Newsletter

Dear SCMS Orchestra Families

I’m so excited to welcome you and your child to this year’s SCMS middle school orchestra! Whether your child is just beginning their musical journey or continuing to build on their skills, we have a wonderful year planned with plenty of opportunities to learn, perform, and grow together.

Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events, practice tips, and concert dates. It’s going to be a great year!

Warm regards,

​SCMS Orchestra director, Mr. Namkoong 

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.

Gardner Webb University Music Festival and Adjudication

Congratulations to the SCMS honors orchestra for participating in the GWU Music Festival and Adjudication. The orchestra performed for Cleveland County Schools and GWU students in the convocation hall. It also has experience in college programs and clinics of professors in sectionals. 

Have a great summer! 6/3/2024

Dear SCMS orchestra families, 

It was my pleasure to have your child learn, work, and play together. We made a huge improvement and had an excellent experience collaborating and working together. 

I have two recommendations for everyone. 

Please return your school-loaned instrument by Wednesday, June 5, for the inventory next school year. 

Please continue to learn during the break by attending music camp, taking private lessons, and performing. 

I have a list of teachers who can teach and help during the break. I also offer a private, group, and music program during the break. 

Also, if you want to hold a loaned instrument while practicing during the break, please let me know so I can make an arrangement. I will need proof of registration for music camp or taking lessons. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me anytime over the break. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful summer break, and see you all in the new school year.  

Happy New Year! SCMS Orchestra Families 1/2/2024

I hope you all had a fantastic break and are easing back into school tomorrow! I have a couple of important reminders for the next few weeks. 

1. Quarter 2 Date - The last day for students to turn in eligible late work will be Friday, January 19, 3 days before the end of the quarter.

2. January 3, 2024, is an A day. Remember to bring your instrument tomorrow. I'll see you tomorrow!

Orchestra Winter Concert Dec. 12, 7 pm 12/11/2023

Dear SCMS Orchestra families,

Greetings! 

SCMS orchestras are excited to announce their Winter Concert. The event is at 7 PM on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at the cafeteria. SCMS orchestra invites your family and friends. Please come and support us. 

1. All the orchestra students call time and meet in the cafeteria for the stage rehearsal at 4:30 PM.

2. Bring or wear concert attire in the morning: black bottom and white top.

3. Family and friends can attend the concert at 7 PM. 

Orchestra students are encouraged to stay after school dismissal through the concert. 

Between 3:45 PM and 4:15 PM, a slice of pizza will be provided to the orchestra students.  

Please let me know if you have any questions! 

2023-2024 CMS Honors Orchestra Audition 11/20/2023

Congratulations to our members who made it the audition 

SCMS orchestra students participated in the 23-24 CMS honors orchestra audition on Saturday, Nov. 18. 

The audition excerpt was challenging this year; the SCMS orchestra students were well-prepared and made their auditions. We are very proud of you all! They are scheduled to perform at Palisades High School on Feb. 3, 2024.

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 11/1/2023

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. 

Free ticket request for Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 

When: 10/20/2023 - 10/22/2023

Where: Knight Theater, 430 S Tryon St.

"Brilliant pianist" (The New York Times) Orli Shaham performs Chopin's lyrical and poetic Piano Concerto No. 2 in a program culminating in the bluesy "Afro-American" Symphony by William Grant Still.

Christopher James Lees, conductor

Orli Shaham, piano

MAYER Faust Overture

CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 2

DVOŘÁK The Noonday Witch

STILL Symphony No. 1 ("Afro-American")

Free ticket request for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR 10/9/2023

Students are encouraged to attend a professional performance. 

2023-24 BROADWAY EXTRAS - JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Ticket request

Saturday, Oct 14 at 8:00 pm

Belk Theater

130 N. Tryon Street

Charlotte, US-NC 28202

Due to the limited number of tickets, it's first come, first served. 

Parent's contact information 10/2/2023

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

Last day for the late assignment Q1 9/25/2023

October 31st is the last day of late assignments will be accepted. Please check all the assignments on the canvas. 

Field Trip to Musical COOKIN 9/18/2023

Dear Parents of SCMS Orchestra Class Students,

We are thrilled to inform you that our orchestra class will be attending a special musical performance of "Cookin'." This exciting event offers a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience live music and gain inspiration for their own musical journeys.

Here are the important details for the outing:

• Date: November 2nd 

• Time: 9 am to 12:30 pm

• Venue: Blumenthal Knight Theater

• Dress Code: SCMS Orchestra Shirts

Permission Slips: Each student will be provided with a permission slip that needs to be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to the school promptly. It's crucial that we have all permissions and emergency contact information on record.

Chaperones: If any parents are available and interested in chaperoning the trip, please let us know as soon as possible.

Transportation: CMS School Bus

Performance Etiquette: We kindly request that you discuss proper concert etiquette with your child before the event. This includes being respectful, staying quiet during the performance, and applauding at appropriate times.

Preparation: In preparation for the event, we encourage you to discuss the musical, "Cookin'," with your child. You can explore its themes and significance, which will enhance their understanding and appreciation of the performance.

After the performance, we will hold a discussion in class to gather the students' impressions and thoughts about the show. We believe that this experience will be both educational and inspiring for our orchestra class.

We look forward to sharing this wonderful musical experience with our students and appreciate your support in making it happen. If you have any questions or concerns about the trip, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for your continued support of our orchestra program.

Warm regards,

ASTA All-State Honors Orchestra 9/7/2023

ASTA All-State Honors Orchestra audition is video submission and due by Sep. 15. 

Preparing for the ASTA (American String Teachers Association) All-State Honors Orchestra is a prestigious and challenging endeavor. Remember that preparing for an All-State Honors Orchestra audition is a journey that requires dedication and persistence. Embrace the process, stay motivated, and keep striving for improvement. 

The SCMS 7th grade orchestra and Honors orchestra have been awarded the highest State Honor Rating of "Superior" on NC MPA, March 10, 2022, at Atkins High School, Winston-Salem. Also, the Honors orchestra has been scored rated 98 in the MPA sight-reading session. Please congratulate and acknowledge the students.

7th-grade orchestra

Aadya Upadhya, Anastasia Kolesnikov, Blessing Obele, Cesia  Sanchez campos, Christa Mathew, Dmitriy Ivanov, Eliseo Duran, Elizabeth Cooke, Emunah Wang, Ethan Howard, Gabriel Zeballos, Lena Ivkovic, Lydia Kuncoro, Michael Soto, Peyton Kostadinovic, Saanvi Sawant, Shreya Dongre, Spencer Brown, Timothy Gerlach, Zarina Jabar 

Honors Orchestra

Claire Hardy, Erin Hadiwidjaja, Dmitriy Ivanov, Elizabeth Cooke, Emunah Wang, Jasper Cash, Katherine Hutchens, Lena Ivkovic, Lydia Kuncoro, Michael Im, Michael Soto, Neal Rao, Peyton Kostadinovic, Timothy Gerlach, Vivian Dixon,

Congrats to our following members who made it into the 2021-2022 CMS All County Honors orchestra!