Fundraising Volunteers Needed

We are in need of 1-2 volunteers to assist the choir's fundraising team on our ensembles' joint efforts.  Many hands make light work, and the choir team is an experienced, well-oiled machine.  Please thoughtfully consider volunteering for this opportunity!

Orchestra Calendar Update

 

There was a discrepency between the calendar on the syllabus and the orchestra Google Calendar.  Our first Hauntcert rehearsal will be Wednesday September 29th, NOT the 22nd.  We had a last minute change at the beginning of the year due to homecoming.  Thanks for your flexibility!

NOPA

 

The NCHS Orchestra Parent's Association will hold its first meeting this coming Tuesday, Sept. 7th at 7:00 pm in the orchestra room (50). Doors J around the back of the building will be unlocked.  This organization is open to all orchestra parents and is dedicated to helping provide all of those "extras" to our music students.  We'll be focusing on brainstorming Hauntcert ideas and possibly any needs we have for Spaghetti Supper.  We have most executive officer positions open, and are looking forward to new volunteers!

Orchestra & Choir Concession Stand Fundraiser

 

The orchestra and choir will kick off our first fundraiser of the year in one week and will be working the concession stand at the September 10th varsity football game.  This will be a general fundraiser (not for the trip), and we will need both students and parents alike to make it a success.  Please click here to volunteer for a shift.  Fundraisers like these help us continue to supplement supply budgets and purchase music, instruments, etc.  Thanks in advance for getting involved!!!!

Welcome Back!

What an absolute joy to see students in a much more "normal" setting than we left things last year!  This is our first blog post of the year and hopefully it will serve to make sure that those of you who signed up in previous years are still getting the updates.  Keep your eyes peeled in the next day or so for an email from Infinite Campus to parents with syllabus information that parents will need to sign off on.  And don't forget about the NCHS Open House this Thursday night beginning at 6:30 pm.  Welcome back - we are truly blessed to be making music together this year!!!

Orchestra Uniform Return

 

The NCHS Music Department is collecting the following uniforms: ALL tuxedos (including jacket, pants, shirt, bow tie) and dresses from anyone not returning to the program next year (seniors, those not rostered next year, etc.).  Please place the uniform on a hanger and return to school no later than Wednesday, April 21st.  There will be a rack in the orchestra room and materials to label the uniform upon its return.  Students should label the uniform and add their name to the list on the rack.  Bow ties should be hung around the top of the hanger (not left in a pocket).  Please email if there are any questions.

BNYS Scholarship Opportunity

Another scholarship opportunity for private lessons has just come across my desk.  The Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony is offering 12 scholarships of $750 each (6 for those who have taken private lessons before, and 6 for students who have never taken lessons before).  Students receiving scholarships perform as a member of BNYS for that season, with the participation fee waived as well.  These scholarships are available regardless of financial need.  Application deadline is May 10th.  Don't forget about the other scholarship opportunities available - deadlines are rapidly approaching!

BNYS Scholarship Application & Information

Orchestra T-Shirt Reminder

 

Just a reminder for fully remote students - please do your best to grab your orchestra t-shirt out of the IMC by Friday.  All remote students have a shirt waiting for them labeled with their name - they're bright orange, you can't miss them!

Scholarship Opportunities for Private Lessons

 

Private lessons are a tremendous boost to every student, regardless of their ability level and all NCHS orchestra members are highly encouraged to connect with a teacher.  Here are two options for students wishing to take advantage of lessons but may need some financial assistance to do so.  The Pratt Scholarship program is one that has been around for many years in this community and is a wonderful program that covers the cost of lessons and supplies.  The ISO one is a relatively new one on the scene.  Simply contact me if you have questions!

Pratt Scholarship

ISO Scholarship

ISO Application

Congrats to our ILMEA District 3 Musicians

The NCHS Orchestra would like to give a big shout out and congratulate our 13 musicians who were selected to the ILMEA District 3 "Virtual Orchestra" this year.  They will be participating in an online clinic this Saturday.  Proud of our musicians!!!

Allison H

Allison M

Andy G

Audrie S

Camden W

Diego M

Ellie S

Katie K

Karen X

Maerie G

Matt B

Nicky G

Shreenija D

Unit 5 Music Parents Co-Voided Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser Reminder

Just a quick reminder that if you were planning to donate to our Unit 5 Music Parents Co-Voided Spaghetti Supper fundraiser, the deadline is November 25th.  The NCHS Orchestra is currently at about 75% of our targeted goal.  Thank you to all who have donated so far - we really appreciate your support during these difficult times!  If you would still like to donate, click here to be taken to the GoFundMe page.  Just make sure to specify the NCHS Orchestra as your "team".

Unit 5 Music Parents Co-Voided Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser

 

Below you will find information from the Unit 5 Music Parents Association regarding a fundraising initiative to replace the annual Spaghetti Supper.  This year, money will not be split evenly among the groups as traditionally done, but will be given to whatever group you specify.  The NCHS Orchestra program is hoping to raise at least $1000 to replace the money used from our instructional budget this year that helped off-set the cost of providing a Smart Music subscription to all students in the program.  These subscriptions have been an invaluable tool during COVID to help provide more effective remote instruction, but in a normal year these funds are typically allocated toward purchasing music, supplies, etc. for the program.  And with the continued pandemic, it is uncertain whether or not the program will be able to participate in any of our usual "door-to-door" sales of other fundraiser items.  The "Co-Voided Spaghetti Supper" will run from November 9-25.  Don't forget to choose "NCHS Orchestras" as your desired "team" at the top of the donation page.  As always, thank you for your continued support of our young musicians!

