Performances Today

Since our concert was cancelled last night I will have the students perform today during the school day (times listed below); if you are available you may come watch, it will be very casual in the cafeteria. Do not worry if you are not available, I will record the concert and post it to Edmodo or another private wall for your viewing. This will allow everyone to see it and keep your privacy in mind. Please DO NOT call Evans with questions, our office is VERY busy today, if you have questions email me: martink@unit5.org Thanks for your support!

Performance Schedule:

6th Grade: 130 p.m.

7th Grade: 145 p.m.

8th Grade: 225 p.m.

Concert Cancelled

Our concert for tonight is cancelled due to the weather.  If we have school tomorrow (Friday) please bring your instruments, we will be trying to pull together a concert in the afternoon (during orchestra class times.)  Once details are determined I will be sending a skyward email to parents.  If we do perform during the day tomorrow (at school) we will try to record the concert for parents to view later.  Sorry for the inconvience, but safety of the students and families comes first!

Winter Concert Seating

Winter Concert Seating

6^th Grade

1^st Violin    2^nd Violin             Viola               Cello

Josh           Hailey                    Zach              Ava

Jaziba        Karla                      Nikhil            Christopher

Muskan     Ayushi                    Kelli              Deja

Saketh       Kashyup               Karragan      Addie

Luke           Vanshika               Isabel

Melanie     Emily                      Wil

Michelle                                   Jack

Lauren

7^th Grade

1^st  Violin        2^nd Violin                        Viola           Cello        Bass

Annah                Nachi                   Adam         Peyton    Sam

Rose                  Johanna               Tarun        

Kiersten             Shanku                Atley

Sindhu               Shaampavy         Sophie

Kennede            Rahul M.              Madison

Cassidy              Amiyah                 Katie

                           Anoushka            Cati

 8^th Grade

1^st Violin      2^nd Violin           Viola           Cello     Bass

Ethan              Trey                   Alexis       Nick    Cameron

Nadia              Sai                     Derek       Logan

Ian                   Quincy               Kiyana     Joceline

Brock              Rohith               Michael   Maddy

Kathryn           Shreyans                           Madison

Sami                                                          Jakiah

Quote of the Week 12/17

"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear!" ~Buddy the Elf

Spaghetti Supper TONIGHT!

7th/8th graders should arrive by 420 p.m. to NCH (Rm. 30); we will perform in the auditorium at 5 p.m. and food is served in the cafeteria the rest of the evening.

Quote of the Week 11/12

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." ~Cynthia Ozick

Spaghetti Seating

1st Violins

Ethan

Brock
Nadia
Ian
Sami
Kathryn
Shreyans
Sai
Trey
Quincy
Rohith

Cello

Logan
Nick
Peyton
Madison
Joceline
Maddy
Jakiah

Bass

Sam
Cameron

2^nd Violins

Annah
Rose
Kiersten
Sindhu
Kennede
Nachi
Cassidy
Shanku
Rahul M.
Johanna
Amiyah
Shaampavy
Anoushka

Viola

Adam
Atley
Tarun
Alexis
Derek
Kiyana
Michael
Sophia
Rahul V.
Madison
Katie
Cati

Combined 7/8 Rehearsal

We will have a combined 7th/8th grade rehearsal tomorrow morning, 11/6/2012 at 7 a.m. at Evans.  This is to rehearse for our performance next week at the Spaghetti Supper.  Please try to make this important rehearsal!

Quote of the Week 11/5

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed.  Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude." ~Dennis Waitley

Spaghetti Supper Information

Spaghetti Supper Information is going home with the 7th/8th graders today, you can find a copy of the information here: Spaghetti Concert Info Because we are the first to perform this year I am asking students to arrive at 420 p.m.  This is very early, I know, but please make arrangements to get students there on time to allow us time for tuning and warm-up.  You may need to carpool.  We will perform then at 5 p.m. in the auditorium; students will be done by 5:20 p.m.

