Congratulations to the following students on passing the first round of GMEA All-State Orchestra auditions! We are proud of you! Thank you for representing AHS in such a positive manner.
All of the students below will now be preparing for their 2nd and final round of auditions scheduled for January 11 at Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts in Jonesboro, GA.
The Kennesaw State University Orchestra Invitational will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019. Philharmonia, Sinfonia, Symphony, and Chamber Orchestra are preparing programs to perform for this event. The tentative itinerary and additional information were included in Newsletter #4.
The permission form is due tomorrow, Friday, October 18.Download the Permission Form (PDF) and print it at home.
Lunch money ($10) is due tomorrow, Friday, October 18
Included is a Las Vegas-style buffet with offerings for every appetite and dietary restriction. Honestly, it will be the best $10 lunch you’ve probably ever eaten! Students should pay the lunch fee:
Via cash or check made payable to AHSOA (place in Orchestra dropbox . next to Dr. Laux’s door), OR:
We have a number of students auditioning for the GMEA All-State Orchestra this Saturday at Centennial High School. Please wish our students luck on their first-round auditions!
In order to help reduce the cost of our trip to Florida in the spring, groups from the Alpharetta High School Orchestra will be performing at the Alpharetta Farmers Market next Saturday, October 26th.
We will be accepting donations and will be selling various baked goods. All proceeds benefit the orchestra trip to Orlando in March.
IMPORTANT! We need groups of students to sign up to perform! Details are attached in the signup genius link:
Sign up before all the slots are taken! Let us know if you have any questions. Remember: the more money we raise, the less the trip will cost for each individual. It’ll be tons of fun! We can’t wait to see you there!!
Yay! Our proposed trip to Orlando/Universal has been approved and now we are allowed to begin planning! Our trip is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 thru Sunday, March 15. Please look over the proposed itinerary and the payment schedule.
Tentative Itinerary
Thursday, March 12
Leave via charter bus after school.
Stop for along the way for dinner (dinner on your own)
Check into hotel
Friday, March 13
Morning: Full breakfast at hotel
Exchange Concert with Orlando high school or clinic at University of Central Florida
Afternoon/Evening: Universal Parks (11am-close)
(NOTE: THERE IS NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY MARCH 13)
Saturday, March 14
Morning: performance in Universal Park – City Walk Lagoon Stage (10am)
Afternoon/Evening: Universal parks (11am-close)
Sunday, March 15
Morning: Breakfast in the hotel, Free time (TBA)
Afternoon/Evening: Travel home
(NOTE: THERE IS NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, MARCH 16)
Trip Cost
The trip total is $575. This includes our charter busses, 3 nights lodging, all meals (except Thursday dinner), two-day park hopper tickets, gratuities.
Payment Plan
Students that wish to attend the trip are required to remit a $125 non-refundable deposit that is due by Friday, November 15. Checks should be made payable to AHSOA.
The remaining payment plan is as follows:
December 13 – $150
January 10 – $150
February 5 – $150*
* Final payment will actually be reduced because of our upcoming fundraising efforts!
Minimum/Maximum
We will need a minimum of 45 students to attend this trip and will be able to accommodate a maximum of about 125 students. If we do not meet the minimum number of students, we will be forced to cancel the trip.
Please let Dr. Laux know of any questions or concerns.
Our fall concert was spectacular! I am super proud of each of the Orchestra’s for they work they put in and the quality of the performances in a very short time. It is always a challenge starting a school year and putting together new ensembles, but I am very proud of everyone. Congratulations to each of you on a job well done, and I look forward to our continued pursuit for even more musical excellent this year.
Students are now able to access the audio recordings from the concert online for their formative self-assessment.
Special Thanks
Special thanks to our AHSOA board members for their service and dedication to the orchestra. In particular, I would like to thank our hospitality chairs, Esther Yoo and Sunhee Day, for the incredible pre-concert dinner. Feeding 200 people and amazing meal is a very difficult endeavor, and it was done exquisitely. Second, or fundraising chairs Jennifer Taylor and Chhavi Chhabra created a beautiful country café complete with flowers and treats for everyone to be able enjoy. We definitely could not have done this without each of our board member’s tremendous support!
Google Classroom Conversion
As Dr. Laux is always looking to improve the way he teaches and assesses students, Going forward he will be using Google Classroom (classroom.google.com) to distribute and collect quizzes, assignments, etc. It will allow students an easier way to see their submissions and any feedback. It will also make grading more formative and much faster.
