Adv Orchestra - Krijnen - 3(A)-3(A) Assignments

Please record yourself playing the ENTIRE Pirates of the Caribbean in well lit area and upload your video to this assignment. 

*Make sure you are recording in a quiet space
*Make sure the camera can see both of your hands
*Tune your open strings carefully before starting. 
*Warm-up before recording
*Check intonation with a tuner
*Check your rhythm with a metronome
*Slow and careful WINS the race

Ask me if you have any questions or need help with the rhythm

Hello 8th grade students - please see the attached document with the musical excerpts, scales and a calendar to schedule your in-person audition with Mr. G

Please send all questions to Mr. G:   [email protected]

Hello Music Families,
It’s time to return the formal attire borrowed for this year’s music program. If you purchased your attire, there is no need to return it unless you wish to donate it to the program.

All borrowed uniforms must be washed at home before being returned. All items can be cleaned at home—no dry cleaning necessary—as long as the instructions below are followed carefully.

Important: Before washing, please remove any temporary hems or alterations made to fit your student. ​All hemming stitches must be removed before returning the uniform.

Uniforms are due to your child’s music teacher by Friday, April 3 in its assigned garment bag with hangers.

Please let us know if you have any questions!
Band/Orchestra Blouse and Skirt

Wash separately (do not mix with other clothes)
Use gentle cycle with cold water
Do not use bleach
Tumble dry on medium-high heat for 10–15 minutes
Remove while still damp and hang on a plastic hanger to air dry — should dry wrinkle-free
Do not iron
White Shirt (Choir/Band/Orchestra)

Machine wash in warm water
Tumble dry
Hang immediately after drying to reduce wrinkles
Black Pants (Choir/Band/Orchestra)
Wash separately (do not mix with other clothes) 
Use gentle cycle with cold water
Do not use bleach
Hang to air dry on a plastic hanger — do not tumble dry

Hello Orchestra Students,

It is time to prepare for our Advanced Orchestra or Chamber Strings auditions. It is challenging to skip an entire level of orchestra OR make it into chamber strings so know that it will take a lot of time and hard work to make it happen. 
Also, many of you that will attempt the audition will not make it. That is 100% ok. The worst part is that you are going to get a whole lot better on your instrument.

**Practice does not = perfect, but it does = permanent, so make sure to practice carefully and pay close attention to the details in the music. Check the key signature and mark your part just like we do in rehearsal to help you be efficient with your time.

**When practicing, always start slow. Be sure to practice the correct rhythms, fingerings and bowing right away because these small details make a BIG difference. 
**Ask for help and come see me during flex.
**Listen to the videos below and pay close attention to the tone, bowing, rhythm and intonation. 
**Also, try using a metronome at home to help you with keeping a steady beat. Use a tuner for excellent intonation. 
After this, work up small sections until you are happy with your "performance' tempo. 
**If you are interested in taking private lessons, I also added a list below. Just know that every teacher has varying experience, rates and ways of teaching private lessons. (For example, some teachers have students come to their homes and other teachers drive to the students' house.) 

Below I attached a soft copy of the music and YouTube videos for each audition piece. Please use as many resources as possible when preparing auditioning. 

Advanced Audition Music:
  Violin - Gavotte by Martini
  Viola - Minuet No. 3 by Bach
  Cello - Minuet No. 3 by Bach
  Bass - Minuet No. 2 by Bach

Chamber Audition Music:
  Violin - Concerto in A minor (1st mvt) by Vivaldi arr. by Nachez
  Viola - Concerto in D minor by Vivaldi
  Cello - Sonata in C Major by Breval
  Bass - Goblin's Dance by Lyons

Hello kids - 

You have worked hard and it is time to celebrate! 

Trojan A, Advanced and Intermediate 

Mega Orchestra Concert - Wednesday, March 11th

I am super excited to celebrate our growing string community from 6th-12th grade! WAHOO! 

