Orchestra News
1st 9 Weeks
Upcoming Performances
Who: This is a required event for all beginner orchestra students
When: October 1st. Students should arrive by 5:30 to get tuned and find their seats. Performance begins at 6PM
What to Wear: Orchestra t-shirt with jeans or school appropriate pants. Shirts will be passed out the week of September 23rd.
What to Bring: Instrument & Music. Cellists need to bring their home instrument for large group performances. Cellos can be dropped off the morning of Oct.1st.
What is it: An informative performance. This is a chance for your student to demonstrate the skills they've learned over the past six weeks. This performance is also used to share expectations for home practice and performance techniques with parents. Parents, please plan to attend to support your student.
Advanced Fall Concert: October 30th - Lawler Cafeteria Stage
Who: All students in the Philharmonia, Sinfonia, Camerata, and Chamber orchestras
When: Oct 30th @6:30PM. Philharmonia & Sinfonia arrive by 6:00PM. Camerata & Chamber arrive by 6:15PM. Students are expected to stay for the entire concert
What to Wear: Orchestra shirt with jeans or school appropriate pants. Shirts will be passed out the week of September 23rd.
What to Bring: Instrument & Music.
What: Students have been working hard to refine techniques and prepare some wonderful music for this concert. Parents, please plan to attend to support your student.
Other Upcoming Dates
This event is only for advanced students signed up to audition for Region Orchestra. Form and $10 for this event are due by Tuesday, September 24th.
October 18th - Medieval Times
This is an optional fun trip for all orchestra members. Link to information below. Permission and Money is due by September 27th
October 26th - Region Auditions @ Plano East Senior HS
This event is only for advanced students who have already submitted the registration and form. Audition times will be sent home in the two weeks leading up to auditions.
Reminders for Everyone
Tuners: All students should have a personal clip-on tuner. It is an expectation that all advanced orchestra students tune in the first 3 minutes of class. If your student does not have a tuner or has lost their tuner, please get them one this weekend. Beginners will start to learn tuning in the next month. Link to recommended tuner below:
Additional Beginner News
Cello/Bass students should have brought home a paper with information on specific chair heights and home practice set-up. If you have not yet picked up your student's cello/bass, please arrange an afternoon to pick it up for your student.
Students in lessons, and students who are demonstrating good bow technique in class will also start bringing bows home to practice.
Students have been instructed to practice in a mirror to be able to self-assess technique. Please make sure your student has access to a mirror for practice.
You will learn all about specific practice habits and techniques you should be seeing at home when you come to our Informance on October 1st! Until then, please encourage your student to practice in small chunks of time with good technique in a mirror.
Ask them what they've been working on. It helps them to articulate the skills they are trying to achieve.