Tag: Uniforms

Newsletter, 9-27-2021

Fall Concert – Date Change

Due to delays in receiving uniforms and our program book production schedule, we will need to postpone our fall concert.

Unfortunately, our auditorium is heavily booked for the month, so I have decided to relocate our concert to an outdoor location on campus.  

Our new theme will be “Symphony Under the Stars!”  Bring your cushions, blankets, snacks, and enjoy an evening outdoors while listening to our amazing students!

Our new concert date is now Tuesday, October 19 and we will begin at 6:30 PM.  Please mark this date in your calendar now.  You won’t want to miss all of the orchestras performing for you.

Please also note our rain date of Wednesday, October 20.

Washington D.C. Trip Meeting

Our Washington D.C. Trip is coming on March 11-14.  It’s not too late to hop on and be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.  All orchestra members are encouraged to participate!!

We will have an informational meeting for interested students & parents on Tuesday, September 28 at 7:00 PM on Teams.

In the meeting, we will go over the itinerary, pricing, and answer questions you may have.

A link to the Teams meeting is here:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OTgyNDFjNzYtZGVhNS00MzViLWJjMGQtYjUyYmJkNmMyZGQ2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%220cdcb198-8169-4b70-ba9f-da7e3ba700c2%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%222b64ce43-e65b-400c-b16f-e16f0322002e%22%7d

Uniforms

Dresses are in and will be distributed to those who have paid today and tomorrow.  Please remember that most dresses will need to be hemmed to length.  Please advise your tailor/seamstress to not cut the fabric, but to allow for further lengthening as students grow taller.

Tuxedos are scheduled for delivery late this week or early next week.

If you have not done so, please pay for your uniform online: 

Pay online with PayPal

KSU Invitational

  1. Please don’t forget to pay your $10 for your lunch at KSU. You can pay with cash/check (payable to AHSOA) and drop in the dropbox in the orchestra room or pay online at https://www.alpharettaorchestra.org/paypal
  2. Students received a hard copy of our permission form today to be completed by all teachers and signed by the parent.  Please return this no later than Friday, October 22. (Earlier is better!)

Our trip is set for Friday, October 29!  More information and the itinerary can be found in last week’s newsletter on 9/20/21.

Newsletter, 9-20-2021

Program Book Advertisements

I can accept program book advertisements for one more week.  The hard deadline is this Friday, October 1!

Please see this page for details:

Program Book

Payments Overdue

Payments for the Student Participation Fee ($120) and Uniform ($67 dresses, $120 tuxedos) are overdue.  Please remit payment online or in a check payable to AHSOA.  If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Dr. Laux.

Movie Night Recap

Last Friday we had a very fun movie night with pizza, snacks, desserts, and drinks.  Thank you to the AHSOA for providing the pizza and to everyone who attended and brought items to share.  It’s great to see the orchestra family!

Podcast

We are looking for podcast episodes!  Have some fun music you’d like to talk about and share? Want to do a promo for our upcoming Fall concert? Do you have another idea?? The stage is yours!  Our podcast is on Spotify, Apple, and more!! Talk to Dr. Laux with ideas…

Upcoming Dates

  • Oct 1 – Program Book Ads Due
  • Oct 19 – Fall Concert – Symphony Under the Stars
  • Oct 22 – KSU Invitational permission forms due
  • Oct 20 – KSU Invitational
  • Dec 9 – Winter Concert, 6:30 PM (with 8th grade orchestras)

Newsletter, 8-28-2021

Wow, the weeks have been flying by.  All of the students agreed that the first week seemed like forever, but as we get into the swing of our schedule and routines, it has begun to go much faster.  Here is this week’s orchestra news!

Orchestra Homework (Practice)

If your child tells you that they don’t have any orchestra homework, please remind them about “NRB” – Notes, Rhythms, and Bowings.  Every student is responsible for learning their notes, rhythms, and bowings at home.  This way in class we can work on ensemble-specific musical elements like dynamics, balance, blend, phrasing, and more.

