Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Winter Concert

Monday, December 16th, 7pm

Come one, come all to a Wonderful Winter Concert!
Reception to Follow
Orchestra Spirit Wear available for purchase

The concert starts at 7pm so students need to arrive early to change into their uniforms and tune their instrument. Please make certain that Symphonic members arrive by 5:45 and Concert members arrive by 6:15.

We are asking for food and drink donations from students for the reception immediately following the concert.  Please drop off items at the Little Theater on your way into the concert. If your last name begins with: 
     A to L – please bring drinks
     M to Z – please bring food items

We need parent volunteers:
·         Uniform help before and after concert -  report to the orchestra room at 5:45
·         Set-up and clean-up for reception - report to the Little Theater
·         Sell spirit wear during reception - report to the Little Theater

Thank you for your tireless support. We may not say it often enough but your continued commitment to orchestra is greatly appreciated and does not go unnoticed.


Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Barnes and Noble Night, Thursday, December 5th

 Thursday, December 5, 2013
Barnes & Noble NIGHT at 7 Corners
6:15-8:15 pm
  
Join the JEB Stuart Music Department for its annual presentation of live holiday music by its fantastic Orchestra quartets and Jazz Band!

• See our school orchestra quartets and jazz band perform!
• Free gift wrap on your holiday purchases!
• A percentage of purchases go to support the JEB Stuart Band and Orchestra Department!
Please use attached flyer when you make your purchase!
Visit BN.COM/bookfairs to support us online from 12/05/12 to 12/10/12
by entering Bookfair ID 11173630 at checkout.
A percentage of your Barnes & Noble purchases will benefit the JEB Stuart Band and Orchestra Department

This is a friendly reminder that the Barnes and Noble performances will be THIS Thursday (December 5th) at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in 7 Corners.

There is a different format this year. In the past we have had whole groups perform, but with the limited space available this year (and a growing orchestra program) small ensembles will better serve the venue.

Students have volunteered to perform with their friends in small ensembles, duets, or as solos. Right now there are about 5-6 performances that will take place by orchestra students between 6pm-7pm. Students are asked to wear all black with holiday “flair”. Students will need to bring music stands and whatever else they might need for their performance (music, rosin, rock stops, etc.) Any student that performs will receive Orchestra Performance credit, plus orchestra volunteer hours they could use on their trip scholarship/private lesson scholarship applications.

Mr. Drew Lisowski – the orchestra director from Falls Church High School – will be the orchestra liason that night for the kids. I will be in Prague starting on Wednesday evening, and he has graciously agreed to come help the kids with their tuning, etc.

If you have any questions about Barnes and Noble night, please don’t hesitate to email me with questions. Thanks so much!

Cassandra Haynes
J.E.B. Stuart High School
Orchestra Department

Monday, November 18, 2013

District Honors Orchestra Auditions

This is a reminder that District Honors Orchestra Auditions are TOMORROW at South County Middle School (address below). This is a wonderful opportunity for students to get the invaluable experience of auditioning and also the opportunity to make it into the Honors Orchestra representing our area.

I encourage ALL of the orchestra students to audition. The act of preparing for an audition and experiencing one is a great educational tool for the kids to learn. It is quite different than preparing for an orchestra concert.

The cost of the auditions are $5 per child – exact change is always appreciated. Students are given an audition number when they register tomorrow. Registration opens at 3:30pm and closes at 6:30pm. My suggestion is to avoid the crowds right at 3:30 and come a bit closer to 4:30. There will be no lines at the tables. If you have a wire stand bring one to use in the warm-up room as music stands will not be provided. Parents are allowed in the warm-up rooms, but cannot accompany the student to the audition rooms. No results are posted that night – please wait until the next day and as soon as I hear the official results I will notify parents/students.

Address: South County Middle School – use entrance #1
8700 Laurel Crest Dr.
Lorton, VA  22079

As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to email or call me. Stuart students always do very well at these auditions and I am looking forward to another successful year!

Cassandra Haynes
J.E.B. Stuart High School
Orchestra Department

Monday, October 28, 2013

Orchestra News and Reminders for Upcoming Events

Below are a few reminders and upcoming news that are happening in the orchestra department!

·         NASHVILLE COMMITMENT FORM – I have attached the Nashville Commitment Form to this email. If your child would like to attend the Music Department Spring Trip this year, please fill out and return this commitment form with the first payment attached no later than NOVEMBER 1st.

·         Orchestra Sweatshirts – did you miss the first order of sweatshirts? Never fear, we have extras! We have blue zip-ups and also gray pullovers with the same logo as the t-shirts on the front of each sweatshirt. Each sweatshirt is only $20 – while supplies last! See Ms. Haynes…


·         Winter Concert – Please mark your calendars – the winter concert has been moved to Monday December 16th at 7pm. I hope that this gives ample time to everyone to mark their calendars and plan.

·         District Orchestra Auditions are November 19th at South County Middle School. Each student auditioning will need to bring $5. Good luck!


·         After School Rehearsals – we are starting our after-school rehearsals. Generally, symphonic orchestra will have rehearsals on Mondays from 2:20-3:30 and Concert orchestra will have rehearsals on Wednesdays from 2:20-3:30. Late buses will be available on both days for students who need them.

·         Orchestra Booster Meeting – Our next booster meeting will be on Tuesday November 12th at 6:30pm in the orchestra room. Hope to see you all there!

Monday, October 21, 2013

Updates

Congratulations to all of the orchestra students and families last night – it was a wonderful evening of music with the Concert Orchestra, the Symphonic Orchestra and our guests – the Glasgow Symphonic Orchestra. It is a promising and exciting start to the new year!

Upcoming reminders –
1.       District Honors Orchestra Auditions are being held on November 19th at South County SS. Any interested students should notify Ms. Haynes by November 5th. Audition fee is $5 at the door, no pre-registration. ALL students are encouraged to attend. It is an invaluable experience!
2.       The next Parent meeting will be Tuesday November 12th at 6:30pm in the orchestra room.
3.       Commitment forms for the Music Department Spring Trip to Nashville are due November 1st, with a $145 deposit. Please make checks out to Stuart HS. Extra trip forms can be found in the orchestra room and on the Charms website. School code is jebstuartbands
4.       Another Sweatshirt Order will be placed December 1st. Please fill out an order form, attach a check made out to Stuart Orchestra Boosters and turn in by December 1st. Order forms can be found in the orchestra room.