Month: December 2017

Orchestra Newsletter, 12-06-2017

Winter Concert

Our Winter Concert will be this coming Tuesday, December 12 at 6:30 PM.

The orchestras have been working very hard to prepare for this performance and I think you will be impressed! We will be joined by the 8th grade orchestra students from Webb Bridge and Hopewell Middle Schools and are excited to meet them and hear their performance. (Please note the start time of 6:30 PM to better accommodate the middle school students.)

As we started the new tradition last year, we will be concluding the performance with a grand finale of Leroy Anderson’s Christmas Festival. We expect there will be nearly 300 performers so it’s not to be missed!

Students must remain for the entire concert as every student will be performing in the finale.

Students should make preparations this weekend by practicing extra carefully, and having the following ready:

  • instrument
  • bow
  • accessories (shoulder rest/rock stop)
  • music folder
  • concert uniform – (Let me remind gentlemen that you must wear long black socks, not white socks or black ankle socks.)

Our fist ever AHSO Program Book will be distributed at the concert. We hope you will enjoy it!

Also, don’t forget to bring money to purchase a treat or flowers from our amazing Concert Cafe during intermission or after the concert.

Concert Dinner RSVP

Students need to RSVP for our pizza/salad dinner that begins at 5:00 PM. (Completing the form IS FOR A GRADE!) and is due Thursday at noon.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjkivWEO3N6Ge-E51wqQ1YPn5YcxALNK0GPxWupSW7W0oIrQ/viewform

AHSOA Needs Concert-Day Volunteers

We need help serving pizza to our musicians before the performance (Orchestra, Band, as well as the 8th graders). We also need donations of sweet treats and drinks for the Concert Cafe – and volunteers to work in the concert cafe as well!

Please review the Signupgenius link below, and sign up for a slot (or two!)

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080549a9a628a46-winter

As always, we appreciate your support!

Full Orchestra

Symphony Members:  Full Orchestra rehearsal will be this Friday and a final run through on stage next Tuesday.

Fulton County Honor Orchestra

The following orchestra students performed in the Fulton County Schools Honor Orchestra at Centennial High School on November 14 under the guest direction of Mr. John Clinton.

Congratulations to:

  • Nathaly J.
  • Emily P.
  • Palin B.
  • Rohit D.
  • Nicole H.
  • Matthew L.
  • Eileen L.
  • Sarang P.
  • Anna Zhu

We are proud of you and thankful that you represented the AHS Orchestra!

KSU Orchestra Invitational

Congratulations to the Philharmonia, Sinfonia, and Symphony Strings for their great performances at the KSU Orchestra Invitational on November 3. Some highlights of the day included the clinic with Dr. Michael Alexander of Baylor University and lunch at KSU’s award-winning dining facility, The Commons.  The feedback we received from KSU was very helpful and the performance venue was incredible.

You can listen to recordings here:

GMEA Student Composition Contest Winner

Congratulations to Brian S. (Philharmonia) for being selected as a winner of the GMEA Student Composition contest.  His piece “Nightingale’s Anthem” will be premiered at the GMEA conference in late January.

Final Exam

We will begin reviewing for the orchestra written final exam after the winter concert.  It will be 100 questions, multiple choice.

Holiday Shopping at Amazon to Benefit the AHSO

This holiday season, remind yourself to do your shopping at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate to Alpharetta High School Orchestra Association Inc.

Shop for everyone on your gift list this holiday at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-1592164 and Amazon donates to Alpharetta High School Orchestra Association Inc.  

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support.

Holiday Gifts for String Players

Looking for some holiday gift ideas for your favorite string player?? Some ideas include:

  • High quality strings (Dr. Laux can provide recommendations)
  • Rosin
  • Instrument polishing cloth
  • Upgraded bow
  • Upgraded instrument
  • An electric instrument
  • Music books
  • Gift Certificates to a music shop
  • Gift certificates to the Google/App Store for tuner and metronome apps

Welcome New Students!

  • Sara A. (Philharmonia)
  • Angel P. (Concert Orchestra)

We are glad you are with us!!

Alpharetta High School Orchestra