Orchestra Newsletter
Weekly Newsletter of the Carmel Middle School Orchestras
November 17, 2017 Edition
Spirit Wear Order and Payment DUE TUESDAY!
Color options (see below) are Royal Blue, Hot Pink, and Black with an option for customized lettering on the back for an additional $5. *Make sure names are spelled correctly on the form as there will be NO refunds. Sizes are adult.
Orders with payment (checks written to CAM FAM Club) are due by 3pm on November 21, 2017. Your orders will be fulfilled before Winter Break in time for the holidays! Thank you for your support!
Please click here for the link to order.
ISSMA Solo and Ensemble (Past Due!)
Today (Friday, 11/17) was the deadline for students signing up for ISSMA Solo and Ensemble. If your child forgot, please have him or her turn it in first thing Monday. We cannot accept any Solo and Ensemble payments past Tuesday, 11/21. Tuesday, 11/21 is the absolute latest we can take late Solo and Ensemble forms, and after that you will not be registered or allowed to perform. This is an ISSMA rule!
ISSMA Solo and Ensemble is optional but is highly encouraged. It will be held at Noblesville High School on Saturday, Saturday, January 27, 2018. Please feel free to download and print the form by clicking here. It contains a lot of useful information.
Please fill out the form by clicking here and return the form and the payment (it must be in an envelope labeled with the student name and titled solo and ensemble) to Mr. Powell. Forms and money were due Friday, Nov. 17th, 2017 by 3:15pm.
Solo and Ensemble is an opportunity for students to perform for a judge and get valuable feedback on their playing, as well as earn a medal. It is a very positive experience. There are varying divisions according to skill and experience level (please see form). All students that are participating in Private Lessons are encouraged to participate in a solo or an ensemble or both. If your child decides to do a solo, private lessons are very STRONGLY encouraged. Private lessons are not a requirement for participation in an ensemble. Many of the students have already signed up for an ensemble in class.
In the case of solos, the student, with their private teacher, is responsible for obtaining a piano accompanist, if one is needed (not required but helps give the soloist confidence when performing). The cost is $15.00 per solo and $7.00 per student participating in ensembles. A student is not permitted to perform two solos on the same instrument. Transportation to and from the site will be the parents’ responsibility. Times and room schedules will be sent home as soon as we receive them. Piano solo forms must be obtained from Ms. Heimann and will be available for pickup in the Choir Room on Monday, 11/13. Piano Solo and Ensemble is held on a different date. Please see Ms. Heimann's form for specifics.
In the case of a solo, each student must have the original book with the seleted piece, with measures numbered to give to the judge. The student can play from a photocopy, but the judge must have the original book with all measurers numbered. In the case of a solo, the student’s private teacher should give this original book to students or should instruct them where to purchase it. Without the score, they will automatically receive a division rating lower. Please dress by wearing the orchestra uniform. Students should bring extra strings, rosin, and any other items needed.
Many students have also chosen to participate in an ensemble. I will provide the music for ensembles. Ensembles cost $7 per member, and solos are $15. This experience is a great performing opportunity in which students receive great feedback from a professional musician and earn a medal. The ensembles also provide a fun opportunity for students to collaborate.
Forms and payment were due Friday, Nov. 17th by 3:05 pm.
The Week in Review
Upcoming Important Dates!
November 28 - 6th Grade Orchestra - Mandatory After School Rehearsal 3:15 PM – 4:05 PM - Orchestra Room: LATE BUS PROVIDED
November 29 - 7th Grade Orchestra - Mandatory After School Rehearsal - 3:15 PM – 4:05 PM - CaMS Auditorium: LATE BUS PROVIDED
November 30 - 8th Grade Orchestra - Mandatory After School Rehearsal - 3:15 PM – 4:05 PM - CaMS Auditorium: LATE BUS PROVIDED
December 1 - 6th Grade Orchestra - Winter Concert - 6:00 PM CaMS - CaMS Auditorium (Students report at 5:00 PM)
December 1 - 7th Grade & 8th Grade Orchestra - Winter Concert 7:15 PM - CaMS Auditorium - (Students report at 6:30 PM)
December 5 - Chamber Orchestra Only Midwest Clinic Preview Concert - 7:00 PM - CaMS Auditorium
December 20-22 - Chamber Orchestra Only: Chamber Trip and Performance Perform at 12:00 PM on 12/22 in Chicago, IL in McCormick Place Ballroom W190
Mr. Soo Han Visits Carmel Middle School!
Sign Up for 8th Grade Performing Arts Trip (8th Grade ONLY)
DUE NOVEMBER 28
1. Last week we sent home information with our 8th Grade White Day Orchestra regarding the 2018 Performing Arts Trip. We will discuss the trip with our 8th Grade Blue Day Orchestra and send information home with them on Monday. It has become a tradition over the past several years for our student groups to participate in a spring music festival. The cost of the trip is $330, and payment is broken into small installments (see packet).
