Hello students and families,
It is hard to believe it is already December! This year has felt fast, slow, and everything in between. This email contains some VERY IMPORTANT information regarding our orchestra “concert” in a few weeks. Please read through in its entirety!
One of the greatest joys of being a musician is to make music with others. We love playing our instruments on our own, sure, but to collaborate with other musicians elevates that experience to another level. It is something we have been sorely missing during this pandemic, and I want to provide that opportunity for your students. They have been working hard on ensemble music, and deserve the chance to play as an ensemble. We cannot have a traditional concert as would have been scheduled, but I have an alternative idea.
On either December 16th or 17th, your child’s orchestra will gather at Riverside for a rehearsal and recording session. We will rehearse through the music we have been playing as a class. Anything we feel confident on, we will record. These recordings will then be made available for families to enjoy. My primary goal is simply to allow students the opportunity to make music together. It is such a powerful feeling, and one your children should experience.
The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, December 16th
5:30 – 7:00pm – Symphony Orchestra
7:30 – 9:00pm – Philharmonic Orchestra
Thursday, December 17th
5:30 – 7:00pm – Chamber Orchestra
7:30 – 9:00pm – Concert Orchestra
Details about each night:
- Students should plan to arrive a few minutes before the time listed here. Students should enter and exit Door 3, the sports/performing arts entrance.
- Families are NOT permitted to stay for these sessions. You may drop your child off and return.
- All students MUST be properly masked at all times.
- Students should plan on bringing their own instrument and all of their music.
- Students should wear our formal concert dress: dressy black bottoms, black orchestra shirts, and dressy black shoes and socks. Please, no jeans, leggings, jeggings, sweat pants, sneakers, flip flops, or slippers.
- If you ordered a new shirt, those should be arriving soon. I will notify families as soon as they do. Payment can be made ahead of time, or can be brought in with your student.
I will be taking as many precautions as possible; I take COVID-19 very seriously. We will not be able to be fully 6 feet apart on the stage in Hawk Hall, however, students will be as socially distanced as possible, and will not be sharing stands. Students will remain masked throughout their time in the building. We are lucky that in the orchestra world, we do not need to use our mouths to perform 😊. We will wipe down all chairs and stands after each practice session.
If your child has tested positive or has been told to quarantine on the day of their session, I would ask that they not attend. I will provide an alternative assignment. Additionally, if you are not comfortable with your child attending this event, please respond to this email. I do believe this is a safe way of performing and accomplishing our goals, but I understand if you are not comfortable.
It is my hope that this is an enjoyable experience for all students. Orchestra is a performance-based class, and it’s been so long since we’ve gotten to perform! We will bask in the enjoyment of create music as an ensemble.
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns. I am trying to provide the best experiences and learning opportunities for your students. It has been a challenging semester, but it is nonetheless a joy to be teaching here at Riverside.
Thank you for reading all the way to the end. Sending you all my best for a happy and healthy end to 2020; I look forward to seeing your students on December 16th or 17th.