DHS Orchestras Newsletter

Welcome to Spring Orchestra at DHS! This is sometimes a time of greater stress for the students. Many are busy preparing for AP/IB Tests alongside their music preparation. Seniors are (hopefully not) starting to check out. Concert orchestra has placement auditions to be concerned with. Chamber is preparing "the biggie" to perform with the symphonic band students. The boosters are busy preparing for spring concerts and events as well. I hope spring break was restful because here we go!

DHS Concert Orchestra students are in the midst of preparing their placement auditions. Note - All Concert students will be participating, even seniors and students not enrolled next year. This is a graded audition. Here are the details:

Auditions will be held on Monday April 27th and Tuesday April 28th during school. Students will receive a schedule next week so they know their time slot. Auditions consist of:

A) 3 - 3 octave scales that we have been working on in class.

B) A chair test spot to be assigned this week

C) 2 minutes of a solo of their choosing. Students not enrolled for next year do not need to prepare a solo.

I am available for free private lessons to help any student prepare. Just email me. I'm excited to hear each student and see the growth in their playing that has occurred this school year!

The Detroit Symphony is performing Dvorak's timeless New World Symphony this season. I mention it because it is an incredible piece and because chamber orchestra students are currently learning the first movement for the spring concert. Tickets are pretty reasonable, starting at $20.95! Here's a link if you are interested:

https://www.dso.org/events-and-tickets/events/25-26-spring/dvoraks-new-world-symphony

Concert dates are Thursday April 30, Friday May 1 and Saturday May 2. If you come on Saturday, keep an eye out for me and my family and be sure to say hi if you see us!

Happy Spring, orchestra families!

The Boosters loved hosting the high school waffle breakfast after the All Orchestra Concert—thank you to Suzann Flowers and Michelle Schnurstein for the photos, and to all of our wonderful volunteers who brought goodies, cooked, and served our hungry musicians! A couple photos are below.

We’re also excited to host a movie afternoon/evening on April 20 for our Creekside and Mill Creek orchestra students, which will be a fun chance to connect outside the orchestra room.

2026–2027 DOB Officer Elections

This is the time of year when Boosters begin planning for next year’s leadership. We’ll present the Executive Board slate at our April 16th meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Mill Creek orchestra room, and voting will take place at our May 14th meeting. Barring any last-minute nominations, the slate is:

• President: Sarah Hannich
• Vice President: OPEN
• Treasurer: Bethany Mohr
• Assistant Treasurer: OPEN
• Secretary: Addie Weaver

We also have several committee chairs open and would love new volunteers. Training is provided, and this is a great way to get involved and support our directors and students:

• Uniforms Chair
• Uniforms Co-Chair
• DHS Rep
• Creekside Rep

Interested? Email us at dexterorchestraboosters@gmail.org for more information.

Senior Recognition

This month we’ll begin celebrating our graduating seniors on social media. Seniors will receive a Google Form to share memories, future plans, and a senior photo, and our student reps will help ensure everyone is included.

We’re also creating a senior slideshow for the spring concert and invite senior families to share orchestra memories from over the years—concerts, trips, S&E, summer camps, lessons, section Halloween costumes, bonding events, candids, etc.

Share photos here:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Fm_-pVWIvsx4duTj3RPmTNFjxDuBiUAN?usp=sharing

Thank you for your continued support of the Dexter orchestra program. We look forward to seeing you at a concert soon!

Melanie McIntyre :)