2. This year’s trip is being planned for St. Louis on May 4th and 5th, 2018 and includes:
- Transportation in charter buses
- Lunch and a trip to the St. Louis Zoo
- A critiqued performance before a panel of judges in a music festival
- Dinner and Game Card for the St. Louis Incredible Pizza Company
- Overnight hotel accommodations at the Renaissance Hotel and overnight security
- Four meals (Friday lunch and dinner, Saturday breakfast and dinner)
- Saturday admission to Six Flags St. Louis amusement park
3. Please click here to view the packet (sent home in hard copy with the students): https://carmelorchestra.weebly.com/uploads/6/0/1/5/60151519/8th_grade_performing_arts_trip_sign_up_packet_2018_3.pdf
4. Once you have had an opportunity to review the packet and if your student is planning to join us for the trip, please see page 7 in the packet for instructions on how to sign your student up for the trip: https://carmelorchestra.weebly.com/uploads/6/0/1/5/60151519/8th_grade_performing_arts_trip_sign_up_packet_2018_3.pdf. Please ensure that your student is signed up for the trip by no later than November 28.
5. Every student traveling must also purchase a trip T-Shirt for Saturday ($10) – Checks may be made payable to CAM FAM Club (see order form in packet on page 2 and return it with the payment by November 17).
6. Interested in chaperoning? We will need approximately 23 parent chaperones (both male and female) to accompany us. If you are interested, please fill out the following form: https://goo.gl/forms/pyXUknOQgROjYrO32. I will contact you by Thursday, November 30 to let you know if we need you to chaperone.
7. WorldStrides will serve as our travel agent this year. They offer optional travel insurance, and if you are interested please contact your child’s director. All payments will be handled by WorldStrides and you will have multiple payment options. The payment schedule is listed in the packet. Please note the profits your student may have earned from the Butter Braid fundraiser will be applied to the December payment. We do not wish for finances to prevent any child from participation. Please let us know if you need assistance in this area. Because the students are participating in a music competition, we must have a strong representation of all performing groups (approximately 90% or better) in order to make the trip a reality.
8. We hope that ALL of our students will be able to attend!
Chamber Orchestra
We rehearse this coming week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Here is the rehearsal schedule up through the Preview Concert (subject to change):
Monday, November 20 (rehearse until 5:00 PM)
Tuesday, November 21 (rehearse until 5:00 PM)
Monday, November 27 (rehearse until 5:00 PM)
Tuesday, November 28 (rehearse before school at 7 AM - Meet at Door 2)
Wednesday, November 29 (rehearse before school at 7 AM - Meet at Door 2)
Thursday, November 30 (rehearse before school at 7 AM - Meet at Door 2)
Saturday, December 2 (rehearse 8:30 AM to Noon) at Carmel MS (Enter Door 4)
Monday, December 4 (rehearse until 5:30 PM)
Tuesday, December 5 - Midwest Clinic Preview Concert at 7:00 PM (Students report at 6:00 PM)
More Dates TBA
Please click here to view the trip itinerary.
Practice: ***Due Sunday by 11:59 p.m.***
There will be no practice time due for next week due to Thanksgiving Break, but practice IS due this Sunday.
To log practice time, students access www.charmsoffice.com.
8th Grade: Book III (C, G, D, and A Major Scales/Arpeggios, Shifting Exercises, Christmastide, Pacem Noel, and Rest Ye Merry, Rock Ye Very
7th Grade: Book II (#’s 55-88), Trepak, Dreidl Adventure, Twas the Night Before Christmas
6th Grade: Ode to Joy, Dreidel, First Christmas March, Jingle Bells, Can-Can
Chamber: All Midwest Clinic Music
Reminder: Students should be practicing daily. A total weekly minimum of 120 minutes (6th Grade), 150 minutes (7th Grade), or 180 minutes (8th Grade) is necessary and required. Please be sure that your child is logging his or her practice time in Charms Office at www.charmsoffice.com. For detailed instructions on how to enter practice time, please click here. Paper practice charts should only be submitted in the event that a student does not have computer access. Paper practice charts must be turned in by Monday each week and late paper practice records will not be accepted past Wednesday of each week. Please click here for a copy of the paper practice chart.
Website
Concerts!
Social Media
Patron Program
We are excited to continue to provide positively life-changing experiences for the students at Carmel Middle School. Our community takes pride in the tradition of musical achievement at Carmel Middle School. Please consider helping maintain a quality level of excellence in your child’s music education by becoming a member of the Carmel MS Performing Arts Patron Program. Please click here for more information.
Private Lessons
If your student is in need of extra help or wants to push themselves with a new challenge, please contact me for the name of an approved lesson teacher that can help your student. One-on-one instruction is by far the best way to learn!
Calendar
Please click here to view this year's Orchestra calendar.
Paige's Music
If you need an instrument, book, or accessories, please contact Paige’s Music at 1-800-382-1099. They deliver to the school every Monday afternoon and orders should be placed by no later than Friday each week. Please click here to see a video tutorial on how to send in an instrument for repair or return with Paige's Music.
Connect
Email: jpowell@ccs.k12.in.us
Website: http://carmelorchestra.weebly.com
Phone: 317-846-7331
Facebook: facebook.com/carmelmsorchestras/
Twitter: @carmelorchestra