Orchestra @ Meridian
Paul Jenkin, Director
6th grade Concert Orchestra:
Concert orchestra is available to all students who have successfully completed a full year of beginning orchestra. Students who have signed up for concert orchestra can officially join by attending the first rehearsal on August 29th. New students with at least one year playing experience can pre-register by contacting Mr. Jenkin at pjenkin@d102.org. 6th grade students who wish to begin playing an instrument this year may join beginning orchestra.
Concert orchestra meets on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:45-3:45 when regular school schedules occur. There will be no rehearsal on days that have early dismissal. Two large group rehearsals per week will give members the chance to advance in playing technique, prepare more music and have added performance opportunities. Concert orchestra students will also have a small group lesson for 30 minutes once each week. All large group rehearsals will begin at 2:45 in the orchestra room (rm. 128). Please bring your instrument (bass players can use the school instruments) and the Essential Elements 2000 book 1. Be sure to check that you have rosin and shoulder pad for violin/viola students and rosin and end pin stop for cello/bass students. Please look at the calender of orchestra
events below and mark important dates on your home calender.
1st Concert Orchestra Rehearsal:
MONDAY, AUGUST 29 2:45-3:45 BRING INSTRUMENTS!
Bassists can use school basses. Cellists should bring their instrument from home for the 1st rehearsal so Mr. Jenkin can check sizing and tuning. Busses will be available to take students home at 3:45. Rehearsals will take place every Monday and Thursday after school from 2:45-3:45. A complete Concert Orchestra handbook with more information will be distributed at the first rehearsal.
5th grade Beginning Orchestra:
Students have the opportunity to get involved in beginning orchestra this year. Instrument choices for orchestra are one of the following:
As part of the orchestra, students would receive a weekly 30 minute small group lesson where they are pulled out of their regular classroom activities. We use an A/B week schedule so as not to have students pulled out from the same subject each week. Prior to each concert students will also meet as a large group for three seperate rehearsals. The times of these rehearsals will also rotate. Usually two rehearsals are during the school day and one rehearsal is scheduled after school.
All 5th grade students will get a chance to hear the instruments demonstrated on Thursday, August 25 during the school day. There will be a parents meeting, as part of our Meridian Open House night, for beginning orchestra on Wednesday, September 7, followed by beginning orchestra registration on Monday, September 12.
Meridian Concert Orchestra and Beginning Orchestra Calendar of Events 2011-2012
Thursday, August 25 Instrument demonstrations All Day
5th grade classes to band room
Monday, August 29 1st Concert Orchestra Rehearsal 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, September 7 Open House for Beginning Orchestra 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Orchestra Room (#128) – bring instruments!
Monday, September 12 Beginning Orchestra Registration 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Week of September 19 Concert Orchestra lessons start
Schedules will be distributed prior to the 1st lesson
Week of September 26 Beginning Orchestra lessons start
Tuesday, October 18 District 102 Fall Orchestra Concert (grades 6-8) 7:00 p.m.
Aptakisic Junior High School
Thursday, December 15 District 102 Winter Orchestra Concert (grades 5-8) 7:00 p.m.
Stevenson Performing Arts Center
(rehearsal at Stevenson in the a.m. – students bussed)
Saturday, February (?) Solo and Ensemble Contest Times TBA
Location and date TBA
Friday, March 16 Music Extravaganza Assembly at Meridian 8:15-9:15 a.m.
Orchestra, chorus, band grades 5/6
Tuesday, March 19 District 102 Spring Orchestra Concert (grades 5-8) 7:00 p.m.
Stevenson Performing Arts Center
(rehearsal at Stevenson in the a.m. –students bussed)
Monday, April 30 District 102 Orchestra Year-End Concert 7:00 p.m.
Orchestra grades 5-8
Aptakisic Large Gym
Friday, May 11? Concert Orchestra Tour and Pizza Party
Concert Orchestra travels by bus during the school day to
play for students at Tripp and Pritchett.