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Orchestra
Westland High School Orchestra Galloway, Ohio |
Welcome
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OMEAWe will be wearing our new uniforms for every performance, starting with the concert on February 12th. Alterations must be made prior to February 12th.
Smoky Mountain Music FestivalThe Westland High School Orchestra and Symphonic Mixed Choir will be traveling to the Smoky Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Chamber Orchestra AuditionsAuditions were held for the Chamber Orchestra Wednesday, September 5th. Students were asked to perform two scales, sight-reading and excerpts. Students chosen to participate agreed to participate in weekly rehearsals after school. Due to lack of rehearsal time, students that are selected to participate are expected to practice their music between each rehearsal.
These students must show the utmost dedication to the program and their practicing habits. Private LessonsStudents are highly encouraged to participate in private lessons. Students who need instruction outside of class will find more success in the Orchestra program if they start taking lessons. Accelerated students are also encouraged to take lessons to have more advanced methods introduced through a professional performer on their instrument.
Lessons are great for all young musicians, they find greater success if they have individual time with a professional musician that specialized on a particular instrument. I will be providing a list of instructors to send home with each student. Pleas feel free to contact me if you are interested, even before you receive the information.
Students that are interested in performing in the Symphonic Orchestra are seriously encouraged to participate in private lessons before auditions and throughout the school year to further develop their skills. New Uniforms
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August 27, 2007
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to the 2007-2008 school year! This year will be my third year at Westland High School and I have seen great progress made by the students in the Orchestra Program.
Last year was a very successful year. Our sight-reading
abilities have increased dramatically and all students have shown
admirable dedication to improving the program. My expectations for the
ensemble (both musically and behaviorally) will continue to rise. I am pleased to announce that we are organizing a trip for the
orchestras at the end of this school year. In May the Orchestra
Program will be traveling to Tennessee to participate in the
Smoky Mountain Music Festival. During this
trip we will have the opportunity to perform for a panel of judges,
see other orchestras and experience other performing ensembles (some
from Westland High School). This year, each student will need to purchase a uniform for our
many performances. These uniforms will be purchased through a special
vendor to insure that we receive the best product and to receive our
group discount. For more information, please see the
handbook. Because our ensemble is quickly growing by size and musical
ability, I am encouraging private lessons more than ever. Students who
are advanced need to be pushed outside of school to develop their
skills to the next level and to become leaders in the WHS ensembles.
Those students who are not yet advanced can use lessons to solidify
fundamentals and have advanced techniques introduced to them with the
help of a specialist on their instrument. This is the best way to
develop your musical abilities. Remember, the more you put into the
program, the more you will get out of it. We will have over 70 orchestra students this year! This is a
result of the hard work and dedication of the existing members and a
desire to be a part of something special from the incoming freshmen
class. I am genuinely looking forward to this school year more than
ever before. I hope everyone has remembered to save money for our trip
at the end of the year! Students and parents alike are reminded that they can contact me at any time with questions about the Orchestra Program. This year will provide many new experiences and growing pains that we must face together, all which can be achieved with cooperation from our family and friends. I thank you in advance for your support! Please check out the website for information throughout the school year about performances, expectations and trip information.
Sincerely, Courtney Y. McCaleb Orchestra Director Westland High School |
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