lzorchestra

32 posts

August 2022

Welcome back! I hope that all of you had a restful summer. Mrs. S and I were in London this summer for a bit and had the opportunity to attend several fantastic concerts, and even took Nora to see Mary Poppins. It was nice to be able to do a little more traveling this year. I look forward to hearing about how everyone spent their time away.

We have a fantastic year planned for everyone in orchestra including 4 great curricular concerts, a new orchestra, our first tour in several years, and a Symphony performance at the ILMEA conference in Peoria (a first ever for LZHS). It has been great starting to make music with all of the periods, and especially our new orchestra, Philharmonic, which gives LZHS an official third orchestra class. I can’t wait to see how that ensemble progresses.

Please check back on the website every month for a newsletter highlighting the important events of the upcoming month. There is almost always something coming up. Please make sure you add and check the calendar for all of the orchestra events throughout the year.

See below for important beginning of the year information:

  1. LA Trip: The orchestra is going to be traveling to LA over spring break this year and it is not too late to sign up. The trip is open to all orchestra students including Freshmen. We are looking at our final numbers to come up with a final price soon. Please sign up on the Bob Rodgers Tour page.
  2. Orchestra Shirts and Hoodies: Once again this year we are offering LZHS Orchestra shirts and hoodies. They feature our orchestra logo and are really comfortable. It is my goal that we have these shirts to wear for informal concerts, tours, and events. All orders are due by Friday, September 2, and can be competed online here.
  3. Bear Strings starts on Thursday, 8/25 from 3:50-5PM. Bear strings is open to all orchestra students and is a non-auditioned ensemble that focuses on pop, and other non-traditional styles of music.
  4. Join HOPE: The annual HOPE membership drive is now taking place. Your support of HOPE provides orchestra students with extra opportunities above and beyond what the school covers. This year HOPE will sponsor two sectional days, guest conductors, recordings of concerts, the beginning of the year picnic, and even a commission for the fall. You can join digitally. If you own a business or know of a business who would like to advertise in our program the cost is $150 and they receive a business sized advertisement on the back page of the program.
  5. Volunteers Needed: HOPE is looking for volunteers to join the board, and parent volunteers for events throughout the year. If you are interested and able to volunteer to help HOPE please contact HOPE President, Rebekah Morrison.
  6. HOPE sponsored kickoff picnic:  HOPE and the orchestra are celebrating the new year on Friday, 9/9 with our 6th annual kick off picnic at Breezewald Park from 4-6.
  7. Parents of freshman/sophomore boys, and boys who grew: Don’t forget to get your men’s tux shirt. This year it is up to students to purchase their own tux shirts in time for the October concert. A possible shirt is this option from Amazon.
  8. ILMEA Signup is currently going on. Fill out this form and pay online to sign up.  Sign-up is due by Friday, September 17. All ILMEA participants must participate in at least one help session, or you will not be allowed to participate. I am available to help everyday periods 1, 4, 5, and 8. Orchestra Office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
  9. Speaking of ILMEA, many of you know that Symphony Orchestra is going to perform at ILMEA. To prepare for the concert, we are going to add monthly evening rehearsals starting in September. Please add the following extra rehearsal dates to the calendar:

Thursdays from 6:30-8:30:

September 15

October 20

November 17

December 1 (With winds)

January 12

We will also have a special ILMEA preview concert at Messiah Lutheran Church in Wauconda on Friday, January 20 at 7PM.

  1. I would encourage you to add the orchestra calendar to your personal calendar. The calendar is all over the orchestra blog, and it will always be the most up to date calendar.

I hope everyone has a great year, and I hope to see everybody at our first concert on 10/6. Please feel free to reach out to me by email if you have any questions.

Nathan Sackschewsky, LZHS Orchestra Director

May 2022

Even though it doesn’t feel like it outside we are already planning for our final concert of the year. We have three big events in the last two weeks of school. We have an orchestra concert on Tuesday, May 17, our banquet on Thursday, May 19, and a meeting for the orchestra trip to LA in the spring of 2023 on Wednesday, May 25. Please see below for information about each of those events:

-May Orchestra Concert-Tuesday, May 17 at 7PM

Our final concert of the year will honor our orchestra seniors, celebrate a great student solo with Lynette Suk performing the 1st movement of the Bruch Violin Concerto, and present the Kenji Bunch commission piece, Invincible Summer. There are some different ensemble specific items, so please look for your call time:

Concert Orchestra:

Call time is 5:45 for rehearsal on the stage in the PAC. Tux jackets can be picked after the dress rehearsal. Call times are the time that the rehearsal will start. Students not in their seats and ready to perform will be marked down on the summative concert attendance grade.

