Embedded Files
East Kentwood High School
East Kentwood High School
Week 10
Week 10
A special thank you for the support and understanding as I recover from a recent injury. Mr. Finley has enjoyed commuting to work on his bicycle for the past three years. However, a recent accident on the way home last Monday left me with both elbows fractured and a fractured wrist as well. I am in the recovery phase and hopefully will be back to playing violin and conducting ensembles very soon.
A special thank you for the support and understanding as I recover from a recent injury. Mr. Finley has enjoyed commuting to work on his bicycle for the past three years. However, a recent accident on the way home last Monday left me with both elbows fractured and a fractured wrist as well. I am in the recovery phase and hopefully will be back to playing violin and conducting ensembles very soon.
Orchestra Concert 10/29/2026 @ 7:30pm
Our High School Orchestra concert is scheduled for October 29th at 7:30pm. It will the East Kentwood High School Fine Arts Auditorium. Students are welcome to dress up in costumes for this event. Costumes should not restrict movement and should not include masks that restrict view cover the face. During the school day we will be able to rehearse on the stage. Students should arrive between 6:45pm-7:00pm. All ensembles will begin tuning promptly at 7:00 pm. By 7:20 students will be seated on stage or in the audience.
Symphony Orchestra will report to the Choir Room
Concert Orchestra will report to the Orchestra Room
Philharmonic Orchestra will report to the Band Room
Orchestra Social
Orchestra Social
On October 27 the orchestra will have a pumpkin carving social. Students have a signup sheet in the classroom. They should sign up if they would like to attend so Mr. Finley knows how many pumpkins to purchase. This social is intended for orchestra students only but will be open to all students in any high school orchestra course. We conclude at 4:00 pm. Pumpkins will be brought home after the concert on Thursday, October 29th.
This message is directly from the Band Uniform Chair. We are still looking for an orchestra parent volunteer to help manage orchestra uniforms. Please reach out to me or Julie Vanlier at kbb.uniforms@gmail.com if you are interested
Concert season is upon us, and we will soon be distributing our required, school-issued concert uniforms. This email outlines uniform fitting dates, required uniform fees, and opportunities to volunteer to help with Fittings.
Uniform Fittings/Pick-Up Times:
Concert uniform fittings will take place in the Music Wing at EK. Please enter through Door E.
* Friday, November 6th: 6-8 pm
* Saturday, November 7th: 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm
* Sunday, November 8th: 12pm-3:00pm
All Band and Orchestra kids must be fitted for a uniform. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE UP FITTINGS so figure out now WHEN you will attend and SET A REMINDER ON YOUR PHONE. With more than 350 students participating in band and orchestra, we are unable to accommodate individual fitting appointments or requests for alternate fitting times if you "forget" or are "unavailable" to attend. The uniform moms work full time and are NOT available for make-up fittings.
All Current Band/Orchestra Students: Students have a choice among the following types of school-issued concert uniforms:
* Tuxedo - tuxedo shirt, vest, jacket, pants
* Black Concert shirt with long concert skirt
* Black Concert shirt with palazzo pants
Fees Associated With Uniforms:
Freshman or first year students: your Concert shirt or Tuxedo shirt is free. (Thank you, KPS!) You will try on a shirt at Fittings, write down your size, and then pick up your own shirt at the Collage rehearsal in December. Returning students who need a new shirt will be charged $25, which is the cost of a new Concert or Tuxedo shirt. (Returning students, make sure you know where your Concert/Tuxedo shirt is and that it still fits. We will NOT be able to get you a new shirt at Collage rehearsal.)
ALL students need to pay the $10 uniform fee.
Payment needs to be made at fittings - either cash or through our paypal link.
Volunteer Help Needed
Many hands make light work (and a short wait time for students!). Please consider donating some of your time to help fit our students for their concert uniforms No experience is necessary!
Sign up to help here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0845A4AB29A7F5CF8-67057467-concert
If you have any questions please reach out to us at kbb.uniforms@gmail.com
Thank you,
Julie VanLier
EKHS Band Uniform Chair
Midori is one of the greatest violinists on our generation and will be making an appearence with the Grand Rapids Symphony on November 6 and 7th. Tickets will only bet 12 dollars for 2 for students! The details are provided in this link. Please reserve yours early while they are available.
CAMPUS CLUB TICKETS TO SYMPHONY
The High School ABC Orchestra has some upcoming events.
October 28 – Middle School Masquerade Concert
There will be MS ABC Orchestra on October 27th at Pinewood Middle School. High School volunteers should prepare for a rehearsal, sectionals, and finish with a group rehearsal. We are not adding any new songs to our set list this week. Instead we will focus on learning what we have.
Orchestra Apparel
Orchestra Apparel
Orchestra apparel drive will take place starting on October 27 and will conclude on November 3. Links to purchase will be shared digitally.
