December Newsletter:
I hope that all of you are planning fantastic Thanksgiving activities with your family and friends. This year Mrs., Nora, and I are going to spend the long weekend with family including an annual trip to Wisconsin to cut down a Christmas tree and have an outdoor picnic. As we take time to think about traditions I encourage you to add attending our two orchestra concerts to your calendar. The winter orchestra concert is on 12/11 starting at 7:00. If you know if any alumni who would like to come back and perform with us, please have them email Mr. S and I will email them the music. We will meet on the PAC stage for a rehearsal at 6:20.
We will also have the Bear Strings performance on 12/18 with Bare Voices and Blue Notes. This will be more of a traditional holiday concert with familiar songs to celebrate the season.
I would also like to offer a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you, both students and parents, who make the orchestra program here at LZHS a part of your LZHS experience. I consider myself fortunate to make music with each and every one of you.
A special reminder for symphony students, there is a mandatory rehearsal on Wednesday, 12/4 from 7:15-9:15 in the orchestra room.
Concerto Competition: The concerto competition will take place on Monday, December 2nd. Performances will start at 5:00 in the choir room. Audiences are welcome. Please feel free to stop by and listen to the performances. The winner of the concerto competition will have the opportunity to perform with the LZHS Symphony in May.
Concert information:
The orchestra department is participating on several concerts December. All orchestra students are performing on the Winter Orchestra Concert on Wednesday, December 11 at 7:00 in the PAC. It is a required performance as part of the orchestra classes.
Concert Orchestra: Students must be on stage to rehearse at 5:30. It is important that students are at the dress rehearsal, in their seat, and ready to play at 5:30 It is important that we are ready to play for a call time. I would suggest arriving at least 15 minutes before the call time to ensure that everybody is set and ready to go for the performance.
Symphony Orchestra: Students must be dressed, and on the stage by 6:20 to rehearse Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire. Please make sure you are here and ready to go by 6:20. Students should plan an appropriate amount of time to get their instrument out and ready to go for the performance.
Concert Dress: Please follow dress code as outlined in the handbook.
Boys must show up in black pants, tux shirt, black shoes, and socks. We will distribute tux jackets and bow ties before the concert.
Girls wear solid black: Girls have the freedom to choose their apparel as long as sleeves extend below the elbow and skirts or slacks to the ankle, and the midriff must not show while standing or sitting. This may be a long-sleeve all black dress or black blouse or sweater and ankle-length skirt. Full black slacks are also appropriate, and encouraged for cello players. Girls must also wear black closed-toe dress shoes (not more than 2” heel) and black stockings or hose.
Snacks:
Trying to get the right mix of students bringing snacks here is what we are going to try, Snacks for Freshman and Sophomores this concert:
Violin, Viola and bass: A snack or treat
Cello: Water or juice
Bear Strings:
On 12/18 there will be a dress rehearsal starting at 4:30 for the 7:00 concert. Pizza will be provided. Please wear a “ugly sweater” for the performance.
Sinfonietta: Don’t forget we have an extended rehearsal on Friday 11/6
As always, thank you for your support of the orchestra program at LZHS. I look forward to seeing all of you at our concerts in the next couple of weeks.