Symphony Orchestra:

Call time is 6:15 on stage to run the Bunch. Feel free to pick up tux jackets after the rehearsal.

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

Remember that boys must purchase their own black pants and tux shirt.

Girls wear solid black: Girls have the freedom to choose their apparel if 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.

Orchestra Banquet- Thursday, May 19 at 5PM in the LZHS Cafeteria.

We will be celebrating the year, presenting orchestra awards, honoring our seniors, and finding the winners of the Orchestra Board election at the banquet. All orchestra students and parents are invited. The cost is $14 per-person for dinner. We will have California Pizza Kitchen dinner. Register here.

LA Trip Meeting-Wednesday, May 25 at 6PM in the PAC.

The band and orchestra will be traveling together during spring break 2023 to visit LA. Thins we are planning to do include two days visiting at performing in Disney, exploring LA and Hollywood sights, a trip to Catalina Island, and a hopeful visit to see the LA Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The tour is open to all orchestra students, and we are also looking for some chaperones to attend. If you are interested in finding out more about the trip, please join us in the informational meeting on the 25th.

Thank you to all of your for your work this year, and I look forward to seeing everyone for our final concert on the 17th!

Nathan Sackschewsky

LZHS Orchestra Director,

March 2022 Newsletter

March concert season is here! It has been a busy winter with so many special events, including our first time playing outside the building in almost 2 years. Thank you to our chaperones who attended Symphony’s trip to Midwest Young Artists last week. It was such a great exchange with Glenbard East and nice to spend some more time working with Dr. Dennis.

We have three after school performances coming up before spring break, please read below to make sure you have everything on your calendar.

March 16 Concert for all orchestras:

Concert Orchestra:

Call time is 5:45 for rehearsal on the stage in the PAC. Call times are the time that the rehearsal will start. Students not in their seats and ready to perform will be marked down on the summative concert attendance grade.

-Tux jackets can be picked up after rehearsal.

Symphony Orchestra:

Call time is 6:30 in the choir room.

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

Remember that boys must purchase their own black pants and tux shirt.

Girls wear solid black: Girls have the freedom to choose their apparel if 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.

Sinfonietta:

3/11- 3:30-5:30- Extended rehearsal to work with Ms. Miller and Professor Matsunaga

3/15- 3:30-4:15-Rehearsel

3/16- Perform on orchestra concert- Just Suk

3/18-7PM- Final concert in the Bears Room of the PDC (the district office by Walmart).

               5:30 Dress rehearsal

               Dress is black on bottom, colored top

               Bring music stand

               We might do a reception after. I will have more information later.

Solo and Ensemble:

Tuesday, March 22 at LZHS

Schedule

  • Please plan on attending the full time slot to be an audience member and learn from other comments.
  • You don’t need to have full concert dress but look professional!
  • Symphony students, remember this is a required performance.

As always thank you for your support of the orchestras here at LZHS. I look forward to seeing all of you on the 16th at our concerts.

Nathan Sackschewsky

LZHS Orchestra director

February 2022 Newsletter

I hope that everybody has been able to find some enjoyment in our snowy last couple of weeks. We have had so much that I have been working with Nora on her skiing in the back yard. We also had a busy January ending with the ILMEA All-State music festival last week. Jane (violin) and Louisa (cello) were in the Honors Orchestra, and Kaden was principal bass for the All-State Orchestra. Colin did double duty and played in the Honors Jazz Ensemble, and with the LZHS Jazz Band on their performance. Personally, I also lead a reading session of new string orchestra pieces with orchestra teachers from across the state.

February and March are busy months, so please make sure you check the calendar for all of the upcoming dates. A few important highlights include:

2/16-Mr. Abplanalp to work with p2 Concert and Symphony Orchestra

2/24- Symphony Orchestra field trip to MYAC with Glenbard East Hs

3/11-Extended Sinfonietta rehearsal (Professor Matsunaga to join us)

3/16-Orchestra concert

3/18-Sinfonietta Concert (at district office)

3/22-Solo and Ensemble

Important Information:

Solo and Ensemble:

Solo and Ensemble will be on Tuesday, March 22. I will take sign-ups through Monday the 7th. You can sign up here.

