Newsletter #17 (emailed 3/9)

***Save the Date***
The calendar is up-to-date on our website: www.titanorchestras.com
Thu March 10 - Parent Booster Meeting - all welcome
Wed March 9 - Chamber at Walker, evening
Fri March 11 - Chicago rehearsal 12 - 3pm
Mon March 14 - SPRING CONCERT, 7pm
Thu March 17 - 22 Chicago trip
Thu March 31 - WOU for Symphony/Chamber
Fri April 8 - Band festival run by Orchestra
Sat April 9 - Orchestra festival Symphony/Chamber

Contained within:

1) Concert Monday - details for all...
2) Chicago rehearsal schedule
3) Auditions for next year - for all except seniors
4) Congratulations to Solo participants and winners
5) Titan Violins performing anthem at the assembly
6) Report from Capital Manor performance
7) Talent Contest fundraiser for Lisa Harder March 26

1) Concert Monday - details for all...

The Spring concert is Monday at 7pm in our auditorium featuring all the Titan Orchestra students and our special guests Walker Advanced Orchestra. The concert begins at 7pm. Here is the info for students:

Dress - formal school outfits (black performance shoes, black socks or hose, hair out of the face, tux for men, dress for ladies).

Here are call times for students (there are no sectionals on Monday after school):
5:30 - Cellos on stage
5:40 - Basses on stage
5:50 - Violins on stage
6:00 - Violas on stage
6:10 - Sinfonietta
6:20 - Combined Chicago
6:30 - Chamber
6:40 - Auditorium open to parents

There are no sectionals the rest of the week of March 14. Sectionals resume the week after spring break.


2) Chicago rehearsal schedule
There are 2 last rehearsals for Chicago - Friday 3/11 12-3pm and Tuesday 3/15 4-5pm - attendance is considered mandatory. Excuses will only be accepted for illness (doctor/parent mandated), or advanced clearance. Work schedule, other family activities, and other such excuses will not be considered valid - you fundraised and spent a lot of money to go on this trip and we NEED all the rehearsal time we can get.


3) Auditions for next year - for all except seniors
Here are audition requirements and scheduled times for next year's orchestra members:

Week of March 28
Chamber Orchestra underclassmen - by appointment (lunch or after school)
Sinfonietta - Tuesday March 29 and Thursday March 31
Titan Violins - Violins March 30, Cellos and Bass April 1

Material
For students interested in being in Chamber next year - 3 octave scale of your choice, excerpt from March 14 solo repertoire, excerpt from other solo repertoire of your choosing, sight reading at the audition
For students interested in being in Sinfonietta next year - 2 or 3 octave scale with a shift of your choice, 1 slow vibrato scale, excerpt from March 14 solo repertoire
For students interested in staying in Orchestra (Titan Strings) next year - 2 octave scale of your choice, excerpt from March 14 solo repertoire

4) Congratulations to Solo participants and winners
Thank you to all who participated in the District 4 Solo and Ensemble competition this past Saturday. West was well represented! This contest is open and available to all in the program - I hope more students from Titan Strings and Sinfonietta will consider playing in next year's competition - especially if students are taking private lessons.

Congrats goes to Lauren Culver for winning District 4 viola and to Bronte Loewen-Thomas for winning as an alternate. Lauren, and maybe Bronte, will compete at the State Solo Competition on April 30 at Lewis and Clark College in Portland. Best of luck!!!


5) Titan Violins performing anthem at the assembly
Tomorrow, 11 of the Titan Violins (those who were at school today to hear this announcement and re-work the anthem) will have the opportunity to play the National Anthem before the whole school tomorrow at the Prom assembly. Don't forget to wear your Titan Orchestra shirt in support of the music program!


6) Report from Capital Manor performance
Students from Chamber Orchestra performed a beautiful recital concert for over 60 Capital Manor residents this past week. In attendance was a 101-year-old gentleman who was a junior high school music teacher in Salem years ago. The residents and organizers were pleased and delighted with the concert. Here's an excerpt from the very complimentary letter that was sent to us:

"All of you are remarkable young people and so willing to share your considerable talents... It made us more aware of the process and challenges that go into the making of a polished performance. It is so important for us elders to see evidence, through you and your teacher, of your passion, your acceptance of responsibility and disipline learned by the very nature of music." From Verna Duncan on the evening program committee.

7) Talent Contest fundraiser for Lisa Harder March 26
Saturday March 26 there is a Talent Contest for Lisa Harder and Frida Salinas - to register to compete in this contest, please contact Vanessa Caballero at 503-949-3262 or email cavanessa25@hotmail.com Registration is only $20. Admission is $5. Fees are due Tuesday March 15th. Come enjo great local entertainment, food and raffles!

Thanks for reading all the way down to the end of the newsletter...
~Ms S.