NCHS Orchestra Updates 10.26.25

U5MP Extravaganza:

The food ordering deadline for the Unit 5 Music Parents Extravaganza is this Friday, October 31. All sales are online this year, and food will be provided by Nelson’s. Don’t wait until the last minute - click here to place your order and support our music programs. Don't forget, no ticket is needed to hear students perform, only to eat.  ALL four orchestras will be performing at this event.

Volunteer Instructions: 

Those who signed up on the SignUpGenius can click here to review volunteer instructions for the evening. Please take a few moments to look over the details before arrival, and don’t hesitate to email if you have any questions.

Candy Donations: 

We need one final candy push to reach our goal of 7000! If you haven’t had a chance to contribute yet, please consider sending in a bag or two as soon as possible—every little bit helps, and we’re almost there. community. 

Monday, Oct 27 Rehearsal: 

Our next combined Hauntcert rehearsal will be Monday, October 27 from 3:30–6:00 pm with our percussionist (Sinfonia, Intermezzo and Chamber Orchestras). Please make sure rides are prompt and ready promptly at 6:00 pm. Cellists who don’t ride the bus should plan to bring their instruments to school that day.

Tuesday, Oct 28 Dress Rehearsal: 

The full dress rehearsal will be Tuesday, October 28 from 6:00–9:00 pm (Sinfonia, Intermezzo and Chamber Orchestras). Students should not wear their uniforms to this rehearsal. Please make sure rides are ready and waiting promptly at 9:00 pm.

Thursday, Oct 30 31st Annual Hauntcert: 

The Hauntcert is this Thursday, October 30, with show times at 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Call time for students is 5:00 pm. Students staying after school should make sure to bring their uniform and something to eat for dinner—snacks will be available between shows. We’re looking forward to an incredible night of music and fun!

Orchestra Update 10.23.25

Monday, Oct 27 Rehearsal: 

Our next combined Hauntcert rehearsal will be Monday, October 27 from 3:30–6:00 pm with our percussionist (Sinfonia, Intermezzo and Chamber Orchestras). Please make sure rides are prompt and ready promptly at 6:00 pm. Cellists who don’t ride the bus should plan to bring their instruments to school that day.

Tuesday, Oct 28 Dress Rehearsal: 

The full dress rehearsal will be Tuesday, October 28 from 6:00–9:00 pm (Sinfonia, Intermezzo and Chamber Orchestras). Students should not wear their uniforms to this rehearsal. Please make sure rides are ready and waiting promptly at 9:00 pm.

Volunteers: 

We’re still in need of a few more parents to help decorate on Tuesday night during the dress rehearsal—but we’re especially short on help for teardown and organization after the shows. This is one of our biggest needs, and we’d be incredibly grateful for anyone able to stay and lend a hand.

Candy Donations: 

We’re still about 3000 pieces short of our goal of 7000, and we could really use your help to get there! Every donation, big or small, makes a difference, and your support helps make Hauntcert such a special event for our community. 

U5MP Extravaganza: 

The Unit 5 Music Parents Extravaganza is coming up soon! Click here for food ticket information - all sales are being handled online this year, and food will be provided by Nelson’s.

Orchestra Update 10.14.25

Rehearsal Reminder: Our combined Hauntcert rehearsal for Sinfonia, Intermezzo, and Chamber orchestras will be held Monday, October 20 from 3:30–6:00 pm. Please make sure rides are prompt and all students are picked up in the bus lane at 6:00.

Faculty Preview Concert: The Faculty Preview Concert is this Wednesday, October 22. Chamber Orchestra will perform at the beginning of the faculty meeting. Students should wear their new orchestra t-shirt and jeans and bring a lunch to eat beforehand. We’ll begin as close to 12:45 as possible and should finish around 1:00.

NOPA Meeting: The NCHS Orchestra Parents Association will meet Monday night, October 20, at 6:30 pm in the orchestra room. We are entering the final Hauntcert planning stage and could really use a strong turnout. If you signed up as a volunteer for a specialized job, this is also a great opportunity to touch base and finalize details.

Hauntcert Volunteers: We are still really in need of volunteers - especially for Tuesday night decorating during the dress rehearsal, an additional stage manager, help during the Saturday tech work day, and more hands to assist with tear down after the show. Every bit of help makes a difference, and we’re so grateful for those who have already stepped in.  Click here to volunteer!

Candy Donations: We currently have only 11 of 50 spots filled for candy donations, and we need quite a bit more. Please send candy to school as soon as possible so we can monitor our progress. Be sure to also add your name to the SignUpGenius so we can keep track.

Parent-Teacher Conferences: A quick reminder that there are not nearly enough slots for every student, so please reserve appointments for parents who have concerns about their student’s progress, wish to discuss collegiate music plans, etc. 

Orchestra Update 10.07.25

Gobena Orders: 

Gobena orders are in! Please make arrangements to pick up larger orders as soon as possible. Smaller orders should already have gone home with students, but if you’re missing something please let me know.

