Concert Orchestra

Students in 8th through 12th grade for the 2008-2009 school year that have been continuously involved in orchestra are members of the Concert Orchestra.  This is the advanced string ensemble that has the honor and prestige of performing for many school and community events.  These students all take very seriously their gift of music and enjoy working together towards producing truly uplifting performances.  The Concert Orchestra will often collaborate in group performances with equivalent band and vocal ensembles for different purposes.

The Concert Orchestra will perform frequently during the school year, participating in events such as Fall Festival, Veteran's Day Chapel, Christmas Extravaganza, annual music festival trip, and other events such as musicals or praise & worship events.  In May 2007, the Concert Orchestra performed with the Annie Moses Band, whose divine talent combine spiritual music with virtuosic string playing.  In May 2008, the Concert Orchestra, combined with band, vocal, theatre, dance, and visual art talents participated in a production of the musical ANNIE, providing the "pit orchestra" music for the performances.  The Concert Orchestra also participated in the Dynamic Music Festival in March of 2008, receiving a Superior Rating and was awarded 1st Place in the orchestra division.

All Concert Orchestra families will need to receive and thoroughly read the Concert Orchestra Handbook as there are pages that need to be filled out and returned by August 22nd (before the retreats).

Since the Concert Orchestra involves 8th grade students as well as upper school students, there are two separate classes during the school day.  8th grade orchestra students will meet Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (no orchestra on chapel day schedules) during 6th Period, from 12:35-1:20 p.m..  Upper school (9th-12th grade) students meet on white days - every other day, during W4 Period, from 1:30-3:00 p.m..  Due to the separate classes, after school rehearsals/sectionals will be necessary and will take place most Mondays after school, from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.. These rehearsals will not be every week, but students will receive rehearsal schedules and need to make every attempt to attend those rehearsals.  All rehearsals will be during this time only in order to protect student's extra-curricular commitments.  Families are encouraged to work out transportation issues and avoid scheduling appointments or other flexible events during this day and time.

Required Materials for Concert Orchestra:

• A suitable instrument, bow, and case (If a student has had the same bow for at least a year, it should either be swapped out if it is a fiberglass/Glasser bow, or rehaired if it is a wooden/carbon graphite bow.)
• A spare set of strings - Thomastik Dominant or equivalent set of all four strings for correct size instrument (to be kept in case for when a string breaks).  This is not optional.  (If a student has had the same strings for at least a year, a 2nd set of strings should be purchased to be replaced on the instrument.  This can be done at school by the orchestra teacher.  Old strings that are not broken or frayed may be reserved for "in case of emergencies.")
• 1 inch 3-ring black notebook with at least 10 sheet protectors (low/no glare) for keeping sheet music
• Essential Technique for Strings 2000 Book 3 (Green trim) for student's instrument
• Instrument accessories: Kun, Viva, or similar shoulder rest for violin/viola; rockstop for cello/bass (sponge shoulder rests do not provide necessary stability for violin/viola students)  *Some violin/viola students find a clip-on shoulder rest bag to be convenient when the shoulder rest will not fit inside the student's case
• Student Planner/Agenda for writing down scheduled rehearsals and performances!
• Pencil for marking music
• Rosin (usually included with rental instrument)

Remember the importance to keep the instrument & bow away from siblings or other people who are not familiar with how to care for string instruments.  Also be sure to keep instrument & bow away from extreme heat or cold - always keep at room temperature.  The orchestra teacher is able to fix minor maintenance issues such as a fallen bridge, loose strings or replacing broken strings.  Any instrument that needs minor repairs should be taken to the teacher first. Broken bridges, fallen soundposts or other major damage needs to be taken to the music store's repair department.

Music is a lifelong investment, so parent-teacher communication is essential along the journey.  Please contact Audra Boyd should you have any questions or concerns.