Poinsettia Fundraiser

 

Our next fundraiser for our Choir/Orchestra trip will begin October 13.  Order forms are available at school and students should make sure to put their name and phone number on the order brochure and collect the money at the time of the order. Checks should be made out to Unit 5 Music Parents.  Orders must be returned to the directors no later than October 25.

 
The fundraiser offers an excellent assortment of various colored poinsettias and amaryllis bulbs, plus a Christmas cactus and snowflake pots, for the winter season.  Poinsettias range from $16 – 17, Amaryllis $18. Christmas Cactus $13, and snowflake pots $8/$10. 
 
Students earn $5.50-$6 for each poinsettia ($6-red, pink, cream/$5.50-purple, chameleon, or blue), $6 for each Amaryllis and Cactus, and $4.75-6 per snowflake pot. So, this is a great fundraiser to make lots of money for your trip account! Make sure to ask everyone you know if they’d like to buy something. These also make great gifts for family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc.
 
The plants will be delivered to the school sometime between 11/29 and 12/12, for distribution by the students to those who ordered.

Hauntcert Volunteer List Reminder

Just a reminder that we still need volunteers to fill a number of jobs for this year's Hauntcert.  We're hoping to get into the Guinness Book of World Records for "fastest filling of a Hauntcert volunteer list" this year ;-)  Won't you consider clicking here and helping us go down in the history books?

NOLA Trip Update & Trip Fundraiser Opportunity

Given current circumstances such as the recent hurricane and the fact that New Orleans is now requiring all visitors to either provide proof of vaccination or undergo a mandatory 2 week quarantine, the choir and orchestra are shifting gears.  New Orleans is no longer an option for our destination, but discussions and plans are in the works to offer a shorter trip (possibly just two nights) to a closer destination (ie. Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, etc.).  We want to offer our students a trip that is both fun and educational, while also being safe and affordable.  Look for the announcement of our new destination soon!!!

As a trip is still on the agenda for this year, we have another fundraising opportunity bagging for tips at Hy-Vee.  Our first date is this weekend, so please sign up for those slots first if available.  But there are also opportunities on Nov 7th and Dec 11th.  Click here for the SignUpGenius with more information and the available dates.

The orchestra is still in need of a few parents who would be willing to be a part of the choir/orchestra fundraising team.  Please send an email if you could help us out with this!

Hauntcert Volunteer List

The Hauntcert volunteer list is now available and ready for some eager helpers to sign up!  Please consider being a part of this momentous occasion as we bring Hauntcert back to the community after two years - we need many hands to make the show not only successful, but safe for everyone involved.  NCHS orchestra parents are always an integral part of our success each year and are even more critical as we negotiate this important recruiting concert during COVID.  Click here to volunteer and become a part of our team!!!

Don't forget about our 2nd combined rehearsal AND our next NOPA meeting this Tuesday (Oct. 5).  We are also still very much in need of decorations to borrow that fit our animals/zoo theme.  Please send items to school with your student by Tuesday (or send a picture) if you have anything that we might be able to use.  Thanks!

Rehearsal Reminder

Don't forget about our combined rehearsal this Wednesday, September 29th, from 3:30-6:00 pm.  Personnel required at this rehearsal include Chamber, Intermezzo, and Sinfonia orchestra members.  We will be done promptly at 6:00 pm and all students should plan to have their ride waiting for them in the parking lot at that time.  Please pick students up in the bus lane NOT in the main lot.

Hauntcert Decorations Needed!

The orchestra is seeking to borrow as many decorations this year as possible for the Hauntcert.  Due to the tenuous nature of the pandemic, we will be working on a "shoestring" budget and are hoping that there are many items lurking in your homes that would fit the bill this year.  Our theme is animals, so anything we could borrow (ie large stuffed animals, posters, etc) fitting that theme or anything zoo related would be greatly appreciated.  We ask that you send these items to school this week (or email a picture) so that everything is here for our NOPA meeting on the 5th.  Even if we aren't able to use it, having as many options available as we can is so greatly appreciated!

NOPA

Our next NCHS Orchestra Parents meeting will be on Tuesday, October 5th @ 7 pm in the orchestra room (rm 50).  Doors J around the back will be open.  Please consider joining us as we continue to plow through Hauntcert needs and organize decorations.  All NCHS Orchestra parents are welcome to attend!

Uniforms

Students who were fitted for uniforms should now have them at home and should have tried them on for a parent.  Missing items were ordered on Friday and will be sent home as soon as they arrive.  Please make sure that you have seen the items on your student and have made arrangements to get any hemming needs taken care of (all new pants and dresses will come completely unhemmed!).  Don't forget to check the syllabus for uniform policies regarding uniform care, hemming, etc.

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