Orchestra Night

ORCHESTRA NIGHT 2017

Thursday, February 9, 7:00 pm

Hill Auditorium

Orchestra night is a showcase of all the Ann Arbor Middle School and High School orchestras. It is one of our most important and exciting concerts of the year. It is an opportunity for our students to display their talents, to hear other groups comparable in age and experience, and to hear what is in store for them as they progress to the high school level.

Morning Rehearsal: PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (13)

  • We will need chaperones for the 120 + students traveling by school bus, and 5 – 6 parent vans to transport the larger instruments. Parents, please let me know if you are able to help.

· Cello and Bass students should bring their home instruments to school on Tuesday, February 7 if that is what they prefer to play on for the evening performance.

  • Students will need to report to Ms. Alwin at 10:15 (3rd hour). The busses must depart at 10:45.
  • The dress rehearsal will be at Hill Auditorium on February 9th, from 11:25 AM – 12:20 PM. We will arrive back at school to eat quickly and return to 6th hour. Remember to bring your own lunch.
  • Cello, Bass and Tuba students will leave their instruments at Hill Auditorium after the dress rehearsal (celli – mezzanine lobby, basses – front lobby basement; tuba – backstage dressing room)
  • Violin, Viola and winds will need to take their instruments home with them and bring them back to Hill Auditorium for the evening performance.
  • Large percussion equipment will be provided by the High Schools (Timpani, Chimes, Bass Drum). All sticks and smaller equipment need to be brought by the students (Snare, Crash Cymbals)

Evening concert: PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (6)

· Students should be in concert dress and seated in their designated seats slightly before 6:30 PM.

· Parents, please drop off your child, and then park. All student performers enter through the front doors.

· Because of fire-code, no coats or cases can be in the aisles. V&VA coats and cases go with your parents, Bass,Cello & Winds/Percussion cases will be stored with their instrument.

· Tuning for V&VA will begin at 6:30 in the main hall. Middle School wind players will tune backstage in their assigned room (backstage, 2nd floor, loading dock side). Celli & Bass tune in your assigned storage area.

· Cello & Bass students will be escorted by parent chaperones in-between the previous groups pieces to retrieve their instruments for the performance.

· Parents & Families, please plan for the concert to last until 9:30 PM. Students are expected to stay for the entire evening’s events (see below)

· School rules and concert etiquette are to be followed. Complete attention should be focused on those performing, and all school rules apply (no cell phones or electronic devices, no food/candy/gum). There should be no talking when music is being played or when someone is speaking. Be aware that any teacher can confiscate any students’ cell-phone if it is seen.

· Do not pack up instruments until after the concert.

· After the concert, parents will meet students in their assigned seating area on the main floor. Bass & Cello students meet parents where your instruments are stored.

· Cello and Bass students will take their school-owned instrument with them after the concert and return them to school on Friday.

PLANNING TO STAY FOR THE ENTIRE CONCERT : A major purpose of Orchestra Night is for the younger students to listen to and experience the High School Symphony Orchestras. It is also important that students show support and appreciation for the efforts of the other orchestral musicians. Students, teachers, principals and support staff at Clague have been informed of this important concert several weeks in advance, and have been asked to plan accordingly. While younger brothers and sisters are welcome, middle school students should not leave early on their account. Students will be graded not only on their performance participation, but also their audience participation. If a student is unable to stay for the entire performance, prior arrangements must be made with the teacher in advance.