For payment you can bring in a check/cash to Mrs. McLeod

You can also pay with Push Coin:

$10 for solos

$15 for ensembles

2022-23 Symphony Auditions:

Symphony auditions will be the week of March 14. Students will audition on the packet as posted in Canvas. Remember Symphony auditions are not needed for students already in Symphony.

Adv Concert Orchestra Auditions:

Students in Period 1 Concert Orchestra will all audition for Adv. Concert Orchestra the week of March 14. Students who do a Symphony audition can use that as their Adv. Concert audition. Audition information is posted in Canvas.

Symphony Orchestra:

2/24 Symphony Orchestra will be traveling to MYAC in Fort Sheridan:

 Symphony Orchestra Students are traveling to the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory in Highwood to take part in an hour-long master class and concert along with Glenbard East High School’s orchestra. As of right now the plan is to also eat lunch together. My tentative plan is to collect $10 per-student, but I will let you know the official lunch amount next week.

I am also looking for 2 chaperones to come along. You will get free lunch and a relaxing day in historical Ft. Sheridan. If you are interested, please email me.

Please download or use the paper permission slip and return it by 2/10

November 2021 Newsletter

November Newsletter:

Congratulations again to everybody on a great performance in October. Please refer to my email for a digital download of the concert recordings. Thank you as well to HOPE for sponsoring the recordings.

ILMEA

On Saturday November 6th 10 orchestra students( Elise, Kaitlyn, Jane Jeanne, Lynette- violin, Isabel and William- viola, Louise-cello, Colin and Kaden-bass) participated in the district 7 ILMEA orchestra festival. Congrats on a great day of music.

Concerto Competition:

The concert competition will be held on Monday, November 29. Please submit your application no later than Friday, November 19. All students are invited to audition, and one student will have the opportunity to perform with LZHS Symphony Orchestra. The cost is $15.

Symphony Orchestra:

Please mark your calendars for the December 2 evening rehearsal. The rehearsal is mandatory and will run from 6:30-8:30. This is a rehearsal to combine with winds for our first concert of the year. 

Looking ahead:

December Concert Dates:

Monday, 12/13- Combined Orchestra Concert, 7PM

Wednesday, 12/15- Bear Voices, Blue Notes, Bear Strings Concert, 7PM

October 2021 Newsletter

Professor May working with Symphony Orchestra

Happy October! I can’t tell you how excited I am that we are going to have our first combined concert since March of 2020 on Thursday, October 21. It is going to be a fantastic performance top to bottom, with a few new additions from our normal concert schedule. I encourage all of you who are comfortable to plan on attending the concert. There will even be room for siblings. If you do not feel comfortable attending, or would like have a grand parent or other friend of family member see the concert live please feel free to share our concert link.

Thanks to HOPE we are also going to be able to send out free concert recordings that you can share with friends and family members. Your donations to HOPE help pay for professional recordings.

So far in preparation for the concert we have also had a sectional day for all students in the orchestra. We had Emily Nash, Bruno Silva, and Lisa Janisch, who are all private teachers at LZHS. We also had Jessica Popovich and Alan Steiner. We are so thankful for HOPE’s sponsorship of sectional day!

Symphony Orchestra also had Professor Joanne May work with us on the second string quartet by Joseph Bologne Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges (such a cool name right??). She helped with articulation and phrasing in this fantastic piece that Symphony will perform conductor-less at the concert. If you don’t know about Bologne I recommend learning a little about his interesting life. Not only was he regarded as one of the premier performers and composers of his day, but he was regarded as the best fencer of France. Despite being of mixed race and dealing with doors being closed, he was championed by both Marie Antoinette and fought for the French Revolution. His music has allowed us to have a discussion on the Sturm und Drang movement in classicism.

News:

Concert Information: The concert will start promptly at 7:00-

Performance order:

  • Concert Orchestra period 1
  • Combined Concert Orchestras
  • Concert Orchestra Period 2
  • Bear Strings
  • Symphony Orchestra

Concert Orchestra:

Call time is 5:30 for rehearsal on the stage in the PAC. Please come dressed and we will take a picture for the yearbook at 6:00. Tux jackets can be picked up before the picture. Call times are the time that the rehearsal will start. Students not in their seats and ready to perform will be marked down on the summative concert attendance grade.

