April 6, 2020 - Orchestra Updates

Hi, Orchestra Families!

I hope you are all staying safe and healthy.  So far, so good in the Kurr Household.

1. All orchestra students are successfully in Buzz/Genius now--well done!  Glad to have you all there.

2. The next step is to make sure that you stay on top of all assignments.  There will be few, really, so please make sure to complete them. If there are troubles/issues, let me know.  I cannot help you if I do not know there is a problem.
   

   1. There will be a Weekly Check-In video each week.  Students will be given excerpts to prepare and record for Buzz submission.

   2. Some weeks (including this week) we will meet for quick Zoom sectionals.
      

      1. 15 minutes each

      2. Will usually cover the material for the Weekly Check-In recording

      3. I will provide a Zoom link for each group

      4. If there is some sort of conflict, it is not a big deal: simply let me know ahead of time.

      5. HERE are the general guidelines for Zoom Sectionals

      6. Schedule for this week CO: Vln 1 = R 4/9 1:00pm  Vln 2 = R 4/9 1:30pm  Vla/Vcl = R 4/9 2:00pm Sinf: Vln 1 = W 4/8 1:00pm Vln 2 =  W 4/8 1:30pm Vla =  W 4/8 2:00pm Vcl/DB =  W 4/8 2:30pm SO: Vln 1 = T 4/7 1:00pm Vln 2 =  T 4/7 1:30pm Vla =  T 4/7 2:00pm Vcl/DB =  T 4/7 2:30pm

1. There will be listening and musicianship assignments, and they will be due at the end of the month.

1. THIS FOLDER contains the recordings from the 3/12 Concerto Showcase concert (which just might be the last concert in the PAC until next March…). 

2. The school district is waiting until about May 1 to make a decision about the remainder of the school year and whether or not we will return to the building.  This timeline could be altered if the Governor or President makes overriding proclamations, of course. This timeline also will be for decisions about prom and the graduation ceremony.  And this will all have ramifications on our final orchestra concerts. Just stay tuned!

3. Fine Arts Week 2020 is going online!  INFO here and SUBMISSIONS here.  FAW2020nline is open to students, staff, and families!

4. Ward Brodt is shipping items to homes for free.  Send our representative Rob Smith an email at rsmith@ward-brodt.com if you have needs.  Snark tuner? Music stand?

5. State Solo Not Ensemble is happening online!  THIS DOCUMENT FROM WSMA describes the festival and how it works.  All MHS string students (except for the one person who was slated to perform her solo at McFarland) is set for the STATE stage.  Our school code is 10508. And this is only for solos. Ensembles, done through Zoom or Google Meet or the like, are eligible for Fine Arts Week but not for a WSMA event.

Keep in touch!

SK

March 13, 2020 - Info about MN Trip Cancellation

Dear Music Families of MHS,

We are receiving information and inquiries about the message sent by the music department to cancel the upcoming Minneapolis Music Field trip as it pertains to refunds.  It will take us some time to determine information from the vendors regarding refunds or how we might be able to utilize credit in the future.   Right now, the District's priority is creating plans for continuing instruction due to potential closure as well as creating procedures to handle staff or student exposure to COVID-19.   Trip organizers are going to need time to contact vendors, and the district needs to determine the best way to handle the significant number of refunds that could potentially result. What our nation and community are experiencing is unprecedented.   The situation is rapidly evolving. Either myself or the District Office will reach back out to you and other families in the district whose events have been canceled to share more information on refunds at a later date. 

Respectfully,

Peg Shoemaker

Principal

Ms Peg ShoemakerPrincipal 

Middleton High School

(608) 829-9923 pshoemaker@mcpasd.k12.wi.us

March 12, 2020 - Concert is ON ON ON ON!

The restrictions for gatherings at our schools begin Friday 3/13, so the concert tonight for Sinfonia and Symphony Orchestra is STILL A GO!!  The district administrators have officially given the green light for tonight.  However, in light of the concerns, we will not do the post-concert reception.

SK