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East Kentwood High School
East Kentwood High School
Week 4
Week 4
We have 50 students registered to head to CMU. Thank you to all who decided to head to the clinics. They should arrive to the orchestra room no later than 6:30 AM on September 18 to check in. The bus departs at 7:00 am. Parents are encouraged to attend the concert on September 18th at the Staples Concert Hall (1400 E Campus Dr, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858 ) for our 4:00 pm Concert. NOTE this is a change from the early schedule given to us at the beginning of the year. The concert is scheduled for 4:00 pm (Not 7:00 as we originally distributed). Students may go home with parents, but they must check out with the teacher before departing. Because the concert is starting earlier than in previous years, I anticipate being home between 8:00 and 8:30 pm. Students are encouraged to call and text parents to give a more accurate ETA when we depart our location and about 30 minutes prior to arriving. Students will be picked up at the East Kentwood High School outside door D (the parking lot between the main campus and the freshman campus).
Students may bring their own folding music stand. We may take stands from East Kentwood as well. All music stands must be labeled and returned at the end of the trip.
All students are requested to register for the notification system called BAND. Here is the registration link
Here is a detailed schedule. A Hard copy will be provided to students at school
Students can get sheet music here. I will print copies to give students at school as well.
The excerpts for All State have posted. Please see me or a private lesson teacher early for guidance. All State is the pinnacle of competition for aspiring musicians in the state of Michigan. Please visit the All State portion of this site to register for an audition time. Students can bring money directly to Mr. Finley for registration fees.
High School All State Audition Materials
New Intern from Calvin University
New Intern from Calvin University
This week students will be introduced to a new intern working with the High School Orchestra program from Calvin University. Helen LaGrand will be joining us for the duration of this semester gaining insights into teaching orchestra. Ms. LaGrand is a cellist with a performance background. We are excited to welcome her to East Kentwood High School.
Many High School students are excited about helping out with the middle school ABC Orchestra club. We begin meeting this week at Pinewood Middle School from 5:30-6:30. We are scheduled to meet on Tuesdays. Please check the schedule here for more information.
HS ABC Orchestra Performance
HS ABC Orchestra Performance
The High School ABC Orchestra has already had two concerts this year. Students have played for the new teacher orientation and just last Thursday, September 10th for Vallywood's open house.
Students have a performance on September 19th at DeVoss Hall from 8:30-9:30 AM. Students should report to East Kentwood High School by 7:00 AM to prepare and load a bus which will transport them to and from the event. Please email ryan.wallace@kentwoodps.org
Week 3
Week 3
This week we will be working on our repertoire with special emphasis on studying the scores and getting to know our pieces. Students should plan on performance quizzes beginning this week on materials that we have covered in class thus far. Also this week will be sectionals.
Student quizzes will take place virtually on MAKEMUSIC unless that platform does not support the repertoire. In that case, I will administer the quizzes directly in class or have separate recording assignments.
We have 49 students registered to head to CMU. Thank you to all who decided to head to the clinics. They should arrive to the orchestra room no later than 6:30 AM on September 18 to check in. The bus departs at 7:00 am. Parents are encouraged to attend the concert on September 18th at the Staples Concert Hall (1400 E Campus Dr, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858 ) for our 7:00 pm Concert. Students may go home with parents, but they must check out with the teacher before departing. Those heading home on the bus should anticipate being home about 10:30 pm. Students are encouraged to call and text parents to give a more accurate ETA when we depart our location and about 30 minutes prior to arriving. Students will be picked up at the East Kentwood High School outside door D (the parking lot between the main campus and the freshman campus).
The All State Orchestra excerpts were delayed one week. They are set to post on September 8, 2026. As soon as they post I will put the information on the All State Portion of the website so that students have access to them. Those interested should seek Mr. Finley or a private lesson teacher for extra help. All State is the height of competition for students in this arena and students should begin practicing early and get help often.
Students may start registering for Solo and Ensemble early. The deadline is November 11th for entries, however I encourage students to begin thinking about what they might want to play and to begin forming groups. This year I am mandating every member of the Symphony Orchestra to enroll in a Solo or Ensemble. The Kentwood Orchestra Boosters has agreed to cover the cost of registration for Symphony Orchestra students (which does not include accompaniment costs if a student is performing a solo.) Students in Concert Orchestra and Philharmonic orchestra are not mandated to perform in this event, although it is highly encouraged.
Upcoming Events
9/8 - All State Excerpts post
9/10 - ABC Gig at Vallywood
9/16 - Student Teacher starts in the Orchestra Classroom
9/18 - CMU Honors Orchestra Field Trip
9/15 - All State Audition Applications Due
Week 2
Week 2
Here is our orchestra week 2 update. All of this information is parked on our orchestra website HERE You are encouraged to bookmark the website to easily view weekly updates and have access to all our registration documents and calendar of events.
Week 2 was fantastic. Students recieved sheet music for our Fall Concert. We also had a special guest from Central Michigan University already visit on Friday to introduce an optional field trip.
The deadline to register for CMU is fast approaching. Students should bring $30 to Mr. Finley or to the HS Music office by the end of this week in order to secure a spot on our charter bus. For details on our CMU Honors Orchestra field trip taking place on September 18, click HERE.
All State Orchestra Excerpts post this week. They are scheduled to release on September 1st. When they do I'll post them on the All State portion of our website HERE. Students may want to consider staying after school to study these excerpts with the teacher. Also, scales are highly competitive, and students should polish and refine their scales to have a good chance of making the All State Orchestra. Registration cost to audition is $15.
Handbook
All students should sign and return the last page of the student handbook to Mr. Finley. If a student needs another handbook, we have a few more. There is also a digital version available online HERE.
Pre-Tests
All Pre-tests are administered on MakeMusic. Students must submit their pretest by September 3rd. This is a non-graded assignment. Students must simply submit their best take of a scale assigned to be learned this school year. Students can do this assignment in class.
Reminder: There is no school on Friday September 4th or Monday September 7th. Only four days of school this week.
Week 1
Week 1
We have an optional field trip for students to collaborate with the faculty at Central Michigan University and with other students from around the state in a day of music making. To speak more about this, Professor Keith Dodson is planning on visiting EK this week. Click the link above to learn more and to register.
Students who wish to compete for a coveted spot of among the best players in the state may audition for All State. Deadline to apply is 10/1. This is not an event that you can generally self prepare for. Please see a private tutor or Mr. Finley for additional help and start preparing early. This is the most competitive event for orchestra students in Michigan.
Our handbook includes all major policies for the orchestra class, dates and calendars for the year, academic expectations, codes for Makemusic and Remind, and a contract that must be signed before September 5th. Please make sure to review this as a family. I recommend removing the calendar page and putting it someplace visible. A physical copy is given to every student, but a digital copy is available here as well.
Getting Organized
Getting Organized
This year we are encouraging students to get and stay organized. If possible, students should get a ½ inch binder to keep music, studies, method books, or any other materials they may get throughout the year.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
8/28 - Professor Didson (CMU) Visits EKHS Orch
9/1 - All State Excerpts Post
9/3 - Post Tests Due
9/8 - EK CMU Trip Deadline
9/18 - CMU Field Trip
9/25 - EKHS All STate Applications Due
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