Welcome to the 2025-2026 SCMS Orchestra

Greetings!

Hello, dear parents of our talented orchestra class students!

We wanted to take a moment to extend our warmest greetings and heartfelt appreciation to you for your support and encouragement. Your dedication to your child's musical journey is truly invaluable.

Your role as parents in nurturing their love for music, attending concerts, helping with practice, and providing the necessary instruments and resources is instrumental (pun intended!) in their growth as musicians. We are honored to have your children as part of our orchestra, and we're excited to share their progress with you.

Please know that you are always welcome to join us during our performances and events to witness the amazing progress your children are making. Your presence means a lot to them and to us.

Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of teaching and mentoring your children in the world of music. Together, we'll continue to inspire and cultivate their passion for the arts.

Warm regards,

Tutoring Times:

Mr. Namkoong will be holding tutoring time every A day from 7:45 - 8:20 AM or by appointment.

Parent's contact information

Please fill out the parents' contact information for the communication, etc, newsletter.

Class Materials

Shoulder Rest

• Violin and Viola players are required to have a shoulder rest. Please purchase your shoulder rest and keep it with the instrument every time. ex) Everest, Kun.

• EXTRA SET OF STRINGS

ex) D'Addario Prelude Violin String Set

• Two Pencils: #2 pencil and colored pencil

• Rosin

• Cotton cloth for cleaning the instrument

• Extra strings in case one breaks. (Except school Cello/Bass)

• Shoulder Rest - Violin/Viola students must have some kind of shoulder rest – Everest, Kun, etc.

• 1-inch binder: This is for orchestra music only. Do not share with other subjects. 

Orchestra shirts Order

Please order orchestra shirts here. Order Here

Grading Policy

The orchestra class, a year-long class, will follow the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools 2023-2024 Grading Plan. 

PREPARE - 20% - 9 assignments - included in class preparation and quizzes.

REHEARSE - 30% - 5 assignments - included in playing test

PERFORM - 50% - 3 assignments - included in performance and playing test. 

50% should be assigned as the lowest grade for any attempted assignment. However, 0% will be given for never-attempted assignments. 

LATE work assignments will be accepted as

Prepare/Rehearsal

Until one week (5 school days) after the “Perform” date.
Late penalties will be deducted 10 points per week (5 school days). Assignments submitted up to one week after the “Perform” date will receive a 50%.

Performance (No Late Work will be accepted)

Students can earn up to 80% on the reassessment when completing re-learning opportunities.
● One reassessment opportunity will be given for each performance assessment.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Mr. Namkoong at ryan1.namkoong@cms.k12.nc.us

Practice at home

Dear Parents,

We understand that nurturing your child's musical talent is a collaborative effort, and practicing at home plays a vital role in their growth as musicians. Here are some ways you can encourage and support your child's practice at home:

• Designate a Practice Space: Set up a designated practice area at home where your child can focus without distractions. Ensure that their instrument and music materials are easily accessible.

• Consistent Schedule: Establish a regular practice schedule that works for your child and your family. Consistency helps build good practice habits.

• Set Goals: Work with your child to set achievable practice goals. Whether it's mastering a specific piece, improving technique, or meeting weekly practice time targets, having goals provides motivation.

• Positive Reinforcement: Praise your child's efforts and achievements. Positive feedback and encouragement go a long way in keeping them motivated.

• Be Involved: Show interest in their practice sessions. Ask them about what they're working on, and occasionally listen to their progress. Your involvement demonstrates your support.

• Provide a Quiet Environment: Ensure a quiet and peaceful environment during practice times. This helps your child concentrate and get the most out of their practice.

• Celebrate Milestones: Celebrate their musical milestones, whether it's mastering a challenging piece, performing in a recital, or achieving a certain level of proficiency. Recognizing their achievements boosts their confidence.

• Practice Together: If possible, engage in music practice together. Play along with them or encourage them while they play. It can be a bonding experience.

• Use Technology: Explore apps and online resources that can make practice more engaging and interactive. There are many educational tools available to aid in learning music.

• Stay Patient: Understand that learning an instrument can be challenging, and progress may not always be linear. Encourage perseverance and patience.

Remember, the support and encouragement you provide at home play a significant role in your child's musical journey. Your involvement not only helps them excel in music but also instills discipline and a love for the arts that can last a lifetime.

Thank you for your commitment to your child's musical education. Together, we can help them reach their full potential as musicians.

Warm regards,

Practice Log

Filling out a practice log is an excellent way for parents to help their children stay organized and committed to regular practice. Here's a step-by-step guide on how parents can assist their child in filling out a practice log:

Step 1: Use SCMS Orchestra Practice Log

Step 2: Establish a Practice Routine

Work with your child to establish a consistent practice routine. Determine the best time of day and the ideal practice duration that suits their schedule and concentration level.

Step 3: Set Practice Goals

Help your child set practice goals for each session. Goals could include mastering a specific piece, improving a particular technique, or simply meeting a certain amount of practice time.

