Follow the links below to listen to recordings of each piece to help guide your practice :)
Please see information below regarding scheduling Orchestra in high school. I encourage all students to continue on their musical journey by electing to continue being a member of the orchestras as they transition into high school. Please see the letter from Mr. Nix and the suggested schedule. If you have any questions you can contact Mrs. Mihalko, [email protected], or Mr. Nix, [email protected] Letter from Mr. Nix, Orchestra Director at FHS & HHS
Mock Schedule - Orchestra can fit in your child's schedule
High School Orchestra InformationMany of the top academic students at FHS & HHS participate in our music program and consider it a highlight of their high school experience. These are some of the best students at FHS & HHS, and provide a great social environment for your student to be a part of during their high school experience. Looking ahead: "Why should my child sign up and stay in orchestra all four high school years?" College admission boards have consistently said that students who stay in their high school music program in classes like Orchestra all four years, have a great advantage for college admission over the typical students who have the same GPA (grade point average). In addition, the statement above is true when comparing students who have taken the same number of AP (advanced placement) classes without being in a four year program like Orchestra. College admissions are actively looking for students who can show a four year commitment to a high school program. College admission boards know the chances of students participating in college campus life activities and finishing college is much higher in music students than typical students who only take AP classes in high school and don't take the opportunity to be involved in programs like this that high school has to offer. The FHS & HHS Music Departments encourage students to take AP classes and most students also take a few “on-line” courses throughout their tenure in high school so they can stay in music all four years. What is most important to understand is that you do not need to take all AP classes and leave no room for orchestra if you are planning to go to a top tier college. Four years in Orchestra is weighted heavily in college board’s decision process so please consider these facts when planning your student’s four year school schedule. “Taking music elective courses is a better indicator that a student will stay in college than high SAT scores or high GPA.” – Dr. Denise C. Gardner, Effect of Music Courses On Retention, Georgia Tech, 2000. “But my student plays with the MYS or OYO why should they be in FHS or HHS Orchestras?” Both of these community orchestras are fine programs but are not a replacement for your student being in their high school program. These programs should be thought of as an “augmentation” for helping your student hone their music skills, and again, not a replacement. In fact, both of these orchestras, highly recommend your student be currently enrolled in their high school Orchestra. There is still a lot of instruction that goes on at the high school level, developing more advanced techniques and refining the techniques learned in middle school. A musician needs to play consistently everyday to improve their skills, and nothing is better for your student than to play Monday through Friday in an Orchestra class at FHS or HHS. This guide is designed to give parents of orchestra students an overview of the program. For additional information please explore the FHS and HHS Booster websites, mrnixfpsorchestra.weebly.com or you can contact Mr. Nix at [email protected]. The Basics Concert Orchestra – This class meets during the school day during and is made up of all the freshman string instrumentalists. Students spend this year transitioning into high school level literature and more intermediate level technique such as three octave scales, a wider range of bowing techniques, etc. Philharmonia Orchestra - This class is for intermediate level musicians at the high school in grades 10-12. Symphony Orchestra - This is an auditioned ensemble comprised of students in grades 10-12 that works on high level literature. Students participating in this ensemble are strongly encouraged to take private lessons. Weekly Sectionals Because of the wonderful support of the booster organizations, orchestra students receive specialized weekly instrument coaching sessions with local professional string musicians who play the same instrument as they do. This type of augmented instruction given to our orchestra students is one of the many reasons we have such a fine and outstanding orchestra program! As with all our music programs, students in orchestra are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to take private lessons! See Mrs. Mihalko or Mr. Nix for a list of recommended private instructors. Leadership Opportunities Participating in Orchestra provides student with additional leadership opportunities that can be used for NHS credit such as being section leader or being on the Orchestra Leadership Executive Board. These are also leadership activities that can be listed on scholarship and college applications. Social Events The orchestras participate in several social activities that they organize for themselves. In the past they have done a trip to a corn maze, sledding, movie night, etc. Trips Every year the FHS music students take a field trip to see the University of Michigan Collage Concert at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, and every two years they take a trip to places like Disney and New York. In this activity every member is “first string” and missing students greatly impact the ability of the group to perform. 20 Important Benefits of Music in Our Schools Taken from: http://www.nafme.org/20-important-benefits-of-music-in-our-schools/
