Dear orchestra families,
I hope you are all doing well and gearing up for spring break. I want to apologize for a break in my usual communication. It has been quite busy with the orchestra program, personally, and professionally. In addition to the events below, I was afforded the opportunity to present two educational sessions and represent AHS and FCS at the national conference of the American String Teachers Association March 17-18. I have also been very active in managing/ coaching both of my son’s (10 and 12) little league baseball teams for Sandy Plains baseball. March has been quite a whirlwind, but it’s been incredible!
I’m hoping this email will serve as a way to catch up and celebrate all the things we have accomplished in the last several weeks!
LGPE Wrap Up
Our LGPE that took place last month with Concert Orchestra, Philharmonia, Sinfonia, and Chamber Orchestra was a huge success! The concert Orchestra came away with an overall rating of excellent (II) and a superior (I) in sight-reading. The Philharmonia and symphony orchestras both came away with an overall rating of superior and the Philharmonia also scored a superior in sight-reading and Sinfonia received an excellent rating in sight-reading. The Chamber Orchestra came away with straight superior ratings and a superior in sight-reading. I am very proud of each of these orchestras and the amount of progress they have made this year. I am also proud that each of the orchestras entered LGPE with the same requirements prior to COVID. Some orchestras across the state opted to only prepare two musical selections and/or skip the sigjt-reading portion of the event. I think it was important for us to uphold the usual standard (three pieces and sight-reading) and continue to make headway in returning to our “normal.” Congratulations, everyone!!
Symphony LGPE – THIS TUESDAY!!
Symphony’s LGPE will be taking place this Tuesday, March 29 in our own AHS auditorium. Due to some issues with transportation we are able to perform our LGPE selections on our home turf and for a larger audience. This event has been sanctioned by GMEA and we will have three outstanding adjudicators present.
Our program will include:
- Toccata by Girlamo Frescobaldi, arr. Hans Kindler
- Prelude in F Minor by Gerald Finzi
- Bacchanale from “Samson and Delilah” by Camille Saint Saens
You are all invited to attend this Tuesday we will start around 11:30 AM (during fourth period), and should conclude around noon. The orchestra will sightread on stage after our performance. I have invited students who have 4th period lunch to attend as well!
DC Trip Wrap-Up
The orchestra’s trip to Washington DC was a success and a ton of fun. While this is not the largest group of our students, we had a wonderful time and made some memories that will last forever. We performed and Union Station for a large audience and met a concert band from Tennessee who also was performing that day. We got to see so many sites, made the best of the snow and cold, including being forced to dry our shoes out with hairdryers. We also had a wonderful learning clinic at Howard University. I am so proud of our students for their great performance and their impeccable behavior on the trip. I would like to publicly thank Ms. Firman and Ms. Harris for serving as the world’s best chaperones on our trip. We could not have done it without their support and dedication to our students!
Small-Group Performances – this Thursday and Friday
Over the last several weeks students have been preparing music in small groups, mostly duets and trios. Students will be performing a recital in their small group ensembles this Thursday and Friday during class time. Chamber music is a great way for students to play with their friends, and learn new music. Learning chamber music also helps students become more aware of their part and the role that they play in the music making. This recital counts as a major grade. I’m looking forward to hearing all of the groups this week!
Auditions for 2022-2023
Auditions for the 2022–2023 school year were originally due by next Friday April 1. I am going to extend the deadline until the end of spring break for those who wish to spend some time during the break preparing their audition. The new audition deadline is Sunday, April 10 at 11:59 PM.
I understand that the audition materials are demanding, but I am trying to hold students to a standard that was in place prior to COVID. All I am asking is for students to do their best and submit an audition that shows their best work at this point. I always remind students that the work they put in day today and the demeanor, preparation, and attitude they show every day in the classroom Waze much more highly in their placement than a single audition.
SPF – Student Participation Fee
Reminder – if you haven’t paid your child’s SPF for this year ($120), please do so ASAP. You can send in a check with your child, payable to AHSOA, or use our online payment system at http://www.alpharettaorchestra.org/pay
Thank your for your support of our orchestra program!
Spring Pops Concert – May 3
We have begun preparation’s for our spring “pops” concert! Right now we have music by Green Day, Lady Gaga, Music from La La Land and the Lion King and more to come. Please reserver Tuesday, May 3 at 7:00 PM for our last concert of the school year.
Senior Showcase – May 10
The Senior Showcase is a concert that features our seniors and a farewell to the AHS auditorium stage. Seniors will prepare solos and small ensembles for this event. All non-senior orchestra members are REQUIRED to attend the showcase to get inspired, to earn a grade, and to show support the senior orchestra class of 2022. The showcase concert will begin at 7:00 PM and usually lasts about an hour.
Awards Banquet – May 12
Our annual awards banquet will be held on Thursday, May 12 at the Crooked Creek Country Club starting at 6:00 PM. Tickets will be $30/person and I will have ticket information to you after Spring Break. Please mark this date on your calendar as we will have a wonderful evening of a delicious dinner, paying tribute to our seniors, and celebrating our students’ accomplishments.
Graduation – May 26
All non-senior students in Philharmonia, Sinfonia, Symphony, and Chamber should plan on performing at graduation this year on Thursday, May 26 for a major grade. The ceremony begins at 7 PM. Details will be forthcoming.
Calendar of Events
- March 29 – Symphony LGPE during 4th/5the period, 11:30 AM
- March 31 and April 1 – Small-Group Recital during class
- April 4-8 – Spring Break
- Sunday, April 10 – Audition videos/submissions due
- Tuesday, May 3 – Spring Pops Concert, 7 PM
- Tuesday, May 10 – Senior Showcase Concert, 7 PM
- Thursday, May 12 – AHSO Awards Banquet, Crooked Creek Country Club, 6 PM
- Friday, May 13 – Last Day for Seniors
- Thursday, May 26 – Graduation ceremony (Orchestra will perform), 7 PM