Month: March 2020

Dear Orchestra Parents and Students,

Welcome to Week 2 of Teleschool.  I hope you are all safe and doing well through these uncertain times.  I’m looking forward to watching everyone’s practice videos they made last week.

This week we will engage in a few small, but fun assignments.  My goal is to make the assignments motivational and enjoyable and not punitive.  I understand everyone is stressed and going through a lot of emotions.  Music should be something that we LOVE to do.

ZOOM MEETING:

We will meet online today at 10:15 AM.  I am happy to schedule more meetings and plan to meet with individual classes and sections to go over music, etc.  I would love your feedback on this!

[Link removed from website, please check 8:00 AM email]

WEEK 2 ASSIGNMENTS:

This week our assignment will have three parts. Each part is meant to cover an aspect of our curriculum (Aesthetics, Music Theory, Music performance).

• PART 1 – Listen and Reflect on YouTube
• PART 2 – Complete a rhythm counting sheet using DuckSoup
• PART 3 – Record a video on FlipGrid

As usual, details and directions for the assignments are available in Google Classroom. Together the assignments should not take more than the required 120 minutes of elective instruction.

New this week: Students will need to complete an online attendance form by 3:30 PM today in order to receive credit for participating.  The link will be posted on Google Classroom. (This ensures students are logging in to the platform).

On a personal note, I really miss seeing the students and interacting with them at school.  While online teaching has some strong points, nothing compares to face-to-face teaching and learning! I look forward to the day when we can be together again.  In the meantime, it is important that we all need to stay positive and so that we can make the best of a difficult situation.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns! 

Sincerely,

Dr. Laux

LGPE 

LGPE was a huge success!  This year we served as the host location and it was a lot of work managing all 48 orchestras and 2150+ students.  Special thanks to our managers, Nathaly and Ashley, along with the rest of our student leaders and volunteers for taking such good care of the directors and other orchestras. I received so much positive feedback from our judges and visiting directors on how amazing our students were.  We could not have done it without you!

I am proud to announce that all five of the AHS Orchestras received straight superior ratings on stage and in sight-reading.  This is the first time that our orchestras have made this accomplishment!  I couldn’t be more proud of each of the orchestras and all they have done this year.  The improvement from concert to concert has been truly remarkable.  Keep it up, everyone!

Special thanks to our AHSOA board for providing after-LGPE treats last Friday.  The bundt cakes were delicious!

Auditions

Audition materials for 2020-2021 have been posted to the website.  Students interested in Philharmonia, Sinfonia, Symphony or Chamber should audition. Please read the packet carefully for the directions to record, upload, and submit.  The deadline is Friday, April 3 at 11:59 PM.

Audition Information Here

Solo and Ensemble Unit

All students are required to participate in at least one small group ensemble and prepare one solo.  In May, students will perform their ensembles during an in-class recital. Solos will be submitted via Google Classroom or performed in class if the student so chooses. 

This unit is very important as it helps students become more independent musicians and allows for valuable collaboration.

Instrument/Bow Upgrade?

Are you still renting the same instrument you had in middle school?  Or are you ready to upgrade your instrument and/or bow?  Emily Dixon of Beau Vinci violins came to visit us last week with an informative presentation about instruments, bows, and how to best select them.  As our students become better musicians, it is important that their equipment grows with them.  I often see the case of a student “outplaying” their equipment.  The bow is often overlooked as equipment to upgrade but plays a critical role in one’s overall sound and control.

Maintenance is also important – strings should be changed and bow hair replaced at least once per year.

Orchestra Awards Banquet

More details about our awards banquet will be coming soon, but please save the date of Friday, May 8. We will be at a new venue this year and the price will be $25 which is $10/per person less than last year. I think you will really like the new setting!

Senior Showcase

The Senior Showcase is a concert put on by the 2020 senior class.  They will perform solos and ensembles as their culminating performance of their high school career.  Please plan on attending on Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium.  Attendance for all non-senior orchestra members is required at this event.

Upcoming Events

• Friday, April 3 – All placement audition videos are due by 11:59 PM
• Wednesday, April 29 – Spring Concert, 7:00 PM, AHS Auditorium
• Friday, May 8 – Awards Banquet, Crooked Creek County Club, Time TBA 
• Tuesday, May 12 – Senior Showcase, 7:00 PM, AHS Auditorium
• May 13-15 – Small Ensemble Performances during Class