I hope you are all enjoying your FALL BREAK! Just a few notes to wrap up our first 7 weeks…. I'm heading out today to camp on Lake Allatoona for a few days. :-)
Fall Concert Wrap Up
What a wonderful first concert! I’m so very proud of each of the orchestras for their work and dedication in putting it all together. We worked hard and it paid off!
Fall Concert Photos
Our school photographer was on site to capture our first concert moment! Here is the album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lt4cSXekQwLmxM2p7
Honor Orchestra
Congratulations to the following Lassiter students for being accepted to the GMEA District 12 Honor Orchestra!
- Michael Baker – Double Bass #6
- Yula Heo – Violin I, #11
- Claire Naranjo – Violin I, #23
- Boris Sudakov – Double Bass, #2
- Kaimi Trevison – Violin I, #10
- Daniel Uyesugi, Double Bass #4
Orchestra Student Fees
To date only 60% of families have paid their required student orchestra fees. Fees were due September 1. If you haven't done so you can pay fees here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/student-fees-25–26
Please know that a majority our annual budget comes from these fees. If we fail to reach 100% participation of student fees it will force us reduce certain experiences for our students including after concert rewards, free admission to the banquet, and more. As a parent of children who are in music and also athletics, I have to say that students get a lot in return for the student fees and the orchestra fees are far less expensive than what I pay for their athletic activities.
If you are experiencing a financial hardship, please do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Laux — we never want finances to be a barrier for students to have the orchestra experience.
Should you wish to "sponsor a student" by covering their fees, there is an item on the zeffy order form to do that.
Homecoming Parade Preliminary Information
For the fourth year in a row, our orchestra will perform in the Annual Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 10. This year the Homecoming theme is “Rio Festivale” so we will be playing a piece called “Real in Rio” from the movie “Rio” as we march. This piece will need to be memorized and we will have a backing drum track to play along with. Students should plan on dressing up in their Orchestra T-shirt, or dress in “bright flashy colors.”
Students should meet at 4:45 PM at the Home Depot parking lot on Shallowford Road. We are the LAST group in the parade and our assigned spot is near the BP station. We have a small number of cellos and bass players in our trailer “float.” Special thanks to Mr. Barnes for driving the truck and trailer again this year!
Violins and violas will march alongside the trailer. Cello or bass players who are not playing can carry a sign or pass out candy. Cases can be kept in the back of the pick-up truck. If bad weather is forecast, we will not be able to play and may just march. If weather looks severe, they may cancel the entire parade.
I will load up the cellos and bass, stools, chairs, and technology in my truck and will meet at the parking lot.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
We are looking for donations of candy when we return from break (no chocolate). After break, students may bring in candy donations to the orchestra room or students wanting to toss candy at the parade can bring it with them.
It would also be great to have some signs that say “Lassiter Orchestra”. You can download logos from our website: https://www.lassiterorchestra.org/logos
The parade will begin at 5:30 PM and will go on until about 6:00 or 6:15. The parade begins at the Home Depot parking lot and ends in the Lassiter parking lot near the football field/gym. The football game starts at 7:30! Come out and support our orchestra students.
Parking will be tight so you should get there early to find a spot either at school or in the shopping center then walk to the Home Depot parking lot.
A reminder that Lassiter students who march in the parade will earn 2 hours of community service!
STRINGS – is it the for a new set?
As I inspect many of our students’ violins & violas, it has come to my attention that many need new strings. Just like sneakers, strings wear out over time and eventually don’t ring “true.” A new set of strings is one of the cheapest upgrades to improve an instrument’s overall sound.
I’m happy to recommend strings to you, based on the students instrument type, preference, etc. Strings can be purchased at any local string shop or even online. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Are you still RENTING your instrument?
If you began renting your instrument in middle school, it may be a good time to make a purchase for a “step-up” instrument. A step-up instrument would be one of higher quality that will allow students to continue their musical journey with improved facility, and a more mature, robust sound. Most stores are rent-to-own and if you’ve been renting for a while you may have a significant amount of credit that would be applied toward the purchase! Check with your music store with questions. Also, I’m happy to chat about this and/or evaluate a step-up instruments you may be considering.
Calendar of Events
Please mark your calendars for our upcoming events…
- Homecoming Parade* – Friday, October 10, 4:30 – 6:00 PM
- KSU Orchestra Invitational – October 23, 8:40 PM (Chamber Only, required)
- Winter Concert – Thursday, November 13, 7 PM
- Pre-LGPE Concert – Tuesday, January 27, 7 PM
- LGPE – Monday/Tuesday, February 9/10, TBA @ Walton HS
- “Night at the Movies & More” Concert – Tuesday, April 21, 7 P
Full calendar is on our website at https://www.lassiterorchestra.org/calendar