KSU Orchestra Invitational
The Kennesaw State University Orchestra Invitational will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019. Philharmonia, Sinfonia, Symphony, and Chamber Orchestra are preparing programs to perform for this event. Our tentative itinerary is below:
Friday, November 8, 2019
9:00 AM – Leave AHS for Kennesaw State University
10:15 AM – Philharmonia warm-up
11:00 AM – Philharmonia performance
11:45 AM – Sinfonia warm-up
12:30 PM – Sinfonia performance
1:15 PM – Lunch at KSU dining facility, The Commons & Campus Tour
2:15 PM – Watch KSU Symphony Performance
3:30 PM – Symphony warm-up
4:15 PM – Symphony performance
5:15 PM – Leave KSU to AHS
6:30 PM – Arrive back at AHS
Students were handed a permission form last Thursday, and it is expected to be turned back in, signed by both parent and all teachers, by October 18.
In addition, we will be eating lunch on campus at the award-winning Ksu dining facility, The Commons. KSU has been recognized as one of the top culinary programs in the United States and I guarantee that everyone will absolutely love our lunch plans!
The cost of the lunch is $10. Included is a Las Vegas-style buffet with offerings for every appetite and dietary restriction. Students should pay the lunch fee via cash or check made payable to AHSOA and put in the Orchestra dropbox or it can be paid online at http://www.alpharettaorchestra.org/paypal. Please remit payment no later than October 18.
New Strings
Students: Are you playing on strings that are over a year old? Then it is time to change them! Old strings do not produce a good sound, and make it difficult to play correctly in tune. Dr. Luck’s can provide some recommendations for you based upon your instrument, experience, and budget. Please let him know if you need a recommendation.
Bow Quality
Did you know that a boat can make a tremendous difference in your sound? Sometimes a boat upgrade is all you need instead of upgrading the entire instrument. A nicer bow projects sound and facilitates certain techniques, like spiccato (bounce) bowing. Carbon fiber student bows start at around $75 and are a huge improvement over the inexpensive wood bows and fiberglass bows. Dr. Laux can help you with choosing a new bow that will fit your playing ability and budget.
Homecoming Court Nominations from our Orchestra!
Congrats to seniors Kamille Caldwell (Philharmonia violist) and Sarang Pujari (Chamber Orchestra violinist) who were nominated to the the AHS Homecoming court! Kamille was selected as this year’s homecoming queen and we are so proud of her!
Did you know that 3 of the last 4 years, the selected AHS Homecoming Queen was a member of the AHS Orchestra??
2016 – Alexis Forrest
2017 – Jenny Choi
2019 – Kamille Caldwell
I think this says so much about our students and how wonderful they are!
Our Fall Concert is now less than a week away! Please join us on Tuesday, September 24 at 6:30 PM in the AHS Auditorium. We will be joined by our 8th grade orchestras from Hopewell MS and Webb Bridge MS. The concert is free and open to the public, so please invite friends and relatives.
Report time (for students not eating dinner) is 6:00 PM. The concert will proceed in the following order:
8th grade Orchestras
Concert
Philharmonia
Sinfonia
Chamber
Symphony Strings
To receive a complete concert grade, students must:
Arrive at the required call time (6:00 PM)
Be in the full required uniform (see uniform information below)
Remain for the entire concert
Be a respectful audience member (Please, no talking and no phones out during performances)
Perform their best on stage
Stay after the concert to help clear the stage of all instruments and equipment
Sign out after all of the clean-up has been completed. (With everyone’s help it should take less than 10 minutes.)
After the concert we will listen to the concert recordings in class, discuss, and complete a formative self-evaluation form.
Uniforms
Please be sure your uniform is complete and ready to go for our concert! Girls may need to have their dresses hemmed (or let out). Boys should make sure they have a complete tuxedo — with cummerbund, bow tie, black long socks, and black dress shoes. Please do not wear short socks, white socks, or sneakers (even if they are black). We want to look as good as we will sound!
RSVP for Pre-Concert Dinner
Our amazing AHSOA Hospitality has put together an incredible dinner menu for students before our Fall Concert. Students will begin eating around 5:15 PM.
Students wishing to eat MUST RSVP by the end of the school day this Friday, Sept. 29. Please RSVP using this link: https://bit.ly/32Lq073
Concert Cafe
The “Concert Cafe” is the name of our concession stand located in the box office area of the AHS Auditorium set up during concerts. Please consider helping us with the Concert Cafe — we need food and drink donations, and parent volunteers.
