News

It’s good to be back! Thanks everyone for working so well with our sub last week!

Orchestra Picnic !

Orchestra Party THIS FRIDAY Aug. 21 @ Cottonwood Park (728 S. 154 St.), 3:45-5:45 PM.
We’ll meet at the pavilion on the east side of the park.
Please bring the snack assigned to your last name:

A-H = salty snacks
J-N = sweet snacks
P-Z = drinks (single serve best – think Capri Sun, mini waters, mini soda cans).

Rides need to pick up no later than 5:45 please 🙂

Stay In-the-Know!

Join the Orchestra Remind Group:
Visit remind.com/join/mnhsorch27 OR text @mnhsorch27 to the number 81010.
This allows you to send and receive text updates directly from Mrs. Martinez.

Not receiving emails?
Make sure your email address is correct in Synergy/ParentVue and that you recognize the emails from Synergy/ParentVue as not spam.

2027 Orchestra Trip (April 6–9, 2027)

Interested in Chaperoning?
See email from Mrs. Martinez sent through the trip portal on 8/11. Email djmartin@mpsomaha.org by Friday, 8/21 if you are interested/available!

September 1: Fourth payment due on the portal (or first payment if signing up now).

Resources:
Watch the Kickoff Meeting Recording (high-quality iPad recording)
Review the Canva Slides & Trip Itinerary

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 the sheet (accessible through Google Classroom).

Football Concessions

One way we earn money to support our program is by selling concessions at home football games! It’s a great way to earn letter points, meet new friends, and serve the community. There are four home games this year. We need 6 students and 2 adults at each game. Please sign up here!

Important Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

Handbook Signature Forms (Due Wednesday, August 20):
Part 1 (Student): Students will review the handbook in class and complete the Student Signature Form.
Part 2 (Parent/Guardian): Please review the handbook (paying special attention to pages 2–7 for concert dates and expectations). Once dates are added to your family calendar, complete the Parent Signature Form.

Note: Points go into the gradebook once both forms are completed.

All-State Auditions (Sept. 16-26):
Registration form & fee deadline is September 1.
Audition materials are available in the shared folder and on Google Classroom

First Concert: Thursday, October 1 @ 7:00 PM.
Student call time is 6:30 PM

Instrument Maintenance/Step-Up Instruments

Investing in your instrument makes playing more rewarding and instills a sense of pride in one’s performance. Make sure you maintain your instrument, especially by getting the bow re-haired once per year and getting a quality set of strings (like D’Addario, Dominant, or Pirastro) every 1-2 years (pdf, the download takes a minute).
If it’s time for a step up instrument, make sure to reach out to Mrs. Martinez for input before you make the purchase for advice on what to look for!

Stay Connected

Our full event calendar and handbook are updated regularly at this website.

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

🎺 1. Classroom & Instrument Schedule

Philharmonic (5th Hour): Bring instruments starting Wednesday, August 18. Violins and violas – have a friend reserve a spot for you in the instrument storage room on Friday. Before school, bring your instrument into room 1520 and put it in the storage closet. You will be assigned a spot during 5th period. If you are renting a school instrument, it should be in the closet with your name on it – make sure to have your contract and payment completed and returned!

Chamber & Symphony Orchestra (1st, 2nd, & 6th Hour): Bring instruments starting Thursday, August 13. Follow the same steps outlined above.

Instrument Check: Please inspect your student’s instrument before classes start. Purchasing a new set of strings and having the bow rehaired are great ways to ensure they start the year sounding their best!

📱 2. Communication & Open House

Join the Orchestra Remind Group:
Visit remind.com/join/mnhsorch27 OR text @mnhsorch27 to the number 81010.
This allows you to send and receive text updates directly from Mrs. Martinez.

MNHS Open House: Thursday, August 13, from 6:00–7:00 PM.
Note: I will be absent Aug. 12-14 due to a family obligation, but please review the open house slides and reach out via email if you have any questions.

My sub is the the wonderful Ms. Megan Siebe!

