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!!!

Orchestra Update 5.1.25

Spring Concert Updates & Reminders

Concert Date: Wed. May 14

Time:  7:00 pm

Call Time:  6:00 pm

Dress:  Orchestra Uniform (seniors will have a separate dress code)

Uniform Collection:  ALL UNIFORMS will be collected IMMEDIATELY following the concert. Students are required to bring clothes to change into.  The green room and restrooms will be available.  This is part of your student's grade for the performance, so please help them remember. Seniors should pass their uniforms along to an underclassman friend to turn in for them. 

Dress Rehearsals:  Please keep the dress rehearsals on the calendar clear (Fri May 9 and Mon May 12). Right now our most pressing needs are for the senior piece and for Chamber Orchestra's collaboration with our wind players, but the sand is shifting beneath our feet at a rapid pace. With the myriad of senior absences due to graduation related events, AP testing, and multiple field trips, we have no idea from one day to the next the rehearsal time that we will be losing due to these circumstances. Announcements will be made by the middle of next week. 

U5 Music Parents Update

Our Unit 5 Music Parents (U5MP) organization, which serves as a district-wide music booster program, is currently facing a shortage of parent volunteers. This is a district-wide organization to avoid overwhelming families with multiple booster groups for each school or ensemble. U5MP's advocacy is a huge reason that our music programs exist, and we would be lost without their support with fundraising and accounting. If you've ever sent your student with a check written to "U5MP", you may have an idea how much they support us in our schools!

Unfortunately, due to personal commitments, some key members of the board (President(s), Vice President) will be stepping down. As a result, we are in urgent need of new volunteers with leadership experience to step up and help keep Music Parents running smoothly.

We need your help! If you have any experience in leadership roles, such as PTO or other board commitments, I kindly ask you to consider reaching out to the current President Josh Jensen (Unit5MusicParents@gmail.com) and Secretary Angela DeJaynes (U5MPSecretary@gmail.com) of our Unit 5 Music Parents organization. They hold monthly parent meetings and focus on advocacy and managing funds for our music programs. The last meeting of the year is on May 27. If you are willing or interested in helping support our amazing music programs in Unit 5, please consider attending. 

You are welcome to join with friends, as no single person needs to take on a specific role alone. In particular, if you are comfortable with budgets and spreadsheets, additional support for the Treasurer position would be greatly appreciated.

Your involvement and support in this matter would hugely benefit our music programs and the students involved. Thank you for considering this important opportunity to contribute to our school community.

NCHS Orchestras Parade of Champions Update

Congratulations to the NCHS Orchestra program on their IHSA Class AA Solo & Ensemble (Strings) 1st place win!  As this has been a very last minute turn around, a quick reminder that all students who performed at contest this past week are invited to walk with our group during the Parade of Champions tomorrow (Friday).  Please wear an official NCHS orchestra t-shirt (any color if you are not a freshman - it does not have to be this year's).  Our three ALL-STATE orchestra students will also be walking with the band and choir all-state students!  Students should meet at 9:45 in the orchestra room and we will get lined up.  Parents please remind your students (especially Sinfonia and Intermezzo as this information became available after their class today).

Mid-Winter Concert (NOTE UNIFORM CHANGE)

Mid-Winter Concert Reminder

Date: Tuesday, March 11

Time: 7:00 pm

Call Time:  6:00 pm

Dress: ORANGE ORCHESTRA T-SHIRT AND JEANS  (please note this change)

Solo & Ensemble Wrap-Up

HUGE thank-yous to all students and parents who helped us out and volunteered this weekend.  Things went more smoothly than they ever have before, and the students who performed did an amazing job!!!  Thanks for supporting our program and our students!

Orchestra Update 3.3.25

Gobena Coffee orders are in!  Please make arrangements to get these picked up asap.  Let's get caffeinated!!!

We are still in desperate need of volunteers for the IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest this weekend - the list is less than half full and we simply cannot make the event work without the help of many students and parents.  Please consider helping us out with the event!  Jobs aren't difficult, we just need a few hours of time :-)

Mid-Winter Concert Information 

Date:  Tues. Mar. 11

Time:  7:00 pm

Call Time:  6:00 pm

Personnel:  All orchestras

Dress:  Full concert uniform

Solo & Ensemble Volunteers Needed!

