Brunswick MS Orchestra Update

Week of November 25th

Orchestra Families,

Happy Thanksgiving! We are in the final stretch of preparation for our Saturday, December 7th performances. Please review the information in the grade level sections below for specific details for your student. Also, please note this performance is a grade for students and an absences will follow the Brunswick Middle School Music Department Concert Attendance Policy. This information can be found in the Orchestra Handbook.

All cello and bass families we need students to bring in their home instruments for the December 7th performance.This also provides Ms. Neubauer and me the opportunity to look over your student's instrument and tune them. You can take the home instrument back after the concert.

If your family has a home instrument, please deliver it to BMS between Monday, Dec 2 to Thursday, December 5th, between 7:45 am - 3:15 PM. Since these instruments are not allowed on the bus, you would need to have your student be a car rider in the morning one day or you can drop off the instrument at the main office any time between 7:45 am and 3:15 pm Monday through Thursday. If you are unable to bring in your student's home instrument, please let me know.

If your student already uses their personal cello for class, there is no need for you to do anything different. Please reach out to Mrs. Erdman if you have any questions.

See the Table of Contents on the right for the sections in this week's newsletter.

Please do not hesitate to contact any teacher if you have questions.

Mrs. Erdman serdman@bcsoh.org

Check out our Orchestra Website

Concert Shirt!

Concert shirts will be given to students during the week of December 2nd in class. If you did not yet order a shirt, please reach out to Mrs. Erdman ASAP!

Orchestra's Century Resources Fundraiser!

Thank you for your support and participation in this fundraiser.

If you know someone with the last name Childress or Dunkley please contact Mrs. Erdman. If there was a concern with your item, please email Mrs. Erdman no later than Tuesday, December 3rd with the details.

Winter Concert Information

6th Grade

The BMS Music Department will be hosting the BMS Music Department Concert Day on Saturday, December 7th. Students will be expected to report 30 minutes prior to their performance time for tuning and warm-up. Students will be able to leave after their performance time. Please remember this performance is part of your student's grade, please see the Orchestra Handbook for any questions.

6th Grade Orchestra should arrive by 2:15 pm for tuning. They will perform at 2:45 pm in the Gym.

Concert Uniform:

Black Brunswick T-Shirt
Dark pants or long dark skirt (no sweatpants or shorts)
Nice shoes (no flip flops, slides, or crocs)

7th Grade

The BMS Music Department will be hosting the BMS Music Department Concert Day on Saturday, December 7th. Students will be expected to report 30 minutes prior to their performance time for tuning and warm-up. Students will be able to leave after their performance time.Please remember this performance is part of your student's grade, please see the Orchestra Handbook for any questions.

7th Grade Orchestra should arrive at 11:45 am for tuning. They will perform 12:15 pm in the PAC.

Concert Uniform:

Black Brunswick T-Shirt
Dark pants or long dark skirt (no sweatpants or shorts)
Nice shoes (no flip flops, slides, or crocs)

8th Grade

The BMS Music Department will be hosting the BMS Music Department Concert Day on Saturday, December 7th. Students will be expected to report 30 minutes prior to their performance time for tuning and warm-up. Students will be able to leave after their performance time.Please remember this performance is part of your student's grade, please see the Orchestra Handbook for any questions.

8th Grade Orchestra should arrive at 10:15 am for tuning. They will perform at 10:45 am in the PAC.

Concert Uniform:

Black Brunswick T-Shirt
Dark pants or long dark skirt (no sweatpants or shorts)
Nice shoes (no flip flops, slides, or crocs)

Orchestra Parent United Support (OPUS)

See information above regarding the Electrify Your Symphony (EYS) kick off meeting on Thursday, November 7th at 7:00pm. We will meet in Brunswick Middle School's Student Center.

Parent Contact Information 2024-2025

If you haven't already, please complete the BMS Orchestra Parent Information Form, found here for the 2024-2025 school year. It is crucial that we have updated parent information to help communicate with you throughout the year.

2024-2025 Brunswick Middle School Orchestra Performance Schedule

Saturday, December 7 BMS Winter Concerts, BMS,

8th Grade - 10:45 am
7th Grade - 12:15 pm
6th Grade - 2:45 pm
*Report 30 minutes before performance listed above for tuning *

Tuesday, February 25

BMS Chamber Music Concert (7th Grade Only), BMS, Schedule TBA

Monday, May 12

Electrify Your Symphony Concert #1 - 7th Grade Only

Tuesday, May 13

Electrify Your Symphony Concert #2 - 6th and 8th Grade Only

Concert dress is dark bottoms (no sweatpants or shorts), a Updated information for 2024-2025 school year will be the Brunswick Orchestra Black T-shirt, look above for how to purchase, and dark shoes (no flip-flops, slides, or crocs) *At the Fall concert students can wear school-appropriate Halloween costumes in place of the traditional uniform.*

BHS= Brunswick High School BMS= Brunswick Middle School

PAC= Performing Arts Center.

Holiday Gift Ideas for your Orchestra Student

Shar Music and Southwest Strings for quality online shops. You may even find some items on Amazon please compare them to an online shop before purchase. You can always stop by our local music stores: Rettig Music and Royalton Music Center. If they do not have the product above in stock they will order it for you!

New Shoulder Rest! Everest offers them in different colors! Please make sure you get in the appropriate size for your student's instrument: Link to colored shoulder rests
Snark Tuner is great for home practice and confirming students are in tune. Check it out here!
Metronome is also helpful for at home practice this keeps a steady beat. Great Option!

An app is also possible, I would recommend Drum Beats+ from the app store for $6.99
Available only in the app store: Click here for the link

Need new Rosin? Do they have a cleaning cloth? Both are great stocking stuffers under $5!
Music stand for home practice is always helpful! Here is a great option.
Does your student have a "green noodle" for their instrument? This humidifier is helpful for the winter months. Link to humidifier
Tickets to a Live Performance: It can be inspiring to see a professional orchestra perform live. Whether you attend a concert from their Classical Series or a movie/summer performance on the lawn at Blossom Music Center the Cleveland Orchestra will not disappoint!

Click here for Cleveland Orchestra ticket information for upcoming performances.
Cleveland Orchestra Lawn Books for Blossom, are a great deal! Check them out here!
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is in town on Friday, December 27th! Click here for tickets!

Private Lessons are a great gift for students who either want a challenge or need more enrichment and practice in orchestra. Click here for a recommended list of private teachers!

8th Grade Families: Has your student been playing on the same strings for years? Do they have an extra set of strings incase one of theirs breaks? It would be a great time to get new or extra set of strings! Again, make sure they are the appropriate size for your student's instrument. Here is a link to our recommended brand.