Murphy MS Orchestra
Check out the 2020-2021 Calendar!
Class Placement Update
MMSO families:
Now that auditions are mostly in, we are working to place students into a class for next year.
It is difficult in that these last 2 months of school are usually an opportunity to elevate at lightning speed. With concerts, festivals, competitions, and lots of music students are able to get a glimpse into what "Orchestra" is like once the months of preparation are handing us the rewards.
We have enjoyed seeing the videos of the MMSO playing, but you do not always get the full impact when you are alone in your musical adventure. Orchestra is truly a team building effort. The best thing about Orchestra is the ability to surround yourself with other students who operate at high levels, look for a challenge, and involve ourselves in many activities. Orchestra constructs the rest of your daily schedule aligned with other students with your scheduling ambitions. This is my #1 wish for you! Stay involved in something. Something with good and motivated students.
Now, for next year! Your audition assignment helps me to understand your ambition. Your solo, concerts, practice and other major playing opportunities in this past year will combine to decide your class for next year.
A successful middle school Orchestra experience is one that gives you the opportunity to be a contributing member of your High School Orchestra.
Every class is vertically aligned to meet your needs to have the experience and technical skills to smooth into High School Orchestra with confidence. Each middle school student has individual needs. Each class is designed to meet the needs of the student in that class. From technique, to vibrato, to shifting, to repertoire, each class is planned to meet the student's needs.
The most difficult situation is to place a student in a class that is at too high of an expected level. Throughout the year, if a student feels that the class is moving too fast, we can work to move the class schedule to better meet a students needs. Similarly, if a student starts out the year (beginning with All Region Orchestra auditions) flying at a speed that requires a class change to a high level, then we will review with the counselors a possible schedule change. Please know that I use everything I know about each student to carefully place the classes. If playing the instrument is at all affected by what class you are in, that becomes the first focus to work through before you are ready to move faster.
I look forward to getting all of the classes together in the fall and begin our adventure through competition, fun, team-building, motivation, and ultimately a wonderful appreciation of the doors that are opened through your involvement in music. This is a part of your future. As big as you wish. I am thrilled to be a part of your journey.
In your gradebook on Wednesday you will see a grade for "Placement".
This number will NOT be calculated in your final assessment. This is just a communication for your assigned class for 2020-2021.
Blank = not signed up
0 beginning
1 Sinfonia
2 Symphony
3 Philharmonic
4 Chamber
If you are NOT currently scheduled in orchestra, but you wish to discuss options to continue playing, send an email to brian.henson@pisd.edu and I will help. If this is done after June, placement is subject to availability.
Have a great summer!
Be safe, Play Lots!
Looking forward to a big Return!
Thank You,
Brian.Henson@pisd.edu
SUMMER!
Play daily
USE THE MIRROR :)
Use smartmusic, as our free trial will most likely end soon
If you need help, I am here to help you.
thank you
brian.henson@pisd.edu
MMSO families:
Now that auditions are mostly in, we are working to place students into a class for next year.
It is difficult in that these last 2 months of school are usually an opportunity to elevate at lightning speed. With concerts, festivals, competitions, and lots of music students are able to get a glimpse into what "Orchestra" is like once the months of preparation are handing us the rewards.
We have enjoyed seeing the videos of the MMSO playing, but you do not always get the full impact when you are alone in your musical adventure. Orchestra is truly a team building effort. The best thing about Orchestra is the ability to surround yourself with other students who operate at high levels, look for a challenge, and involve ourselves in many activities. Orchestra constructs the rest of your daily schedule aligned with other students with your scheduling ambitions. This is my #1 wish for you! Stay involved in something. Something with good and motivated students.
Now, for next year! Your audition assignment helps me to understand your ambition. Your solo, concerts, practice and other major playing opportunities in this past year will combine to decide your class for next year.
A successful middle school Orchestra experience is one that gives you the opportunity to be a contributing member of your High School Orchestra.
Every class is vertically aligned to meet your needs to have the experience and technical skills to smooth into High School Orchestra with confidence. Each middle school student has individual needs. Each class is designed to meet the needs of the student in that class. From technique, to vibrato, to shifting, to repertoire, each class is planned to meet the student's needs.
The most difficult situation is to place a student in a class that is at too high of an expected level. Throughout the year, if a student feels that the class is moving too fast, we can work to move the class schedule to better meet a students needs. Similarly, if a student starts out the year (beginning with All Region Orchestra auditions) flying at a speed that requires a class change to a high level, then we will review with the counselors a possible schedule change. Please know that I use everything I know about each student to carefully place the classes. If playing the instrument is at all affected by what class you are in, that becomes the first focus to work through before you are ready to move faster.
I look forward to getting all of the classes together in the fall and begin our adventure through competition, fun, team-building, motivation, and ultimately a wonderful appreciation of the doors that are opened through your involvement in music. This is a part of your future. As big as you wish. I am thrilled to be a part of your journey.
In your gradebook on Wednesday you will see a grade for "Placement".
This number will NOT be calculated in your final assessment. This is just a communication for your assigned class for 2020-2021.
Blank = not signed up
0 beginning
1 Sinfonia
2 Symphony
3 Philharmonic
4 Chamber
If you are NOT currently scheduled in orchestra, but you wish to discuss options to continue playing, send an email to brian.henson@pisd.edu and I will help. If this is done after June, placement is subject to availability.
Have a great summer!
Be safe, Play Lots!
Looking forward to a big Return!
Thank You,
Brian.Henson@pisd.edu
SUMMER!
Play daily
USE THE MIRROR :)
Use smartmusic, as our free trial will most likely end soon
If you need help, I am here to help you.
thank you
brian.henson@pisd.edu
see the MMSO Summer Music PlayList
Welcome to our new Orchestra Families.
If 2020-2021 will be your first year playing a string instrument(which is 95% of students) just enjoy the summer and know that we are hard at work to make your transition to MS and to Orchestra super smooth.
New student meetings:
PISD issues a statement this week that we are not ready to make definitive summer plans and regulations.
On the side of safety, we will need to see how (probably) June reacts to our current practices before we plan to meet in July.
If 2020-2021 will be your first year playing a string instrument(which is 95% of students) just enjoy the summer and know that we are hard at work to make your transition to MS and to Orchestra super smooth.
New student meetings:
PISD issues a statement this week that we are not ready to make definitive summer plans and regulations.
On the side of safety, we will need to see how (probably) June reacts to our current practices before we plan to meet in July.
Be sure you are seeing daily instrument playing at home.
A local music store will give you a quality instrument. They are accountable.
Be sure to let them know you are from Murphy MS.
Internet purchased instruments are not a good idea.
If you cannot return it without penalty, do not purchase!
Feel free to contact Orchestra directors anytime.
Be sure to let them know you are from Murphy MS.
Internet purchased instruments are not a good idea.
If you cannot return it without penalty, do not purchase!
Feel free to contact Orchestra directors anytime.
Etudes! print & play
Links needed now
Photo used under Creative Commons from Carl Campbell
