As Cobb County Schools are closed until further notice, we will be utilizing Google Classroom for orchestra class assignments. Every student has been given information on signing up for Google Classroom at the beginning of the semester. Students have already been using the platform to turn in assignments prior to the school closure. Information on how to sign up for each orchestra’s Google Classroom has been sent via the weekly emails. If you have any questions regarding the assignments or how to sign up for Google Classroom, please contact Mr. Mori at: koji.mori@cobbk12.org
We hope that all families stay safe and healthy throughout this pandemic. Any updates regarding our current status as a school and district can be found here: Cobb Cornovirus Guidelines.
The Harrison Orchestra 2020 Chicago Tour has been Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Cobb County School District, All field trips have been cancelled for the remainder of the school year. We are working with our travel company, Music Travel Consultants (MTC) who are contacting all of our vendors and working on a refund. As more information is received, we will be contacting you via email regarding the process.
All Harrison Orchestra students will be traveling to North Cobb High School for the annual Large Group Performance Evaluations. Parents are welcome to attend the performances which will take place in the Performing Arts Center of North Cobb High School.
Performance Times:
March 2 at 7:00pm – Chamber Orchestra LGPE March 4 at 10:00am – Classic Orchestra LGPE March 4 at 5:30pm – Philharmonia Orchestra LGPE
Permission Forms:
Each orchestra student will need to turn in a signed permission for LGPE. Download Permission Forms below:
The Pre-LGPE Concert will be on Tuesday February 25 and will begin at 7:00pm. All orchestras will be performing their Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) program as we make preparations for the annual adjudicated GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations.
5:30pmConcert Orchestra: Report to Orchestra Room in Uniform
6:00pm Classic Orchestra: Report to Orchestra Room in Uniform
6:15pm Chamber Orchestra: Report to Orchestra Room in Uniform
WINTER EXTRAVAGANZA WILL BEGIN AT 7PM. SEE THE LIVE-STREAM BROADCAST HERE:
The Winter Extravaganza Concert is a collaboration concert with the band, chorus, orchestra, and theater programs. In addition, the Art Department will have an Art Display as you enter the concert venue in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center. Performances will include a mix of well-known carols and holiday standards.
Winter Extravaganza Concert – Tuesday December 10, 2019
Location: Harrison Performing Arts Center
Call Time: 4:00pm All Orchestras: Sound Check in PAC (Get dinner afterwards on your own and return by 6:30pm dressed and meet in cafeteria) 6:30-7:00pm Art Gallery in the Gym Lobby 7:00pm Concert Begins
Winter Extravaganza Rehearsal – Monday December 9, 2019
Location: Band Room Monday, 12/9 from 4-6pm: Dress rehearsal with band and chorus
All students are expected to attend this rehearsal. Due to late notice, if a student has a work/doctor/etc. conflict, they will be excused but must contact Mr. Mori via email (Koji.mori@cobbk12.org). This is our only opportunity to combine with the chorus and percussion students! The rehearsal for each class should last no longer than thirty minutes. Rehearsal times for each class are as follows:
3:45-4:30pmFreshman Philharmonic Rehearsal with Band and Choir 4:30-5:00pmClassic Orchestra Rehearsal with Band and Choir 5:00-6:00pm Chamber Orchestra Rehearsal with Band and Choir
TICKET SALES:
All tickets for this concert are $10, regardless of age. Due to very limited seating in the Harrison Performing Arts Center, tickets will be sold online at the link below. The link will go live at 8AM on Friday, December 6th! This concert has sold out almost every year in larger venues, so get your tickets as soon as possible if you want to ensure your ability to attend! For reference, there are roughly 465 students participating in this concert, and about 730 available seats in the theatre. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
The Winter Orchestra Concert is on December 5, in the Harrison Performing Arts Center and will begin at 7:00pm for family, friends, and fans to enjoy. All orchestra students will have the following call times:
Freshman Philharmonic – 5:30pm Call Time Classic – 6:00pm Call Time Chamber – 6:15pm Call Time
Students should eat dinner before arriving at Harrison.