Our first Practice Vlog assignment (minor grade) will be coming this week.  This requires students to set musical goals within a piece or exercise, explain them, then provide a 5 minutes practice SAMPLE video on FlipGrid.  I say sample because obviously, students should be practicing more than just 5 minutes. The video should be actual practice, not a performance or run-through of the music.  When students are practicing properly, it really shouldn’t sound polished. Students should isolate problem areas, slow down the tempo, use a metronome, have a tuner handy, and employ practice strategies that we discuss in class.

Orchestra T-Shirt Design

Students and Parents — please help us design this year’s orchestra t-shirt!  Each year the orchestra prints t-shirts for every student to help boost orchestra spirit. (This is paid via student participation fees). It’s always great to have a student design the shirt, so please submit your designs to Dr. Laux!

We generally use a graphic on the front upper left chest and a full back design.  You should include the school year of 2021-2022. Click here for more information.

Program Book Fundraiser

Our program book fundraiser began this week!  If you haven’t seen our program book, please ask your child to show you the book sample (2019-2020) they received this week along with the order form.  As I mentioned last week the program book is a professionally printed booklet that highlights our orchestra program and doubles as a memorable keepsake for the year. Program Book also serves as an important fundraising source for the AHS Orchestra through the sale of advertisements.

You can view a digital copy of the program book here. 

Do you have a business that you would like to promote? Do you frequent a local business that would benefit from advertising to our audiences?  Our program book is for you!

Former advertisers include:

  • Lawyers
  • Doctors’ offices
  • Music teachers (think about your private teachers!)
  • Youth Orchestras
  • Insurance Agents
  • Beauty Salons
  • Dry Cleaners
  • Landscapers
  • Restaurants
  • more…

You can sell to family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, your boss, relatives, or simply approach business owners when you frequent their establishment.

Parents of Seniors: Would you like to feature your special string player in the program book?  Then consider purchasing a personal ad! 

Our advertisement order form is available in hard copy or online. All orders are due by Friday, September 10.  We are asking each student/parent to sell a minimum of one business card-sized ad.

Special thanks to Beau Vinci Violins for supporting us by purchasing the premium back cover of the program book. 🙂

Student Participation Fee (SPF)

As I mentioned in my last newsletter, the SPF is important in helping continue the AHS Orchestra experience. This year the SPF is $120 per student. The fee can be paid on our website (along with uniform, all-state, etc.) at https://www.alpharettaorchestra.org/paypal

If you would rather pay via check, you may send in your payment with your child and have them put it in the orchestra drop box next to Dr. Laux’s office door.  Checks should be made payable to AHSOA.  We would like SPF paid by September 10 if at all possible.

Should you have questions or concerns about SPF, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I’m happy to help.

Uniforms

All girls should have been fitted for an orchestra dress this week unless they have one that already fits. Boys will be fitted this week during class by our vendor, Tuxedo Warehouse.  Boys who already have a tuxedo will need a new BLACK tuxedo shirt and will be measured for one during class.  I’m still waiting on the price of the shirt and will have that available as an option on the website payment page soon.

Please pay for your uniform on our website at https://www.alpharettaorchestra.org/paypal.  Should you wish to write a check, again, all checks should be made payable to AHSOA and brought to school to be put in the dropbox next to my office door.

Students using School-Owned Instruments

Please don’t forget to complete the Instrument Use Agreement and pay the School Instrument Rental Fee payment on OSP.

Virtual Curriculum Night

Mark your calendars for the AHS Virtual Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 9.  I will have a video prepared that discusses our curriculum, day-to-day class, and our activities.

Washington D.C. Trip

We will soon be having another informational parent meeting about our orchestra trip to Washington D.C. from March 11-14, 2022. It’s not too late to get in on this amazing experience!  Details to follow…

Upcoming Dates

  • September 9 – Virutal Curriculum Night
  • October 5 – Fall Concert, 6:30 PM
  • October 29 – KSU Orchestra Invitational (Philharmonia, Sinfonia, Symphony, Chamber Only)
  • December 9 – Winter Concert, 7 PM

AHSO Newsletter, 9-20-2016

Charms

Dear Orchestra Parents: To ensure the most reliable communication link to each of you, we would like to have your most up-to-date contact information.  Dr. Laux and the AHSOA manage student and parent data in the secure Charms system.

If you have not done so this year, please log into Charms as soon as possible (directions here) and update your information. This way we know that you will receive all of the important orchestra news and information.