Step 4: Daily Entry

Each day, sit down with your child and review what they plan to practice during the session. Discuss their goals and what they want to achieve during that practice time.

Step 5: Practice Session

During the practice session, have your child use the practice log to record their activities. They should note the date, start and end times, and a description of what they worked on.

Step 6: Reflect and Assess

After each practice session, encourage your child to reflect on their progress. Ask them what went well, what challenges they encountered, and any insights they gained during practice.

Step 7: Parental Involvement

Parents can play an active role by occasionally sitting in on practice sessions to offer guidance, encouragement, and feedback. Be supportive and positive in your interactions.

Step 8: Consistency and Accountability

Help your child stay consistent with their practice routine. Remind them of their goals and the importance of regular practice in improving their skills.

Step 9: Weekly Review and Signed.

At the end of each week, review the practice log together. Discuss achievements, areas that need more work, and any adjustments needed in the practice routine.

Step 10: Adjust Goals

Based on the progress made, adjust practice goals as necessary. Celebrate achievements and set new challenges to keep your child motivated.

Step 11: Keep the Log Organized

Ensure that the practice log is kept in an organized and easily accessible location. This will make it easier to track progress over time.

Step 12: Encourage Independence

As your child becomes more self-disciplined and accustomed to the practice routine, encourage them to take ownership of filling out the practice log independently.

Remember that the practice log is a valuable tool for tracking progress, staying motivated, and maintaining discipline in musical studies. By actively participating in this process, parents can provide crucial support to their child's musical development.

Instrument Loan 

We are excited to let you know that, thanks to our partnership with the SCMS, you now have the opportunity to obtain a loaned instrument for your musical journey with the orchestra. This initiative is aimed at making music education more accessible and enjoyable for all of you.

Here are the key details regarding the instrument loan program:

• Instrument Selection: You will have the chance to select from a range of instruments that are available for loan, including violins, violas, cellos, and basses. 

• Application Process: We will provide you with an application form you'll need to complete. 

• Loan Period: The loan period for the instruments will typically align with the duration of your school year in the orchestra. You'll be responsible for taking care of the instrument as soon as possible.

• Maintenance and Repairs: The SCMS orchestra will guide instrument maintenance and repair procedures. It's essential to treat the loaned instruments with care to ensure they remain in good condition.

• Return Policy: At the end of your involvement with the orchestra, you will need to return the loaned instrument in the same condition as when it was given to you.

If you have any questions or require further information about the instrument loan program, please get in touch with Mr. Namkoong at ryan1.namkoong@cms.k12.nc.us

We are excited to see you all thrive as musicians and look forward to making beautiful music together.

Warm regards,

NC Western Region Junior Honors Orchestra

Congratulations to Justin Kuncoro (7th) for being selected for the 2024 NC Jr Western Regional Orchestra. He auditioned for a seat in this prestigious ensemble and will join other NC students to perform a concert on April 26-27 at Shelby High School.

CMS All-district Honors Orchestra

Congratulations to the following students for being selected for the 2023-2024 CMS All-district Orchestra. These students auditioned for a seat in this prestigious ensemble and performed a February 2-3 concert at Palisades High School.

Violin Diane Kang (6th), Violin Graycen Gannon (6th), Violin Justin Kuncoro (7th), 

Viola Sophia Qingshu Li (8th), Cello Alexander Liu (8th)

Winter Concert

Dec. 12, 7 pm

2023-2024 CMS Honors Orchestra Audition

Congratulations to our members who made it an audition 

Gannon, Graycen  (6th grade Violin), Kang , Dain (6th grade Violin), 

Kuncoro, Justin (7th grade Violin), Li, Sophia Qingshu (8th grade Viola), Liu, Alexander (8th grade Cello)

COOKIN' at Knight Theater

Orchestra field trip is on Thursday, Nov. 2. 

We are leaving SCMS at 9:10 a.m. and returning to SCMS at 12:30 p.m. 

1. Wear orchestra shirts

2. Report to the orchestra room by 9:03 a.m. 

Please fill out the parent's contact information for the newsletter.

Kevin Brawley's motivational performance May 23, 2023

2022 - 2023 Spring Concert and Awards Ceremony

2022-2023 SCMS 

ORCHESTRA AWARDS CEREMONY

DIRECTOR'S AWARD

Lydia Kuncoro (8)

Spirit Award 

Anastasia Kolesnikov (8)

Rookie of the year

Sherin Amaya-Panqueva (6)

Player of the year 

Alexander Liu (7), Justin Kuncoro (6), Timothy Gerlach (8)

Leadership Award

Elizabeth Cooke (8)

Musicianship Award

Cartland Bishop (8), Claire Tkach (6), Sophia Qingshu Li (7)

Spontaneous Orchestra Award

Blessing Obele (8), Christa Mathew (8), Eliseo Duran (8), Lena Ivkovic (8), Ramsay Robinson (7), Spencer Brown (8)

Most Improved Player

6th grade: Ayanna Deal, Christian Franco Ruiz, Christopher Brady Casas, Isla Lundy, Jenelle Ferguson