✈️ 3. 2027 Orchestra Trip (April 6–9, 2027)

August 15: Final sign-up deadline. All information must be submitted and payments kept up to date to secure a spot (subject to waitlist).

September 1: Fourth payment due on the portal (or first payment if signing up now).

Resources:
Watch the Kickoff Meeting Recording (high-quality iPad recording)
Review the Canva Slides & Trip Itinerary

🗓️ 4. Important Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

Handbook Signature Forms (Due Wednesday, August 20):
Part 1 (Student): Students will review the handbook in class and complete the Student Signature Form.
Part 2 (Parent/Guardian): Please review the handbook at www.mnhsorch.com (paying special attention to pages 2–7 for concert dates and expectations). Once dates are added to your family calendar, complete the Parent Signature Form.
Note: Points go into the gradebook once both forms are completed.

Orchestra Picnic: Friday, August 21, from 3:45–5:45 PM at Cottonwood Park. More details to follow next week!

All-State Auditions (Sept. 17–24):
Registration form & fee deadline is September 1.
Audition materials are available in the shared folder; the registration form will be released next week.

First Concert: Thursday, October 1 @ 7:00 PM.

🎻 5. School Instrument Rentals

We have a limited inventory of violins, violas, cellos, and basses available for rent through the school for $95 for the year. Please email Mrs. Martinez if you need to rent a school instrument.

👔 6. Concert Attire Guidelines

Please review the required attire options ahead of our first concert on October 1:

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 a modest neckline (crew neck or button-down preferred)
Black dress slacks (slim fit or boot-cut; NOT leggings, jeans, or yoga pants)
Black dress socks or nylons & black closed-toed dress shoes

Used Concert Dresses: We have a limited supply of floor-length black dresses available for $40 each. Contact Mrs. Martinez if interested.

Skirt/Dress Policy: Skirts and dresses are generally not permitted to avoid staff having to monitor hemlines. Exceptions may be requested if the attire meets two strict criteria:
1. It is full ankle-length.
2. It contains sufficient fabric to accommodate wide-stance seating while playing.

🔗 7. Stay Connected

Our full event calendar and handbook are updated regularly at www.mnhsorch.com.

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

Students should still practice at least 10-15 minutes a day over break to cement precise intonation, rhythm, bowings, and musicality. They also have recordings to reference if they are traveling/do not have access to their instruments.

Current Renters: If your student is staying in orchestra next year, I will check out the same school instrument to them for 2026-27.

New Requests: If your student needs a school instrument for next year but doesn’t have one yet, please contact me.

Not Returning? Instruments must be returned by the end of class on finals day.

Omaha Area Youth Orchestras (OAYO) auditions are open!
If you are interested in taking your performance to the next level, OAYO is a great place to do just that. Audition information may be found at the OAYO audition website.

MNHS Orchestra takes one major trip every four years, and 2027 is the year! All students enrolled for the 2026-27 school year are eligible. We have an action-packed plan for April 6-9, 2027 in St. Louis, MO!

• Kickoff Meeting: Monday, April 27 | 6:30 p.m. | MNHS Band Room
• Note: The Worlds of Fun trip (May 17) has been canceled. Trip deposit refunds will be issued this week.

Tuesday, April 14, 7 p.m., MNHS Auditorium – all orchestra students perform + Senior Recognition Night

Time: 7:00 p.m. (Student call time is 6:30 p.m.)
Location: MNHS Auditorium
Special Event: This evening includes our Senior Recognition Night.
Attire: Concert black (Seniors are welcome to wear prom attire!).
Grading: This concert is required and worth 200 points.

Action Items for the Concert:
Refreshments: Use this link: Post-Concert Refreshments Sign Up to contribute.
Program : Click this link for the PDF.
Live Stream: A link to the stream will be available shortly.

Seniors! 

If you plan to pursue music/audition for scholarships at UNO, the deadline is March 7!

See this link for more information and to apply.  UNO will hold auditions in February and March, although you can also schedule alternate times. See me if you need repertoire or need help preparing.