The music department is hosting the IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest on Saturday March 8th and are in need of over 100 volunteers.  This is our department's biggest fundraiser and the money is used towards shared equipment needs (ie music stands, uniforms, contest entry fees, etc.). We will run over a thousand people through our building that day from dozens of schools and need your help to make sure the day runs smoothly.  Jobs are not difficult and most require only a few hours of time.  Accommodations can be made to ensure that you can hear your student perform.  Thanks in advance!

Friday Mar. 7 SETUP After school (students only)

Saturday Mar. 8 MORNING Shifts (students & parents)

Saturday Mar. 8 AFTERNOON Shifts (students & parents)

Don't forget that U5 Orchestra apparel orders are due this Friday by midnight.  Click here for more information and the link. 

Unit 5 Orchestra Spirit Wear Store is Open!

If you or your family would like to purchase some Unit 5 Orchestra spirit wear, the online store will be open until midnight on Feb 28th.  Choose "free event bulk pickup" and have your items delivered directly to school. Click here for the spirit wear link.

Gobena Reminder

Don't forget that if your family sold Gobena coffee, the orders are due this Friday (2.7.25). Please make sure that you have followed all instructions carefully and have completed all necessary information. It is also helpful if you could bring down all totals, final counts, quantities, etc. Checks should be made payable to Unit 5 Music Parents.

Gobena Coffee Fundraiser Update

Our Gobena Coffee fundraiser kicked off today. All profits from this fundraiser will go into individual student accounts to be used for our orchestra/choir New York trip in June of 2026. Orders are due by Friday, Feb. 7th.  All information can be found on the order form - this is great coffee, produced by a great company!!!  Students are welcome to sell even if they will not be going to New York, those proceeds will simply roll back into the orchestra's account.

WINTER CONCERT TIME CHANGE!!!!

Due to last night's weather-related cancellation of the NCHS choral concert, the music department has come together to help ensure our choir colleagues still get the opportunity to show off their hard work in front of a live audience.  To that end, the orchestra concert will be moved up to 6:00 pm with the choir concert starting at 7:30.  Please see the updated information below regarding the details for the event.  Note that due to this change, we will NOT be hosting our post-concert reception as we will be in the midst of a chaotic stage transition and overlapping audience members. Students who would struggle to make the earlier call time are welcome to bring their uniform and food to school and just remain in the orchestra room until call time. Please let Mrs. Siebenthal know asap about any concerns with the earlier time. 

Concert Date:  Mon. Dec. 16

Concert Time:  6:00 pm

Call Time:  5:00 pm

Dress:  Full uniform

Orchestra Updates 12.11.24

 

Poinsettia Pick-Up Reminder

Don't forget that poinsettias will be delivered tomorrow (Thurs. Dec. 12th).  Please make sure you have made arrangements with your student to pick them up after school.  We are also still in need of parents to help take the delivery and organize things that afternoon. Please click here for more information and to sign up to help. 

Winter Concert Information

Dress Rehearsal:  Fri. Dec. 13th, 3:30-5:00 pm CONCERT & SINFONIA orchestras only

Concert:  Mon. Dec. 16th; 7pm

Call Time:  6:00 pm

Dress:  Full concert uniform

Winter Concert Reception

We are still in need of refreshment donations for our post-concert reception. Please help your little orchestra elves enjoy some holiday cheer and donate :-)   You can click here for more information and the SignUp Genius list.  

Orchestra Updates 12.2.24

Poinsettia Pick-Up Reminder

Don't forget that poinsettias will be delivered on Dec. 12th.  Please make arrangements with your student to pick them up after school.  We are also in need of parents to help take the delivery and organize things that afternoon. Please click here for more information and to sign up to help. 

Winter Concert Information

Dress Rehearsal:  Fri. Dec. 13th, 3:30-5:00 pm CONCERT & SINFONIA orchestras only

Concert:  Mon. Dec. 16th; 7pm

Call Time:  6:00 pm

Dress:  Full concert uniform

Winter Concert Reception

Please help us spread a little holiday cheer after our winter concert this year and consider donating some punch and cookies as we gather after the concert.  You can click here for more information and the SignUp Genius list.  