Spaghetti Ticket Money Due 10/31

Spaghetti Supper Ticket money and order forms are due tomorrow, 10/31/2012.  Please email Mrs. Boyd if you cannot meet this deadline but still need tickets.  Thanks!

Quote of the Week 10/29

Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents. You must get discouraged because more people believe in Santa Claus than in you. Well, let's face it; Santa Claus has had more publicity, but being #2, perhaps you try harder. Everyone tells me you are a fake, but I believe in you. Love, Linus
P.S.: If you really are a fake, don't tell me. I don't wanna know.
(from "It's a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown")

Congratulations Pratt Scholars

Last night I had the joy of watching two of our Evans Orchestra students receive recognition at the Unit 5 School Board meeting.  The students were 7th grade Kennede and 8th grader Jakiah.  Both were selected from hundreds of applicants to receive a scholarsip for private lessons on their instruments, violin and cello respectively.  I am so proud of these girls!!!

Link to Score for The Planets

♫ Free sheet music : Holst, Gustav - The Planets (Orchestra)

Smart Music Orders

If you are wishing to purchase a Smart Music subscription for your home computer please click HERE to download/print the order form.  Forms and money are due to me (Mrs. Boyd) by Friday, October 26th.  If you want more information on what Smart Music has to offer I would love to discuss it with you and/or you can visit their website: www.smartmusic.com

Field Trip Info

Field Trip information and permission forms will be coming home this week with the students.  Once they do they will require a student and parent signature.  The only cost involved is $6 for lunch, if your family cannot meet that financial need, please email or call Mrs. Boyd.  Other than that we are in need of a few donations to finish out planning please Sign Up to Donate!
Thanks as always for your support!!!!

Hauntcert Ushers

We are still in need of a few 8th graders to serve as ushers for the Hauntcert this Thursday night at NCHS.  Please email Mrs. Boyd ASAP if you are available and willing.

Quote of the Week 10/22

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle." ~Plato

Smart Music Subscriptions

At school we have a really cool computer program called Smart Music, it has the students textbooks and concert music pre-loaded and allows them to either practice with the computer and/or take tests for me, which in turn allows me to keep teaching and not completely stop class to quiz each student individually.  Right now the middle school orchestra teachers are working with the Unit 5 IT department to figure out if Smart Music (if purchased) could be loaded onto the school laptops for 6th graders.  Visit www.smartmusic.com to see more information about the program.  If you want to purchase for your son/daughter we will be doing a group order which allows for a one year subscription for only $30.60, that is only $2.55/month:)  Please consider making this investment for your student.  Email me with questions and ask your son/daughter about the info sheet that I have sent home.

Spaghetti Supper Ticket Order Form

Tickets are now on sale for the Unit 5 Music Parents Spaghetti Supper.  This is the Music Parent Organizations ONLY fundraiser of the year and it is extremely important we support this group.  They give money to each of our organizations (band/orchestra/choir) at all the secondary schools in Unit 5 every year.  The money they give us comes from this fundraiser.  7th/8th grade orchestras will be performing, but I encourage any orchestra families to attend.  Here is a link to print the order form:
Spaghetti Supper Tickets
If you have any questions please email me.  There is also a form below for parent workers, we are still in need of parents to work in the kitchen/cafeteria that night as well.

Quote of the Week 10/8

"Courage doesn't always roar sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow'." ~Mary Anne Radmacher

Workers Needed

Good Luck!

Wishing the following Eagle Orchestra Members Good Luck as they Audition for IMEA District III Orchestra on Monday at Bloomington High School!!!

• Peyton
• Logan
• Michael
• Annah
• Rose
• Ethan
• Nadia
• Ian
• Brock

EJHS Orchestra is on Edmodo!

Ask your son/daughter about Edmodo and see if they can give you a tour!  It is a cool online learning community that we can use to manage class information, assignments and share resources.  Internet connection is required and it is safe, secure location that only my orchestra students can join.  Students in my classes were given class codes to join our closed group.  If you want to join Edmodo and check your students page/work and sharing you can join by creating a Parent Account.  Again this is a very secure site, you will need your son/daughter to log into their Edmodo account and give you their account specific code.  Hope you find this site as cool as I do!
(Oh, they now have the option of submitting practice cards online too!!!)