7th grade; Anelle Sequeira, Michael Nagy

8th grade: Gabriel Zeballos, Peyton Kostadinovic

Most Enthusiastic

6th grade: Aanya Bhardwaj, Cora Bass, Inez Sequeira, Joshua Ramsay, Julia Leo, Reece Ramirez-Bledsoe, Tala Itayem

7th grade: Ashlyn Micek, Elizabeth Hair, Grant Robinson, Jason Georgiou-Birch, Julia Hardy, Olivia Arian Lawson

8th grade: Aadya Upadhya, Dmitriy Ivanov, Michael Soto

Honors Club (8th grade)

Aadya Upadhya, Blessing Obele, Christa Mathew, Dmitriy Ivanov, Eliseo Duran, Elizabeth Cooke, Gabriel Zeballos, 

Lena Ivkovic, Lydia Kuncoro, Michael Soto, Peyton Kostadinovic, Spencer Brown, Timothy Gerlach

2023 NCMEA Junior Western Region Honors Orchestra Performance

April 28, 29, 2023 at Providence High School

Carowinds Music Festival Music Performance Adjudication: Excellent 

March 17, 2023

2023 NCMEA Western Music Performance Adjudication: Superior 

March 8, 2023

2023 Gardner Webb University Music Performance Adjudication: Superior

Feb. 27, 2023

Upcoming events

• Spring Concert on May 9, 2023, 7 PM, SCMS Cafetorium

Congratulations to our members who made it an audition 

The 2022-2023 J. Western Region Orchestra 

Honors Orchestra

Bishop, Cartland - violin (8th)    Kuncoro Justin - violin (6th)    Kuncoro Lydia - violin (8th)

Repertory Orchestra

Kolesnikov, Anastasia - cello (8th)    Mathew, Christa - violin (8th)    Gerlach, Tim - violin (8th)

Congratulations to the following students for being selected for the 2023 NC Jr Western Regional Orchestra. These students auditioned for a seat in this prestigious ensemble and will join other NC students to perform a concert on April 29-30 at Providence High School.

Tim Gerlach, Lydia Kuncoro, Justin Kuncoro, Cartland Bishop, Christa Mathew (Pictures from the left)

Congratulations to our members who made it an 

Audition and Performance of 

The 2022-2023 CMS Honors Orchestra

Kuncoro Justin (6th) - Concertmaster

Kuncoro Lydia (8th) - Assistant Concertmaster

February 3-4, 2023 at Rocky River High School

2022-2023 SCMS Curriculum Night presentation file

Students and Parents, please sign up for your class "REMIND."

6th-grade orchestra: @scms6orch

7th-grade orchestra: @scms7orch

8th-grade orchestra: @scms8orch

Join a class -Text

Text the class code to 81010. For example, if you wanted to join a class with the code @math, you would text  @scms6orch to 81010.  

If you are a new user, follow the prompts.

Enter your full name, and then S for a student, P for a parent, or T for a teacher. 

You will then get a confirmation text in a separate thread. You can save that phone number for the class. 

Tutoring

7:45 AM on A days by appointment (email Mr. Namkoong at ryan1.namkoong@cms.k12.nc.us)

Testimonial 

You must get your musical training, like your literacy and math, early in school.  Visual Art can come later in life.  I had no art and taught myself to draw when I started my PhD program in philosophy when I was 27.  Van Gogh didn't start to draw until he was 28.  If you can get music in your mind when your are young, you will have it in you forever. 

Dr. Cooke - South Charlotte Middle School Arts Teacher

2022-2023 CMS Honors Orchestra 

Audition

• Date: November 19th, 2022

• Time: 8:30 am

• Registration will be available in early September

• Location: McClintock Middle School

J.WRO orchestra performance April 30, 2022

Program

The March 2021-2022 Junior Western Regin NC Honors Orchestra Virtual Auditions were held. Six SCMS orchestra students were accepted for the NC Western Junior Regin Orchestra. They were selected in the NC Western Regin Orchestra Clinic on April 30, 2022, at Mallard Creek HS in Charlotte, NC. They performed an outstanding concert at Mallard Creek High School despite revised schedules.

Congratulations to Erin Hadiwidjaja (8th violin), Michael Im (8th violin), Neal Rao (8th violin), Christa Mathew (7th violin), Emunah Wang (7th violin),  Lydia Kuncoro (7th violin).

2022 Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall NY

Congratulations! I'm extremely pleased to share Neal Rao (8th grade) and Emunah Wang (7th grade) have been accepted as Junior Finalists for the 2022 Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall NY. The Selection Board has reviewed their application and chosen them to represent the finest young performers internationally by performing at Carnegie Hall. Neal and Emunah's acceptance into this elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in their application.

Recognition as a Junior Finalist is the first step toward performing violin with the Middle School Honors Junior Orchestra at Carnegie Hall under the direction of renowned conductor Angela Woo. They’ll join other talented performers in New York City in June, for several days of rehearsals, cultural and social activities, and sightseeing, culminating in a life-changing performance at Carnegie Hall.