Hauntcert Volunteers:

We still have some critical jobs left on the Hauntcert volunteer list—especially help decorating the night of the dress rehearsal. This show simply cannot happen without the support of our parents, and every role matters. Please consider giving a few hours of your time to help make Hauntcert a success.

Donations & Borrowed Items: 

It’s also time to start collecting donations and borrowed items. Each year we welcome over1000 people through the doors for Hauntcert, and it takes a big effort to be ready. We are in need of 7000 pieces of candy for our kiddie trick or treating (click here to donate candy or help pass out candy), numerous power strips and extension cords to borrow, Halloween or Scooby-Doo themed decorations to borrow, and AAA batteries for our stand lights. If you could help provide any of these donations or have items we could borrow, please send items to school as soon as possible, or contact me directly if you have a larger item we need to arrange for. Be sure to label anything that should be returned after the event.

Poinsettias: 

A reminder that poinsettia orders are due this Friday, October 10. This fundraiser is always a highlight of the season and a great way to bring a little extra color to your holidays.   Don't forget that money this year will go into student trip accounts. 

Hauntcert Apparel: 

Hauntcert apparel orders are due by midnight on Wednesday, October 8. Short and long sleeve t-shirts, crew neck sweatshirts, and hoodies are available, with free delivery to the school. Don’t miss out if you’d like to order.

NOPA: 

Our next NCHS Orchestra Parents Association meeting will be Monday, October 20 at 6:30 pm in the orchestra room (Room 50). Doors J around the back of the building will be unlocked. We hope to see you there!

Orchestra Update 9.30.25

NOPA: Our next NCHS Orchestra Parents Association meeting will be Monday, October 20 at 6:30 pm in the orchestra room (Room 50). Doors J around the back of the building will be unlocked. This will be our final planning and preparation for the Hauntcert and we would love to see a big turn out - many hands make light work!

NYC Trip Update: Good news! Guardian Travel has invited all who were on the waitlist to register for the trip. Please read through these instructions from our tour coordinator on next steps: WeTravel should have sent an email inviting families on the waitlist to register. Because the email contains a link, it sometimes goes to spam. Please check your spam folders if you have not received it. Families must follow that link to register; they cannot go directly to the main page. The invitation expires 48 hours after it is sent. If they miss the deadline, no worries—they will continue to send invites. However, please register as soon as possible.

Unit 5 Music Parents: Please click here for more information from our U5MP group.

Poinsettia Reminder: Orders and payment are due Friday, October 10.

Hauntcert Apparel: A reminder that Hauntcert apparel is available to order. The deadline is October 8. Short and long sleeve t-shirts, crew neck sweatshirts, and hoodies are available, with free delivery to the school.  Click here to order

Orchestra Update 9.25.25 – Concessions, Apparel, NYC Trip, and Hauntcert Volunteers

Football Concessions:
We still need a few more parents to sign up to work the concession stand at the football game tomorrow night, Friday, September 26. Your help is greatly appreciated and goes a long way in supporting our orchestra program. Thank you to those who have already volunteered - we couldn’t do this without you. 

Hauntcert Apparel:

Hauntcert apparel is now available. This is not mandatory to purchase, but if you or your student would like to order, click here. Short and long sleeve t-shirts, crew neck sweatshirts, and hoodies are available. The deadline to order is October 8, and shirts will be delivered for free to the school.

NYC Trip Reminder:
The registration deadline to sign up for the New York City trip is tomorrow, Friday, September 26. Please be sure to complete your registration before the deadline.

Hauntcert Volunteers:
Another reminder that we need to fill the Hauntcert volunteer list as soon as possible. We run roughly 1000 people through the doors that night, and it takes a large team of parents to make it all happen. Thank you to those who have already signed up - we are grateful for your help. Please consider joining them and lending a hand. 

NCHS Orchestras Update 9.19.25

Volunteer Opportunities

We are in need of students and parents to help fill our concession stand list for the September 26th football game - please click here to help out the orchestra/choir/drama department in this important fundraising event. 

Our Hauntcert volunteer list is now available - we're hoping to have this filled by the end of next week.  Please consider donating a few hours of time to help ensure our shows can offer the community the same high level of quality as in years past.  You can click here for the SignUpGenius list.

We are still seeking a Unit 5 Music Parents representative for the orchestras.  This person simply attends monthly meetings and reports back to the NOPA meetings.  Please contact me if you would be able to help us out with this.

NCHS Orchestra Updates 9.16.25

NOPA: 

Thank you to all who came out for last night’s NCHS Orchestra Parents Association meeting - your involvement makes a huge difference in the life of our program!  We hope to see an even bigger turnout for our October meeting as we put together all of the finishing touches on the Hauntcert.

Hauntcert Volunteers: 

The Hauntcert volunteer list is now available and we are hoping to have it filled in the next two weeks. This show runs with roughly 1000 people coming through the doors in a single night, and we need many, many hands to make it happen. Please consider helping—we truly cannot do this without you. Click here for the volunteer SignUpGenius, opportunities to volunteer are not difficult nor extremely time consuming.  

Gobena Coffee Fundraiser: 

A reminder that Gobena Coffee fundraiser forms are due Friday, September 19. Please make sure all instructions on the form are followed carefully to avoid delays.

