TWHS Orchestra Newsletter
November/ December
This newsletter also contains all the information about our holiday concerts, so please make sure to read the WHOLE newsletter as there is A LOT of information contained in it.
HOLLY JOLLY JINGLE IS A GO!
On Wednesday Dec 9th Students in Chamber and Concert Orchestras will be traveling to the CWM Pavilion to tape our portion of the event.
The schedule for that day:
- 7:20 AM Arrive TWHS SR Campus dressed in blue jeans and orchestra shirt
- 7:30 to 10:40 AM Rehearsal on Stage
- 10:40-11:30 Lunch Socially Distant in the Orchestra Room, Small Courtyard, and the Band Courtyard
- 11:30 AM- Noon: Gather materials, load busses, form car line
- Noon Depart for the Pavilion.
- 12:15-12:45 PM Arrive Pavilion and clear COVID Check and Security.
- 1-3 PM Rehearsal and taping session on the CWMP Stage
- 3 PM Students released (will need to be picked up from the Pavilion)
More Information will be coming your way soon but here are some of the Major Details:
WHEN: Wednesday Dec 9th, 2020 7:20 AM to 3 PM
WHICH STUDENTS ARE INVOLVED: Students in Concert and Chamber Orchestras Only
WHERE TO GO: Students need to be DROPPED OFF at TWHS SR Campus, and PICKED UP from CWM Pavilion
WHAT TO WEAR: ORCHESTRA T-SHIRT, BLUE JEANS, TENNIS SHOES, HOLIDAY HAT, BLACK MASK
WHAT TO BRING: Instrument, Music, and a Sack Lunch. DO NOT BRING BACKPACKS THEY CAN NOT GO TO THE PAVILION AND WE WILL NOT BE COMING BACK TO SCHOOL. YOU ARE EXCUSED ALL DAY FROM SCHOOL.
Can my students drive themselves?: 11th and 12th graders who have a parking spot on campus, can drive themselves to the Pavilion. When the rest of us load the bus you, will go get your car and form a caravan of cars behind our buses. NO CAR POOLING OUTSIDE OF FAMILIES. Also any student that wants to drive themselves will need to get a release from signed by the parents and turned into Mr. Michaelson by Wednesday the 2nd of December.
Can Parents Attend?: Sadly NO. Parents will need to pick their student up at the Pavilion at the end of the event.
Where can I see the Concert?: On the Pavilion Youtube Channel the week on Dec 17th.
Holiday Mosaic Concert Taping
Saturday, Dec 5, 2020, 09:30 AM
The Woodlands High School, Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX, USA
FRIDAY DEC 4TH:
Decorate and Rehearse on Stage During School. Chamber's recording session will happen during their class on this day.
Saturday DEC 5th:
9:30 AM: Camerata and Philharmonic Students arrive and unpack in the orchestra room and go to the stage
9:45 AM :Tune and Warm UP
10 AM- Noon: Recording Session
12:15 PM: Phil and Cam Students released
1:30 PM: Symphony Students Arrive and unpack in the Orchestra Room and go to the stage.
1:45 PM: Tune and Warm Up
2-4 PM: Symphony Recording Session
4-4:30 PM: Clean Up Stage
4:45 PM: Symphony Students Released
More Information will be coming your way soon but here are some of the Major Details:
WHAT TO WEAR: Black Dress Pants, Holiday shirt/sweater or Orchestra T-shirt, Black Shoes
WHAT TO BRING: Instrument, and Music.
Can Parents Attend?: Sadly NO. Due to Covid restrictions we are not allowed to have an audience at this time.
