Thursday, October 20, 2016

Fall Concert Info

9th Annual TV and Movie Music Extravaganza!!!
Featuring the Durham and Allatoona Orchestras

When:  Thursday, 10/27/16.  Students report at 7:00 PM.  Concert starts at 7:30PM.
Where:  Allatoona High School Gym
Who:  All members of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade orchestras.  Plus AHS orchestras!
What:  Our first concert of the year! We will perform themes from TV and the Movies. 
Costume:  To fit the theme of the concert, orchestra members are invited to wear a costume (a favorite TV or movie character, or something just plain fun).  Otherwise, regular school outfits will be fine for this concert. 
*Please avoid costumes that might be considered offensive, unpatriotic, or otherwise scary for children in the audience!
Arrival:  Middle school students should be at Allatoona at 7:00 PM, in order to tune and be set up. 
Music Stand:  If you have your own portable music stand, please bring it to the concert.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

October Orchestra Update

Hello Parents,

We have been busy working in Orchestra across all grade levels! Here's a look at what is coming up and what we've been doing:

ALL GRADE LEVELS: Thursday, October 27th- TV and Movie Concert at Allatoona High School
participate in this awesome concert!! Students will wear costumes (or school clothes if they don't have a costume) and will play music from TV shows or movies. The concert starts at 7:30 pm, and all students should arrive by 7. More details to come!

8th Grade Orchestra: All 8th Graders attending the Disney trip in the spring should have their Disney packets and $200 deposit turned in by this Friday, 10/14. We have been working hard on music for our October concert and lots of advanced techniques such as shifting and vibrato. You can ask your child how to do these techniques and they should be able to show you. :)

7th Grade Orchestra: The 7th Grade Orchestra students have been given a practice log that is due next Friday. They must have 5 twenty minute practice sessions, signed off by the parent, in order to earn a 100 on the practice log. They can also come in at 8:15 any day for early morning practice, in which case I would sign off on their log. I put on the bottom of the practice log a list of things for them to practice, with concert music being the top priority. Please email me if you have any questions.

6th Grade Orchestra:  The 6th Grade Orchestra is working on maintaining great posture and position, with good bow grips and good bow movement involved. Hopefully, you are hearing no squeaking or scratching if they are playing correctly. :) We are working on basic songs, scales, and skills from their Sound Innovations books and their concert pieces, Middle School Story and Jaws.

Fiddlers: The Fiddlers have a performance this Saturday at 2:15pm at the Taste of Acworth festival. They will meet me at 1:45pm at the stage near the Post Office on Main St. They will play until 3pm. Hope to see you all there!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at durhamorchestra@gmail.com or jennifer.aikey@cobbk12.org

Disney Refund Update

Dear 8th Grade Parents, We have been notified that the travel agency has sent out the refund check to Durham. When we receive the che...