News

The first playing test (which also determines chair placement for our Oct. 2 concert) was assigned last week, and will be due soon (9/4 for Chamber, 9/9 for Philharmonic, and 9/11 for Symphony). Once submitted, I review all of them, grade them with a rubric, then return my scores and comments to the students so they can apply suggestions to focus practice and make improvements/corrections prior to the concert. Keep reading for other events and reminders:

Pit Orchestra:
MNHS 2025 musical is Addams Family, the Musical. Students who play violin, cello, bass, and piano have the opportunity to audition for a spot in the pit orchestra; auditions are due to Mr. Ben Samson (pit orchestra director) by Friday, Sept. 5. Questions? Email Mr. Samson at btsamson@mpsomaha.org.

Music Major For A Day!
All students in grades 11-12 are invited to UNO’s Music Major For A Day event on Monday, Oct. 13. Parents/Guardians must register their students using this link. Note: If you/your child decides to attend, parent/guardian is responsible for calling the student out for a college visit and arranging transportation to and from the event.

University of South Dakota (USD) will also hold a Music Major for a Day event on Sept. 19. Registration (via this link) is due by Sept. 17.

Did you know?
Several Nebraska colleges and universities have auditions coming up! If your child is a current senior, and would like to continue playing their orchestra instrument in college, make sure to check out the colleges’ music programs when you visit! Ask to meet with music faculty (string professors and/or orchestra director) about audition procedures, repertoire requirements, availability of instruments, music major and non-major opportunities to perform, and if any scholarships are available for college students involved in music.

If you have questions or need further information, contact me at djmartin@mpsomaha.org

Next Football Concessions 9/12!

We appreciate everyone who worked last week’s game and all who have signed up to sell concessions at Buell Stadium next Friday!

There are five home games this year. 
There are still some slots available in October! Please sign up here!

Parents, please join me for our organizational meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7:00 p.m. in MNHS Lecture Hall A
(Lecture Hall A is upstairs – park on the east side of the building and enter through the main doors).

Our main goals are to meet and greet each other as orchestra fans, learn about ways to get involved, and get ready for the September and December concerts.

Can’t make it? Check out these slides for more information!

All State Orchestra – We have 40 students auditioning for a spot in the 2025 Nebraska All State Orchestra!
Auditions are scheduled for Saturday, 9/20, and Wednesday 9/24.

Find the audition materials in this folder.

First concert is Thursday, Oct. 2 @7 PM!

This is a required, graded assignment for all MNHS Orchestra students.
Orchestra students report at 6:30 PM for warm-ups; concert should conclude by 8:15 PM.

We do have a concert attire dress code – long-sleeved black dress shirt, black dress slacks, black dress shoes, black dress socks that go to mid-calf. More detailed guidelines may be found in the orchestra handbook. (Students, remember to turn in your concert attire photo in Google Classroom.)

MNOrch concerts are a good time!
Please plan to attend, and invite your neighbors, friends and family as well! Our kids do great work – it will be an evening to remember! Plus, we all bring refreshments for after the concert (please sign up to bring refreshments 🙂

We have our concerts recorded by a professional videographer, who also provides a livestream on YouTube, so friends and family can watch from wherever they may be! (Link will be available soon by email.)

Concert attire guidelines are linked here.

Option 1:
Black, long-sleeved button down dress shirt with a collar
Black necktie
Black belt
Black dress slacks (NOT jeans)
Black dress socks
Black dress shoes

Option 2:
Black, long-sleeved blouse with modest neckline (crew neck or button down dress shirt preferred)
Black dress slacks (NOT leggings, jeans, or yoga pants) – can be slim fit or boot-cut style slacks
Black dress socks or nylons
Black, closed-toed dress shoes

If your child would like to purchase a used, floor-length black dress for concerts, we have some available for $40 each. Please contact Mrs. Martinez if interested.

As a general rule, skirts and dresses are not permitted, as I prefer not to take on the role of monitoring hemlines. However, if you wish to request an exception, the following criteria must be met:1. The skirt or dress must be ankle-length 2. It must have sufficient fabric to allow for wide-stance seating.

It’s a MNHS Orchestra tradition to gather at Vala’s to hang out, meet other orchies, and enjoy this Nebraska fall-themed amusement park.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Oct. 8, 6-8 p.m. See this doc for more information.

Orchestra Remind: Students and parents, join this Remind group: remind.com/join/mnhsorch26 The Remind app allows you to send and receive notifications from Mrs. Martinez via text message (or encrypted phone call if your cell provider allows).
You can also text @mnhsorch26 to the number 81010 to join.

Handbook Signature Google Forms – due Aug. 19! – Your child’s first assignment requires parent participation!

Part 1: Students will review the Orchestra Handbook in class on Wednesday, and will have a chance to complete the Student Version of the handbook signature form.

Part 2: Parents and Legal Guardians – please review the handbook, paying special attention to pages 2-7 for concert dates and other important expectations. Once you have the concert dates marked in the family calendar, please complete the Parent Version of the handbook signature form. Once both steps have been completed, the points will go in the gradebook. Please complete both forms by Tuesday, Aug. 19.

School Instrument Rental –
If you are renting a school instrument, please sign and return the contract with the $95 rental fee – thanks!

What’s an Orchestra Letter?
A way to earn a level of distinction through going above and beyond musically and by serving the organization.  Students track their own letter points on this sheet. 

A link to the letter points sheet is also in the navigation at the top of the page: “Resources – Student Resources.”