Things to Remember: 
*Remember to pickup your instrument and music before heading home on concert day
*Formal Attire including black dress shoes
*Be sure to leave plenty of time to get the church on time. Feel free to arrive up to 10 minutes early
*Map of Venture Church attached below
*Students will not be allowed to be on their phones during the concert
*Concert is worth 200 points - if you have to miss the concert be sure to fill out the performance conflict form (attached below) as well as create 4 separate videos of each of our performing pieces. I will use the playing quiz rubric to grade the videos. 
*Baked Goods - be sure to bring some cash to celebrate following the concert
NO FOOD IN THE CONCERT HALL

**Rehearsal Schedule**
3:25pm Chamber Strings Arrives
3:40pm Chamber Strings Rehearsal
3:45pm Advanced Orchestra Arrives 
4:05pm Advanced Orchestra Rehearsal (chamber pizza)
4:15pm LGHS Arrive
4:30pm LGHS On-off stage (Advanced pizza)
4:40pm Intermediate Orchestra Arrives
5:00pm Intermediate Rehearsal (LGHS Pizza)
5:00pm Trojan Arrive
5:20pm Trojan Rehearsal 
5:30pm All Students are in performance space w/ instrument
5:40-6:10 Combined Rehearsal
6:20pm Doors Open to audience (Trojan on stage)
6:30pm Concert Begins

**Concert Schedule** 
6:30pm Trojan Strings with LGHS Chamber Leaders
6:45pm Intermediate Orchestra 
7:00pm Advanced Orchestra 
7:15pm Chamber Strings
7:30pm LGHS Orchestra
7:45pm LGHS Philharmonic 
8:00pm LGHS Chamber Strings
8:15pm GRAND FINALE - EVERYONE

Several kids asked for this :)

Hi kids - for the students who are going to Disneyland, you need to communicate to your teachers and figure out what work you will be missing asap. 


**All work/projects, etc. need to be turned in BEFORE we leave**

You only have 8 school days left! (plus MEGA concert in there as well)


Since the end of quarter 3 is the Friday that we leave, it is important that you have your work completed so that the teachers have plenty of time to grade everything. 

Come see me if you have questions.

Hello Everyone,

This week I will be passing out hardcopies of "2025-2026 Medication Authorization Form" and the "Allergy Action Plan".

Your parents need to fill out a separate paper for EACH of the medications you will be authorized to take on the trip.  For example, if you want to be able to take Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Zyrtec, Claritin, Benadryl, etc. your parents have to fill out the form for each medication. 

If your parents do not complete the form, the adults on the trip are not allowed to give you any medication. 

Please turn in your signed Disneyland contract to the substitute on Thursday or Friday this week. 
I left a few extras behind the white board. 

Email me if you have any questions. 

Thanks!

Hey Kids - Let me introduce Syncopation :)

Please turn in your signed Disneyland contract to the substitute on Thursday or Friday this week. 
I left a few extras behind the white board. 

Email me if you have any questions. 

Thanks!

If you haven't done this yet, please fill out the form below. 

See you tomorrow

Hello Everyone,

Remember that this is an optional performance. 

You must make time to rehearse with your group this week AND I need to hear everyone to make sure you are "performance ready".  If you cannot play through your piece without stopping, you are not ready. The notes, rhythm and intonation should be correct. You also need to know how you are starting and stopping the music together.  Who is going to announce the musicians in your group and the piece that you are playing? Have you practiced bowing together?
 
Here are the available times this coming week:
*Wednesday, Jan21st afterschool for 45 minutes
*Thursday, Jan 22nd  during flex
*Friday, Jan 23rd during flex
(It is also ok to rehearse during ALL three practice times)

Fisher's Cabaret Concert:* January 29th @6pm in the Fisher MPR
* Students can dress up or wear their black music t-shirt
* Students should arrive at least 20 minutes before the performance to tune, warm-up and hopefully play through their piece at least once before heading over.
* No tickets needed

Hello Advanced and Chamber Students,

Attached is a quick questioner that EVERYONE must complete if you are attending the  Disney Trip. 

Remember when picking a t-shirt size to usually go slightly larger than you think since they tend to shrink a bit in the wash. 

Hello Students,

Your final Disneyland payment is due this coming Friday, Jan 16th. 
I will be passing out a flier during class this week indicating how much your family owes for the final payment. 

**Please be careful to not overpay b/c it is difficult to reimburse money back to families** 

Let Mr. Miller or myself know if you have any questions. 

Hello Advanced and Chamber Students,

I know the music feels a bit challenging to pull together in such a short amount of time—especially since we lost some rehearsal time with our Disneyland discussions and ensemble picture day.