For more logistical details, please see the Performance Guidelines below:
The Mark Wood Clinic and Concert will be on Friday November 1st and Saturday November 2nd. Mark Wood is an Emmy Award winning composer and a founding member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (About Mark Wood). This concert will be a great experience with the collaboration of the Harrison, Allatoona, and Hillgrove High School Orchestra programs. Our set list includes titles by the Beatles, ACDC, Journey, Kansas, Ozzy and others.
Here is the schedule for the 2 day event:
Friday, November 1 10:00AM – Students will be dismissed from class and report to orchestra 10:30AM – 11:00AM – Lunch in Cafeteria (Provided as part of the clinic) 11:30AM – 5:00PM – Rehearsal in the Harrison Performing Arts Center (PAC) 5:15PM – Students are picked up by parents
Saturday, November 2 2:30PM – Students arrive at Harrison 3:00PM – 6:00PM – Rehearsal with Mark Wood in the Harrison PAC 6:00PM – 7:00PM – Dinner in Cafeteria (Provided as part of the clinic) and Change for the concert. 7:00PM – Students on stage for warm-up and sound check. 7:30PM – Concert –
Mark Wood has graciously donated an electric violin to be raffled as a fundraiser for our orchestra programs. Raffle tickets will be sold at the concert for $10 each. Cash Only.
We are still in need of volunteers to help with Friday and Saturday. Please sign up to volunteer if you are able to help us out here:
We look forward to seeing you at the performance on Saturday November 2 @ 7:30pm in the Harrison Performing Arts Center!
Our Fall Concert is on October 17. The turn-around time for the uniform could take several weeks so it is recommended to order the uniform as soon as possible so that you will have time to make any alterations before the first concert on October 17. All students have a “Uniform Assignment” which will entail them wearing their full uniform with black shoes and holding their instrument in their correct playing posture. Please help them take their photo (on their device will work fine) and they should bring it to class for their uniform assignment. Hair should be pulled away from the face. Returning orchestra students should check the status of their uniform to ensure that they have located all parts of their uniform and to ensure that their uniform still fits. Information on How to Order the uniform (and specific parts) can be found below. Once your uniform arrives, please have your student try it on and move in it as though they are playing their instrument. It may need to be adjusted/hemmed by a tailor.
Shoes/Undergarments: All students should wear appropriate black undergarments under their uniform. Black, closed toed dress shoes and socks are the standard uniform. Black, close toed flats are recommended for the ladies.
The orchestra is planning on traveling to Chicago, IL on March 18-22, 2020. The first group of students to sign up and make eligible first payments by September 6 will be placed on the roster for the Chicago Trip. Priority will be given by seniority and timeliness of payments. After the first bus is filled, the next group of students will be placed on a waiting list until we have enough for a second bus. In the event that the second bus fills, we will place the next group of students on a waiting list. In the event that the second bus does not fill and there is not an available spot on the trip for your student, your check/payment will be returned.
Important Note from the Harrison Orchestra Boosters (HOB) regarding Chicago Trip payments:
The first deposit of $200 for the Chicago trip is due on Friday, September 6. Please remember to send a check into the black box in the orchestra room made out to: Harrison Orchestra Boosters. Enrichment fees of $150 for the fall semester MUST be paid first to be added to the trip roster and for the trip deposit to be accepted. If we do not have enough deposits by September 6, checks will be returned and the trip will be cancelled. If we have enough deposits by September 6, we will book the trip and this first payment of $200 will become non-refundable. We look forward to a wonderful trip to Chicago with your students!
REMINDER DEADLINES: $200 – September 6 $250 – October 4 $250 – November 8 $200 – December 6 $200 – February 10
If you are interested in having your student participate, please help us plan by filling out the interest/intent survey here: Chicago Interest Form
Please join the Harrison Orchestra and the Harrison Orchestra Boosters for an Evening of Chamber Music on Thursday, September 12 at 6:30 pm at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church. Enjoy excellent ensemble performances and delicious dessert at this fundraising event to support our wonderful orchestra program! Feel free to invite family and friends!
Tickets are available online through September 8 at: http://www.itickets.com/events/434457.html. Seating is limited, so order your tickets today! All students receive free admission. Dessert requires a ticket purchase.
