Butter Braid Pick-Up

Don't forget that Butter Braid pick-up is scheduled for this Thursday (Dec. 14) in the orchestra room from 3:30-5:30 pm.  Without exception, ALL orders must be picked up at this time by the family who sold the product! Please make sure that you have made arrangements not only to pick up the items, but to ensure that they are able to be kept frozen until you deliver them to your customers. Happy holiday pastries to you and yours this month!

End of Semester Wrap-Up

Winter Concert Information

Date:  Tues. Dec. 12
Concert: 7 pm
Call Time: 6 pm
Dress:  Uniforms

There will be no rehearsal for any orchestra on Monday.  Thanks to all who volunteered to donate refreshments - you may bring them to the refreshment table at 6:30 the night of the concert.  If you arrive earlier or the tables are not set up, refreshments can go to the desk in the orchestra room. Don't forget that cello players should bring their instruments to the concert!

FINAL EXAMS - Orchestra final exams consist of 3 parts:

1.  Written - taken at the scheduled exam time. This is nothing that students need to study for and typically consists of reflection based essay questions.

2.  Scales - students must have passed all scales tested in the first semester by Mon. Dec. 18.  Students will have the opportunity to make up scales not previously passed during the days after the winter concert.

3.  Playing exam - students will be tested over material from the winter concert the day following the performance. This ensures that the material is still fresh and it should be very easy for students as they were all prepared to the best of their ability on the music the night before. 

Winter Concert Update

Winter Concert Information

Date:  Tues. Dec. 12
Concert: 7 pm
Call Time: 6 pm
Dress:  Uniforms

The dress rehearsal scheduled for Monday, Dec. 11 will be utilized by any group that needs a final rehearsal to help prepare them for the concert.  Please make sure that the date remains open in case it needs to be utilized - a decision will be made by the end of this week.  Don't forget that cello players should bring their instruments to the concert!

The sign up for post-concert refreshments is now available and we would be most grateful if you would consider helping us out and donating some punch or cookies.  You can click here for the refreshment volunteer list.  Best wishes to you and your family for a strong finish to the first semester!!!

Butter Braid Fundraiser Due

Please get Butter Braid orders in as soon as possible. The last day to turn them in will be this Friday (Dec. 1).  Don't forget that students (or their parents) must pick up their order after school on Thurs. Dec. 14th between 3:30-5:30 pm.  Students orders will be bundled and packaged together, so it is not possible to sort out individual customer items. 

Final Spaghetti Supper Reminders

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday for the Spaghetti Supper!  Please refer to the earlier blog post regarding the rehearsal schedule for the afternoon.  Two more things to add:

1.  Cello players MUST bring their instruments from home!

2.  Everyone should bring a folding stand for the rehearsal (all black stands will be on stage).

ILMEA Information

Please see the attached documents with some preliminary information for students who are participating in the ILMEA District 3 orchestra.  Even though Olivet has said they will provide stands for students, we are still asking students to bring a folding stand.  Dress for the concert will be "nice clothes" (no jeans, tennis shoes, etc. - "shirt and tie" is about the appropriate level).  Bus leaves NCHS at 6 am - plan on being 10 minutes early!!!!
  
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Spaghetti Supper Call/Rehearsal Times

Date: Mon. Nov. 13
Performance Time:  6:40 pm
Dress:  Orchestra T-Shirt (arriving this week) 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          Performance

Prep Freeze Cook Orders

Don't forget that all Prep Freeze Cook orders are due on Monday (Oct 6).  All checks should be made payable to Prep Freeze Cook and please make sure that all of your customers are aware that they must pick up their product on Nov. 16 at the Prep Freeze facility on Oakland Ave. between 12:00-7:00 pm.

9 Horses in Concert @ ISU

The string group 9 Horses will be in concert at ISU on Wed. Nov. 8 at 7 pm.  Illinois State University's String Project has offered area string students one free ticket to the event. Please email Mrs. Siebenthal asap if you would like to take advantage of this great opportunity and she will provide you with the contact information. There is also an improv masterclass that is free and open to the public. See Siebs for more details if interested!

