Welcome back from spring break and happy holidays for all who celebrated last week and weekend. Our last two months of the year are very busy, so I wanted to make sure that you had some important times and dates on the calendar. I will also have an email towards the end of the month with detailed final concert and banquet information.

Bear Strings this week:

Our final Bear strings performances are this week:

-Tuesday 4/11- Tour of elementary schools. We need to leave about 8:45, so please arrive early if possible. We will be back shortly before 7^th period. Please make sure you have an LZ Orchestra or just LZ shirt and jeans for the concert. You must also have a music stand between you and your partner. We will be stopping in Dear Park for lunch. Please make sure you have money or bring a lunch along.

-Wednesday 4/12- Final concert at MSN. Please see arrival information from Mr. Monzel. The concert starts at 7PM, please arrive by 6 for dress rehearsal. You should wear the same/similar thing from the tour.

In-Person HOPE meeting on Monday May 17 at 7PM

• Come to our first in-person meeting this year. We are looking for some orchestra parents to step up and help keep hope running this year.
• If you are sure you can help, or just want some more information about HOPE please come to our meeting to ensure this great organization can continue in the future.

All District Festival Orchestra:

Friday May 5 at 7PM is our orchestra festival in the field house. All 600 orchestra students from across the district will be performing that night.

Important information:

• HS dress rehearsal office hours on 5/5
• 6PM Orchestra call time
• Dress is formal orchestra dress
• We need parents and students to volunteer to help. Please sign up if you can lend a hand.

Other dates to keep put on your calendar:

4/26-30- Frozen Performances

4/29- Jan Sobieski String Quartet Concert (Mr. S’ string quartet) 6:30PM at St Paul Lutheran Church in Mt. Prospect.

5/16- 7PM Orchestra Concert

5/18- 5PM Orchestra Banquet at LZHS

In March we celebrate music in our schools month highlighting the great opportunities for students to participate in music classes at LZHS. For orchestra we will have two concerts next week and a month of celebrating music in the hallways and throughout the school. I would also like to thank all of you-both students and parents- for your support of music at LZHS. Not every school has the opportunities to participate in the arts at the high level that we do at LZHS and I am grateful that we get to take this journey together. Thank you for everything you do to make music at LZHS so successful.

For an extra way to support the orchestra, please consider going to Craving Gyros on the 14th for lunch or dinner. If you mention the LZHS Orchestras, they will donate 20% of your purchase back to HOPE. Thank you so much to Craving Gyros!

News:

Concerts:

Tuesday, March 14 Orchestra Concert- Concert, Philharmonic, Sinfonietta, and Symphony performing:

Please feel free to share the livestream link to friends and family

Concert and Philharmonic- Dress rehearsal starts at 5:45

Symphony- Call time is 6:30 in the choir room.

Dress:

Please follow the 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” heels) and black stockings or hose.

Sinfonietta:

• Concert-Friday, March 17 at 7PM in the district office (832 S Rand Rd)
• Call time- 5:45
• Dress-All black
• Please remember to bring a stand and look for an email sign-up for post-concert treats.
• Remember that we have a rehearsal on Monday the 13^th, not Tuesday the 14^th.

Solo and Ensemble:

Solo and ensemble will be on Tuesday, March 21. I will email out official times later this week. Please remember all Symphony students are required to attend their chamber performance for the evening.

LA Trip:

1. We will hold our district mandated parent and student meeting on Thursday, March 9 at 6PM in the band room. It is mandatory that all students and at least one guardian attend this meeting.
2. We will be having two LA trip rehearsals to prepare for our combined performance. Thursday 3/9 and 3/23 from 6:30-8:30. Please plan on attending these rehearsals if you plan are going on the trip.

Trip Shirts: If you want a trip shirt or sweatshirt you must have your order completed by Tuesday, March 7. You can place your order directly through Melon Ink.

Bear Strings:

April Dates

Tuesday, 4/11- Tour of elementary schools. Will be gone 1^st period through 8^th period.

Wednesday, 4/12- D95 Alt-Strings fest at MSN at 7PM

Thank you for all of your support of the orchestras in D95, especially at LZHS!

Orchestra Parents and Students:

January was a very eventful month culminating with a truly fantastic performance from Symphony at the ILMEA music educators conference and also Jane, Jeanne, and Lynette performing in the Honors Orchestra. Please see below for pictures from the day. We do not have our concert from the ILMEA concert, however if you would like to hear what the performance sounded like you can listen to our preview concert from January 20^th. Thank you so much to HOPE for sponsoring the recording.

News:

Solo and Ensemble on March 21: Solo and Ensemble entries must be completed by Friday, February 10. Please make sure you sign up on the google form for your solo or ensemble. If you have not done so please pay for your Solo and Ensemble. Remember that Symphony students do not need to pay for their class ensemble.

March Concert on Tuesday, March 14 at 7PM: More information in a couple of weeks. All ensembles will be performing on the concert. Call time for Concert and Philharmonic will be 5:45.

