Northwood Middle School Orchestra

2025-2026 Orchestra calendar

Semester One

Tuesday, August 11 - First Day of School

Monday, September 10 - Region Orchestra Audition Registration and Money Due (Required for Honors Students)

Saturday, September 13 - Cellobration at Furman University (Required for Honors Cellists)

Saturday, September 27 - Region Orchestra Auditions at League Academy (Required for Honors Students)

Wednesday, October 8 - Region Orchestra Registration due (Required for any Honors Students that are accepted)

Tuesday, October 14 - 7th  Grade Orchestra Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 7th Grade)

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

Tuesday, October 21 - Fall Concert at 6pm (Required for 7th & 8th Grade)

Wednesday, October 29 - All-County Audition Videos are due (Required for Honors Students)

Friday, November 21 - All-State Orchestra Registration due (Required for Students that made Region Orchestra)

Tuesday, December 9 - 8th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 8th Grade)

Wednesday, December 10 - 7th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 7th Grade)

Thursday, December 11 - 6th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 6th Grade)

Tuesday, December 16 - Winter Concert at 6pm-6th Grade Concert, 6:30pm - 7th and 8th Grade (Required for All Students)

Semester Two

Saturday, January 10 - All-State Orchestra Auditions at Irmo High School

Saturday, January 17 - Double Bass Workshop/Violin-Viola Workshop at River Bluff HS - 320 Corley Mill Rd, Lexington, SC 29072 (Required for Honors Students)  

Wednesday, January 28 - All-State Registration Forms due (Required for Students who were chosen for the orchestra)

Friday, January 30 - All-County Orchestra at Riverside High School (Required for Honors Students that are accepted) 

Tuesday, February TBA - Curriculum Night concert - arrive at 5:40pm, perform at 6pm, done by 6:05pm - black and white 8th grade

Friday-Sunday, February 20-22 - All-State Orchestra Event at Furman University (Required for Honors Students who are chosen after auditions)

Tuesday, February 10 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Tuesday, February 17 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Tuesday, February 24 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Wednesday, February 25 - Registration for Solo & Ensemble Due (Form and $5)(Required for all Honors Students and open for all grades)

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

Tuesday, March 10 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

March 14-22 - Spring Break 

Tuesday, March 24 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Wednesday, March 25 - Concert Performance Assessment at Southwood Academy of the Arts (Required for 8th Grade Orchestra)

Tuesday, April 21 - 8th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 8th Grade)

Wednesday, April 22 - 7th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 7th Grade)

Thursday, April 23 - 6th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 6th Grade)

Tuesday, April 28 - Spring Concert at 6pm-6th Grade Concert, 6:30pm - 7th and 8th Grade (Required for All Students)

Thursday, April 30 - Rising 6th Grade Rental Meeting from 5-6pm in the Cafeteria

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

Saturday, May TBA - Orchestra Carowinds Trip - Bus leaves at 8am and returns at 7:30pm

Welcome To Northwood Orchestra and guitar 2025-2026!!

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! 

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 2025

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

4 Strings

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