Week 9
Week 9
All State Audition Times
Josh D - 10/21 - 5:30 pm
Molly N - 10/21 - 5:40pm
Elsa A - 12/21 - 6:30pm
Sterling C - 10/21 7:20pm
Mia W - 10/22 - 6:40pm
Please make sure to show up 20 minutes early to head to a warmup room. Check in with the front desk upon arrival. Please practice your scales and sight reading in addition to your excerpts.
Save the Date: Orchestra Concert 10/29/2026 @ 7:30pm
Our High School Orchestra concert is scheduled for October 29th at 7:30pm. It will the East Kentwood High School Fine Arts Auditorium. Students are welcome to dress up in costumes for this event. Costumes should not restrict movement and should not include masks that restrict view cover the face. During the school day we will be able to rehearse on the stage. Students should arrive between 6:45pm-7:00pm. All ensembles will begin tuning promptly at 7:00 pm. By 7:20 students will be seated on stage or in the audience.
Symphony Orchestra will report to the Choir Room
Concert Orchestra will report to the Orchestra Room
Philharmonic Orchestra will report to the Band Room
Orchestra Social
Orchestra Social
On October 27 the orchestra will have a pumpkin carving social. Students have a sign up sheet in the classroom. They should sign up if they would like to attend so Mr. Finley knows how many pumpkins to purchase. This social is intended for orchestra students only, but will be open to all students in any high school orchestra course. We conclude at 4:00 pm. Pumpkins will be brought home after the concert on Thursday, October 29th.
The Kentwood public school system is providing all high school band and orchestra students with a uniform to wear for the school year. The current dates to be sized and pick up your uniform is November 6-8. The uniform chair will share with me the times that our volunteers will be available to run this event.
Volunteer Needed – We are looking for a parent to volunteer to work alongside the band uniform chair volunteer. Please reach out if you would like to volunteer to help our orchestra program.
Upcoming concert opportunity
Upcoming concert opportunity
The Kent Philharmonic orchestra will be putting on a concert on Friday October 23 at 7:30pm. Students are invited to attend this concert for free. Not only does Mr. Finley perform in this ensemble as a violinist, but this concert will also feature our orchestra intern from Calvin performing as a cello soloist. She is playing the Dvorak Cello concerto. Please come by and support us at St. Cecilia music center in downtown Grand Rapids (24 Ransom Ave NE, Grand Rapids MI)
Midori is one of the greatest violinists on our generation and will be making an appearence with the Grand Rapids Symphony on November 6 and 7th. Tickets will only bet 12 dollars for 2 for students! The details are provided in this link. Please reserve yours early while they are available.
CAMPUS CLUB TICKETS TO SYMPHONY
The High School ABC Orchestra has some upcoming events.
October 22 – Perform for Swim Meet at EKHS Aquatic Center – Meet at EK by 4:30PM. Full set from 5-6 during swimming warmups. Stand Tunes during the swim meet. Students will go home before diving begins.
October 28 – Middle School Masquerade Concert
There will be MS ABC Orchestra on October 20th at Pinewood Middle School. High School volunteers should prepare for a rehearsal, sectionals, and finish with a group rehearsal. We are not adding any new songs to our set list this week. Instead we will focus on learning what we have.
Orchestra Apparel
Orchestra Apparel
Orchestra apparel drive will take place starting on October 27 and will conclude on November 3. Links to purchase will be shared digitally.
Week 8
Week 8
Auditions times will post this week.
All state auditions will take place on October 21 or 22 at Creekside Zeeland Middle School.
Orchestra Social
Orchestra Social
Students will have the opportunity to carve pumpkins with their orchestra friends afterschool in the orchestra room October 27th right after school until 4:00.
Save the Date: Orchestra Concert 10/29/2026 @ 7:30pm
Our High School Orchestra concert is scheduled for October 29th at 7:30pm. It will the East Kentwood High School Fine Arts Auditorium. Students are welcome to dress up in costumes for this event. Costumes should not restrict movement and should not include masks that restrict view cover the face. During the school day we will be able to rehearse on the stage. Students should arrive between 6:45pm-7:00pm. All ensembles will begin tuning promptly at 7:00 pm. By 7:20 students will be seated on stage or in the audience.
Symphony Orchestra will report to the Choir Room
Concert Orchestra will report to the Orchestra Room
Philharmonic Orchestra will report to the Band Room
The Kentwood public school system is providing all high school band and orchestra students with a uniform to wear for the school year. The current dates to be sized and pick up your uniform is November 6-8. The uniform chair will share with me the times that our volunteers will be available to run this event.
Volunteer Needed – We are looking for a parent to volunteer to work alongside the band uniform chair volunteer. Please reach out if you would like to volunteer to help our orchestra program.
