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!

NCHS Orchestra Updates 10.12.24

Candy, Candy, Candy!!!!

Time to take care of "the littles" and fill our Hauntcert pre-show trick or treating lists!  We are looking for more volunteers to pass out candy prior to both shows and also anticipate needing over 8000 pieces of candy for the event!!!!!  Click here for all information and to sign up.  Trick or treat volunteers will have a reserved section in the auditorium to ensure they have seats for the shows.

Volunteers Still Needed

We are still in need of volunteers to help out with the show - please consider volunteering a few hours of time!!!  Our greatest needs are for a second stage manager, more help decorating the night of the dress rehearsal, tear down crew after the 2nd performance, and help on the Sunday tech work day. It takes an army to put on this show and we're looking for a few more warriors!!!

Combined Rehearsal Reminder

Our next combined rehearsal will be Wednesday, Oct. 16th from 3:30-6:00 pm in the cafeteria.  In addition to the way the previous rehearsals have worked, students need to bring their folding music stands to this rehearsal (we will be in the cafeteria this time).  This rehearsal is for Chamber, Intermezzo, and Concert orchestras.

Another Odd Request

Part of the last number of the show will include an audience participation sing along and we want to make sure it goes well.  So if you need a song sure to make you smile, you could help by listening to Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys and make sure to sing with gusto on the 24th!

NOPA

Our next NCHS Orchestra Parents Association meeting will be Tuesday, October 15th at 6:30 pm (please note the time change from our usual meetings!!).  Doors J around the back of the building will be open and we will meet in the orchestra room (rm 50).  This would be a great time to talk through things with Hauntcert volunteers and we'll finalize plans for the next week. We would love to see a great turn out at this meeting and welcome all orchestra parents!!!

Miscellaneous Hauntcert Needs

As we approach tech week, the orchestra is in need of the following items:

Power Strips and Extension Cords - we need a number of these for stand lights, inflatables in the auditorium, fishbowl, and trick or treat hallways. We would love to borrow as many as possible, please label with your student's name and send to school by Friday, Oct 18.

Decorations - we have both Halloween themed areas and Olympic themed areas this year. If you have anything around the house that we could borrow that would fit one of these themes, we would be extremely grateful. Just make sure to label with your student's name. Please have these to school by Tuesday, Oct 15 to help us plan at our NOPA meeting that night. 

Batteries - it takes a good number of AAA batteries for our stand lights to help us get through our dress rehearsal and two shows. Any packs your family could send to school would be greatly appreciated.

Fake Groceries - we are still in need of "fake groceries" for one of our Hauntcert events and are hoping your family can send some items in. We are specifically looking for more fake canned goods. If you own a can opener that opens canned goods without creating sharp edges, it's easy to wash out the inside of the can (trying not to damage the label on the outside) and superglue the lid back on. Please ensure that any items are VERY food free as the orchestra is not looking for any new roach mascots this year ;-)

Orchestra Update 10.7.24

Hauntcert Volunteers

We are still in desperate need of volunteers to fill the Hauntcert list! There are many important jobs left that we can't run the show without filling. Please consider volunteering to help us out - you can click here to sign up. 

NOPA

Our next NCHS Orchestra Parents Association meeting will be Tuesday, October 15th at 6:30 pm (please note the time change from our usual meetings!!).  Doors J around the back of the building will be open and we will meet in the orchestra room (rm 50).  This would be a great time to talk through things with Hauntcert volunteers and we'll finalize plans for the next week. We would love to see a great turn out at this meeting and welcome all orchestra parents!!!

Miscellaneous Hauntcert Needs

As we approach tech week, the orchestra is in need of the following items:

Power Strips and Extension Cords - we need a number of these for stand lights, inflatables in the auditorium, fishbowl, and trick or treat hallways. We would love to borrow as many as possible, please label with your student's name and send to school by Friday, Oct 18.

Decorations - we have both Halloween themed areas and Olympic themed areas this year. If you have anything around the house that we could borrow that would fit one of these themes, we would be extremely grateful. Just make sure to label with your student's name. Please have these to school by Tuesday, Oct 15 to help us plan at our NOPA meeting that night. 

Batteries - it takes a good number of AAA batteries for our stand lights to help us get through our dress rehearsal and two shows. Any packs your family could send to school would be greatly appreciated.

Fake Groceries - we are still in need of "fake groceries" for one of our Hauntcert events and are hoping your family can send some items in. We are specifically looking for more fake canned goods. If you own a can opener that opens canned goods without creating sharp edges, it's easy to wash out the inside of the can (trying not to damage the label on the outside) and superglue the lid back on. Please ensure that any items are VERY food free as the orchestra is not looking for any new roach mascots this year ;-)

Candy Donations - we will be need over 8,000 pieces of candy for trick or treating before the shows. A list will come out soon, but please consider picking up some bags for us at the grocery store over the next week or so. Candy can be sent to school by Friday, Oct 18.