IMEA Audition Day Info

There are 9 EJHS Orchestra students auditioning for the District 3, Illinois Music Educator's Association Festival Orchestra.  Those auditions will be held on Monday, October 8th at Bloomington High School.  Please click HERE for specific information for that day!

Quote of the Week 10/1

"It is our choices... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~ A. Dumbledore

Introducing....

BETAHOVEN... our new fish name.  It won but a landslide!

Quote of the Week 9/24

"Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others." ~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

6th Grade Assignment

Today in class we did not finish all of our work, in addition to practicing I would like for the 6th grade students to do 3 things online: 1) Vote for a fish name (on the side bar of this blog), 2) Log onto www.musictechteacher.com and do the Rhythm Match activity (parring vocabulary with the correct symbol,) and 3) also on Music Tech Teacher complete the "Listen to the Rhythms" quiz and email me the results.  Have a great weekend!

Orchestra Field Trip Announced

I am happy to announce that we will be going on an orchestra field trip on Friday, November 9th to see the Peoria Symphony Orchestra perform "The Planets."  It should be an amazing trip!  Students tickets and transportation will be paid for, but they will be asked to contribute for lunch.  Due to the time restraints we will be ordering in lunch (delivered to Evans) and eating here when we return.
More details to come! ~ Mrs. Boyd

Quote of the Week 9/17

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." ~ e.e. cummings

Polo Orders

Polo Orders for 7th and 8th grade orchestra members were due LAST WEEK, if you have not turned in an order I must have them ASAP to get the order in before deadline.  We will be wearing them at our first concert (Spaghetti Supper.)

Quote of the Week 9/10

"Actions are the first tragedy in life, words are the second.  Words are perhaps the worst.  Words are merciless..." ~ Oscar Wilde

Quote of the Week 9/4

"Try a little harder to be a little better." ~Gordon Hinkley

Instrument Contracts

Students using Evans Cellos or Basses should have received an instrument contract from me last week.  This is stating what exact instrument they are using AND that they will take good care of it while using it.  Students and parents should sign off on this contract and return it to Mrs. Boyd.

Quote of the Week 8/27

"Eighty percent of success is showing up." ~ Woody Allen

Practice Card Guidelines

Today I will be explaining in every class how our practice card system works.  This Practice Card Guidelines sheet will be due signed by the student and parents on Monday, it will be our first grade of the year, please try your best to turn this in on time!!!

Polo Shirt Orders

All 7th and 8th grade orchestra students are required to purchase an EJHS Music Polo Shirt to wear for concerts this year.  Students in multiple music groups only need to purchase one shirt.  Students will be bringing home information this week, in case it doesn't make it home, here is a link to the form.  It is due by September 14th.
EJHS Polo Order Form

Concert Dates

Concert Dates are now available for our 2012-2013 school year, please check the important dates pocket on the side of this blog and watch for more information to come home!

It's August, are you ready for school?

I am starting to get into school mode again, hoping to post some blogs about my summer adventures... hope you all had a great summer!!!! ~ Mrs. Boyd

Concert Tonight

Ou Spring Concert is tonight at 7 p.m. in the cafetorium.  Please have students arrive no later than 630 p.m. for tuning and warm-up.  We are still in need of a few volunteers for reception help (serving and cookies) and clean-up.  See you tonight. ~ Mrs. Boyd

Quote of the Week 5/21

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." ~ Dr. Seuss

Spring Concert Seating

8^th Grade:

1^st Violin                                2^nd Violin                               Viola                           Cello

Christian                               Meagn                                   Arden                        Virginia

Matt                                       Ashley                                    Autumn                    

Nathan                                  Emma                                   

Justin                                     Jake

Radiance                               Olivia

Katelin                                  

7^th Grade:

1^st Violin                                2^nd Violin                               Viola                           Cello

Nadia                                     Madison                                Haley                         Nick

Ethan                                     Trey                                        Kiyana                       Madison

Ian                                          Jordan                                   Alexis                         Logan

Shriya                                     Shreyans                               Michael                     Maddy

Brock                                     Julia                                        Derek                         Joceline

Joseph                                   Kayla                                                                          Jakiah

Sami                                       Reetam                     

Naren                                    Sai

Kathryn                                 Amanda

Quincy                                   Alyssa

                                                Rohith

6^th Grade:

1^st Violin                                2^nd Violin                               Viola                           Cello

Rose                                       Kennede                               Peyton                       Logan

Kiersten                                 Sindhu                                   Adam                         Megan

Annah                                    Shanku                                  Vishva

Annoushka                           Amiyah                                  Tarun                         Bass

Abbi                                       Rahul                                     Sophia                       Sam

Johanna                                Cassidy                                  Cati

Nachi                                     Anah                                      Atley

                                                                                                Rahul

                                                                                                Alaina

                                                                                                Madison

                                                                                                Katie

Congrats...

Congratulations to 7th Grade Ethan S. on being chosen to play a piano solo at Monday night's concert.  Hope you can make it to see him shine, he is doing a great job! ~ Mrs. Boyd

Quote of the Week 5/14

"It is our choice, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~Professor Dumbledore

Concert Information Handout

Just letting everyone know that the concert information sheet will be coming home with ALL EJHS Orchestra students tomorrow (Friday May 11th).  You can access the same information online by clicking HERE

Quote of the Week 5/7

"Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others." ~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

6th Grade Combined Rehearsals

Orchestra Spring Concert Prep

*You must attend one, if you attend both you will receive extra credit!

 Tuesday May 15^th – 700-740 a.m.

Wednesday May 16^th – 305 – 345 p.m.

Summer Strings Camp

Registration is now open for the Unit 5 Summer Music Camps!  Please visit http://www.unit5.org/ejhs/parents/docs/Summer%20Music%20Registration2.pdf to download the form and register your student.  This is an inexpensive way to start your son/daughter off on the right foot for summer practicing.  It is always a good time!  Email me if you have any questions!

Congrats!!!

Congratulations to the EJHS 7th and 8th Grade Orchestras on their Division I ratings at IESA Organizational Contest on Friday night.  I am VERY proud of you!!!! ~Mrs. Boyd

Spiritwear

Please don't forget to order your Unit Five Orchestra Spiritwear, the deadline is quickly approaching, Monday April 30th the shop will close!!!!!
www.minervapromotions.com/unitfiveorch

7th Grade Contest Seating

1^st Violin                                2^nd Violin                               Viola                           Cello

Nadia                                     Joseph                                   Haley                         Nick

Ethan                                     Ian                                          Alexis                         Logan

Shriya                                    Trey                                        Kiyana                       Joceline

Brock                                     Kathryn                                 Michael                     Madison

Naren                                    Quincy                                   Derek                         Maddy

Sami                                       Reetam                                                                      Jakiah

Madison                                Jordan                      

Kayla                                      Alyssa

Julia                                        Shreyans

Amanda                                Rohith

                                                Sai

8th Grade Contest Seating

1^st Violin                                2^nd Violin                               Viola                           Cello

Christian                               Meagn                                   Arden                        Virginia

Justin                                     Ashley                                    Autumn                    

Matt                                       Vishva                                   

Nathan                                  Austin

Emma                                    Jake

Radiance                               Olivia

Katelin

Quote of the Week 4/23

"Minutes are worth more than money.  Spend them wisely." ~Thomas P. Murphy

String Day @ The Music Shoppe

Tomorrow is a great day for string players in Bloomington-Normal, it is String Day @ The Music Shoppe.  They do a great job of meeting the needs of our orchestra students, please consider visiting this local business while they offer us these great discounts!!!!

String Day 2012 Flyer

Orchestra Spirit Wear!

New opportunity to order spirit wear to support Unit 5 Orchestra.  Perfect even for 8th graders, since it is NOT school specific.  Great for parents to have something to wear to concerts, contests, events as well.  Please consider supporting our programs through your purchase!!!!! ~ Mrs. Boyd

http://www.minervapromotions.com/unitfiveorch

IESA Contest

Information sheets will be coming home later this week about organizational contest.  This is a required concert/contest for the 7th/8th grade orchestra students.  It will take place on Friday, April 27th at Normal Community High School.  You will need to transport the students to/from this event.  Exact times will be out soon, but I believe that the 7th graders will need to arrive at NCHS by 5 p.m. and the 8th graders by 610 p.m. that evening.  Students should plan to wear their EJHS Music Polo Shirts.

Quote of the Week 4/9/12

"Remember, upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all." ~Alexander the Great

Pratt Music Foundation Scholarships

Now is the time, if you are interested in securing a scholarship for your son/daughter for private lessons, please look into the Pratt Music Foundation.  This foundation identifies talented music students with financial need and helps them be able to afford private lessons on their instruments.  In Bloomington the Pratt Foundation operates through Illinois Wesleyan University.  The program can be used towards lessons on piano, violin, viola or cello; lessons occur on the IWU campus.  If you are interested contact Marc Miller at 309-827-5534; application deadline is June 1st.

Quote of the Week 3/19

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."  ~Walt Disney

Quote of the Week 3/12

"May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go." ~Irish Blessing

No Bass on 3/12

No beginning bass tomorrow 3/12; Mrs. Boyd will be out due to her surgery!  Sorry!

LOVE

Happy Valentine's Day from the EJHS Orchestras!!!!  This week we took a few minutes to write what we love about music, or orchestra, or our instruments and have them displayed in our room.  Here is the finished product!

Quote of the Week 2/13

"Love is like playing the piano.  First you must learn to play by the rules, then you must forget the rules and play from your heart." ~Unknown

Quote of the Week 2/6

"It's supposed to be hard.  If it wasn't hard everyone would do it.  The hard is what makes it great." ~A League of Their Own

Unit Orchestra Information

Just a heads up, Unit Orchestra information sheets should have came home with all EJHS Orchestra students, yesterday, Monday, February 6th.  Please ask your son/daughter to show you the sheet!!!

Mutes

All 7th graders will need purchase and bring to school mutes before February 23rd.  Mutes can be bought at any music store in town, I know that the Music Shoppe (on College Ave.) has them for $.89 for violin/viola and $2.65 for cello.

Beginning Bass - Thursday

Beginning bass has been rescheduled for Thursday morning at 7 a.m. in the orchestra room. ~Mrs. Boyd

Solo/Ensemble Fees

Just a reminder there are a few students who have not paid their solo/ensemble fees.  Checks may be made payable to EJHS.  Thanks for taking care of this promptly.

Quote of the Week 1/23

"Whenever I get sad, I stop being sad and start being awesome!" ~ Barney Stinsin

Bass Lessons Monday!

We will continue beginning bass lessons on Monday, January 23rd at 7 a.m. in the orchestra room.  This will be the last lesson in which "new" beginners can join us.  The few students who have been coming are making great progress!!!

Quote of the Week 1/16

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Beginning Bass - Thursday 7 a.m.

Since there was no school this week on Monday we will hold beginning bass lessons on Thursday 1/19 @ 7 a.m. in the orchestra room.  If your son/daughter is seriously interested in switching to bass please purchase Essential Elements Book 1 for String Bass.  Thanks!

Quote of the Week 1/3

"You are responsible for the talent that is entrusted to you.  Now go work with it." ~ Unknown

New Recording

I have updated the recording page of this blog, check it out to find some of the pieces that we will be performing for Unit Orchestra in March.  A warning, Secrets is a YouTube link, there are ads on YouTube that I cannot control! ~Boyd