Prep Freeze Cook Update

Prep Freeze Cook checks should all be made payable to "Prep Freeze Cook", the previous blog update has been corrected to reflect this error. 

Spaghetti Supper Ticket Reminder & NOPA Update

Don't forget that all Spaghetti Supper tickets must be purchased by this Friday, Nov. 3rd.  You can click here for information and the order form.

There are still a few more slots to fill on the Spaghetti Supper volunteer list.  We would be grateful for any help you can give us that night, and I am sure that if there are no NCHS Orchestra spots left the junior high would be appreciative of our help as well.   You can click here to volunteer for the Spaghetti Supper.

Our next NCHS Orchestra Parents Association (NOPA) meeting will be this Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 pm in the orchestra room.  Door J around the back of the building will be open.  We will be putting the finishing touches on our plans to feed the masses at Spaghetti Supper and will continue fundraising plans. 

Fundraising Update

A few updates and reminders regarding our current fundraisers:

1.  All Butter Braid orders must be picked up by you or your student on Dec. 14th in the orchestra room from 3:30-5:30 pm.  This is different than the information that came home last week.  All orders will be packaged up in one big bundle for your student and it is not possible to distribute to individual customers.  Please make sure that you inform anyone you have sold product to that they will NOT be able to pick it up that day and that you will deliver it to them. 

2.  Don't forget that Prep Freeze Cook orders are due this Monday, Nov. 6th.  Students should bring their order forms and money (all checks made payable to PREP FREEZE COOK) to school no later than that day in an envelope with their name clearly marked.  Customers for this fundraiser absolutely CAN pick their items up and all items should be picked up at their facility on Nov. 16th between 12:00-7:00 pm.  Please make sure you and your customers have made arrangements to pick up your meals. 

Fundraiser Customer Info Sheets

Students were sent home with an info sheet that they can cut apart and give to customers when they order.  Each slip contains the pick-up information for either Butter Braid or Prep Freeze.  You can click here if you need more of the slips.  Let's sell, sell, sell!!!  Don't forget to send in your Spaghetti Supper ticket orders.

Fundraiser Information

Prep Freeze Cook and Butter Braid fundraiser packets went home with students today.  Prep Freeze orders and money are due no later than Nov. 6, and Butter Braid orders and money are due no later than Dec. 1st.  Please look the packets over carefully and make sure that students inform their customers of pick-up information!!!!  Prep Freeze orders must be picked up at their facility on Oakland Avenue on November 16th between noon - 7:00 pm.  Butter Braids must be picked up in the orchestra room on December 14th between 3:30-5:30 pm.  This pick-up info is critical information to provide to your customers as we will have no way to store any of the product nor deliver it.  All fundraising checks should be made payable to NCHS Orchestras.

Spaghetti Supper Ticket Information

Spaghetti Supper tickets are now on sale through Friday Nov. 3rd.  Please print the attached order form and return to school with your student NO LATER than Friday Nov. 3rd.  There will only be 150 tickets available at the door that night for purchase, so it is critical if you and your family plan on eating that night, you pre-order your tickets through us. Read the order form carefully and please make sure that you accurately indicate the number of meat sauce, marinara sauce, and gluten free meals that you need. Tickets will be sent home with students as soon as they bring in the form and payment. Checks should be made payable to Unit 5 Music Parents. Click here to print off the Spaghetti Supper Ticket Order Form.

The volunteer list for Spaghetti Supper is also now available and the orchestra is responsible for working the 4:45-6:00 time slot (will not conflict with orchestra performances). There is also a need for some stage crew parents and the 3:00-4:45 food prep slots. Please help us fill up these spots quickly and join us for food and music on Nov. 13th! You can click here to volunteer for the Spaghetti Supper.