Northwood Middle School Orchestra

Congratulation to the 8th grade orchestra who received an Excellent Rating at Furman University at Concert Performance Assessment on March 7th!!

Carowinds Trip for All Grades Saturday, May 4th, 2024

Click Here for the full information.

Concert Performance Assessment Rehearsals

Any seventh grade students that want to perform with the eighth grade orchestra for this event will need to come to the following morning rehearsals:

Week 1 - Monday and Tuesday - February 12 and 13 - (Violins Only) 

Wednesday - February 14 - (Viola, Celli, and Bass Only)

Week 2 - Tuesday and Wednesday - February 20 and 21 -  (Violins Only) 

Friday - February 23 - (Viola, Celli, and Bass Only)

Week 3 - Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday February 26, 27, and 28 - (Violins Only) 

Friday - March 1 - (Viola, Celli, and Bass Only)

Week 4 - Monday and Tuesday - March 4 and 5 - (All Instruments)

The rehearsals are seventh and eighth grade orchestras combined and are required:

Tuesday, February 27 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Thursday, February 29 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Tuesday, March 5 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Thursday, March 7 - Concert Performance Assessment

Winter Orchestra Concert

Thursday, December 14th at 6pm

In the cafeteria

Our Winter orchestra concert is on Thursday, December 14th at 6pm in the Cafeteria at Northwood Middle School. This concert will feature the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade strings. Students need to arrive by 5:30pm so we can tune and get setup.

The following grades will have an after school rehearsal to help us prepare. These are the rehearsals:

• 7th grade after school rehearsal is Thursday, December 7th from 3:30-4:45pm in the orchestra room.

• 6th grade after school rehearsal is Tuesday, December 12th from 3:30-4:45pm in the orchestra room.

The concert dress is: a white polo shirt or a white dress shirt and black pants or a black skirt for ladies (no jeans), and black shoes (no tennis shoes or sneakers please). Students may wear a Santa or festive  hat if they want. Please let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to seeing everyone at the rehearsals and concert!

Sincerely,

Patrick W. Murch

Fundraiser Turn in is Monday and Tuesday, Oct 30-31st!!!

Fall Concert is Thursday, October 26 at 6pm in the Northwood Cafeteria!!

This concert is for the 7th and 8th grade orchestras only. Students need to arrive by 5:30pm so we can tune and setup. The concert dress is Halloween costume attire. There will be awards given for categories such as: spookiest costume, most creative, etc. Get creative and have fun!!

Our Fall Fundraiser has begun!!

Students received their fundraiser packets yesterday and all the information from Emily's Fundraising. Click here for the full information sheet. The fundraiser ends on Monday, October 30th. Please turn in any money on or before that date.

Anyone that would prefer to do a donation to our orchestra needs instead of fundraising, here is a link to do that, Click here. Good luck and thank you for support the orchestra!!

7th and 8th grade after school rehearsal this Thursday, October 19 from 3:30-4:45pm in the Orchestra Room

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

2023-2024 Orchestra calendar

Semester One

Tuesday, August 8 - First Day of School

Monday, September 11 - Region Orchestra Audition Registration and Money Due (Required for Honors Students)

Saturday, September 16 - Cello Choir at Furman University (Required for Honors Cellists)

Saturday, September 23 - Double Bass Workshop at Governor's School (Required for Honors Bassists)

Saturday, October 7 - Region Orchestra Auditions at League Academy (Required for all Honors Students)

Thursday, October 19 - 7th & 8th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 7th & 8th Grade)

Thursday, October 26 - Fall Concert at 6pm (Required for 7th & 8th Grade)

Friday-Saturday, November 3-4 - Region Orchestra Weekend at Anderson University (Required for Honors Students who are chosen from the audition)

Monday, November 6 - All-County Orchestra Videos Due (Required for all Honors Students)

Thursday, December 7 - 7th & 8th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm

Monday, December 11 - All-State Orchestra Audition Registration (Required if you participated in Region Orchestra)

Tuesday, December 12 - 6th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm

Winter Concert - December 14th at 6pm (Required for All Students)

Semester Two

Saturday, January 6 - All-State Orchestra Auditions at Irmo High School

Friday, January 26 - All-County Orchestra Event at Riverside High School (Required for all Honors Students who auditioned and were chosen)

Saturday, January 27 - Violin/Viola Choir at North Greenville University (Required for all Honors Violinists and Violists)

Thursday, February 15 - Concert Performance Assessment Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm 

Thursday, February 22 - 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, February 27 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Thursday, February 29 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Tuesday, March 5 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Thursday, March 7 - Concert Performance Assessment (Required for 7th & 8th Grade)

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

March 18-22 - Spring Break 

Friday, April 26 - Solo & Ensemble at Riverside High School (Required for all Honors Students and open for all grades)

Tuesday, May 7 - 7th & 8th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm

Thursday, May 9 - 6th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm

Spring Concert - May 16th at 6pm (Required for All Students)