...creating lifelong purveyors of music

Sunday, October 26, 2025

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!






Thursday, October 23, 2025

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.

Saturday, October 18, 2025

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. 

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

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!

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

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