Welcome back students and parents! It’s hard to believe that it is already the second semester of school! We have a very busy semester planned, so things will be very exciting for the HMS Orchestras. Currently we are working on four major projects: 1) Solo & Ensemble; 2) the Central Ohio String Invitational; 3) a Cedar Point Trip; and 4) the annual Spring Pops Concert.

Below are some upcoming news items…

Solo & Ensemble Unit
The Solo & Ensemble unit allows students to practice, prepare, and perform in smaller groups. This helps build musical independence in many ways. Each student has been assigned a solo or small ensmemble and will perform their piece for the class during the week of February 6.

Students may opt to perform their solo or ensemble (for extra credit) for a judge (as an adjudicated event) on Saturday, February 11 at Hastings Middle School in Upper Arlington. Times are TBA. There is NO COST to participate in the adjudicated event and it would be great for students to take advantage of this opportunity. Official sign ups for adjudication will take place next week. Students will be required to provide their own transportation to this event (carpooling is a great idea!).

Cedar Point Trip Information
Our planned trip this year will take us to Cedar Point where we will perform a concert for a rating and comments, followed by a fun-filled day at Cedar Point, the roller coaster capital of the world! This year, the cost of the trip will be a total of $90. Included in the price is the charter bus, entrance to the park, festival adjudication, and custom trip t-shirt. The price is $5 higher this year due to the longer bus ride. I think that students will have a great time at Cedar Point and I challenge each of them to any coaster there! Last year’s trip was extremely successful and loads of fun!

To reserve your spot on the trip, a $20 is required immediately, due Friday, February 3. Please make all checks payable to Hilliard Music Boosters.

At this time, I am also interested in finding out if parents are interested in serving as chaperones. Because our orchestra is larger this year and we will only have one bus reserved (for financial reasons) there will be limited room for bus-riding chaperones. We can, however take as many chaperones as we wish, but they will most likely have to provide their own transportation. The cost for chaperones is $30 which covers the cost of a park admission. Please let me know if you are able to find a better deal on park admission and we can possibly get our chaperone tickets that way for less money.

COSI (Central Ohio String Invitational)
Once again both orchestras will be performing in the Central Ohio String Invitational (COSI) to be held on Saturday, April 14 in Upper Arlington. Please reserve this day, as this is a required event for all orchestra students. This event features each orchestra performing for three judges, earning a rating, receiving valuable comments, and participating in a clinic. You could consider it the orchestra equivalent of the OAA test!

Last year both orchestras received a SUPERIOR rating, the event’s top rating. We will be working u

Annual Pie Sale
Our annual pie sale will begin in early March! All students who sell will earn money toward their Cedar Point trip. The pies will sell for about $11 and each student will earn $5 for each pie sold! Details to follow…

Spring Pops Concert (teaser)
Are you ready to hear Lady Gaga and Gun ‘N Roses played by our orchestras???

Calendar of Events
The best way to keep up with us is via our Calendar of Events on our website’s homepage…

The calendar is also available with these options: Google Calendar HTML or iCal (for Outlook or Apple iCal)…

Facebook/Twitter
If you don’t visit our website often, you can get HMS Orchestra News via your Facebook or Twitter news feed. Just click on the links below and “like” or “follow” us…
Facebook | Twitter

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Sincerely,

Mr. Laux

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Dear 8th Grade Music Parents,

We hope your child is having a fun and successful 8^th grade year!

As you know, it is already time to think about registration for high school.  Your son or daughter has the opportunity to continue their musical education with the award-winning programs at Darby High School.  Our programs have been recognized nationally for their excellence, and we are looking forward to welcoming our incoming Freshmen to that tradition!

The music staff invites you to a short informational meeting next Wednesday, January 18^th, at 6:15p, immediately before the school’s registration meeting at 7p.  This meeting will be held in the Band Room.  Our agenda will include:

• Opportunities for students in music at Darby High School in Band, Choir, and Orchestra.
• Which classes to register for.
• Where to find more detailed information about our music programs.
• An introduction to the Darby Chapter of the Hilliard Music Boosters and what they do.
• How to contact directors with any questions you may have.

We will also visit your child’s music classroom to present more specific information about high school opportunities.

Please contact us with any questions or if you are unable to attend the meeting but would like the information.

We are excited to have your child join us in music at Darby!

Michael Martin, Choral Director  (mike_martin@hboe.org)

John Riegel, Orchestra Director (john_riegel@hboe.org)

Jeremy Kozman, Director of Bands (jeremy_kozman@hboe.org)

John Montgomery, Jazz Band Director  (john_montgomery@hboe.org)

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