With that in mind, I’d like to host a for our , as well as who would like to join us. (Chamber - everyone will play)


The 8th grade festival is , the day after we return from our 3-day weekend. We will be on an , so please remember to bring your instrument.

I’ll pass out flex passes during .

Thanks, and I appreciate all your hard work!

8th Grade Night on Tuesday, Jan 20th

We've got this!!

Next week we will be deciding Disney our room assignments. YAY!!


 - 5 Students per room (2 queen beds and a pull-out couch)
 - We are going to try to keep our orchestra kids together, but we may have to create a room or two with mixed groups. 
 - ONLY 1 person will fill out the form
 - Remember that the room assignments are subject to change if a student gets sick or unforeseen circumstances occur

Let me know if you have any questions before you sign up

Hey Kids! This piece is going to take some home practice. Our concert is on Jan 20th...you have 12 days to learn this!

START PRACTICING! :)

From LGHS Music Teachers: 



Hello 8th Grade Orchestra Families!

This coming Tuesday, January 20th is our Los Gatos Music Festival where our Orchestra ensembles work with the incoming 9th graders and perform.  The High School ensembles include Chamber, Strings, and Philharmonic Orchestra.  All 8th-grade parents are invited to our 8th Grade Parent Music Information Session with LGHS Music Boosters at 6:15 pm in the Choir Room.  After the meeting, you will get to see the final performance at 7 pm!

Please see the attached campus map with the highlighted areas for the events.

Attire
LGHS Orchestra students should dress comfortably by wearing khaki pants or jeans and casual shoes with their LGHS Music Shirt. 
Incoming 8th graders should wear their Music or Black shirt.
Schedule for the day:

3:30 pm - Arrival Time - LGHS Music Building 
3:45 pm - Rehearsal/Team Building
6 pm-6:30 pm - Pizza Dinner for students
6:15 pm  - Music Booster Presentation (Parents Only) in the Choir Room
6:30 pm - Move to Gym and get ready to perform
6:45 pm - Gym open for Friends and Families to get seats

7:00 pm-730 pm - Orchestra  Performance (LGHS Gym) - All friends and families are encouraged to Attend!
7:30 pm - Clean up 
8:00 pm - Dismissed

Dear Music Families,

We hope you had a relaxing and rejuvenating break, and we wish you a Happy New Year!

We will have a photographer on campus on  to take formal class photos for each music ensemble. Since some classes are split between two periods,  will take their photos . If your child is in one of these groups, they will need to remain at school until 2:15 PM.

Photo Schedule

8:30–9:10 – Symphonic Band
9:14–9:54 – Trojan Choir
10:08–10:46 – Cambiata Choir, Advanced Orchestra
10:52–11:32 – Bel Canto Choir, Chamber Orchestra
12:08–12:46 – Intermediate Orchestra


1:30–2:15 – Trojan Band, Trojan Strings, Concert Band
What Students Need to Bring on Wednesday
:
Black pants and white button-down shirt or
Black skirt and black blouse or
Black dress
Black dress shoes and black socks
Instrument (band and orchestra)
All clothing items in a (drop off at your music classroom in the morning)
Students should wear pants/shorts and an undershirt to school to allow for quick changingSymphonic Band students should  and bring a change of clothes to wear after photos.

We realize this is short notice and appreciate your support in helping your child prepare for photo day. Photo orders may be placed the following week using the directions on the attached flyer.

Please sign up as soon as possible. 


IF you need a little more time, please email me directly.

Thanks,
Mrs. K

Please bring something to share with your classmates. 

Individually wrapped items are great such as chip bags, juice boxes, cookies, etc. 
Homemade items are also welcome, but please include a full list of ingredients on a notecard. 
Plates and cups are also very helpful!

Hello Advanced Orchestra,

* Winter concert is on December 17th from 6-7pm
* Arrive at 5:30pm in the orchestra room to tune and warm-up 
* Wear Formal Attire including black dress shoes and black socks or stockings if needed. 
* Holiday Flare is welcomed. 
* Concert is worth 200 points, please turn in "Performance Conflict Form" attached below if you will be missing the concert. 

