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The SCSS Orchestra sends out periodic announcements and updates to SCSS Orchestra members via email. If you are not on the current email list, please join now!
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Letter from Mrs. Lancaster
Dear Orchestra Families,
I usually write this letter during a snow day but I guess that’s not happening this year! I hope you are all doing well and looking forward to our upcoming performances.
We are quickly approaching Performance Assessments. For those of you new to South County, Performance Assessment is when each orchestra plays for a panel of judges and receives comments and an overall rating. We are critiqued on a demanding rubric; students are evaluated on everything from uniforms and posture to bowings, balance, and overall technique. It is the closest thing we have to a Standards of Learning (SOL) test, and unlike any other SOL test, we must take it together as a group!
In order to prepare for Assessments, we have a few extra events scheduled to assist the students with their difficult music. Many of your children have already worked in small groups with a sectional coach, and the rest of the students will have the opportunity in the next two weeks. I also continue to be available every Wednesday afternoon until 4 PM for students seeking extra help or test re-takes.
Most of the orchestras will also participate in Guest Conductor Night on Thursday, February 16. Students should be here with instruments, music, and pencils at the following times:
| GUEST CONDUCTOR NIGHT – Thu, Feb. 16, 2012 | |||
| Period | Orchestra | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advanced MS | 5:15 arrive, 5:30-7 PM | clinic Silverbox |
| 5 | Symphonic | 5:15 arrive, 5:30-7 PM clinic | Orchestra G115 |
| 3 | Concert | 7:15 arrive, 7:30-9 PM clinic | Silverbox |
| 6 | Chamber Orchestra | 7:15 arrive, 7:30-9 PM clinic | Orchestra G115 |
Pre-concert rehearsals will take place during classes and after school on Monday, February 27.
| REHEARSAL – Mon, Feb. 27 and Tue, Feb. 28, 2012 | |||
| Period | Orchestra | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Symphonic | During class Monday, Feb. 27 | onstage |
| 1 | Advanced | MS 2:20-3:30 PM, Monday, Feb. 27 | onstage |
| 4 | Intermediate MS | During class Tuesday, Feb. 28 | onstage |
| 6 | Chamber | During class Tuesday, Feb. 28 | onstage |
| 3 | Concert | During FLEX Tuesday, Feb. 28 | onstage |
Our Pre-Assessment Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28 at 7 PM in the SCSS Auditorium. All five South County ensembles will be performing at this event.
| PRE-ASSESSMENT CONCERT– Tue, Feb. 28, 2012 | |||
| Period | Orchestra | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Intermediate MS | 6:00 call time | Orchestra G115 |
| 1 | Advanced MS | 6:15 call time | Orchestra G115 |
| 3 | Concert | 6:30 call time | Orchestra G115 |
| 5 | Symphonic | 6:30 call time | Orchestra G115 |
| 6 | Chamber | 6:40 call time | Orchestra G115 |
This year’s Assessments will be held March 8-10 at Hayfield Secondary School. Parents are invited to attend and support your musicians! Students will travel to Hayfield by school bus except for Chamber Orchestra students. (Chamber students needing a ride may travel earlier that day with the MS groups.)
| Period | Orchestra | Arrive at SCSS | Leave SCSS | Arrive at Hayfield | Perform Time | Arrive back at SCSS (approx. time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASSESSMENT– Thu, Mar. 8, 2012 | ||||||
| 4 | Intermediate MS | N/A | TBA | 3:05 PM | 4:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| 1 | Advanced MS | 3:30 PM | 4:00 PM | 4:25 PM | 5:20 PM | 6:20 PM |
| 6 | Chamber | n/a | n/a | 6:30 PM | 7:25 PM | n/a |
| ASSESSMENT– Sat, Mar. 10, 2012 | ||||||
| 3 | Concert | 10:30 AM | 11:45 AM | 12:15 PM | 1:10 PM | 2:15 PM |
| 5 | Symphonic | 2:15 PM | 3:00 PM | 3:25 PM | 4:20 PM | 5:15 PM |
Look for more info in the coming weeks regarding Assessment-related field trip forms and specific bus arrival and departure times. Please encourage your child to practice daily and ask for help when needed. Thanks for your support of the arts! I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming concerts.
Sincerely,
Sarah Lancaster
South County's 2012 District Honors Orchestra Participants
On November 15, many of our students auditioned for District Ten Honor Orchestra. I am pleased to announce that 21 South County Students were selected for this honor group!
In January, these musicians will travel to Sandburg Middle School for three days of intensive rehearsals with students from all over Fairfax County.
Congrats to the following students:
- Junior: Francis Ahenkora, Susan Cheng, Jason Cho, Ashley Hoang, Sai Katragadda
- Senior: Ryan Assi, Bailor Hsu, Lizzie Gomes, Jennifer Ryan, Dylan Kolb, Ji Soo Jeong, Sarah Engelbrektsson, Shannon Prouty, Eric Hoang, Miao Zheng, Lusia Lu, Emily Costigan, Adda Kim, Tyrone Simpson, Annabelle Pham, and Katie Zweig
Dear Orchestra Parents,
The mission of the South County Secondary School Orchestra Booster Club (SCSSOBC) is to support the Orchestra director and students so that they will have an enjoyable and successful year. We carry out fundraising events to provide funding for orchestra music events, the purchase and maintenance of orchestra equipments, and many other forms of support. As parent/guardian of SCSS orchestra student(s), you are automatically a member of SCSSOBC. There are no membership fees and all of our orchestra concerts are free of charge.
With this in mind, please consider becoming an Orchestra Patron and/or help us get the word out to individuals and businesses (e.g., any of your regular service providers) that might be interested in supporting our orchestra program. As you can see from the Patron form, there are several levels of donation, although we welcome any amount. All donors will be listed in the orchestra concert programs and on the orchestra website unless they wish to remain anonymous. A business can make a contribution and advertise at the same time. The SCSSOBC is a 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE to the extent of the law; a tax receipt will be provided to donors.
If more convenient than mailing, you may turn in any donation(s) to Mrs. Lancaster via your student. Every little bit helps and will be truly appreciated.
Thank you.
Opa Gaillard, president
SCSS Orchestra Booster Club
Considering a Degree in Music?
If you are considering making music your career, be sure to make plans to visit the Performing and Visual Arts College Fair, held each fall at the convention center in DC!
You'll find almost every college and music conservatory in the country represented there. It's helpful to decide ahead of time which schools you want to consider so that you can make the best use of your time.
Consider using this form to compare the various schools since it helps you gather the same info from each school (you can obtain answers to many of the questions in advance by visiting the college/conservatory websites).