Unit 5 Music Parents Spaghetti Supper Co-voided Fundraiser

The Annual Spaghetti Supper is a music department fundraiser sponsored by the Unit 5 Music Parents Organization.  This is an annual event that allows for families to support the music programs by purchasing tickets to enjoy a meal and an opportunity to enjoy the talents of their children and classmates in a performance.  Even though Covid-19 has eliminated our ability to hold the annual Spaghetti Supper in person, due to current pandemic restrictions, it cannot stop our love for music and desire to financially support the music programs.     

This fundraiser is an important event to support the music programs at our schools.  The needs of the programs have not been reduced due to the current pandemic restrictions, rather they have increased, since many programs can’t do other fundraisers they have done in the past.  Thus, we need your donations for our programs more than ever! 

Our goal in a typical year is for every student to sell at least 4 tickets at approximately $10 each.  This year, we are asking to give beyond this amount, if you are able, to help our programs make-up the lost revenue from traditional fundraisers that aren’t able to be held due to the pandemic.

Your donations help to support the music programs with the following expenses:

·       -Music purchases (one piece of music costs up to $150)

·      - Singers’ masks ($20-$30 each)

·       -Classroom essentials like music stands, stools, risers, etc.

·      - New instruments and repairs

·      - Supply needs for at risk students

·      - Uniform cleaning

·     - Concerts

·      - Accompanists

Here is the link to access the online fundraiser:

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/spaghettisuppercovoided

Please share this fundraising campaign with your friends, neighbors, family and alumni who enjoy hearing our young musicians!

Thank you for your donation and support to keep our music programs going!

Unit 5 Music Parents Association

COVID Opportunities for NCHS Orchestra Members!

You can't keep creative musicians down, and a global pandemic is merely an opportunity for creativity.  A number of these virtual opportunities just crossed my inbox this week. These are GREAT chances for the students to learn from amazing collegiate faculty for FREE!!!!

Northern Illinois University Viola Webcast - Sept 17 (FREE)

• Concert featuring viola quartets by Bach, Telemann, Bowen, and Hindemith

   

  University of Wisconsin Whitewater- October 12 (FREE)

• Virtual Music Major for a Day - see link for details

Illinois State University 13th Annual Popper Day for Cellists - Oct 18 (FREE) 

• A day celebrating the cello!

Western Illinois University Virtual String Institute

WIU ILMEA All-State String Workshop - Sept 26 (FREE)

• For those students auditioning for the ILMEA District Festival

WIU String Day - Oct 24 (FREE)

• For any interested string player

WIU College Audition Preparation Workshop - Nov 27 (FREE)

• For high school seniors looking for college audition tips

Millikin University ILMEA Workshop - Oct 3 (FREE)

• For those students auditioning for the ILMEA festival orchestra

University of Illinois School of Music Open House - October 19 - 30 (FREE)

• MANY different sessions to choose from - click on the link above for a description of all the workshops available

Linda Luebke Strings Festival - October 4 - November 15 (FREE)

Unit 5 Orchestra Face Masks & Gaitors

 

Click here to purchase U5 Orchestra face masks and gaitors. A variety of color choices are available and can be customized with your clef or the U5 Orchestra logo.  A bargain at only $6 (plus shipping)!!!   What a great way to support the program, show your team spirit, and help protect yourself and others!

NCHS Orchestra 2020 Fall Supply List

Greetings Students and Parents!

Welcome to a new year of making music together!!!  Obviously, things are going to look much different than they have in previous years and this promises to be one of the most bizarre openings to school we have ever seen...  But I am eagerly looking forward to getting back into the classroom (regardless of how "virtual" it is) and hope that the students are looking forward to this as well.  More information will be forthcoming over the next couple of weeks, but there are a few supplies that I wanted parents to have a heads up on so that we can hit the ground running.  Please click on this link to be directed to a Google Doc that outlines what students need to have in order to help them be successful this semester.  

We hope that you would consider supporting local business for these needs as this has been a very difficult time for small businesses. The Music Shoppe has been given a heads up to anticipate a run on some of these items and is preparing to help you secure these supplies.  I believe they have various curbside pick-up, direct shipping, etc. options available. 

Please note: the last few months of remote learning found a number of students trying to cope with playing without a music stand.  Please understand that this is a vital piece of equipment and is in NO way optional.  Students will be doing a great deal of synchronous learning this quarter (all students online in a virtual classroom together) and will be expected to be set up properly with a chair and stand just as they would in the classroom.  As with all supplies, please let me know asap if there is a financial hardship with procuring any of these supplies, and I will work with your family to help arrange something. 

Hope your summer has been uneventful, and your family is safe and healthy!  Please reach out with any questions you might have.

Melissa Siebenthal