Here are of the December music concerts for all ensembles: 
 – Winter Concert: Trojan Band, Trojan Choir, Trojan Strings
 – Winter Concert: Cambiata Choir, Concert Band, Intermediate Strings
 – Winter Concert: Bel Canto, Symphonic Band, Advanced Strings
 – Winter Concert: Encore, Jazz Band, Chamber Strings

Please bring ribbon and bows to decorate your instrument 

1. Listen to the recording
2. Pizzicato along with the recording
3. Play with the recording


Happy Practicing! 

This video is for you to listen to and practice with at home. 

Please find a quiet space to air bow, pizzicato and play with your bow. 

*Remember that you can slow down the speed by clicking on the cog in the lower right-hand corner. 

Hello Advanced Students -

Each student will be playing in class their F major Scale 2x each note. 

Be sure to practice slowly and with a tuner to help with your intonation. 

Criteria: 
1. Excellent Posture
2. consistent and Tone
3. Steady pulse
4. AND VERY IMPORTANT intonation!  Practice using a tuner. I have added a free version to this assignment called, tuner Ninja. 

You can also use the tuners at school when we are warming up or have down time.

Congratulations to Tara Shamain from our Advanced orchestra class for the winning design!!! 

Please see the link below to make your order. For the first time, students may chose from two styles of t-shirts, a sweatshirt and/or a hoodie. 

All orders are due Wednesday, Nov 19th and will be delivered directly to your home. 

**This is the only time to order this wonderful design**

House of Hope Food Drive 11/3/25 - 11/13/25

Hello Fisher Families, 

We’re excited to partner with  for our annual  This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to practice kindness, gratitude, and generosity while helping families in need right here in our community.


Please send in  with your child. Donations can be dropped off  now through . We will collect all food Thursday morning during 1st period, so please have all donations in by then!  

Thank you for supporting this meaningful cause and helping us show that even small acts of giving can have a big impact. Every can and box makes a difference!

Parents don't want to cook Dinner?? PERFECT!!!

Invite your parents to join us in our Panda Express Music Fundraiser. 
28% of proceeds go directly back to our music programs! :)

https://www.pandaexpress.com

**Online orders only - Apply code: 9008625 

Sorry everyone! This week is a bit complicated with the Veteran's day celebration and me being gone on Thursday and Friday

....instead please create a video of you playing this at home and it is due this coming Thursday, Nov 6th. 

Please let me know if you need help.

Mrs. K

As requested by a few students :)

Pick up your instrument/music and be in your seat in the gym at 7:45 am.  (Leave everything else in the orchestra room)



 – Students pick up their instrument and music, then head to the gym and find their spot.
(Please remind your student to bring their music binder and home cello if needed.)
 – Tuning and warm-up
 – Backwards line-up practice on the bleachers
 – Veterans Day Celebration performance

Students should arrive at school dressed in , including . (Be sure to have your formal ​attire hemmed before the performance)
After the performance, students will change into their  for the remainder of the day. Please ensure your student brings a  to store their concert attire and personal items.

Following the assembly, all the music students will change their clothes in the music wing:  
Girls will change in B1 (orchestra room) 
Boys will change in B3 (choir room)

**Wednesday, Nov 5th Bell Schedule below 

You may leave your orchestra uniform in the orchestra room, but please pick it up at the end of the day.

Please ask your parents to check their Parent-Square notifications from Corey Miller

Combined Chamber and Advanced Orchestras. 

Come prepared to not sit in your regular spot and many of the violins/violas will be standing. 

Find your instrument & music, get into your section (violin/viola/cello/bass), the rest will fall into place :)

Dear Orchestra Students,

This is what I sent to your parents: 

We are excited to invite you to our Fall Concert on Wednesday, October 15th at Fisher Middle School in the quad. This will be an outdoor, informal performance where students can share what they have learned during the first quarter and celebrate their accomplishments with family and friends.
There will be three back-to-back concerts, and each student is only required to attend their own group’s performance. Of course, you are more than welcome to stay for the entire event (3:30–6:45 pm). Food trucks will be on campus, so feel free to grab dinner and enjoy the music!
Performance Schedule
3:30–4:30 pm – Trojan Strings, Trojan Band, Trojan Choir
4:30–5:30 pm – Intermediate Orchestra, Intermediate Band, ​Cambiata Choir
5:30–6:45 pm – Advanced Orchestra, Chamber Strings, Advanced Band, Bel Canto Choir
What to Bring If you plan to sit and watch, please bring lawn chairs. Hats, sunglasses, and umbrellas are welcome, as we will be in full sun. If you use an umbrella, please be mindful not to block others’ view. Tents will be provided to shade the performing students.
Concert Attire Students should wear their black music t-shirt on top and either shorts or pants on the bottom. Tennis shoes and white socks are perfect for this informal outdoor performance.Attendance Reminder If your student will be unable to attend, please complete the attached Performance Conflict Form. Each concert is worth 200 points. Students who miss the performance will need to record themselves playing each piece individually and will be graded using our playing quiz rubric.

