Hermanson's Orchestral Wonders

Three weeks into the school year and things are moving along very nicely.

7th and 8th Graders: Your first practice record is due TUESDAY September 2nd. Please have "Goals" filled out and the log signed to receive full credit.
Minute Requirements:
8th Grade – 360 over 2 weeks
7th Grade – 300 over 2 weeks

Logs can be found on the Orchestra Website  under "Forms and Documents". If you cannot download this, you may always create your own record so long as it contains a "Section practiced", "Goals for each Section" and "Minutes" area. Parents still need to sign student-created forms.

Beginning 7th graders: I will discuss with you what your requirements are this week.

6th Grade Students have begun putting their fingers on the strings this week. All bows should have been collected to remain at school for the next couple weeks. If you play violin or viola (and don’t take private lessons) I should have your bow. If you play cello of bass, you should not be using your bow, either!

Parents, please be aware that the first few days of playing a stringed instrument can result in sore fingertips. Band-aids help greatly, as does regular practicing to encourage those calluses to grow. Students will begin bringing home their violins and violas next week so they may play at home. I will announce the actual day you should see instruments on the blog, so check back regularly.

General Music began playing with the bow today. We have several budding musicians in the group – I am thrilled that these students have gotten a chance to learn an instrument, and hope to see everyone better appreciate all music and musicians through this experience. 

Rain or shine, you’re invited to "Celebrate the Arts" this Saturday at the Murray Arts Center! This state
of the art facility is open to the public for private instruction, group
classes, workshops, family performances, and a whole lot more through the Georgia Center for the Arts!

The Georgia Center for the Arts (GCA) is a unique and vibrant partnership between the Cobb Symphony Orchestra and the Mount Paran Christian School. This partnership represents an ongoing dedication to providing the highest quality performing
arts education by outstanding faculty in a world-class environment.

Featured performances/demonstrations:

There will also be a Family Drum Circle starting at 2 PM in the Grand Lobby!

Oldies 106.7 will be on-site from 11 – 1 PM and the Orchestra Boosters of Hillgrove High School will have food and drinks throughout the day!

So … Saturday, August 23rd, the Center is
hosting an open house for the community to come check out the facility, meet
faculty members and learn more about the programs to be offered this Fall. 

I hope to see you this Saturday!

DAY OF THE ARTS!
2250 STILESBORO RD. NW

KENNESAW, GA 30152

Sixth Graders are asked to have instruments for use on Monday. Violins and violas will be kept at school until Labor Day weekend so we have a chance to establish good habits while under supervision these first two weeks. Cello and Bass students are asked to refrain from practicing unless taking lessons for the same length of time (I know it will be hard to resist!). All students have been given the handbook, a letter from Gary Markham, Instrumental Music Supervisor, and several fliers from area music stores.

If you have any questions, please let me know. Handbook forms are to be turned in by Monday.

8th Grade Music had their first quiz today over the parts of the instrument. All students are progressing very nicely – you should be proud of yourself. Playing pass-offs will begin Monday with #16 pizzicato. We are beginning the bow hold on a pencil and hope to be using the bow soon after Labor Day.

All Parents:

We had a slight calamity befall the program today (in my eyes, at least). The flash drive I keep most of our documents on for the program, including all student information, has been destroyed to the point that it is unrecognizable to the computer. All together, I think we lost right around a gig of documents. If anyone knows how to recover information from a data chip, I would be most appreciative to receive your advice. In addition, if anyone is willing to help with data recreation, that would be most helpful. It has taken me more than two years to create everything on the drive, and I am still shocked by the loss.

Welcome back to McClure, and specifically Orchestra! And welcome to Orchestra, all 6th grade students and parents. We have a fantastic year ahead of us, and an ever-growing program. Sixth Graders, if you still want to join Orchestra, I need to know by Friday, August 11th – please send me an e-mail and I will add you to our class!

Several things to introduce everyone to as we begin the year:

First, please check out the Orchestra Website, which is also linked to the left. It has tons of documents, links, videos and more that you will find interesting, informative and entertaining. The handbook and calendar can both be found there for download, along with MANY other things.

McClure Orchestra has an online Calendar. This is the best way to keep up with what is happening in our program, including before school practices and any cancellations to practices- please bookmark the link so you can be kept up-to-date!

I have also set up an e-mail account for the Orchestra to facilitate larger file-size attachments and mailings. If you would like to be included in the Orchestra E-mail list, please send an e-mail containing your child’s name to McClureOrchestra@gmail.com and I will happily add you to the list!

I color-code my announcements so students and parents can more easily find the information that applies to them:

Sixth Grade is always in RED

Seventh Grade is always in Green

Eighth Grade is always in Blue

General Music will be in Orange.

Items that apply to multiple grades will be bolded. I hope you find this helps you as much as it does me!

Sixth Grade students - your schedules will say Orchestra as of this MONDAY, August 18th.  We will  re-introduce the instruments and I will send home a packet containing the 6th Grade Handbook, a letter from the Music Supervisor and flyers from area stores where instruments are available for rent or purchase. I am  asking that students have their instruments by Monday, August 25th so we can start playing as soon as possible – after all, that’s why everyone joins, right?

Parents – please remember that string instruments retain their value and even grow in worth, so they make a good financial investment along with a wonderful educational investment in your child’s future. A well set-up instrument will do wonders for your child’s interest and motivation as the years progress.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to send me an e-mail.