Orchestra Updates
Congratulations to our MNHS Orchestra members selected to the 2026 UNO BOCH Honors Orchestra! Violins: Lucy L, Saara M, Advaith N, Arun R! All are welcome to attend their final performance Saturday, 1/30 at 4 PM in the UNO Strauss Performing Arts Center!
Congratulations to Ryan Dong, winner of the 2026 MNHS Concerto Competition and to Lucille Liu, runner up! Ryan will perform Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen with the orchestra on March 3.
Congrats to our Orchestra students who earned National Merit and Perfect ACT Scores!
See news broadcast of perfect ACT recognition here.
Cody Practice Club and Live Performing Arts Club are in session! Students should check Google Classrooms for these clubs for updates.
Winter Weather
During winter weather, stringed instruments can come unglued and/or crack because of dry air and cold temperatures. To mitigate the effects of weather on your instrument, I highly recommend getting a humidifier and humidity gauge for your instrument. Keeping your instrument in moderate temperatures (60-78 degrees Fahrenheit) and managing humidity will add years of playability to your instrument’s life.
Inclement Weather – FYI – here is the Late Start schedule for MNHS Orchestra and the handbook entry relating to Orchestra Inclement Weather procedures.
Upcoming Concerts!
Tuesday, March 3, 6:15-approx. 8:30 p.m. MNHS Auditorium – 10-12th grade orchestra students will perform with their 8th grade counterparts. Rehearsal starts at 6:15; concert at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4, 12:15-1:15 p.m. – Philharmonic recital @MNHS Auditorium – we will have more information available as the event draws closer.
Wednesday, March 18, 1-3 p.m. – 1st Hour Chamber Orchestra students rehearse with Omaha Symphony Music Mentors @ MNHS Auditorium
Thursday, March 26, MPS Orchestra Clinic – 1st hour Chamber Orchestra students will perform their DMC repertoire for judges and MSHS and MWHS orchestra students at MWHS Auditorium. Final details will be released soon.
Tuesday, April 15, 7 p.m., MNHS Auditorium – all orchestra students perform + Senior Recognition Night
Additional Music Courses
If your child plans to major or minor in music in college, I would recommend they also sign up for Intro to Music Theory and AP Music Theory. We also have a cool course called Digital Music Production and Songwriting.
If you’re considering becoming a music teacher, check out TeachMusic.org, a groundbreaking online resource for students and parents navigating the music education career path!
Course Recommendations – Should be up-to-date in Synergy!
December 4th Concert program link. Dec. 4th Program
Thank you volunteers!!
I so appreciate all the parent volunteers who helped with the concert duties last week, as well as our parent and student volunteers who worked our concession stand at home football games.
Shirt Order!
Everyone (families included!) should order an orchestra shirt so we can represent when we’re out and about at All-State, All-Millard, and on concert days! Orders and money (check to MNHS or cash accepted) are due Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Worlds of Fun
Your child has a special opportunity to travel and perform with the Millard North Orchestra at the 2026 Worlds of Fun Festival of Music! This trip is being offered first to students enrolled in Chamber or Symphony Orchestra. If space is available, we will then open the trip to students in Philharmonic Orchestra (after Feb 1).
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
