Newsletter # 6 – September 29, 2026
There’s a lot going on this time of year, so please read below for our news and updates!
Fall Concert Wrap Up
I didn’t get a chance to congratulate ALL FOUR of our amazing orchestras for their wonderful performances at the Fall Concert before break. It’s really incredible what they did in just over 6 weeks!
You can access photos from the event at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bXjgfnhT7CRAEmWU8
Orchestra Photo Day is NEXT THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
All students must bring in their full concert black orchestra uniforms to school and we will take our group photos during class.
Program Book Advertisements
We are still looking for more advertisers and senior spotlight ads for our annual program book. TIme is running out, so please submit your order soon! Ads are due by Friday, October 16. lassiterorchestra.org/program-book
District 12 High School Honor Orchestra
Congratulations to the following 17 students who were accepted into the GMEA District 12 Honor Orchestras! This is most we have had in my time at Lassiter and I’m very proud of all of the students who auditioned!
Clinic Orchestra
James F., Bass
Natalie H., Bass
Denis S., Bass
Ronak P., Principal Cello
Nathan H., Viola
Ashlyn T., Viola
Ethan C., Violin 1
Olivia P., Violin 1
Anju A., Violin 2
Honor Orchestra
Michael B., Bass
Boris S., Bass
Liam H., Cello
Anna M., Violin 1
Claire N., Violin 1
Yula H., Violin 2
Kaimi T., Violin 2
Rohan S., Violin 2
Parents of these students should:
- Complete the two permission forms (one for each day of the event) in ParentVue
- Pay the honor orchestra acceptance fee of $35 at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/honor-orchestra-acceptance-fee–2026
Times have been posted for our first round of all-state auditions that will take place on Saturday, October 24 at Pope High School. Please see Dr. Laux in class for your time. This year we have 26 students taking the audition this year, our most since I have been director! Parents of all-state students should complete the permission form in ParentVue.
Lassiter Orchestra Festival is coming soon!
Parents, please mark your calendars for our performances at the inaugural Lassiter Orchestra Festival. We have a total of 12 orchestras performing from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM! Our guest clinician is Mr. Creston Herron, director of Orchestra Activities at the University of Kansas.
Here is the schedule of our orchestras:
- Concert: Warm up at 8:20 AM, Performance at 9:10 AM. Students will miss 1st period, Advisement, and 2nd period.
- Philharmonia: Warm up at 12:30 PM, Performance at 1:40 PM. Students will miss the end of 4th period, All of 5th period & 6th period.
- Sinfonia: Warm up at 5:50 PM, Performance at 6:40 PM.
- Chamber: Warm up at 7:30 PM, Performance at 8:20 PM.
Spring Trip – One week left to register and secure your spot!
Our Spring Orchestra will be to Universal Orlando on March 18-21, 2027. We will be using Kaleidoscope Adventures as I our travel planner. Please see the directions below to register.
Hurry!! Space is limited and reservations will be on a first-come, first-served basis! We must fill one bus before we can open a waiting list for a second bus.
Trip Registration Instructions
Please click on this link to register your student for the trip: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/-9096380532
The registration deadline is Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM EST. A deposit of $295.00 is due at the time of registration to secure your student's reservation.
Total price is $1180 for quad occupancy.
- $295 — Deposit due at booking
- $295 — 1st payment due Oct 22, 2026
- $295 — 2nd payment due Nov 19, 2026
- $295 — Final payment due Jan 14, 2027
- Roundtrip Motorcoach Transportation
- 3 Nights in Hotel
- 7 Meals
- All Admissions, Entrance Fees, Taxes and Most Gratuities
- Professional Tour Director
- The "Dr. Laux Rollercoaster Challenge" — Dr. Laux will ride ANY coaster as many times as he can.
If you need assistance completing your registration, please contact our travel company, Kaleidoscope Adventures, at help@mykatrip.com.
If after you have explored the travel website and have questions about the trip itinerary, what is included, or other school-specific trip details, please contact Dr. Laux.
Homecoming Parade
Our homecoming parade will be on Friday, October 23 and our song will be “New York, New York” to fit with the LHS theme, “A night in the city.” Students should plan on marching & playing with us! Violins and viola players will play and cello/bass players will carry signs and pass out candy. We will meet at the Home Depot parking lot at 4:30, with the parade starting at 5:00 PM. We will be the last group in the parade.
We are now accepting candy donations (no chocolate) and students can bring it to the orchestra room.
I am also looking for a parent with a pickup truck and larger flat bed trailer. We will have a few cellos/basses playing in the trailer. Please contact me if you might be able to help drive at the parade.
Did you know the LHSO has a Podcast?
Special thanks to Claire (violinist in Chamber Orchestra) for bringing it back after a year hiatus! Just search for “Lassiter High School Orchestra” wherever you listen to podcasts.
UPCOMING DATES
- Monday, October 12 – Digital Learning Day
- Thursday, October 14 – PSAT Day
- Friday, October 16 – Lassiter Orchestra Festival, 9 AM to 9 PM – full schedule here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1jhjsTP2qQnhRmcZEwfxvmVDklSpnmBxpSCyqgoD68/edit?usp=sharing
- Friday, October 23 – Homecoming Parade, 4:30 PM-6:00 PM
- Saturday, October 24 – All-State Auditions, Round 1 at Pope HS
- Tuesday, October 10 – Mabry MS Orchestra Concert
- Wednesday, October 11 – Simpson MS Orchestra Concert
- Thursday/Friday, October 5-6 – District Honor Orchestra at Kennesaw Mountain HS
- Thursday, November 12 – Winter Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM
- Thursday, November 19 – Mabry Recruiting Performance during school (Chamber Only)
- Friday, December 4 – Simpson Recruiting Performance during school (Chamber Only)
- Friday, December 4 – Charleston Wrap Fundraiser ends – https://www.lassiterorchestra.org/uncategorized/charleston-wrap-fundraiser
- Monday, December 7 – After School Rehearsal (Chamber), 4-6 PM with Dr. Keith Dodson, clinician
- Saturday, January 9 – LGPE Camp, 9 AM to 4 PM (required)
- Saturday, January 16 – All-State Auditions, Final Round at Westminster School
- Tuesday, January 26 – LGPE Preview Concert, 6:30 PM
- Tuesday, January 26 – Chamber GMEA Preview Concert 8:00 PM
- Thursday, January 28 – Chamber Performance at GMEA at the Classic Center in Athens, 1:30 PM (Chamber excused all day)
- Monday-Wednesday, February 8-10 – LGPE at Walton HS, Dates and Times are TBA
- March 18-21 – Tentative Spring Trip to Universal Orlando
- Tuesday, April 20 – Spring Concert “A Night at the Movies and more”, 7 PM
- Saturday, May 1 – Annual Awards Banquet, 6:00 PM
As always, please feel free to contact me at Charles.Laux@cobbk12.org (direct email is best over CTLS Parent Email)