Symphony Orchestra:

Call time is 6:00 in the choir room. Please be dressed by 6:00 so that we can take the yearbook picture before the 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

Remember that boys must purchase their own black pants and tux shirt.

Girls wear solid black: Girls have the freedom to choose their apparel if 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.

Sinfonietta Auditions: Auditions for the after-school orchestra here at LZHS called Sinfonietta will be the week of October 18th. The rehearsals will be every Tuesday from 3:30-4:45. Students should audition on an excerpt from a prepared piece and the ILMEA scale sheet (I will pick one major and one minor scale). Students will be performing advanced music composed for small chamber orchestras. This year the orchestra will the complete Vivaldi Magnificat with the choir on our March concert. We will also be performing at a festival. Students must sign up for an in-person audition.
You must have the following contract signed at the time of your audition along with reviewing the calendar:

Contract:

Calendar:

Rehearsals will begin Tuesday, October 26

News from HOPE:

We need your help:

The mission of the Orchestra Boosters is to give LZHS orchestra students opportunities for enhancing their musical experience. We sponsor fundraisers throughout the year and work directly with Mr. Sackschewsky to collect resources for underwriting professionally coached sectionals and visits by guest clinicians. Last year over $5000 was raised and spent on orchestra students. Booster members assist the orchestra program in funding GUEST CLINICIANS, INSTRUMENT SECTIONALS, FIELD TRIPS TO CSO, JUDGES FOR CONCERTO COMPETITION, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR ORCHESTRA STUDENTS and MORE.

Please consider paying for your membership online!

Please become a member of HOPE. To get your name in the program you must register by 10/18.  

Thank you as always for your support of the orchestra program. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to seeing everybody at the concert on the 21st.

Nathan Sackschewsky

LZHS Orchestra Director

August 2021 Newsletter

Welcome back! We have already had a musical week here in the orchestra department. All orchestras have been

Please check back on the website every month for a newsletter highlighting the important events of the upcoming month. There is almost always something coming up, so add and check the calendar for all of the orchestra events throughout the year.

See below for important beginning of the year information:

  1. Orchestra Shirts and Hoodies: Once again this year we are offering LZHS Orchestra shirts and hoodies. They feature our orchestra logo and are really comfortable. It is my goal that we have these shirts to wear for informal concerts, tours, and events. All orders are due by September 12 and can be competed online here.
  2. Bear Strings starts on Thursday, 8/26 from 3:35-4:45. Bear strings is open to all orchestra students and is a non-auditioned ensemble that focuses on pop, and other non-traditional styles of music.
  3. Join HOPE: The annual HOPE membership drive is now taking place. Your support of HOPE provides orchestra students with extra opportunities above and beyond what the school covers. This year HOPE will sponsor two sectional days, guest conductors, recordings of concerts, the beginning of the year picnic, and even a commission for the fall. You can join digitally, or by filling out and mailing in this form. If you own a business or know of a business who would like to advertise in our program the cost is $150 and they receive a business sized advertisement on the back page of the program. Please see the patron form for more information.
  4. Volunteers Needed: HOPE is looking for volunteers to join the board, and parent volunteers for events throughout the year. If you are interested and able to volunteer to help HOPE please contact HOPE President, Christine Chialdikas. We are especially looking for parents to help with tux jacket fitting and distribution. No experience needed!
  5. HOPE sponsored kickoff picnic:  HOPE and the orchestra are celebrating the new year on Friday, 9/10  with our 5th annual kick off picnic at Breezewald Park from 4-6. Sign-up here
  6. The school is selling year signs again this year. I would encourage everybody to purchase one for their front yard. How cool would it be to have streets filled with orchestra yard signs? They are only $30 and proceeds go back to LZHS. Buy your signs here. All purchases must be completed by 8/22
  7. Parents of freshman/sophomore boys, and boys who grew: Don’t forget to get your men’s tux shirt. This year it is up to students to purchase their own tux shirts in time for the October concert. A possible shirt is this option from Amazon.
  8. ILMEA Signup is currently going on. Fill out this form and pay online to sign up.  Sign-up is due by Friday, September 17. All ILMEA participants must participate in at least one help session, or you will not be allowed to participate. You can sign up for a help session here.
  9. I would encourage you to add the orchestra calendar to your personal calendar. The calendar is all over the orchestra blog, and it will always be the most up to date calendar.

I am so excited about the great performance and learning opportunities for orchestra this year. I hope to see everybody soon, but please feel free to reach out to me by email if you have any questions.

