Orchestra Awards and Senior Recognition

Tune in here on the orchestra blog at 7 pm, Thursday May 14th for access to the NCHS Orchestra Awards Night and Senior Recognition (www.nchsorchestras.org).  We will post links and details at that time. The awards will also be posted on all Google Classrooms at the same time in the hopes we may be able to thwart technology if something goes wrong...  Let's watch together even though we are apart and show solidarity for our seniors - GO IRON! 

2020 NCHS Orchestra Awards Night & Senior Recognition

In lieu of our spring concert this year, the orchestra program will be presenting our awards and senior recognition on Thursday night, May 14th @ 7:00 pm.  A video will be pushed out at that time so that we might all watch it together and support one another, even though we still remain apart.  The end-of-the-year award winners will be announced and our seniors will be recognized. More details as to how this will be posted will become available this week as we work to figure out the best implementation.  Please plan on joining us May 14th @ 7 pm as we celebrate our music making this year together. 

Pratt Scholarship Applications

Although it might be hard to be thinking about anything other than our current situation at this time, the Pratt Scholarship is designed to provide students with financial difficulties lessons and music supplies for free.  This has been a wonderful boost to many of our students and some of NCHS's best string players have been products of this program.  Click on the yellow picture for all of the necessary information.  Applications are due by May 1st and require letters of recommendation (including one from myself) and all materials must be included by that date.  I wanted to make sure that you have time to complete this process as we have gotten no indication from the Pratt Foundation that this deadline is going to be extended. Please contact me if there is anything I can do to assist you or if you need a letter.  Thoughts and prayers that your family is safe and healthy during this time (and remains so!).

Unit Orchestra Concert Update

Please note the following message regarding the cancelling of the Unit Orchestra concert scheduled for next week.  The NCHS Orchestra program is currently investigating a way to still provide the students with some sort of performance venue that could culminate in a recording for parents to watch.  Information will be communicated as it becomes available.  Thank you for your patience and understanding regarding the district's decision.

Dear Unit 5 Orchestra Students and Parents,

Today, Unit 5 district administration decided to cancel the Unit Orchestra concert scheduled for Tuesday March 17th at West. This concert features over 400 performers and draws a very large crowd, and public health officials have suggested events with large gatherings be avoided for the time being.

Due to the size of the ensembles we will also be cancelling the rehearsal that was scheduled for Monday March 16th also at West.

The Orchestra Directors appreciate all the work that students have put into the music and your continued support of our program.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. Siebenthal, Ms. Boehm, Mrs. Fontana, Mr. Golick,  Mrs. Keeney, Mrs. Stalter and Ms. Szwajka

Unit 5 Orchestra Faculty

Unit 5 Orchestra Apparel Order

U5 Orchestra gear is now available. Click here to order your Unit 5 Orchestra spirit wear!!!  All orders are due by March 18th and will be delivered to school.

Solo & Ensemble Contest Wrap-Up

HUGE thank-yous to all of our volunteers from this weekend!!! There were so many positive comments from directors from all over the area about how well everything worked, and that is a direct result of the efforts of over 120 people!

Musically, the event was also a huge success for the bands, orchestras, and choirs. The orchestra program ended up tying for 1st place in the state for the Solo & Ensemble Class AA sweepstakes and we also took the "Best of Day" awards in two of the three string rooms. So proud of all of the students' hard work, effort, and growth over the last month!!!  GO IRON!!!!

Unit Orchestra Reminder

Just another reminder that all students attending the Unit Orchestra rehearsal this Wed. Mar. 11 (all orchestras except Chamber Orchestra) need to bring a FOLDING MUSIC STAND to rehearsal (and their cellos).  Please make sure that the stand is labeled with your name.  All students are to be picked up in the BUS LANE promptly at 6 pm. Don't forget the rehearsal is here at Normal Community.

Unit Orchestra Information

Unit Rehearsal #1

Date:   Wed. Mar. 11
Time:   4-6 pm
Location:   NCHS Cafeteria
Personnel:  All orchestras EXCEPT Chamber Orchestra




Unit Rehearsal #2

Date:   Mon. Mar. 16
Time:   4-6 pm
Location:   NCWHS Gym
Personnel:  All orchestras EXCEPT Chamber Orchestra

**Students will be given a pass to get out of school 5 min early, offering them plenty of time to beat the parking lot traffic and travel to NCWHS.  STUDENTS MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION!!!