Next Combined Rehearsal: 

Kids did a great job last night for our first time with three orchestras together. Our next combined rehearsal for Sinfonia, Intermezzo, and Chamber orchestras will be Monday, September 29 from 3:30–6:00 pm. Students must have a ride waiting promptly at 6:00 pm.

NCHS Orchestra Updates 9.10.25

Hauntcert Combined Rehearsal: 

Monday, September 15 from 3:30–6:00 pm. Students MUST have a ride waiting promptly at 6:00 pm. This rehearsal is for Sinfonia, Intermezzo, and Chamber orchestras only.

NOPA: 

The NCHS Orchestra Parents Association meeting has been changed to Monday, September 15 at 6:30 pm in the orchestra room. Doors J (around the back) will be open. We are hoping to see a great turnout—this organization is for all orchestra parents and is a wonderful way to get involved in your student’s orchestra experience.

Gobena Coffee Fundraiser: 

Forms are due by Friday, September 19. Please make sure all instructions on the form are followed carefully to avoid delays.

NYC Trip Update: 

The registration deadline is Friday, September 26. Visit the trip hub for full details and to complete the process

Uniforms: 

Please look over all uniforms carefully and let me know of any issues by Friday. This includes missing buttons (tux front button, shirt sleeve button, etc.) or any other concerns with fit or pieces.

ILMEA Update: 

ILMEA excerpts have been released and are now available on Google Classroom. The sign-up deadline is this Friday. The audition fee is $10 (cash or check payable to NCHS Orchestra).

Orchestra Updates 8.29.25

Goebena Coffee Fundraiser: 

The Goebena Coffee fundraiser is now available for all students participating in the NYC trip. Order forms were distributed Friday in class. This is a great opportunity to help offset trip costs, so please encourage your student to participate.

 

Uniforms: 

All uniforms should have come home by today. Parents, please make sure your student tries on their uniform and and you double check the fit. If something does not fit correctly, I need to know as soon as possible so we can arrange an exchange. Refer to the orchestra syllabus for hemming instructions.

Syllabus and Info Survey Homework: 

Students have now received the orchestra syllabus homework and an information survey. These assignments are due by Friday, September 5. Parents, please also check your Infinite Campus a message with “parent homework” related to the syllabus review and acknowledgment. 

NOPA:

Don't forget that our first NCHS Orchestra Parents Association meeting will be Tuesday, September 16th at 6:30 pm in the orchestra room (rm 50). This is open to all orchestra parents and we would really love to see you as we work together to support our young musicians. It's a great way to get involved in your student's life without the embarrassment of chaperoning a dance... ;-)

NYC Trip Updates

Thanks to everyone who came out to our New York trip meeting last night.  If you were unable to join us or would like a repeat of the information, here is a link to the Google Slide Deck. The link to the trip hub with all of the necessary information, updated itinerary, etc. can be found by clicking here.  Don't forget the deadline to sign up for the trip is September 26th.

Orchestra Update 5.12.25 - Revised Call Time

 

Spring Concert Information

Date: Wed. May 14

Time: 7:00 pm

Call Time: 6:00 pm for Concert, Sinfonia and Intermezzo; 5:30 for ALL Chamber Orchestra and ALL seniors

Dress: Uniforms (seniors are wearing formal, "prom" type attire)

Uniform Collection:  All students will be turning in uniforms immediately following the concert. Seniors should plan to give their uniform to an underclassman friend who can take care of that for them. Don't forget to bring clothes to change into and that this is part of the concert grade. 

Dress Rehearsals: no dress rehearsals will be utilized this week 

Post-Concert Refreshments:  We are in danger of needing to cancel the post-concert reception as our sign-up list is no where near full. We need to have this list pretty much filled by tomorrow morning or will have to make a difficult decision. Please consider helping make this a special night for our seniors.  You can click here for the Sign Up Genius. 

Spring Concert Update

Spring Concert Information

Date: Wed. May 14

Time: 7:00 pm

Call Time: 6:00 pm

Dress: Uniforms (seniors still don't have their dress code nailed down yet...more to come)

Uniform Collection:  All students will be turning in uniforms immediately following the concert. Seniors should plan to give their uniform to an underclassman friend who can take care of that for them. Don't forget to bring clothes to change into and that this is part of the concert grade. 

Dress Rehearsals: Concert, Sinfonia, and Intermezzo will NOT be utilizing the dress rehearsal dates. Provided that all non-Chamber Orchestra seniors can commit to being at Tuesday's rehearsal 6th hour next week, they should be in the clear as well. Right now we are 80% certain that Chamber orchestra will not need the Monday dress rehearsal after school, but we will know more after we work with our orchestra winds for the first time during class on Friday. The decision will be made and communicated sometime Friday afternoon. 

Post-Concert Refreshments:  Please help us celebrate our seniors after the concert by donating some refreshments for the reception! We are also in need of a handful of people to help monitor and set up. You can click here for the Sign Up Genius. Thanks for all that you have done for our students and our orchestra program this year!!!