Nathan Sackschewsky, LZHS Orchestra Director

October 2020 Newsletter

Welcome back to in person learning for many of our students. I know that many of us had developed routines that are now altered, but I can honestly say that it has been great to begin making music in person again. I think there is a marked difference in how students are preparing now that we can perform together. I think that we can all use this experience to become better musicians.

As always, one of the primary concerns for our time together is that students are healthy and safe. With that in mind the district has developed some guidelines for rehearsals and performances:

Dear Lake Zurich Families:

In order to make band, choir, and orchestra as meaningful as possible, District 95 will be working in accordance with the Illinois Interim COVID-19 Music Guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Lake Zurich High School, Middle School North, and Middle School South will be following the protocols outlined below:

Face Coverings

Persons playing instruments in orchestra, band, or general music settings, singing in choir or other lessons, dancing, participating in color guard, or teaching will wear a washable or disposable, multi-layered face covering or mask. Students who play wind instruments can use face coverings with a slit. Face coverings should only be removed while outdoors when social distance is maintained.

Social Distancing

A minimum distance between singers and/or instrumentalists of 6 feet side-to-side will be maintained. For larger instruments that have an increased likelihood to create a higher quantity and size of liquid droplets and aerosols (e.g., trombones), a minimum distance of 9 feet front-to-back is recommended.

Hand Hygiene

Emphasis will be placed on hygiene and frequent hand washing. Alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol will be available. Soap and water will also be available for cleaning hands.  At a minimum, sanitation and hygiene will be performed before and after contact with surfaces and equipment.

Shared Instruments or Other Shared Objects

All programming will avoid sharing instruments, sheet music, music stands, and other commonly shared equipment. If students should have their own set of equipment (e.g., flags, mallets, and drumsticks) they will be provided the materials to clean and disinfect them. If instruments or equipment must be shared (e.g., keyboard instruments and drums), they will be cleaned and disinfected between students. Music reeds and mouthpieces will not be shared. Multiple receptacles will be placed in rooms so students can empty and clean reeds safely.

Instrument Covers

Instruments will be fitted with bell covers consisting of a minimum of two layers of dense fabric. Bell covers will be made of a non-stretchy material with a MERV-13 rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) to protect against bacteria and virus particles.  District 95 has purchased bell covers for students and will provide them upon receipt.

What does that mean for orchestra? Luckily for us playing a string instrument does not involve spreading extra aerosols like singing or playing a wind instrument. In orchestra we will follow all the above guidelines. I wanted to highlight some orchestra specific practices that we are instituting:

  1. No students will share an instrument. There are enough celli and basses that all students who are in person will have their own instrument. All the instruments have rehaired bows and have been fixed so that they are in good playing conditions.
  2. As of right now we will have concert recordings without audiences. These recordings will be open to all students, however students who have selected to participate in e-learning will be offered other performance opportunities. I will provide specific information as the opportunities arise. See specific news information below for the Symphony Orchestra rehearsal next week.

Above all we are working to normalize the orchestra experience including setting up microphones so that students at home can sit in and play along with their peers as we rehearse.

If you have any questions regarding our practices, or about anything else please feel free to reach out.

As always that you for your support of orchestra at LZHS,

Nathan Sackschewsky

LZHS Orchestra Director

News:

  1. Symphony Performance Recording Session: Symphony will have a recording session on Wednesday 10/21 from 3:30-4:30 in the PAC. I will send out a specific email about dress and arrival instructions on Thursday, 10/15. If you have not already done so, please fill out the intent to participate form.
  2. ILMEA audition videos are due on by 8:00 on 10/14. Please email your YouTube link to Mr. S
  3. Sinfonietta audition information has been posted in Canvas announcements. Students will audition by video submission this year. Calendar dates and audition information can be found on the registration form
  4. The annual concerto competition will take place on Monday, November 30th. Students will audition live over zoom. For more information please visit the concerto competition page. Interested students should submit the registration form.

September 2020 Newsletter

Welcome to the 2020-21 school year. I hope that all of you had a restful summer. Personally, I was able to spend a lot of time with my family- Nora is getting so big. I was told that now that she is two and a half I can’t call her baby Nora any more. We spent quite a bit of time working on the house and exploring bike trails and parks close to home this year, although we had an extend trip for some hiking in Colorado.