Hello Advanced violin students - 

For any violinist that want more of a challenge, if you would like to play the 1st violin part at the Veteran's day performance, I would like to hear you record it at home. 

Be sure to pay special attention to the key signature and accidentals along the way. 

Orchestra students - your Sweatshirt design submissions are due Tuesday, Oct 7th 

*Submission should be on plain white paper
*Landscape version ONLY

*Should include "RJF Orchestra" or "Raymond Fisher Middle School" as well as the year, "2025-26"
*Must be school appropriate
*You can also create your design using a computer
*put your name on the back in pencil

When you finish your design be sure to be sure to use black sharpie to outline and fill in the design for clean edges and contrast.

Let me know if you have any questions. 
Mrs. K

I loved the idea of auditioning for the solo parts in Momentum. 

Please submit a short video of the following section 53-82 and upload the video to this assignment. 

I'll build a new seating chart off of the results. 

*Be sure the video can see your posture including both right and left hands. 

Let me know if you have any questions. 

The Disneyland Registration form will be coming out via Parentsquare from Mr Corey Miller this coming Friday, Sept 5th. 

**Registration and 1st Deposit DUE: Friday, September 19th

If your parents missed the information meeting tonight (9/3), be sure to have them watch the recorded video before registering. The video will be found in Parentsquare from Mr. Corey Miller 


 . As part of this trip, students will:

Participate in a 
Take part in a 
Record in a , with their performance set to a real Disney movie

Please fill out the Google Form below. 

Let me know if you have any questions.

Hello orchestra students,

Please remind your busy parents to compete the formal concert attire agreement in Parentsquare by this coming Friday, Sept 3rd. 

All parents must fill out the form so that we know if you are planning to purchase or borrow the formal uniform for our concerts. 

Parents also need to sign up their child for a time slot on one of the following dates to be sized and pick up their concert attire. 

Fitting Times
 – 7th & 8th Grade students only
 – All students
 – All students
**Remind your parents to find both of these notifications in Parentsquare from Corey Miller

*Tune carefully
*Check your scale with a tuner before recording
*Use excellent posture
*Use full tone/straight bow
*Make sure you are recording in a quiet space
*The camera should be pointed at both hands
*Tempo should be around 90-100 BPM (beats per min)
*2x each note
*Eat Crepes before with strawberries because it will make you happier (unless you are allergic)

Hello Chamber and Advanced Orchestra Students - 

Please remind your parents to attend this important meeting via google meets. Parents ONLY thank you! 
More information below...



You are receiving this email because your student is enrolled in one of the following classes: 

This year, we have an exciting opportunity for our top two ensembles from each strand to travel to . As part of this trip, students will:

Participate in a 
Take part in a 
Record in a , with their performance set to a real Disney movie
The total cost of the trip is still being finalized with our travel agent, and the trip is 

We invite you to attend an , where we will share more concrete details.

👉 Disney Parent Meeting
Wednesday, September 3 · 6:00 – 7:00pm
Time zone: America/Los_Angeles
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/njo-otcs-tgg
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 801-446-2931‬ PIN: ‪860 980 436‬#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/njo-otcs-tgg?pin=3889919750306

Hello Advanced Orchestra,

I had so much fun looking at your slides last spring, I decided to do something similar...

Please create a unique personal slide sharing a bit about yourself. 

Criteria: 
1. Must include Name
2. At least 3 pictures, emojis, whatever that represent something about YOU
3. At least 1 item that tells us something about your summer
4. At least 2 audio links to your favorite song/pieces (Be sure the song lyrics and images are school appropriate)
5. One thing that you are excited about for this school year

**DO NOT add or delete anything from another students' slide**