Throughout the year, I’ll be updating this page with announcements, upcoming events, and other information. I'll be sending an email to families when it is updated. Please reach out if you have any questions or need clarification.

Carley Gerdes - carley.gerdes@nhcs.net

Calendar of Events ● AHS Orchestra Handbook

Monday 10/5: Reflection #6

Friday 10/9: All County After School Rehearsal until 4:30

• this is optional, only for All County participants who would like dedicated time to practice!

I'm glad to see so many Ashley students will be representing us at All County! Here is the schedule and info if you didn't keep the upper portion of the permission slip:

• Monday, October 19th, Hoggard HS Band Room*** 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. 

  • Students are required to participate in seating auditions for chair placement during this rehearsal. 

• Friday, October 23rd, Minnie Evans Arts Center 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

  • Students need to pack a lunch. They will return to class after rehearsal ends.

• Saturday, October 24th, Minnie Events Arts Center 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Please arrive by 8:15 to tune.

  • The concert will begin at 2 p.m. Concert dresscode is the same as our concerts.

  • Students may pack their own lunch, or pay $5 to AHS Orchestra to have lunch provided (pizza, chips/snacks, drinks)

***Yes, we are aware the Hoggard band room is going through mold remediation. If the room is not safe by then, the location will change to the AHS band room. We will let you know at least a week in advance if the location changes.

We will be rehearsing after school Friday of this week and next week for those who would like dedicated practice time.

Thank you to everyone who wrote a testimony to share to the NHCS Board of Education! Your words are so powerful, and I am so appreciative of your support.

If you would like to attend the board meeting, you are more than welcome to come out:

• Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at the NHC Board of Education Center (1805 S. 13th Street Wilmington, NC 28401)

I hope to see some of you there! There is a maximum capacity limit for the meetings, so I would recommend trying to get there early if you'd like to attend. Let me know if you have any questions about this.

October  

• Monday, Oct 12 - Fall Fundraiser Begins 

• Monday, Oct 19 - All County Orchestra Rehearsal 

• Friday, Oct 23 - Saturday, Oct 24 - All County Orchestra Clinic 

• Wednesday, Oct 28 - Fall Orchestra Concert 

November  

• Monday, Nov 1 - Fall Fundraiser Ends 

• Friday, Nov 13 – Busch Gardens agreement form & deposit due 

December  

• Wednesday, Dec 16 - Winter Orchestra Concert  

January  

• Saturday, Jan 9 - Eastern Regional Orchestra Auditions 

February  

• Friday, Feb 26 & Saturday, Feb 27 – Eastern Regional Orchestra Clinic and Concert 

March  

• Monday, Mar 1 - NHCS Orchestra Festival 

• Wednesday, Mar 10 - Pre-MPA Orchestra Concert 

• Monday, Mar 15 or Tuesday, Mar 16 (TBA) - Eastern Regional Orchestra MPA 

April  

• Friday, April 9 – Final Busch Gardens payment & permission slip due 

• Saturday, April *** – Busch Gardens trip

May   

• Tuesday, May 18 - Spring Orchestra Concert 

June 

• Friday, Jun 4 - Last Day of School 

For event descriptions, click here.