Northwood Middle School Orchestra

Fall Orchestra Concert for 7th & 8th Grade Orchestras on Tuesday, October 22nd at 6pm In the cafeteria

We will have two mandatory after school rehearsals (one for each grade) to prepare for the concert:

Tuesday, October 15 - 7th Grade Orchestra Only After School Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm

Wednesday, October 16 - 8th Grade Orchestra Only After School Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm

Fall Concert Tuesday, October 22nd at 6pm

Our Fall orchestra concert is on Tuesday, October 22th at 6pm in the Cafetorium at Northwood Middle School. Students need to arrive by 5:30pm so we can tune and get set up.

The concert dress is: Any school appropriate Halloween costume. We will have a costume contest for multiple categories and prizes for the top costumes.  Please let me know if you have questions or concerns. Looking forward to it! 

Welcome To Northwood Orchestra and guitar 2024-2025!!

We are thrilled to have you join our musical family and can't wait to embark on this exciting journey with you. This year promises to be full of learning, growth, and, most importantly, fun. Our orchestra/guitar is a place where creativity flourishes, friendships are formed, and every note you play contributes to something truly special.

Here’s what you can look forward to this year:

1. Exploring New Music: We have an amazing repertoire lined up, from classical masterpieces to exciting contemporary pieces. Each piece will challenge you and help you grow as a musician.

2. Building Team Spirit: Orchestra is all about collaboration and teamwork. You’ll learn how to work together to create beautiful music, and you’ll form lasting friendships with your fellow musicians.

3. Performing: We have several concerts and performances scheduled throughout the year. These are wonderful opportunities to showcase what you’ve learned and experience the joy of sharing music with others.

If you have any questions or need any materials, don’t hesitate to reach out.We believe that every one of you has something unique to offer, and we’re excited to see how you’ll contribute to our orchestra. Let’s make this year the best one yet! 

2024-2025 Orchestra calendar

Semester One

Tuesday, August 8 - First Day of School

Monday, August 21 - Region Orchestra Audition Registration and Money Due (Required for Honors Students)

Monday, October 14 - Region Orchestra Audition Videos due (students will share their videos through google.drive)

Tuesday, October 15 - 7th  Grade Orchestra Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 7th Grade)

Wednesday, October 16 - 8th Grade Orchestra Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 8th Grade)

Tuesday, October 22 - Fall Concert at 6pm (Required for 7th & 8th Grade)

Sunday, November 6 -All-County Videos are due (Required for Honors Students)

Friday-Saturday, November 22-23 Region Orchestra Weekend at Furman University (Required for Honors Students who are chosen from the audition)

Monday, November 25 - All-County Orchestra Registration Due/All-State Orchestra Audition Registration

Tuesday, December 10 - 8th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 8th Grade)

Wednesday, December 11 - 7th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 7th Grade)

Thursday, December 12 - 6th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 6th Grade)

Thursday, December 17 - Winter Concert at 6pm-6th Grade Concert, 6:30pm - 7th and 8th Grade (Required for All Students)

Semester Two

Saturday, January 11 - All-State Orchestra Auditions at Irmo High School

Friday-Saturday, January 17-18 - Double Bass Workshop/Violin-Viola Workshop at Bob Jones University (Required for Honors Students who are chosen after auditions)

Friday, January 31 - All-County Orchestra at Riverside High School

Tuesday, February 4 - Concert Performance Assessment Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm 

Thursday, February 6 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm 

Tuesday, February 11 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm 

Thursday, February 13 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Friday-Sunday, February 23-25 - All-State Orchestra Event (Required for Honors Students who are chosen after auditions)

Tuesday, March 4 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Thursday, March 6 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Tuesday, March 11 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Thursday, March 13 - Concert Performance Assessment (Required for 7th & 8th Grade) During School Day - Greer High School

Monday, March 1 - Registration for Solo & Ensemble Due (Form and $5)(Required for all Honors Students and open for all grades)

March 17-21 - Spring Break 

Friday, May 2 - Solo & Ensemble at Sterling Middle School (Required for all Honors Students and open for all grades)

Thursday, May 8 - 7th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 7th Grade)

Tuesday, May 13 - 8th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 8th Grade)

Wednesday, May 14 - 6th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 6th Grade)

Spring Concert - May 15th at 6pm-6th Grade Concert, 6:30pm - 7th and 8th Grade (Required for All Students)

All students 8th Grade Honors and any other students that want to try out need to complete the form below that I gave out in class. Please get this to me asap. The form is linked below:

Region Registration Form 2023

MySchoolBucks Region Registration $10

6th Grade students renting instruments

Please look at renting your instruments at a local string store in our area. Here are a few that are close by and are very good:

Bernhardt House of Violins

Musical Innovations

Music and Arts

If you are planning on buying an instrument instead of renting one, please send me the link for the instrument if it is online so that I can check the quality of the instrument. Here is my email address pmurch@greenville.k12.sc.us

Here is the school rental instrument form for students that are in 6th,  7th,  or 8th grade and are using a cello or bass. The one time fee is not $50, it is $40. It is a first come first serve basis, as we do not have enough school instrument for everyone to rent from the school. It is best to start look at the local music stores to look at renting an instrument. If you are going to rent a school instrument, you could rent using the "My School Bucks" link here or send cash or check. Checks should be made to Northwood Middle School. 

Everyone that plays violin or viola still needs a shoulder rest for the size instrument that you have as well as the book "Essential Elements" book 1 by  Gillespie, Hayes, Allen.

Good shoulder rests brands are: Everest, Kun, and FOM and there are others. The book and the shoulder rest can be bought at any music store or online like amazon.com, etc.

School Guitar Rental for and link for payment

If you would like to use a school guitar, you need to complete this instrument rental form and have your student bring it to me. You can make the one time payment of $20 for the semester though "My School Buck" link here.  

Here is a link to your weekly lesson plans

Click Here