NCHS Orchestra Updates 11.7.24

 

NCHS Orchestra Extravaganza Schedule:

Date:  Monday, Nov. 11th

Location:  NCHS Auditorium

Time:  5:30 performance (students will have rehearsal after school and should plan on staying after school until the performance)

Dress:  New orange short-sleeve orchestra t-shirt and jeans

Personnel:  Required event for all orchestras

ILMEA Updates

The NCHS Orchestra program has 22 students participating this weekend in the ILMEA District 3 Orchestra!!!!  Students and parents should click here for the info document with everything needed for Saturday.  Most pressing, we need to know IMMEDIATELY if there are any students who need a ride home from Olivet Nazarene.   

NCHS Orchestra Updates 10.28.24

THANK YOU!!!

SO many heartfelt thank-you's to all of the students and parents who helped to make Hauntcert 2024 such a success! There were a staggering number of details that needed to be attended to for last week's show and we are humbled and filled with eternal gratitude for the efforts of so many people on our behalf.  It was truly a blessing to see everything come together in the end so successfully!  Click here for some photos of the event...

U5 Music Parents Extravaganza

Our next concert is already upon us! All four orchestras will be performing at the U5 Music Parents Music Extravaganza concert on Monday, November 11th.  Students will be staying after school for rehearsals and will roll directly into their performances at 5:30 pm.  Dress will be the new orchestra t-shirt and jeans. 

In addition to the ability for you to donate electronically, we will also be selling dessert tickets for the evening.  Please note, you do NOT have to have a ticket to hear your student perform!  Only if you would like to enjoy some sweets and a drink before/after the performance.  Checks can be made payable to Unit 5 Music Parents Association. The following dessert options from Brakers are available to purchase (PLEASE ensure your student knows what options you would like and how many of each):

$5 - Choice of pie or cinnamon roll and a drink

$8 - Gluten Free/Dairy Free fruit crisp and a drink

$8 - Gluten Free pumpkin pie and a drink

The U5 Music Parents are also looking to help staff the event.  Please click here if you would be willing to give of your time that evening.

NCHS Orchestra Updates 10.19.24

Tech Week Rehearsal Schedule

Five days to go as we prepare to take our show "Victory Lap" across the finish line!!!  It's a hectic schedule next week, so make sure that everyone is working ahead to keep up with assignments, getting enough sleep and eating healthy to help ward off illness, and making sure everyone is as prepared on their music as possible.

Monday - rehearsal 3:30-6:00 pm (rehearsing with our percussionist and vocalist)

Tuesday - dress rehearsal 6:00-9:00 (NO uniforms for this rehearsal)

Thursday - call time 5:00 pm (shows at 6:00 and 7:30)

***Required events for Chamber, Intermezzo, and Sinfonia Orchestras***

Miscellaneous Hauntcert Needs

We are still in need of power strips and extension cords to borrow (please label with your name) and would love to borrow any Halloween inflatables or decorations you might have!  There are still more spots left for volunteers, but we are still pretty short of people to help decorate the night of the dress rehearsal. Even though all the spots for decoration tear down are full, anyone who would like to lend a hand after the second show would be welcomed with open arms - the band moves into the auditorium 2nd hour on Friday morning. Don't forget our sing along to the Beach Boys "Good Vibrations" Thursday night - we' love to have a strong group of orchestra parents singing their hearts out to help lead the audience.  We'll be singing the first two verses and choruses only. 

Candy

We are SO excited and grateful to have our trick or treat list filled!!!  But we're less than half the way to our candy donation goal. Please consider helping us out and sending in some bags of candy with your student.

Orchestra Spirit Days

Team unity for ALL orchestras to help us through this big week!!!

Monday - PJ Day

Tuesday - Olympic Ring Color Wars (Vln1 - Blue, Vln2 - Red, Viola - Black, Cello - Yellow, Bass - Green)

Wednesday - Dress Like Siebs Day (?!?!? LOL - NCHS apparel, jeans, glasses)

Thursday - Hauntcert Day (orchestra/Hauntcert t-shirts)

Friday - International Colors Day (colors or jerseys from your favorite countries)

Congratulations ILMEA Audition Selectees!!!

The NCHS Orchestra program had a record 22 students selected for the Illinois Music Educators District 3 Festival Orchestra this year!!! Way to go Iron Strings!