Please sign up using this link. Please bring donations (or send with your child) to the AHS Box Office at 5:00 PM on the day of the concert.
We appreciate your donations, and volunteering is a great way to meet other orchestra parents!
AHSOA Fundraising Chairs Chhavi Chhabra and Jennifer Taylor
Fingernails
We have been having some problems with long fingernails on both boys and girls. Long fingernails hinder a player’s ability to accurately play in tune and with appropriate string technique. Students – please make sure your nails are trimmed so that you can play your best!
The graphic below will show correct hand positions and how long fingernails create problems.
Please help me thank Beau Vinci Violins for agreeing to be our sponsor for the back cover of our program book this year! In addition, let us thank Atlanta Violins and Huthmaker Violins for sponsoring the inside front and inside back covers.
This is a great fundraiser and we will profit nearly 100% of all proceeds! Please let Dr. Laux know if you have any questions or concerns.
All-State Auditions
All-State Auditions, first round, will be held on Saturday, October 19 at Centennial High School.
The pre-registration form for Dr. Laux is due by the end of the day on Thursday, September 5, 2019!
After registering, students should then pay for their non-refundable audition fee online or via $25 check payable to AHSOA. Online payments for All-State auditions can be made at http://www.alpharettaorchestra.org/paypal
Important: 10th and 12th grade students who are EXEMPT from first round auditions (were in all state last year) should also pre-register using the above form.
Classroom supplies wish list
Parents — we are in need of paper towels, facial tissue, and a few bottles of household cleaner. If you are able to help, please send these in with your child.
Playing Tests
Students did GREAT on their first baseline scale playing test! It was great to hear everyone play and see a snapshot of where they are at the beginning of the year. I am looking forward to monitoring and documenting their progress as the year continues.
Our second playing test has been assigned and is due next Friday, September 6 at 11:59 PM. All students have been informed of how to submit their playing video and directions are online, under the Members menu. Each orchestra has their own page with important links and, most importantly, their orchestra assignment calendar.
Folder checks
Our first folder check was be this week. This counts as a formative grade. In addition to having their instruments, students are required to have their labeled folder, sheet music, and a pencil in class daily, Wednesday, August 27.
Homework / Practice
All students have orchestra homework daily. This comes in the form of practicing! Students are responsible for learning their Notes, Rests, and Bowings (NRB) at home. We refer to this as “NRBing.” Please set aside a set amount of time daily for practice. Remember that smaller intervals of regular practice are better than a single, longer practice session.
School Instrument Rental
All students using any school-owned instrument (this includes cello/bass players) are required to complete a “Use of School Instrument” form and pay a $50.00 yearly rental fee. Instruments and bows are consumable items. Bows frequently need replacing because the hair wears out, and instruments must have their strings changed at regular intervals. In addition, the instruments need tune ups when sound posts and bridges go out of adjustment. This money will help maintain our fleet of instruments.
All students requiring uniforms should now have paid for them. Please do so if you haven’t (link) as we need to have all students in uniform very soon to take our group photographs for the program book.
BEETHOVEN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Announcing auditions for the Beethoven Chamber Orchestra. Students can call Thomas Ludwig at 404-323-7578 (cell) or send an email to [email protected]. to schedule an audition for Sunday, September 8th. If you are curious, you can go to the Thomas Ludwig channel on youtube.
www.beethovenchamberorchestra.org
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Violin-
B flat major 3 octave scale and B flat major 3 octave arpeggio.
a piece of your choice or concerto movement. (we will only listen to part of it)
Viola-
E flat major 3 octave scale and major arpeggio.
a piece of your choice or concerto movement.(we will only listen to part of it)
Cello-
E flat major 3 octave scale and major arpeggio.
a piece of your choice or concerto movement. (we will only listen to part of it)
Bass-
Any scale and piece.
Midwest Clinic Recordings Online!
The professional audio recordings from the Symphony Strings’ trip to the Midwest Clinic in Chicago last December have been put online by the recording company. Listen an enjoy!
Just a quick reminder that our annual AHS Orchestra Potluck dinner is this Thursday, August 22 at 6:30 PM in the AHS Cafeteria.
I hope that you will come join us for a night of food and friendship! The dinner will also serve as our first general membership meeting of the Alpharetta High School Orchestra Association (AHSOA). It will be great to see returning parents and meet all of the new incoming parents!
Happy first week of school! It has been so nice seeing the students again and I am really looking forward to this school year. Please read the information below and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Potluck Dinner
Our annual potluck dinner is scheduled for next Thursday, August 22 at 6:30 PM in the AHS Cafeteria.