Sinfonietta final concert, March 17 at 7PM: This special concert will be at the district office and will feature Sinfonietta performing the Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings, a Mozart aria, and our own Emily Nash and Bruno Silva performing the first movement of Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante. Call time time will be 5:30 to run with soloists.

LA Trip information:

1. We will hold our district mandated parent and student meeting on Thursday, March 9 at 6PM in the band room. It is mandatory that all students and at least one guardian attend this meeting.
2. We will be having two LA trip rehearsals to prepare for our combined performance. Thursday 3/9 and 3/23 from 6:30-8:30. Pleas plan on attending these rehearsals if you plan are going on the trip.

Thank you, as always, for your support of the orchestra program,

It was great to see so many of you during conferences in the last two weeks. If you were not able to make an appointment but have a question about your student’s progress in orchestra, please reach out.

Congratulations again to our six students who were accepted into the ILMEA District 7 Orchestra. They will join two wind players for a total of LZHS students performing with the orchestra on November 12. Great work Isabel, Kaitlyn, Jane, Jeanne, Louisa, and Lynette!

November is a short moth, but we will have a number of things that lead up to our December 7^th concerts, so please make sure you have the orchestra calendar added to your calendars so that you are caught up on all of the important events of the month.

Important Highlights:

CSO Trip on December 9^th: The band and orchestra will be attending the CSO on December 9^th leaving 3^rd period and returning about 5PM. We will be back in plenty of time to make the choir concert for Sinfonietta students. We only have a limited number of tickets, so please sign up today.

Concerto Competition on Monday, November 28: The concerto competition is open to all students who are in an ensemble at LZHS. Remember that you do need to have an accompanist this year. All students need to have their concerto approved and should be registered no later than Friday, November 17. Please sign up on the LZ Orchestra website.

Other important dates:

• Friday, 11/4: Extra Sinfonietta Rehearsal-office hours-5:15
• Friday 11/11: Dr. Estigarribia from Augustana College to work with Symphony
• Tuesday, 11/15: HOPE meeting online
• Wednesday, 11/16: Dr. Chetel to work with Symphony Orchestra
• Thursday, 11/17: Evening Symphony Orchestra rehearsal-6:30-8:30 (viola and bass treats)
• Monday, 11/28: Concerto Competition in the orchestra room
• Thursday, 12/1: Evening Symphony Rehearsal with winds-6:30-8:30
• Wednesday, 12/7: Orchestra concert at 7PM
• Friday 12/9: CSO trip
• Friday 12/9: Sinfonietta to perform on choir concert.

Have a great long weekend and thank you as always for your support of the orchestra program at LZHS!

Nathan Sackschewsky, LZHS Orchestra Director

Orchestra Parents and Students,

Starting the school year, a couple of weeks earlier is making me really look forward to a little extra rest and family time over Labor Day weekend. I you also get a time to enjoy time together as well.

I don’t have a lot of new information yet, however there are several important links that I would like to pass along. That is why I am going to duplicate the newsletter in this email as well.

If you missed parent night, please feel free to look at the slides for information about the year. The are slides for Concert Orchestra, Philharmonic, and Symphony.

Other links:

• Monday at midnight is the last day for orchestra shirts. There are some new items this year as well. You can sign up and pay through the Melon Ink portal and we will have the shirts delivered here in a couple of weeks.
• The orchestra Picnic will be on Friday September 9^th from 4PM-5:30PM in Breezewald park. Pease signup by Tuesday so that HOPE knows how many hotdogs and veggie burgers to purchase. If you are coming, please consider bringing something to help with the picnic. Please signup and let us know what you are brining.
• ILMEA signups are live. If you are participating in ILMEA please signup and pay for your audition. All audition links should be emailed to Mr. S by 10/4.
• All Freshmen need to purchase a Sound Innovations Advanced. I have ordered books already. Please pay Mrs. McLeod $10 through PushCoin or directly at the bookkeeper’s office.
• We will have a final informational meeting on September 22 at 6PM in the PAC for people looking to get more information about the spring break LA trip. If you are already signed up, no need to attend. If you would like to sign up for the LA trip, please visit the Bob Rogers Tour website.
• Please join HOPE. Our orchestra parent booster is a great way to get involved both financially and through volunteering. If you would like your name listed in our first concert program, please have your donation submitted by 10/1. You can submit online, or through mailing a check and this form.

Have a great weekend and thank you for your support of the orchestra program at LZHS!

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

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 1^st 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 25^th.

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

Nathan Sackschewsky

LZHS Orchestra Director,

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.

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 16^th at our concerts.

Nathan Sackschewsky

LZHS Orchestra director

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 7^th. 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 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

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

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 18^th. 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 21^st.

Nathan Sackschewsky

LZHS Orchestra Director

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 30^th. Students will audition live over zoom. For more information please visit the concerto competition page. Interested students should submit the registration form.