Hiking in Mesa Verde

School is already two weeks in and I hope that the patterns are starting to fall into place. I tell the students all the time, but I love the energy of getting us all together in a space to play and discuss music. Even though we are not starting the year in one space we are already preparing pieces for our first concert- virtual or staged it will be great!

Every month I will post a newsletter with information on events, extra ways to participate, and general information for the next month. Outside of the newsletter I might have some extra information that I email out. I promise that when I email it will be important, so please read!

I look forward to seeing all of you at parent night coming in a couple of weeks, but if you have any questions don’t hesitate to email me and I will see what I can do to help.

Nathan Sackschewsky

LZHS Orchestra Director

See below for important beginning of the year information:

  1. Bear Strings starts next week on Thursday from 3:20-4:30. Bear strings is open to all orchestra students and is a non-auditioned ensemble that focuses on pop, and other nontraditional styles of music. More information and the official zoom link to come.
  2. Parents of freshman boys, and boys who grew: Don’t forget to get your men’s tux shirt. This year it is up to students to purchase their own tux shirts in time for the October concert. A possible option is this shirt from Hobby Lobby. I know that we don’t need this right now, but hopefully soon, so plan ahead if you like.
  3. ILMEA Signup is currently going on. Please fill out the form to register. There will also be a $10 fee for the audition. I am not sure how that will be collected. Register and I will get back to you.  Sign-up is due by Friday, September 13. All ILMEA participants must participate in at least one help session or you will not be allowed to participate. You should email/talk with Mr. S about working during our Friday asynchronous time.

You can find the specific information about content and how the audition will work here:

  1. I would encourage you to add the orchestra calendar to your personal calendar. The calendar is all over the orchestra blog, and it will always be the most up to date. This year things are somewhat fluid, so some dates might change, but as of right now that is the information that we have.
  2. Orchestra Board Nominations are due by Tuesday next week. Students have registration information in their Canvas pages.

January/February 2020 Newsletter

I hope that everybody’s second semester is starting well. We have a number of important pieces of information in the newsletter this week, so please read all the way through.

Next week we are heading to ILMEA with five orchestra students to perform in state ensembles. ILMEA is a state organization that sponsors honors ensembles, but also provides for great learning opportunities for teachers as well. While students are rehearsing teachers attend meetings, performances, and learning sessions. This year I organized and will be leading a music reading session through the Illinois American String Teacher Association. The conference is a great opportunity to come up with new ideas, new music, and get some inspiration for the year.

Next week we are heading to ILMEA with five orchestra students to perform in state ensembles. ILMEA is a state organization that sponsors honors ensembles, but also provides for great learning opportunities for teachers as well. While students are rehearsing teachers attend meetings, performances, and learning sessions. This year I organized and will be leading a music reading session through the Illinois American String Teacher Association. The conference is a great opportunity to come up with new ideas, new music, and get some inspiration for the year.

Since winter break we have also had a great opportunity to have two rehearsals with Ms. Krista Halvorson. She worked with all of the orchestra in two separate rehearsals. It was a unique opportunity to have a new perspective on our music for the March concert. Thank you to HOPE for sponsoring her visit.

Solo and ensemble:

Solo and Ensemble Sign-up: Solo and Ensemble will be on Tuesday March 18  at LZHS. Students will take part in master class sessions. Family and friends are welcome to come and watch! All solos must have a piano accompaniment unless an unaccompanied piece. The fees are: $10 for solos and $15 per ensembles. Please make checks out to Lake Zurich High School and turn the money into Mrs. McLeod in the bookkeeper’s office.  Students may register for S&E here:

All Symphony Orchestra students will be required to perform with their chamber ensemble on Solo and Ensemble Night. Symphony Students will not be charged for that event.

Students are eligible to receive a best in room and be asked to perform on the March 31 honors concert here at LZHS.

CSO Field Trip

Orchestra students will have the opportunity to see the CSO on Friday February 21 to see Ricardo Muti conduct Beethoven Symphony 5. We will leave at 4:00 and return around 11PM. The cost of the trip is $55, which includes bus and CSO ticket. We will also stop at Portillio’s for dinner. We are also looking for 2 chaperones. Chaperones will receive a free ticket. There are a limited number of tickets, so get your form and money in right away! You can download your form here.

2020 Auditions:

Concert orchestra students will have the opportunity to audition for the 2020-2021 symphony orchestras. We will hold auditions during class March 11-13. Symphony students do not need to audition. You can review the audition materials here.