After a 40 year career in music education and 12 years as the director of the Alpharetta Orchestra program, Mr. Fisher retired at the conclusion of the 2015-2016 school year.

In 2016, Dr. Charles Laux was named director of the Alpharetta High School Orchestra program and continued to support the traditions founded by Mr. Fisher and further develop the program. In 2018, Dr. Laux founded the AHS Chamber Orchestra, an 18-piece ensemble made up of the school’s elite string players. The Chamber Orchestra is the 5th string ensemble at AHS. Also in 2018, the AHS Symphony Strings were invited to perform at the 72nd Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago.

In 2022, Mr. Jacob Hood became the third director of the Alpharetta High School Orchestra program. Under his direction, the AHS orchestras have continued their musical growth and have earned superior ratings in adjudications in each of his first two years as director. In 2023, The Alpharetta High School Symphony Orchestra was again invited to Chicago, this time to perform in the Chicago Festival of Gold in the historic Chicago Symphony Hall.