Where can I see the Concert?: On our social media channels the week of 12/11/2020
Trans Siberian Tribute Concert Taping
Friday, Dec 11, 2020, 03:00 PM
The Woodlands High School, Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX, USA
FRIDAY DEC 11TH:
REHEARSALS ON STAGE DURING SCHOOL
3- 6 PM: DECORATING/DRUM LOAD IN TECH REHEARSAL WITH SOLOISTS (ONLY OFFICERS AND STUDENTS PLAYING THE ELECTRICS)
Saturday DEC 12th:
9:30 AM: Concert and Chamber Students arrive and unpack in the orchestra room and go to the stage
9:45 AM :Tune and Warm UP
10 AM- Noon: Rehearsal
12- 1 PM Lunch
1:15-3:15 Pm Recording Session
3:15-4 PM: Clean Up Stage
4:15 PM: Students Released
More Information will be coming your way soon but here are some of the Major Details:
WHAT TO WEAR: Black Dress Pants, Holiday shirt/sweater or Orchestra T-shirt, Black Shoes
WHAT TO BRING: Instrument, and Music.
Can Parents Attend?: Sadly NO. Due to Covid restrictions we are not allowed to have an audience at this time.
Where can I see the Concert?: On our social media channels the week of 12/19/2020
In this assignment you will make a music video using your playing skills, creativity to create an epic music video over a holiday song or two of your choice. Make it your own and be the next YouTube sensation like Lindsey Sterling, The Piano Guys, 2 Cellos, or Black Violin. This video could be part of our holiday concert! If you choose to do this assignment, you MUST complete all parts to receive credit. Your video must include the following:
- Learn to play holiday piece of your choice by ear, or from music you find online at places like: sheetmusicplus, musescore, or noteflightmarketplace (Those in Concert and Chamber MUST make 2 videos)
- Make a Music video to the song you chose. YOU MUST HAVE A BACK TRACK OR ACCOMPANIMENT. You can use a recording of the song, a backtrack, a karaoke track, or have a pianist accompany you.
- Be creative. You can use anything available to enhance your video, include members of your family, your pets, a back track, digital effects, special instrument skills such as “chopping”, any available technology or anything else you can imagine. Also think about backgrounds, props, and costumes. The more creative the better.
- You can work in groups if you choose to do so.
- ALL VIDEOS WILL BE DUE ON MONDAY NOV 30th
TIMELINE
Assignment 1/Week 1: Oct 19-23
- In a document, write the name(s) of the holiday piece you chose and the original artist, and who is going to be in your video.
- In the same document, write an explanation or outline of what you are going to include in your video and the creative elements you plan to use.
- Submit the document for director approval. Once you have director approval for your piece, make sure to purchase it
- Start learning the piece.
Assignment 2/Week 2: Oct 26-30
- Continue to learn the piece(s)
- Start working on the music video: What is your choreography and background going to be? Find a backtrack, and Costume.
- Submit a clip of your music video to show your progress on the music and talk about the logistics of the videos.
Assignment 3/Week 3: Nov 2-6
- Continue to learn the piece(s)
- Start working on the music video: What is your choreography and background going to be? Find a backtrack, and Costume.
- Submit a clip of your music video to show your progress on the music and talk about the logistics of the videos. What have you finalized/ changed from the week before.
Assignment 4/Week 4: Nov 9-13
- Continue to learn the piece(s)
- Finalize all plans for your video. Make a video talking through this.
- Submit a full run through of your piece(s)
Assignment 5/Week 5: Nov 16-20
- Finish learning the piece(s)
- Start work on final videos
- Submit a full run through of your piece(s) or your completed Music Video(s)
FINAL COMPLETED VIDEOS DUE: MONDAY November 30TH, 2020.
(This is the Monday we return from Thanksgiving Break)
If you would like to sign up to compete, use the links below. DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2nd.
In order to maintain some flexibility and grace for students, but still allow Mrs. Gordon and Mr. Michaelson to retain some of their sanity and do their jobs in a timely fashion, the Updated Late Work Policy will be as follows:
- Assignments will continue to be due on Fridays at 11:59 PM for all students whether virtual or in person. After that it is late.
- Students will have until 11:59 PM on Sunday Night following the due date to turn things in with no penalty.