This article original appeared on Bachelors Degree. Nearly everyone enjoys music, whether by listening to it, singing, or playing an instrument. But despite this almost universal interest, many schools are having to do away with their music education programs. This is a mistake, with schools losing not only an enjoyable subject, but a subject that can enrich students’ lives and education. Read on to learn why music education is so important, and how it offers benefits even beyond itself. 1. Musical training helps develop language and reasoning: Students who have early musical training will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain is better developed with music, and songs can help imprint information on young minds. 2. A mastery of memorization: Even when performing with sheet music, student musicians are constantly using their memory to perform. The skill of memorization can serve students well in education and beyond. 3. Students learn to improve their work: Learning music promotes craftsmanship, and students learn to want to create good work instead of mediocre work. This desire can be applied to all subjects of study. 4. Increased coordination: Students who practice with musical instruments can improve their hand-eye coordination. Just like playing sports, children can develop motor skills when playing music. 5. A sense of achievement: Learning to play pieces of music on a new instrument can be a challenging, but achievable goal. Students who master even the smallest goal in music will be able to feel proud of their achievement. 6. Kids stay engaged in school: An enjoyable subject like music can keep kids interested and engaged in school. Student musicians are likely to stay in school to achieve in other subjects. 7. Success in society: Music is the fabric of our society, and music can shape abilities and character. Students in band or orchestra are less likely to abuse substances over their lifetime. Musical education can greatly contribute to children’s intellectual development as well. 8. Emotional development: Students of music can be more emotionally developed, with empathy towards other cultures They also tend to have higher self esteem and are better at coping with anxiety. 9. Students learn pattern recognition: Children can develop their math and pattern-recognition skills with the help of musical education. Playing music offers repetition in a fun format. 10. Better SAT scores: Students who have experience with music performance or appreciation score higher on the SAT. One report indicates 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math for students in music appreciation courses. 11. Fine-tuned auditory skills: Musicians can better detect meaningful, information-bearing elements in sounds, like the emotional meaning in a baby’s cry. Students who practice music can have better auditory attention, and pick out predictable patterns from surrounding noise. 12. Music builds imagination and intellectual curiosity: Introducing music in the early childhood years can help foster a positive attitude toward learning and curiosity. Artistic education develops the whole brain and develops a child’s imagination. 13. Music can be relaxing: Students can fight stress by learning to play music. Soothing music is especially helpful in helping kids relax. 14. Musical instruments can teach discipline: Kids who learn to play an instrument can learn a valuable lesson in discipline. They will have to set time aside to practice and rise to the challenge of learning with discipline to master playing their instrument. 15. Preparation for the creative economy: Investing in creative education can prepare students for the 21st century workforce. The new economy has created more artistic careers, and these jobs may grow faster than others in the future. 16. Development in creative thinking: Kids who study the arts can learn to think creatively. This kind of education can help them solve problems by thinking outside the box and realizing that there may be more than one right answer. 17. Music can develop spatial intelligence: Students who study music can improve the development of spatial intelligence, which allows them to perceive the world accurately and form mental pictures. Spatial intelligence is helpful for advanced mathematics and more. 18. Kids can learn teamwork: Many musical education programs require teamwork as part of a band or orchestra. In these groups, students will learn how to work together and build camaraderie. 19. Responsible risk-taking: Performing a musical piece can bring fear and anxiety. Doing so teaches kids how to take risks and deal with fear, which will help them become successful and reach their potential. 20. Better self-confidence: With encouragement from teachers and parents, students playing a musical instrument can build pride and confidence. Musical education is also likely to develop better communication for students. Link to Original Article by Bachelors Degree Parent Letter & Behavior Contract
Permission Slip & Behavior Agreement
Permission slip is by Wednesday April 27th. You may either turn the permission slip in to Mrs. Mihalko or bring it to the meeting on Wednesday. Please do not cut the permission slip in half, leave it as one piece of paper. Thank you. Parent MeetingWednesday April 17th
As we near the end of the school year there are a few opportunities I want to share with you. There are some great local youth orchestras that provide students with another opportunity to flex their musical muscles and learn in a new environment outside of our East Orchestras. This is a supplemental opportunity for students looking for another avenue to pursue musical study on their instrument. Audition dates are fast approaching, so if you and your child are interested you will need to start preparing soon. Also, there are some great summer camps for students to attend that are music focused. If you have any questions about any of the opportunities listed below please let Mrs. Mihalko or Mr. Yoder know. Summer Camp OpportunitiesMASTA Camp: www.mastastringcamps.com Orchestra camp held at the Howell Nature Center in Howell, MI. Run by the Michigan Chapter of the American String Teachers Association. Current 7th graders can attend either Session 2 or Session 3. Current 8th graders can attend Session 3. Registration deadline is May 1st, late fee of $25 applies for applications sent after May 1st. Adventures in Chamber Music: www.adventuresinchambermusic.com Chamber music day camp held in Royal Oak, organized and taught by local private teacher and professional musician Marla Smith. Youth Orchestra Audition DatesOakland Youth Orchestras:
Audition dates at the end of April and early May, audition information can be found at https://www.oyomi.org/oyo/audition-signup/ Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony: Audition dates on May 7th and May 14th, to sign up go to http://www.detroitmys.org/mys-store/audition-application |
Mrs. MihalkoUpdates for students and parents will be posted here. Archives
October 2019
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