It is hard to believe that the fifth week of school has already passed! Time is flying by however orchestra is going very well. I am continuously amazed by our students and how much they continue to grow! See below for the latest news…
Curriculum Night
I would like to invite each of you to the AHS curriculum night this Tuesday, September 13 at 7:00 PM. Parents will follow their child’s schedule to meet teachers and get a glimpse of a day at school. When you arrive to orchestra class, we will discuss classroom activities, grading, concerts, and more. Don’t worry – you won’t have to play an instrument! I look forward to seeing you there!
Solo & Ensemble Performance Evaluation
Solo & Ensemble is an opportunity for students to perform as a small group or soloist. The event is on November 12, 2016 at Inman Middle School.
This is an optional event and sponsored by GMEA. IMPORTANT: Students must notify Dr. Laux by Monday, September 12 if they wish to be included in the event. No additional entries may be added after this day.
The entry fee for each ensemble or solo is $12.00 and should be paid via cash or check to AHSOA.
Family Portrait Fundraiser by Tanner Photography
The AHSOA is excited to be partnering with Tanner Photography this fall for the AHSOA Family Portrait Event! Please join us for a family portrait session with your family at Mill Creek Pond (30000 Mill Creek Ave. Alpharetta, GA 30005)
- Saturday, October 15th from 9:30am-12:30pm
- Sunday, October 16th from 10:00am – 2:00pm
You will receive a sitting time and one 11 x 14 portrait of your family for only $25! ($120 Value Courtesy of Tanner Photography). Time slots/orders are pre-paid online and all proceeds go to the Alpharetta High School Orchestra Association.
Bring your whole family! Bring your pets! Great for Holiday cards! Please also feel free to share with your friends, family and neighbors so they can support us and take advantage of this phenomenal offer!
To sign up and reserve your sitting time, use this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f48aaad22a7f85-tanner
Performance Assessment (PA) / Playing Tests
This year students will perform regularly for formative feedback and as part of their orchestra grade. To save class time and allow students ample time to prepare their very best work, students will utilize their own technology (Surface Pro, cell phone, or other tablet) to record their performance video and will upload it to the cloud where Dr. Laux can view the video and assess each student.
While maintaining an accurate record of practice is a poThis method of assessment provides many benefits to the students and the orchestra program as a whole:
- Encourages student practice outside of class and provides a musical goal.
- Encourages individual student accountability in learning their part.
- Encourages students to practice until they can submit their very best work.
- Allows Dr. Laux to better assess students.
- Provides each student with a digital portfolio of their work over time.
Performance Assessment Video #1
Philharmonia: Korean Folk Song Variants
- Violin I: 17-30
- Violin II: 38-55
- Viola: 9-24
- Cello & Double Bass: 30-38 & 50-58
Chamber: English Fugue
- Violin I & II: 38-54
- Viola: 92-end
- Cello: 75-93
- Double Bass: 83-93
Sinfonia: Lullaby
- Violin I: 73-83 (top)
- Violin II: p.u. 67-83
- Viola: 32-51
- Cello: 19-35
- Double Bass: 67-83
Symphony: Mendelssohn Mvt. 1 (Half Note ~ 105 BPM)
- Violin I: p.u. 103-120
- Violin II: 100-120
- Viola: 81-100
- Cello & Double Bass: 134-155
Due to your OneDrive Folder: Sunday, September 11 (before you go to sleep.)
Please contact Dr. Laux with questions or concerns.
Submitting Performance Assessment Videos
To upload your PA video, please follow these directions:
- Record your video.
- Using your surface pro, open the Camera app. Be sure that the video recording mode is enabled. You may need to turn on the front facing camera.
- IMPORTANT: Be sure that your shot captures your entire bow arm and left hand. See examples here.
- Your video will be saved in the “Camera Roll” in your Pictures folder.
- Upload your video to OneDrive
- Log onto http://portal.office.com (bookmark this site)
- Enter your school email address (formatted as [email protected])
- Enter your password
- Click on OneDrive
- On the left hand side, click on “Shared with Me”
- You will see a folder named: “Orchestra_YourLastName_YourFirstName.” (This is your personal orchestra folder that Dr. Laux has shared with only you.)
- Open your personal orchestra folder. It should be empty.
- At the top of the folder, click Upload, and select Files.
- At this point you will then select the video file you recorded, then click open. The file will then begin uploading.
OneDrive Orchestra Shared Resources
Dr. Laux has shared a folder for all orchestra students on OneDrive that allows students to access a plethora of resource materials. Included in the folder are:
- Full conductors scores (to check bowings, markings, etc.)
- Rehearsal recordings
- Reference recordings
- Handouts
Students are expected to access these materials to listen to recordings, view the scores, and more.
To access the Orchestra Shared Resources folder on OneDrive, simply follow these directions.
- Log onto http://portal.office.com (bookmark this site)
- Enter your school email address (formatted as [email protected])
- Enter your password
- Click on OneDrive
- On the left hand side, click on “Shared with Me”
- You will see a folder named: “Orchestra Shared Resources“
- The main folder contains resources for all orchestra students and there are folders for specific items for each of the orchestra classes.
Uniforms!
Thank you to all of the students that purchased new orchestra dresses. They are on their way! Depending on the woman’s height, the dress may need to be hemmed prior to the concert date. Gentlemen who purchased tuxedos, the Tuxedo Wearhouse has said that they are about ready to be delivered.
If you are a returning student, please double check that your entire uniform is in order. Gentlemen that includes the cummerbund, bow tie, and BLACK dress socks.
All-State Auditions
Applications have been finalized and sent into GMEA. If you are one of the 39 students to sign up, please be sure that you have submitted your $20 entry fee, cash or check payable to AHSOA. Auditions are coming on October 15, 2016!
Fall Concert!
Please invite your friends and families to our first performance of the year on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 7 PM. Each orchestra will perform and I think you will be impressed with what they have been able to do in a short time! Students should plan on arriving between 5:45 PM and 6:00 PM. Note: There will be no after school rehearsals on concert day. Students are encouraged to go home after school to complete home work and eat a good dinner.
Student Participation Fee
Thank you to the many parents who have already paid the Student Participation Fee (SPF) of $120. While the SPF is technically overdue, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Laux if you have special circumstances or if you need to make special payment arrangements.
KSU Violin Day
KSU offers wonderful outreach programs to the area string students. Coming up soon is their inaugural Violin Day on Saturday, September 17. For just $30 students get a t-shirt, lunch, and all-day instruction from two incredible violin teachers: Helen Kim and Kenn Wagner. You can read more about them by clicking on their name above.
To register for Violin Day, simply use this link. The registration deadline is Thursday, September 15.
Upcoming String Days at KSU include:
- Viola Day on Saturday, October 8
- Cellobration & BassFest on Saturday, October 22
Take advantage of these GREAT opportunities!!