Playing Check this Friday, September 23

Philharmonia – A minor scale, one octave (violins, play upper octave)

Chamber – D minor scale, two octaves with eighth notes slurred (EE Book 3, #165)

Sinfonia – Violin/Bass:  3 octave A minor scale & arpeggio; Cello/Viola: 3 octave D minor scale & arpeggio

Symphony – Spot check on Elgar Serenade, 1st movement.  Specific measures to be announced in class on Thursday.  For now, practice ALL of it.

T-Shirt Design Contest

Please see this flyer to learn more about and enter the AHSO t-shirt design contest.  Entries are due no later than THURSDAY, September 22.

Concert Uniforms

Tuxedos will be delivered to the school in the next few days.

Dresses have been delivered and we will be distributing them to any remaining students tomorrow.

Some students may need to have their dressed hemmed, so please be proactive in getting this taken care of. Please read below about ALTERATION/HEMMING of your dress.

One option for alterations is:
Mrs. Chung of Master Cleaners, on the corner of State Bridge and Kimball Bridge Rds, has offered a 20% discount off of hemming (normal price-$18). When you go to be measured, bring your dress and the shoes you will wear for the concert. She says that you can choose to have the hem shortened by cutting, then finishing (permanent) or, a semi-permanent hem which can be altered to be made longer at a future date (in case of growth).

It would be best to take the dress in as soon as is possible, so dresses are ready for the concert. Any other alterations needed would be an additional charge, they will let you know.

Another option is:

A Z Tailor Alterations 
11765 Jones Bridge Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30005).
678-205-1910
Cost is $15-$16 for hemming
Please bring appropriate shoes. Turn around time is approximately 2 days.

Fall Concert

Our concert is just about a week away!  Please join us for a night of great music on Thursday, September 29 at 7:00 PM in the AHS Auditorium.

Students should arrive at 6:00 PM for tuning and warm-up.

The AHSO will be accepting donations for the “Concert Cafe.”  Please sign up to bring items or work a short shift.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a4caeae2ea64-concert

Family Portrait Fundraiser

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!

Time slots are filling up fast, so please reserve your spot now!

Not sure about family portraits?  Watch this public service announcement created by the AHS Orchestra leadership team! 🙂

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.

  1. 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.

AHSO Newsletter, 9-10-2016

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Upload your video to OneDrive
    1. 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.

  1. 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!!

AHSO Newsletter, 8-16-2016

We are off to a great start!  We have been working on some basic skills and the students have been patient with me as I work hard to get to know them and their ability levels.  We have also selected some of our music for the Fall Concert on September 29.
 
The annual AHS Orchestra Potluck dinner is tomorrow night!  6:30 PM in the AHS Cafeteria.  Please come and eat with us!!
 
Students/parents should bring the following:
Violin & Cello – Favorite Main Dish
Viola –  Salad/Vegetables/Fruits
String Bass & Harp – Desserts
• Include an ingredients side card beside the dish for those who have allergies (we have many students with food related allergies to things such as nuts, eggs, milk, etc…)
• Please bring a serving utensil for your dish!
• Please bring your checkbook to pay for SPF.
• Boosters will discuss fundraisers, events, and more!

Uniforms

A standard concert uniform is required for all orchestra members. Mens Tuxedo is $117.17.  Dresses are $75.00. Information about sizing and ordering is attached.

First Performance Assessment of the Year

1. Philharmonia – Two Octave Scale and Arpeggio.  Violins & Bass:  G Major; Cello & Viola: C major
2. Chamber – Two Octave D-Major Scale and Arpeggio
3. Sinfonia – Two Octave C-Major Scale and Arpeggio
4. Symphony – Three Octave Scale and Arpeggio.  Violin: A-Major, Viola & Cello:  D-Major, Bass: G-Major

All-State Orchestra (excerpts and scales) 

http://www.gmea.org/orchestra/all-state-orchestra/
More information to come ASAP.

Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra of Atlanta

Mr. Thibdeau presented information in class today. Watch their promotional video! https://youtu.be/ybhTf5Nbz_U  Contact the conductor, Mr. Thibdeau, for more information about auditions at [email protected]
Alpharetta High School Orchestra