It will be a night of great food, getting to meet each other, and a short presentation by our Alpharetta High Schoo Orchestra Association (booster organization) board members. The dinner will also serve as our official first general membership meeting.
We have a great year planned and want to tell you all about it!
Instead of asking each section to bring a dish, we have decided to use Sign-Up genius for parents to sign up to bring different items (main dishes, salads, other sides, desserts). The AHSOA will provide all of the drinks.
All students must have the proper orchestra uniform for concerts.
For girls, we have ordered a dress size run (sizes 0-20) and students will be able to try them on in class Monday so determine the correct size. Note: Dresses may have to be hemmed for length after we receive them.
For boys, our representative from Tuxedo WearHouse (Ms. Alice) will come in this Monday, 8/19 during classes to measure each of the boys to ensure a perfect fit.
Uniforms will not change and will last students through their orchestra career at AHS. We are also working on a dress exchange program for graduating seniors and Tuxedo Wearhouse will accept trade-ins to upgrade sizes if/when necessary.
Program Book Fundraiser
The AHS Orchestra Program Book provides students, parents, and other concert attendees with a beautiful orchestra keepsake for the year. The Program Book also serves as an important fundraising source for the AHS Orchestra through the sale of advertisements.
Advertisements include personal ads from parents honoring their student and promotional ads from local businesses and corporations.
The program is professionally designed and printed. Included in the booklet is information about the AHS Orchestra program, professional photographs of each orchestra, a featured photo of the student leadership and 2020 seniors.
The program book will be distributed at all of the orchestra’s concerts. Please see the opposite side of this flyer for more information about selling advertisements and supporting the Alpharetta High School Orchestra!!
Each orchestra will play a scale as part of their baseline measurement for the beginning of school year. Students will play in class for Dr. Laux starting Thursday, 8/22. Details are on each of the orchestra’s respective assignments calendars that can be found on our website under the “Members Only” menu. http://www.alpharettaorchestra.org
OBOY Assignment
Students should be well into completing their Orchestra Beginning of the Year (OBOY) assignment. This helps us collect information at the beginning of the year and get organized. OBOY is due on Friday 8/23.
Fall Concert
Please mark your calendars for our Fall Concert on Tuesday, September 24 at 6:30 PM. Each orchestra perform along with the WBMS and HMS 8th grade orchestras. For future dates, please visit the orchestra
North Georgia Honor Orchestra
The North Georgia Honor Orchestra will be on Friday/Saturday October 4-5 at Kennesaw State University. This is a unique event designed to bring together the most talented pre-college string instrumentalists in and around North Georgia to focus on developing advanced technical and musical skills under the guidance of the exceptional KSU School of Music faculty. The two-day event includes orchestral rehearsals and sectionals, a faculty recital, and other activities, culminating in a performance by the orchestra in KSU’s renowned Morgan Concert Hall. Students are invited to participate based on nominations submitted by their orchestra directors. If you are interested, please discuss with Dr. Laux.
Greetings! I hope you have had a wonderful summer and a chance to relax, and rejuvenate. I am very excited for the upcoming school year and hope you are too. We are going to have a great time making music and learning together!
The first thing on our agenda is the our “Bach To School” Mini-Camp. This event will take place over two evenings, Wednesday, August 7 and Thursday, August 8 from 6 PM to 9 PM in the AHS Orchestra Room and Auditorium.
The event will be filled with fun, some music making, and getting everything ready for the start of the school year. The orchestra leadership team will be putting together the activities, and I know it will be a great time. We will be serving food for snacks and/or dinner!!
In order for us to know who will/will not be attending and to help provide an accurate food count, EVERYONE should RSVP using the link below. Please RSVP by Monday, August 5.
Please let us know if you will be able to attend both days, just one of the days, or neither days. While the mini-camp is not required, it is highly encouraged and will be a great way to have some fun, get to know your fellow orchestra colleagues, and possibly break the spider webs off of your instrument. You all practiced diligently all summer, right??
I’m looking forward to seeing you on August 7!!
Sincerely,
Dr. Laux
Upcoming Events — please mark your calendars now!
August 7/8 – Bach to School Mini-Camp, 6-9 PM August 12 – First day of school! August 19 – Program book and friends of the orchestra fundraiser begins August 22 – Potluck Dinner, 6:30 PM September 24 – Fall Concert with 8th graders (6:30 PM Start time)