Upcoming concert opportunity
Upcoming concert opportunity
The Kent Philharmonic orchestra will be putting on a concert on Friday October 23 at 7:30pm. Students are invited to attend this concert for free. Not only does Mr. Finley perform in this ensemble as a violinist, but this concert will also feature our orchestra intern from Calvin performing as a cello soloist. She is playing the Dvorak Cello concerto. Please come by and support us at St. Cecilia music center in downtown Grand Rapids (24 Ransom Ave NE, Grand Rapids MI)
Midori is one of the greatest violinists on our generation and will be making an appearence with the Grand Rapids Symphony on November 6 and 7th. Tickets will only bet 12 dollars for 2 for students! The details are provided in this link. Please reserve yours early while they are available.
CAMPUS CLUB TICKETS TO SYMPHONY
The High School ABC Orchestra has some upcoming events.
October 16 – Vallywood Trunk or Treat | Loading Crew reports to EK by 4pm. Depart EK by 4:10. Setup at Vallywood Starting at 4:30. The event is from 5:30-6:30pm. We head back to EK by 6:30pm.
October 22 – Perform for Swim Meet at EKHS Aquatic Center
HS Volunteers will continue to meet with the MS ABC Orchestra students on October 13 and 20th as we work through the new repertoire. Students should plan on teaching Road-Swallow-Funk, A-flat, Lady Gaga Hit Mix, and Tell Me Ma.
Orchestra Apparel
Orchestra Apparel
Orchestra apparel drive will take place starting on October 27 and will conclude on November 3. Links to purchase will be shared digitally.
Week 6 & 7
Week 6 & 7
I did not update week 6, so this week will include updates from the last two weeks.
Registrations were put in last week for student auditions. The times will be posted on October 14th. The auditions will take place on either Octo 21 or 22 at Creekside Zeeland Middle School.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences
The high school will be having parent teacher conferences for the High School on October 5 from 4:30-8:30. I look forward to seeing parents during this time. I will be in the High School Orchestra room during these hours. There is a virtual option on October 8th as well.
Grades and extra help
Grades and extra help
Please encourage students to check their grades and to come to me if they have any questions regarding them. I'm available during RTI sessions as well as by appointment before and after school if anyone should need extra help.
Midori is one of the greatest violinists on our generation and will be making an appearence with the Grand Rapids Symphony on November 6 and 7th. Tickets will only bet 12 dollars for 2 for students! The details are provided in this link. Please reserve yours early while they are available.
CAMPUS CLUB TICKETS TO SYMPHONY
Parent help Needed
Parent help Needed
We are looking for 1 parent who would like to volunteer as our Orchestra Uniform Chair. This individual will work alongside a Band parent to coordinate the distribution, management, cleaning, and management of our school issued uniforms. The biggest responsibility will be in coordinating Uniform Fittings in November as students select sizes for the upcoming school year. If you are interested please let me know so I can answer questions and also put you in contact to the current uniform chair.
The next gig is on October 16 at the Vallywood Trunk or Treat. Details and times are forthcoming. However, students are encouraged to wear a fun costume for this event.
Thank you to all the high school students who have volunteered to assist by teaching sectionals at the middle school ABC Orchestra on Tuesdays. There is NO meeting this week because of parent teacher conferences.
If a students is interested in private lessons, Here is a document with lesson teachers in the area that you can consider. Please let me know if you are considering this and have additional questions. We encourage every student to study privately to get 1:1 attention and tailored guidance through solo repertoire and studies that go beyond the scope of our orchestra ensemble but will certainly make students an overall better musician.
Week 5
Week 5
We left right on time and we all made it back in one piece. If you would like to listen to the recordings of the concert, I will post them on the CMU section of this site. Students were so amazingly well behaved. I'm so happy with how clean the bus was left and how much leadership students showed as they took the initiative to make sure everything came together. Thank you, parents, for being accommodative of the last-minute schedule change from the CMU organizers and for picking up everyone on time. Photos and Videos
This is the deadline week for All state Orchestra Applications (September 25). 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
Thank you high school helpers for being at our first Middle School ABC Orchestra last Tuesday. This week high school volunteers will be responsible for teaching a 30 minute sectional. We will be meeting on Tuesday at Pinewood Middle School from 5:30-6:30 pm.
The high school ABC Orchestra performed for the Educate Michigan convention on Saturday, September 19 and was very well received. Props also go out to Aiden Mendez-Salazar, Caleb Borders, and Joshua Diocares who showed up to the convention early (the day after our field trip) to play an extra hour of chamber music int he lobby for the breakfast of the convention. They rehearsed and prepared the music with only 2 days notice and did an absolutely phenomenal job.
This week for ABC Orchestra will be playing
Wednesday Playing for KDL of Gaines Township for Southwood Elementary (September 23)
The powderpuff football game on Thursday after school (September 24)
Homecoming Festival on Friday 4:30-6:00 (September 25)
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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