WSHS Orchestra “Clef Notes” #12 – May 24, 2022
Abbreviated updates for WSHS Orchestra students and parents As we closed out the virtual 2020-21 school year a year ago, I asked the graduating seniors to share any thoughts, words of wisdom, or advice with their classmates. The two most common themes shared were: 1) take advantage of every playing opportunity that comes your way; and 2) get to know the people in your orchestra. The students sincerely missed playing with each other, getting to know each other, and making music in all the ways we can do here in orchestra. They realized there were missed opportunities they could not get back. Well, I know we accomplished the first piece of advice. Our students came back ready to PLAY and PERFORM. We worked on, mastered, and performed some very challenging repertoire this year, and it was very clear that our students appreciated being back in orchestra, playing together. As for the second piece of advice, I hope that the students got know each other this year, in spite of seating-chart restrictions, “one-on-a-stand” social distanced rehearsals, and the continuing pandemic’s influence on gathering and sharing. I truly appreciated how energized and engaged the students were this year. It was great year. And now, on to some information you can use: Perform 1. Thank you everyone who came and heard the Senior Recognition and Awards Orchestra Concert. The groups played really well, and it was great to send off the seniors with a full evening of performances and reflections. Congratulations to this year’s Senior Class: Jalia Brown, Abby Cassius, Mandy Cassius, Emily Hu, Dane Perugini-Cripps, Ainsley Grant, Isaiah Johnson, Jasmine Meekins, Charity Osedo, Yasmine Pirlepesova, Tanya Prahalathan, Dylan Stubbs, Kylie Townsend, Skyler White, Alice Willard, and Annie Zhao. A slide show of the printed program, as well as a downloadable PDF, are available on our homepage. The senior recognition video can be found here: https://youtu.be/yq4QL3UjrRE 2. Thank you to the ELEVEN All-State Orchestra students for a great clinic and fantastic concerts!! Representing WSHS were: Caleb Brown, Haley Cole, Aniyya Dent, Evan Easley, Anyu Gu, Jimmy He, Emily Hu, Jason Tang, James Wang, Russell Wolfe, and Allen Xie. Classroom Activities 1. Members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra String Sections joined us in “Side-by-Side” rehearsals during the first week of May. It was, professionally, very satisfying to have some of my symphony colleagues working with my students. I got a lot of positive feedback in the following week (during the MSO Masterworks week) how receptive and responsive our students were to the suggestions made by the symphony musicians. I want to recognize and thank Mr. Sims, too, for covering one day of rehearsal with our visitors, as I was bringing a son back from college that day. 2. Lauren Hart, Interim Director of Program for PRIZM, visited with both of our classes on May 11 to talk about the two one-week camps PRIZM is running in June. Information can be found at prizmensemble.org and a link is on our “Go Play!” website page. 3. Friday, May 20 was the last day of playing this year. All students should take their personal instruments home for the summer now. 4. Results from the audition for the 2022-23 Advanced Orchestra will be posted on Tuesday, May 24. Individual emails will be sent to the students, too. Still on the Website 1. Applications for the Summer at the Scheidt summer camp at University of Memphis, June 13-18, are under Go Play!/Camps. The camp offers both overnight residency and day-camper options. 2. Prizm Ensemble Summer Camps: June 6-11 and June 13-18 at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church. 3. Summer Camp info for Sewanee, Belmont University, and Tennessee Tech University – as well as a link to the American String Teachers Association’s Summer Music Camp listings – can be found on the Go Play!/Camps page, too. Our Remind codes are: 6th period: @wshsorc6 7th period: @wshsorc7, and, for all parents: @wsorchpar. Text your code to 81010 or 901-881-9447. You may also register at “rmd.at/classcode.” |
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