Newsletter, 10-17-21

black mountains under the stars at nighttime

Symphony Under the Stars is here!

Come see the orchestras perform this Tuesday, October 19 at 6:30 PM.  I think you will joy our selections, as we have a wide variety of different music.  There will be themes from master composers J.S. Bach, Jean-Joseph Mouret, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Jean Sibelius, and more.

Again, the concert will start at 6:30 PM.  We will hopefully conclude by around 8:30 PM at the very latest.  

Students must stay for the entire concert to receive their full concert grade.   Part of the experience is supporting each of the orchestras and fellow orchestra family members.

At the end of the concert, all students are responsible for putting away their instruments and also helping bring back music stands, chairs, stools, director’s podium, audio equipment, etc. before they leave. 

Pre-Concert Dinner

Our incredible AHSOA hospitality chair, Ms. Yoo, and our AHSOA board will be serving dinner to all interested students starting at 5:00 PM before the concert. 

MENU: 

  • Vegetable Fried rice
  • Chicken with veggies
  • Veggie dumplings
  • Veggie noodles

Students MUST RSVP  by Monday at 2:30 PM for our dinner using this form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCW-n0RfxNl7-oE7NBA1k_7B2vK34-3Gn_Ww_9fC3rFK_DvA/viewform

Grading for concerts:

1. Be on time.  6:00 PM report time.  (5:00 PM if you are eating dinner)

2. Come dressed (or changed into) in concert uniform.

  • Gentlemen:  BLACK Dress shoes and BLACK calf-height socks.  (No leg should be showing when you are sitting down).
  • Ladies: Black shoes and socks/tights/hose.  Your shoes should not be showing when you sit down, nor should any leg).
  • All students: Please bring a hoodie if you think you will be cold as the sun goes down.

3. Do your very best on stage!

  • When performing, students should have their eyes on the conductor at all times so they understand when to sit/stand/play.
  • Focus on the task at hand, not on the audience, friends, etc.
  • Phones should be off and NOT with you/on your music stand.  Please leave phones in your locker or stowed in your violin case.

4.  Be a good audience member. 

  • Phones should be off and stowed. You should not be using them during the concert.  Period.
  •  Full attention should be given to the performers.  Students should not be talking or moving around when other groups are performing.

5. Sign-out at the end of the concert

  • All students are REQUIRED to stay for the entire concert. This is part of the learning experience. Please do not ask to leave early, unless previously discussed.
  • All students are required to sign-out at the end of the concert to receive their full grade.
  • Sign-out sheets will be released once all equipment has been brought back to the orchestra room. Clean-up takes 10 minutes if EVERYONE helps. 🙂

Additional notes:  

  • Students are not allowed to roam the non-fine arts hallways or other parts of campus.
  • Students should be respectful of our equipment and facilities at all times.
  • Students who need to be excused from a portion of the concert (for any reason) should notify Dr. Laux in advance.

A few notes for Parents:  

1. We will be recording the concert using our wide-angle camera and good microphones.  Please refrain from making videos of the concert as it can be very distracting for our performers and other patrons. 

2.  Please bring a blanket, hoodies, cushions, etc. to stay warm and comfy during the concert.  It may get chilly as the sun goes down. Most audience members sit on the stairs leading down to the patio.

3.  Unlike indoor concerts, you may bring snacks/drinks to the concert, but please be sure to deposit all trash in the receptacles.

4.  There will be limited room for some (bring your own) folding chairs in front of the orchestra or at the top of the stairs.

Reminders for next week’s KSU Trip

(This is for all orchestras except Concert)

  1. Permission forms (signed by parent/teachers) are due to Dr. Laux this week.
  2. $10 lunch fee is due now.  Bring in cash/check to the dropbox or pay online with PayPal at https://www.alpharettaorchestra.org/paypal
  3. We will be missing ALL DAY of classes on Friday, 10/29.  Please plan accordingly. We will be back for the Homecoming football game.

KSU Itinerary: 

Friday, October 29, 2021

  • 8:10 AM – Leave AHS for Kennesaw State University 
  • 9:30 AM – Philharmonia warm-up
  • 10:15 AM – Philharmonia performance 
  • 11:00 AM – Sinfonia warm-up
  • 11:45 PM – Sinfonia performance
  • 12:15 PM – Lunch at KSU dining facility, “The Commons” & Campus Tour
  • 1:45 PM – Symphony warm-up
  • 2:15 PM – Symphony performance 
  • 2:45 PM – KSU Symphony Orchestra’s Performance
  • 3:30 PM – Leave KSU for AHS
  • 4:30 PM – Arrive back at AHS
Alpharetta High School Orchestra