Fall Concert
Our Fall Concert is just over a week away! We are working hard in class to put it all together. Please join us Thursday, September 21 at 7:30 PM. Student report time will be 6:45 PM.
Home Practice
Parents — Your student’s instrument should be coming home regularly for home practice. Every student has a responsibility to the orchestra by learning their Notes, Rhythms, and Bowings (called NRB or “Nerb”) in class.
This past Monday I came in and saw MANY violins and violas that were left here all weekend. Please encourage and remind your child to bring their instrument home to practice.
Progress Reports
These will go out this week and they cover assignments thru 9/8/23. If you have questions about your child’s grade, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Program Book Advertisements
Starting last year we began printing a beautiful program book to pass out at our concerts. The LHS Orchestra Program Book provides students, parents, and other concert attendees with information about the orchestra program and a beautiful orchestra keepsake for the year.
The Program Book also serves as an important fundraising source for the LHS Orchestra through the sale of advertisements. Advertisements can come in the form of personal ads from parents honoring their student or advertisements from local businesses and corporations.
The program book will be distributed at the Winter, Pre-LGPE, Masterworks, and Spring of concerts and all sponsors will also be listed on our website. Please follow this link for more information about selling and purchasing advertisements to support the Lassiter High School Orchestra!! https://www.lassiterorchestra.org/program-book
All advertisement orders are due by Friday, October 13!
Rehearsal Listening/Commenting Homework
Our first Rehearsal Reflection was due yesterday. These cane be found at https://www.lassiterorchestra.org/members. Essentially we record an in-lass performance then post the audio to the blog. Students were required to post two general positive comments and two SPECIFIC constructive comments to the blog. This allows them self-assess, reflect, and hear the orchestra from an outsider’s perspective.
Concert Uniform
It is my understanding that every student now has a formal concert uniform. Should this not be the case with your child, please contact me immediately. Charles.laux@cobbk12.org
District Honor Orchestra Registration
GMEA District 12 Honor Orchestra registration is due today for those wishing to audition. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdh3UKwHQ8djnl0ukI-MWBszGSIWhOsfButzEd_JThrPR7bwQ/viewform
Audition videos are due by next Tuesday, September 19. https://flip.com/a9f6ea93
All-State Registration
Due to Dr. Laux by tomorrow, Wednesday Sept. 13. See bottom of this email for details.
North Georgia Honor Orchestra
We are grateful for the four students who will be representing Lassiter HS at the North Georgia Honor Orchestra Event this coming weekend at KSU!
Congratulations to Diana Byington (violin), Holden Cook (violin), Jaydon Waid (violin) and Juan Orduz-Zuniga (bass) for being accepted.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Special Concert
ASO is presenting a concert called “Heroes: A Video Game Symphony” on Friday, Sept. 22. If interested, I can provide a 15% off promo code for tickets! Just let me know.
Assignments List
The following is a list of the assignments we have had so far in orchestra. I will be entering all of grades this week and weekend. Students should make sure the assignments are complete.
#1 – Handbook acceptance form (available at https://www.lassiterorchestra.org/for-parents-and-students)
#2 – Introduce Yourself (Flip)
#3 – Fall Camp & Survey (https://tinyurl.com/2alpnu3q)
#4 – Scale & Arpeggio Baseline (Flip)
$5 – Section Pass-Off #1 (in class on 8/15)
#6 – Practice Vlog #1 (Flip)
#7 – Blanket Field Trip Permission Form (see above)
#8 – Section Pass Off #2 (in class on 8/24)
#9 — Music Terminology Pre-Test (8/31)
#10 – Section Pass Off #3 (in class on 9/1)
#11 – August Rehearsal Skills Grade
#12 – Section Pass Off #4
#13 – Rehearsal Reflection #1
#14 – Rehearsal Reflection #2
#15 – Practice Vlog #2 (due Monday, 9/18 on Flip)
Upcoming Assignments
Fall Concert (Sept 21)
Fall Concert Self-Assessment Form (Sept 22)
Student Fee
Dear Parents: The director and the LHSOA board is asking for a $150 fee to be paid by September 1. This fee can be paid on our website at www.lassiterorchestra.org —> Support Us. The fee covers all classroom supplies, equipment, technology, sheet music, outside clinicians/conductors, sectional coaches, classroom rewards, and social events that are held throughout the year. If you have any additional questions or concerns about this fee or need to make payment arrangements, please reach out to me.
Upcoming Dates
Please note our upcoming orchestra dates and be sure they are marked in your calendar. If you have a conflict, you should immediately let Dr. Laux know.
September 1 — Sprit Wear Order Deadline
September 4 – Program Book Ad Fundraiser begins
September 12 – CCSD Honor Orchestra Applications Due
September 13 – All-State Registration Due to Dr. Laux
September 19 – CCSD Honor Orchestra Auditions due (Virtual)
September 21 – Fall Concert, 7:30 PM, Concert Hall (required for all)
ORCHESTRA CALENDAR:
October 14 – District All-State Auditions (Pope HS)
October 20 – Homecoming Parade
October 23 – Poinsettia Sale Kickoff!
October 24 – Mabry Orchestra Concert
October 26 – Chamber Orchestra performs at KSU Orchestra Invitational
November 10/11 – GMEA District 12 Honor Orchestra (Kennesaw Mtn. HS)
November 15 – Simpson Orchestra Concert
December 5 – Winter Concert, 7:00 PM (required for all)
December 7 – Poinsettia Plants Pick up (4-6 PM)
December 13 – Mabry Orchestra Concert
SEMESTER 2
January 13 – All-State Auditions (Final Round)
January 20 – LGPE Camp (required for all)
January 30 – Pre-LGPE Concert (required for all)
February 7/8/9 – LGPE Window (required for all)
March 7/8/9/10 – Proposed Orlando Trip
March 27 – Masterworks Concert (Chamber Orchestra with Chorus and Band)
** NOTE NEW DATE** Thursday, April 25 – Spring Concert – “Night at the Movies and More!” (required for all)
May 1 – Simpson Orchestra Concert
May 7 – Mabry Orchestra Concert
May 11 – Annual Awards Banquet
Full calendar: https://www.lassiterorchestra.org/calendar
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Sincerely,
Dr. Laux
Important Links: https://linktr.ee/lassiterorchestra
** EVENTS FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS **
The following information is for advanced students looking for additional performance opportunities.
GMEA All-State Orchestra
This is a very competitive and challenging audition, with the first round consisting of 3-octave major and minor scales, an etude, and sight-reading. If a student passes the first round, they attend the 2nd round in January. This audition consists of orchestral excerpts and more sight-reading. The event takes place the first weekend in March. Audition materials area available at https://www.gmea.org/aso-audition-information
Interested students should complete the form for Dr. Laux by September 13. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBtvefQTIIOXmtXlPNitOB6mKSXQRXItPZNpfOE3xePDYdtw/viewform
A $26 audition fee is also due to LHSOA.
Once you register, you can pay your All-State fee with this link: