Donations Needed!

Our Concert is TUESDAY night, I am still in need of MANY donations in order to make a reception happen!  Please consider donating if at all possible.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0d4eaca629ab9-winter1

Holiday Music Gig

We will be playing on Sunday at Normal Community before Stacy’s Dance Factory Winter Dance Recital.  Please arrive at 3:30 p.m. (with your instrument and music) and we will perform from 3:45 -4:15 p.m. in the atrium.  Wear something festive and a smile!!!! ~ Mrs. Boyd

No Holiday Music TODAY!

Due to a death in my family we will not have Holiday Music today after school, we will have a rehearsal on THURSDAY after school (12/11); hope to see many of you there!
Mrs. Boyd

Holiday Music

Don't forget, if you want to play some holiday music we will meet after school tomorrow, Monday 12/1 from 305-345 p.m.  See you there!

Winter Concert Information

EJHS Orchestra

Winter Concert Reminder

 

Tuesday Dec. 16^th, 2014

7:30 p.m. concert

7:00 p.m. call time

 

Please wear concert dress (6^th grade white tops/black bottoms and shoes; 7^th & 8^th grade EJHS Music Polo, black bottoms and shoes.)

Students are expected to stay for the entire concert, it should not last more than 1 hour.  As a reminder this is a graded event.

 

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We will once again be having a light reception following our concert in the cafeteria.  If you would be willing to bring refreshments please visit our Sign-Up Page at:

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/60B0D4EACA629AB9-winter1

Or via the link I have posted in Skyward.

 

Distributed Monday, November 24, 2014

Volunteers Needed!

We are in desperate need of workers for the November 10th Spaghetti Supper.  We have a time slot from 7-8 p.m. where we need AT LEAST 8 parent workers to sign up.  Our 7th/8th grade orchestras perform that evening as well (at NCHS) but our performance will be done by 6:30 p.m.  So there will even be time for you to eat before your shift.  If students want to help they can help with cleaning tables, trash, etc., but parents are needed in the kitchen.  Please consider volunteering, you can sign up here: Spaghetti Supper Workers

Spaghetti Supper Information

Spaghetti Supper Information

Who: EJHS 7^th & 8^th Grade Orchestra

What: Spaghetti Supper Performance

Monday Nov. 10^th, 2014

Where: NCHS, Performance in Auditorium,

        Arrive and Unpack in Rm.34 (you can leave your cases and coats in this room, but it will not be locked!)

When:  Arrive NO later than 5:20 p.m.

                     Performance: 6:10 p.m.

** This is really early, please make arrangements to arrive on time to allow enough time to tune/warm-up!**

Dress: Concert Dress, EJHS Music Polo & Black pants (no tennis shoes!)

What to bring:  Yourself, your instrument and your music.

  

Distributed October 27^th, 2014

Spaghetti Supper Tickets

7th and 8th Grade Orchestra Students are selling tickets for the Unit 5 Music Parents Spaghetti Supper.  It will take place on November 10th at NCHS.  Our Evans 7th/8th grade orchestras will perform in the auditorium at 6:10 p.m. and all performances are completely free.  The Music Parents will be raising money by selling the Spaghetti Dinners, advance tickets are available for $7 (meat or marinara sauce, regular noodles) or $11 for Gluten Free Noodles.  Gluten Free must be purchased in advance.  Dinners include Salad/Dressing, Avanti's bread, Avanti's Spaghetti and Sauce, Cookie and Drink.  Please consider purchasing a ticket to support our ensembles.  Checks should be made payable to Unit 5 Music Parents and returned ASAP.

ILMEA

I am very proud of the 12 students we had work on the music and audition for ILMEA on Monday.  What better way to spend your day off of school than practicing away in a big orchestra filled with the best musicians around!  Hoping to have some results for you later this week!
Mrs. Boyd

Music Parent T-Shirt Design Contest

Win this year’s Unit 5 Music t-shirt!

We need a design for our all district music shirt.

If you are interested in submitting a design, you need to turn in a completed design to your music teacher by October 24, 2014.

You will need to include “Unit 5 Music” in the design.

Please do not identify a specific music program unless you plan to include all of them (i.e., band/choir/orchestra or all schools).

Designs will need to be submitted electronically or on plain, unlined paper.

They will need to be no bigger than 8.5 x 11.

Designs should be in black and white.

All designs will become the property of Unit 5 Music Parents upon submission.

The top four designs will be selected by our Music Parents panel and the winner will be determined by votes at our spaghetti suppers.  Designs will be displayed at the dinners and each vote is one penny!

Winner of the design contest will win either a t-shirt or sweatshirt of their design! 

Orange Leaf Fundraiser

I am happy to report that we earned $138.07 from our Orange Leaf Night Fundraiser, thank you to everyone who came out to eat and those who performed!  I really appreciate you all! ~ Mrs. Boyd

6th Grader Paige G. Performers @ Orange Leaf

ILMEA Audition Day Information

Students who are participating in ILMEA Orchestra Auditions were given an information sheet today in class, you can find a copy of that sheet here: ILMEA Audition Day INFO Please remember that students should not arrive before 8 a.m. and should have a ride there promptly at 11:30 a.m.  I would also encourage students to bring a bottle of water and snack, there will be breaks in the rehearsal/auditions throughout the morning.  This is not a come and go event, students should be dropped off and picked back up please.  Questions please email Mrs. Boyd

Polo Orders

If you are a student in 7th/8th grade orchestra you need to have an EJHS Music Dept. Polo Shirt for performances.  Orders were due this week; if you have not ordered one please contact Mrs. Boyd ASAP!

Thank You!

A big heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to Orange Leaf last night to support our orchestra program, I love seeing everyone there with their families and even better seeing the students share their talents out in the community.  So proud!

Orange Leaf Night

Currently Seeking Performers for Orange Leaf Fundraiser on Monday September 8th visit this link to SIGN UP TO PLAY
Flyers about the fundraiser went home with orchestra students today!

ILMEA Information Sheets

ILMEA Information Sheets are coming home this week with interested 7th and 8th grade orchestra students.  Students will need to practice the music outside of school (preferably with a private teacher) and is strongly encouraged to attend the extra practice sessions offered by Mrs. Boyd at EJHS after school.  Auditions are held on Monday October 13th at Bloomington High School (students must have their own transportation to and from auditions, there is no school for Unit 5 that day).  If students wish to participate they should sign the interest form as well as a parent/guardian and return to Mrs. Boyd with $5 by Friday September 5th.

My Challenge to My Students... Oh and the IceBucketChallenge

Here is a video (not professional and not very eloquent) that we watch in my orchestra classes today.  I challenge everyone to stop for a moment and think about the "real" meaning and reason for the ice bucket challenge and how it would and does affect musicians on a daily basis.  I challenge my students to practice 125 minutes before next Friday; if they do and fill out the special ice bucket practice card (which must be signed on the back by a parent) I will donate $1 per student who completes my challenge. #icebucketchallenge #lifelessons #stopandthink #ejhsorchestra

ILMEA Music/Auditions

Just wanted to let you all know that ILMEA auditions for 7th/8th graders will be held on Monday Ocotober 13th; I have one piece of music and should be getting the others soon.  When I get them I would be happy to email/mail them to you; please send me your contact info: martink@unit5.org Students who want to audition should be working on the music this summer (a private teacher is highly suggested,) and into the fall.  It is a select group of students.
Students going into high school may audition for high school ILMEA orchestra if they study with a private instructor.  Again, if interested please contact me for music, etc.
Happy Practicing!!!! Mrs. Boyd

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations to EJHS 7th and 8th Grade Orchestras; both groups earned straight Division 1 ratings at IESA Contest at Parkside.  I am VERY proud of you!!!! ~Mrs. Boyd

7th/8th Grade Contest

Just a reminder that 7th/8th graders will participate in IESA Organizational Contest this weekend (Saturday) at PJHS.  Information went home a few weeks ago, 7th grade should arrive by 8:10 and will perform at 9 a.m.  (there is a small fee for parents to watch.)  8th grade should arrive by 9:10 a.m. and will perform at 10 a.m.  As soon as students are done performing they are free to go!

Spring Concert Information

EJHS Orchestra

Spring Concert Reminder

Monday May 12^th, 2014

7 p.m. concert

6:30 p.m. call time

Please wear concert dress (6^th grade white tops/black bottoms and shoes; 7^th & 8^th grade EJHS Music Polo, black bottoms and shoes.)

Students are expected to stay for the entire concert, it should not last more than 1 hour.  As a reminder this is a graded event.

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We will once again be having a light reception following our concert in the cafeteria.  If you would be willing to bring refreshments please visit our Sign-Up Page at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4EACA629AB9-winter?uToken=26E3C2FBFC06F3075EC2DCCE02E8

Or via the link I have posted in Skyward.

Distributed Friday, April 25^th, 2014

Summer Strings

Just a reminder that registration is now open for Summer Strings Camp.  It is a GREAT program to start off your summer with music.  The camp is June 9th-13th @ KJHS from 9 - 11 a.m. with the Concert on Friday June 13th @ 11:30 a.m.  There is a camp pool party on Thursday June 12th from 830-1030 p.m. at Fairview Family Aquatic Center as well.  Please email for more information, or click HERE to download the form.  Students should have brought this home prior to spring break!

Recordings Updated

7th & 8th Graders; visit the Recordings tab for up to date recordings of our Contest music!

Great Job!

Great Job last night at Unit Orchestra!!!  So proud of all your hard work.  I am lucky to teach such dedicated students.  And thanks to the parents for getting them to the extra rehearsals! ~Mrs. Boyd

Volunteers/Donations Needed

The sign-up genius is live now and we are needing volunteers and donations to make our contest we are hosting on February 22nd a success.  Email Mrs. Boyd if you have any questions, otherwise visit the link here:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4EACA629AB9-igsma2

Practice Cards

Practice Cards will again be due on Wednesday this week due to the Snow/Cold days.  Please turn them in ASAP as I will need to turn in eligibility.
Thanks, Mrs. Boyd

Organizational Contest Date Finalized!

The 7th/8th grade orchestras will be participating in IESA Organizational Contest on Saturday May 3rd at PJHS.  Please add this date to your calendar; our performance time will come soon.

Recordings Updated

I have been working to update the recordings link, new links to Unit Orchestra music have been posted!  Enjoy!!!!

1st Practice Card of Semester

We have our first practice card of the semester due on Monday 1/13.  Students may turn them in on paper or using the electronic form on Edmodo.

Solo & Ensemble Forms due!!!

Before we decided to take an extra two days of vacation I had made the solo & ensemble permission forms due tomorrow, Wednesday, January 8th.  I will now take them through Friday (before school); but they CANNOT be late.  Permission forms should be accompanied by the fees ($8 for string or piano solos; and $4/person for ensemble members.)  Example: Student A is doing a Violin solo and playing a duet, they would owe $12 payable to EJHS.  Email Mrs. Boyd if you have questions.  I look forward to working with all the students participating!