Even though the weather isn’t playing nice, spring is here and we have some fantastic end of the year events and celebrations. Please see below for more information, and I look forward to seeing everybody at the D95 Orchestra Festival on Friday. Congratulations as well to those students who performed in the pit and performed in Spamalot. Great performances from everybody

D95 Orchestra Festival:

Friday, 5/3: D95 String Festival Concert (7:00 in the LZHS Field House): All students must attend this concert for a grade.

High School Rehearsal: All orchestra students should meet in the orchestra room directly after the bell to set up our seating and do our dress rehearsal. We should end our dress rehearsal around 4:15

The grand finale dress rehearsal will start at 6:30 with a call time of 6:20. Please be there on time for full points.

 The dress for the evening will be concert black.

Parents and students are encouraged to park in the PAC lot for the concert.
Help:

All high school orchestra students and parents are encouraged to take a shift if possible to help with set up, tuning, monitoring, and tear-down after the festival.

Set up for non-high school ensemble seating: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090445A4AF28ABFD0-2019

We will also need tuning help: 5^th grade tuning starts at 5:20, you can sign up on this list: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090445A4AF28ABFD0-2019

4^th grade tuning help starts at 4:35 and you can sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090445A4AF28ABFD0-2019

The last thing that we will need the most help with is tear-down. Parents are strongly encouraged to help out here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090445A4AF28ABFD0-2019 If all of the sign-ups are filled, please plan on coming anyway.

May 21 Concert information:

Note to seniors: We are excited to honor you as part of the festivities of the evening. Remember that your concert grade is part of your summative grade and attendance at the concert in mandatory. A note about senior dress. It is tradition that seniors have the opportunity to wear other formalwear for their last concert. Please remember concert dress protocols of length and other appropriate requirements. Remember you must be able to move to play in whatever you wear, so consider practicing in whatever you choose.

Concert Orchestra:

Dress rehearsal starts at 5:45- please be ready to rehearse at 5:45. Students who are tardy will lose points for their summative orchestra concert grade.

Symphony Orchestra:

Dress rehearsal 12:00-12:44 on 5/21- seniors not testing should plan on attending.

Call time for SO: 6:30

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.

Orchestra Awards Banquette:

Our Annual Music Awards Night Banquet is on Thursday, May 23 and will be catered by California Pizza Kitchen. It’s an evening to celebrate the past year and to look forward to the new one. We will recognize the contributions to the orchestra from the Senior Class and acknowledge hard work of all orchestra students. Student-designed awards will be given too! In preparation for next year we will also announce the results of the Orchestra Board elections.

Please fill out the information sheet at the bottom and attach a check and return it to Mrs. McLeod in the bookkeeper’s office. Students usually “dress up” for this event.

Please return your reservation with the attached form and a $15 per attendee no later than Friday, May 17.

Orchestra Board

Orchestra Board applications for President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Librarian are due by Thursday, 5/9 Read more about the open positions and how to sign up here:

Senior Bios

Seniors, please complete your bio information by Friday, May 10^th or your information will not be included in the program:

As always, thank you for your support of the orchestra programs here at LZHS. I look forward to seeing all of you at our end of the year events!

I hope that everybody is getting into the swing of the second semester. Although January seemed like a slow month, we are ramping up with several opportunities here at LZHS. Please read through the events going on in February and March for your ensemble, and please let me know if you have any questions.

A special congratulations again to Andrew and Alex who represented the orchestra so well in the ILMEA Honors Orchestra this year at ILMEC. We are so proud of the work that you put in. Congrats and what a fantastic performance!

Solo and ensemble:

–Solo and Ensemble Sign-up: Solo and Ensemble will be on Monday, March 18^th 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:

Our accompanist list is 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 April 2^nd honors concert here at LZHS.

Symphony Orchestra:

We will have Dr. Allan Dennis of MYAC rehearse the Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday, February 20^th to prepare for our performance at the U of I Orchestra Festival on Saturday, February 23^rd.

All Symphony Orchestra Students are required to attend the U of I festival on Saturday February 23rd. We will leave school around 11:00AM and return around 11:00PM. The trip offers an opportunity to perform in the Great Hall at the Krannert Performing Arts Center and work with some fantastic clinicians. You can find the permission slip here.

Sinfonietta:

1. We will still be having our extended rehearsal this week on Friday the 8^th from 3:30-5:30. Students should plan to be there for the whole rehearsal. There will not be a preview for this rehearsal, but plan on joining us at the last one on March 1^st.
2. Please get permission slips in this week for the NIU string day on 2/13. If your permission slip did not make it home last week you can get it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UGBjPklSZ6z-8g6nPcexneex-RXPoYH0/view?usp=sharing
3. We have an important gig coming up on Saturday, and we still need some people to sign up and play. You can get NHS or Tri-M credit for performing at this opportunity.

As always, thank you for your support of the orchestra program, and please let me know if you have any questions,

Nathan Sackschewsky

LZHS Orchestra Director