News

All Symphony Orchestra students (from 1st, 2nd, and 6th hours) are to report to the auditorium on 09/28/23 during 2nd hour for our only rehearsal as a full ensemble.

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. 

First concert is Thursday, Sept. 28 @7 PM! This is a required, graded assignment for all MNHS Orchestra students.
The concert theme is Moved – each ensemble has prepared one or more movements of a larger work (by Telemann, Tchaikovsky, and Vivaldi) as well as a piece of music that is meant to move the listener emotionally (including an arrangement of an Irish hymn tune, a rock-style tune written for orchestra, and a hoe-down!)
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.

Please sign up to bring refreshments! We only have half the slots filled, and we’ll need more to make sure all performers and attendees get to eat!

MN Orch concerts are a good time! Please plan to attend and invite your friends and family as well! Our kids do great work – it will be an evening to remember! 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! Please share the link sent by Mrs. Martinez with your friends and families!

Program Link

Your child’s first assignment requires parent participation! 

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

Part 2: Parents and 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 Monday, Aug. 21.

Orchestra Picnic – THIS FRIDAY, August 18, 3:45-5:45 PM at Cottonwood Park!

Location: 728 S. 154 St.
Time: 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.
Rides need to pick up no later than 5:45 please

All students bring instruments to school starting tomorrow, Aug. 15!

Instruments can stay at school until Friday, or students can pick them up to bring home daily. Students can drop instruments off in the storage closet before their first class and can get their instruments after school before 3:25 p.m. or after 4:10 p.m. to allow 8th hour forensics class uninterrupted class time.

Do double check your instrument for maintenance: purchasing a new set of strings and getting the bow rehaired are great ways to start ready to make your best sound!

Students and parents, join this Remind group: remind.com/join/mnhsorch24 The Remind app allows you to send and receive notifications from Mrs. Martinez via text message. You can also text @mnhsorch24 to the number 81010 to join.

We have a limited number of violins, violas, cellos, and basses for rent from our school inventory.  If you would like to rent one of these instruments, the fee is $95 for the year.  Email Mrs. Martinez for more information

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 rehaired once per year and getting a quality set of strings (like D’Addario, Dominant, or Pirastro) every 1-2 years. 

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!

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. 

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

Students who play in both first hour band and first hour orchestra will go to band on M, W, F and to orchestra on T/Th throughout most of marching season.

There may be some changes, but this will be the schedule we try to maintain.