09/05/2023
Hello Orchestra Parents and Students!
This Friday, after school, we will have a short performance at the Red Caboose Park across the street from Bellevue Middle School.
Students will meet in the orchestra room after school on Friday and we will walk to the park together. Please DO NOT plan to pick your student up from the school if you are participating in this concert. We will set up stands for everyone and chairs for just the cellos on the stage. If all goes smoothly, the concert will start at 4:30 and last no later than 5:30 (hopefully 5:15). There is parking available at the Red Caboose Park. If your student plays cello or bass that belongs to the school and you want to drive their instrument back to the school after the concert you are more than welcome to.
Your students have worked VERY hard in class to prepare for this concert in just under 4 weeks! I am impressed with each student's ability and commitment to learning this music in such a short amount of time. This will be a great introduction to what is to come later this year!
Students in the 7th and 8th grade orchestras are playing a piece together. They will rehearse together during PLT on Thursday and Friday. On these days, they should come to the orchestra room after owl time and immediately begin unpacking and warming up for rehearsal.
Agenda (times may vary):
4:00 - Students gather in orchestra room
4:10 - Students and parent volunteers walk students to Red Caboose Park
4:20 - Set up chairs and stands
4:30 - 6th grade performs "Morning Lights" by Brian Balmages
4:40 - 7th and 8th grade performs "Brave Fires" by Caryn Wiegand Neidhold
4:50 - 8th grade performs "Burst!" by Brian Balmages
5:00 - Pack up
5:10 - Cellos and basses that use school instruments will need to return them to the school. If you want to drive your student's instrument back to the school, you may.
*Ms. Rose will need some volunteers to take chairs and stands back to the school afterwards and make sure our concert venue is in the same shape that we found it (snacks will be provided for these volunteers).
The concert will be short and sweet. You are not required to stay and listen to other performances, but listening to higher level groups can inspire your student to continue their path as a musician and show them what is possible with consistent practice routines and dedication.
If this goes well, fingers crossed, then next year we will make this a larger event or "block party." Possibilities for the future include a potluck, games/"Orchestra Olympics," recorded music, craft making, etc. My goal with this event in the future is to create a community across the grade levels and to show students that sticking with music can be rewarding!
Please let me know if you have any questions! Or any suggestions for a potential orchestra "block party."
Thanks and hope to see you all there!
Rose Olson
(she/her/hers)
Orchestra Director
Bellevue Middle School
(615) 697-9749
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