Unit Concert

Date:   Tues. Mar. 17
Time:   7 pm
Call Time:  TBA
Location:   NCWHS Gym
Personnel:  All orchestras EXCEPT Chamber Orchestra
Dress:  Orchestra Uniforms

Solo & Ensemble Contest Volunteer Lists

The IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest that NCHS is hosting is only a week a way (Sat Mar 7) and our volunteer lists are so very sparse. We REALLY need people to help us out and sign up today to volunteer a few hours of time.  This is a huge fundraising event for our department and benefits the music students in every ensemble at Normal Community.  Please encourage your student to sign up as well as most of the jobs are able to be filled with students or parents alike. Please click on the links below and donate just a few hours of your time to our students - they are truly a worthy investment!!!

IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest Morning Shifts

IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest Afternoon Shifts

IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest Concession Stand (PARENTS ONLY)

IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest Friday After-School Set-Up Crew (STUDENTS ONLY)       

Supporting Our Canada Trip Fundraisers

Information was provided to all Canada trip participants regarding upcoming fundraisers, but we thought that even people not going on the trip might be interested in supporting some of these opportunities (who doesn't go grocery shopping or love pancakes & pizza after all???).  

Pizza Ranch Dine To Donate - March 16th & 18th, 5-8 pm

Applebee's Flapjack Fundraiser - March 21st, 8-10 am (see a trip participant to get your $5 tickets for all you can eat pancakes!!!)

HyVee Bagging for Tips - March 22nd & 29th (noon - 4 pm), April 25th (10 am - 2 pm), May 2nd (10 am - 2 pm)

IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest Volunteer Lists

The Normal Community High School Music Department is hosting the IHSA Solo & Ensemble contest again this year.  Not only is this a fantastic musical experience for our students, but it is also the largest fundraiser our department collaborates on every other year.  Money from this event helps us purchase investments we share as a department such as uniforms, music stands, pianos, etc.  As we will be moving over 1000 students through our building that day, we need over 120 volunteers to help provide both this musical and financial opportunity for our music students.  There are many different jobs available for both students and parents alike, and we really need to get the lists filled up quickly.  Please click on the links below and donate just a few hours of your time to our students - they are truly a worthy investment!!!

IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest Morning Shifts

IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest Afternoon Shifts

IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest Concession Stand (PARENTS ONLY)

IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest Friday After-School Set-Up Crew (STUDENTS ONLY)       

Winter Concert Info

There will be no dress rehearsal for any orchestra on Monday.  Information regarding the concert is as follows:

Date:            Tuesday Dec. 10
Call Time:    6 pm (performance begins at 7)
Dress:          Full concert uniform

Refreshments can be brought to the table in the atrium that night. We are still in need of a couple of people to assist with the refreshment table as well.  Please click here to sign up if you are able to help us out.

Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal & Cookie Sign Up

The dress rehearsal on the calendar scheduled for Monday Dec 9 (3:30-5:30) will be utilized only for orchestras that still need more rehearsal to prepare for the concert.  An announcement will be made at the end of the week if this applies to any of our orchestras.  Please encourage your student to make a hard push practicing this week!  We are also in need of refreshment donations for our reception after the concert.  Please click here to sign up to bring some holiday cheer and add to December festivities :-) 

Fundraiser Reminder

Don't forget that the cookie dough fundraiser is due on Monday, Nov. 18th.  Please make sure that all checks are made out to Unit 5 Music Parents Association and that everything on the form is filled out and complete.  Payment must be included with the order. Please include all materials in an envelope with the student's name on it. 

Spaghetti Supper Concert & Rehearsal Info

Date: Mon. Nov. 11
Performance Time: 6:40 pm
Dress:  New orchestra t-shirt (the black one) and jeans.

We will be having a short rehearsal for each group prior to the event so that they can warm up and briefly practice with the other orchestra they will be performing with. 

5:00-5:20  Chamber & Intermezzo Orchestras
5:30-6:15  Sinfonia & Concert Orchestras
6:20-6:30  All orchestras for tuning
6:40-7:00  Performance

**We still have NCHS Orchestra spots on the volunteer list that need to be filled!!!  Please help us get these filled ASAP - having to run the Spaghetti Supper every 5 years, we know how nervous these unfilled lists are making our choir parents this close to the event...  Volunteering a little bit of your time will help us ensure that feeding 1300 people goes well and brings in money for our music programs!!!**