Attached you'll find the 2009-10 version of the LMS Orchestra Handbook which includes lots of useful and essential information for orchestra students. Please download a copy for your home files. If you have questions that are not addressed in the handbook, please feel free to contact me by email at barbera.secrist@cobbk12.org.
I finally received our score sheets from the Music in the Park Festival and am delighted to share our results with you. We averaged 92.5 (out of 100) and were awarded a superior rating! I had already listened to the recorded comments from the judges and had been expecting to see a high score, so this didin't come as a surprise. In fact, when our performance was over that day I was confident that we would get a Superior rating! You guys are great!
CONGRATULATIONS to all our talented Chamber Orchestra musicians!
I want to thank all my orchestra students and parents for making this year so wonderful. We've had many performance successes and fun trips. You all made new friends and learned how to work well with a lot of different people!
FYI, I only check my school email occasionally during the summer months. So if you send an email, please be patient. I will eventually see your email and respond!
I am so proud of all the hard work you put in this year and look forward to seeing you all again in the fall. Have a great summer and KEEP PRACTICING!!!
It is VERY important that you continue practicing over the summer in order to keep up all the great playing skills you have acquired this year. Please find a regular time to fit in some practicing--it's easy to let the days fly by without taking out your instrument. MAKE PRACTICING PART OF YOUR SUMMER SCHEDULE!
Remember, we will have performance tests for chair placement during the first 2 weeks of school in August. Those students that keep playing over the summer will be most likely to do well on this test.
Suggested practice material:
Review and practice anything in your Essential Elements book. Just start at the beginning and move through the book to refresh your memory and improve technical speed and accuracy. Rising 7th Graders can go ahead and get Essential Elements 2000 Book 2 and begin work in it.
Practice Scales-- both major and minor scales with arpeggios. There is a section in your EE Book that shows almost all the scales.
Find a popular song that you like and learn to play it!
Try memorizing a piece that you like! Or improvise on a piece!
And most of all---HAVE FUN!!!
Dear Orchestra Parents,
I HIGHLY recommend that you consider sending your student to one or more of the wonderful music camp available this summer. There are several very good camps right here in the Atlanta area. One of the least expensive is the McEachern/American String Teachers Association Camp at nearby McEachern HS. We have had several students attend in the past and they really enjoyed it!
Other options that our students have attended are Encore Music Camp at Emory University and the Florida State University Summer Music Camp. Both are excellent.
Attached is a more extensive list for you to consider. Check out the websites or call them for more information.
We have finalized the preliminary plans for our orchestra/chorus/band trip to Disney World. Attached is the basic information. We will have a Parent/Student Information Meeting on August 13, 7:00 pm. Please put this date on your calendar.
I want to thank all our wonderful parents who helped out at the recent LMSO Rock-A-Thon! I couldn't have done it without you!
Some people have asked about how to acknowledge those friends and family members who make financial contributions to our effort. Most can use their canceled check to verify their tax-deductible contribution. If they paid cash, you can use the attached form. Just fill it out and give it to them for their records. And be sure to tell them THANKS!
I want to thank all the students and parents who helped make our first Rock-A-Thon such a big success. We had 33 students who participated and about 10 parents who helped out. We raised nearly $2,000!!!
I plan to do another one in the fall, so if you missed the fun this time, please join us then!
There will be 130+ students staying after school with me on Tuesday 5/12 for the rehearsal and concert. I NEED LOTS OF HELP WITH SUPERVISION!!! If you can be there between 4:30 - 7:00 pm, even if you have to arrive late, please come help out!
Please email me if you can help.
All students should remain after school for rehearsal on Tuesday 5/12.
Student MUST BRING their concert uniform to school with them (or wear them to school)
Pizza will be provided after the rehearsal for all students and chaperones. Please feel free to bring your drinks or other snacks.
Concert begins at 7:00 pm and should be over by 8:15 pm. All students should plan to stay for the entire concert since we ALL play on the last selection! If that is not possible, please let me know ahead of time.