- From Midnight Monday Morning through 11:59 PM Monday Night 10 points will be deducted.
- From Midnight on Tuesday Morning through 11:59 PM on Tuesday Night another 20 points will be deducted for a total of 30 points off.
- At Midnight on Wednesday Morning the assignment will no longer be accepted, and will turn into a zero.
If you have a serious reason for why you will not be able to complete your work within this timeframe, i.e. a death in the family or a hospitalization, please send MR. MICHAELSON an email to discuss.
Orchestra Fees Are Past Due
This fee can be paid online through CHARMS under the financial tab. If you need to send a check please contact Mr. Michaelson to make arrangements. Please pay this fee or make payment arrangements as soon as possible.
Password: student id #
CONCERTS DURING THE FALL WILL BE HAPPENING VIRTUALLY, AND DATES ARE STILL IN FLUX. We hope to be able to return to in person concerts in the spring, however if we have to continue with virtual concerts more recording dates will be announced.
Fall Semester 2020
NOV
- November- Release of our Electrify Your Strings with Mark Work Digital Edition Concert
DEC
- Fri Dec 4th During Shool Day Holiday Mosaic Concert Taping, Rehearsals/Decorating
- Sat Dec 5th 10 AM- 5 PM Holiday Mosaic Concert Taping
- Wed Dec 9th 7:20-3 PM Holly Jolly Jingle Taping at CWMP
- Fri Dec 11th Release of our Holiday Mosaic Concert
- Fri Dec 11th 3-7 PM Trans Siberian Tribute Concert Recording Tech Rehearsal/ Decorating
- Sat Dec 12th 10AM - 5 PM Trans-Siberian Tribute Concert Recording
- Fri Dec 18th Release of our Trans Siberian Tribute Concert
Spring Semester 2020
- Jan 26th 6:30 PM Solo and Ensemble Recital
- Mar 27th 6:30 PM Spring Classics Concert with McC JH
- May 15th 7 PM Night at the Movies Concert
Join Our Remind and Stay Informed
Please download the app or text the correct code to 81010
PARENTS:
Senior Campus Parents: @twhsorchp
9th Grade Parents: @orc9parent
STUDENTS:
Chamber Orchestra: @01chamber
Concert Orchestra: @02concert
Symphony Orchestra: @03Symphony
Camerata Orchestra: @04camerata
Philharmonic Orchestra: @05phil
Booster Club Sponsorship Program
Dear Parents
The TWHS/McC Orchestra Program is comprised of over 500 students and since the fine arts budgets continue to decrease every year which means we have less money per student. School district funding and student fees do not cover all expenses for supporting a performance group of this size. In addition, each orchestra concert averages between $5-8k due to copyright and performance rights for music.
Throughout the year, our booster club hosts a variety of fundraising events and spirit nights to assist the program in gaining funding for necessary materials, instruments, music, technical equipment, director training and senior scholarships. We also have a sponsorship program for parents and local businesses in which we offer various forms of acknowledgment for your support. Every dollar raised is solely used for the benefit of the TWHS and MCCJH Orchestra programs.
The TWHS Booster Club is an IRS approved 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit organization, which means your gift or donation is tax-deductible. With appreciation, we will send you a receipt and personal acknowledgement for your contribution. Please help us share the word about our wonderful orchestra and ask a friend or local business to help support our program!
Please review our sponsorship program found below.
Thank you,
TWHS/McC Booster Club Board
TWHS Orchestra Directors
Aaron Michaelson- TWHS Orchestra Director
Email: amichaelson@conroeisd.net
Website: twhsorchestra.org
Location: 6101 Research Forest Drive, Spring, TX, USA
Phone: 936-709-1332
Lea Gordon- Assistant Director
Email: lkgordon@conroeisd.net
Website: twhsorchestra.org
Location: 6101 Research Forest Drive, Spring, TX, USA
Phone: 936-709-1331