Orchestra News

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.