It's beginning to Look Like Christmas!!!! Concerts Galore!

Upcoming December Concert-2009
1. Elementary and Junior High Concert
All students need to be at AF High School at 5:30pm. PERFORMANCE BEGINS AT 6PM!!!
Bring instrument, music and wear concert clothes
Elementary Strings groups will perform 1st ( 6pm sharp)
AFJH Beginning performs after the Elementary Strings (approximately at 6:20pm)
AFJH Intermediate Orchestra will perform last at the early concert (approximately at 6:40pm)
A NOTICE TO ALL PARENTS….

BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY STUDENTS PERFORMING ON DECEMBER 11TH, PLEASE DO NOT COME DOWN TO THE ORCHESTRA ROOM TO PICK UP YOUR STUDENT(S) AFTER THE PERFORMANCE. THEY MAY MEET YOU IN THE FRONT LOBBY OF THE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM.

ALSO, IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE STAY FOR THE ENTIRE JUNIOR HIGH OR HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN AUDIENCE FOR ALL WHO PERFORM.

AFTER EACH CONCERT THEIR WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES TO PURCHASE FUNDRAISER PIES FOR $5 FROM ALLISON’S PANTRY. THE MONEY WILL BE USED FOR MUSIC AND SUPPLIES FOR THE ENTIRE STRING PROGRAM AT AFJH/AFHS.

SIGN-UP’S FOR WINTER ELEMENTARY STRINGS PROGRAM WILL BE IN THE LOBBY AFTER THE PERFORMANCES. CONTINUE YOUR CHILD’S PROGRESS ON A STRING INSTRUMENT

SUB FOR SANTA- IN CONJUNCTION WITH AMERICAN FORK HIGH SCHOOL, AF ORCHESTRA HAS A DONATION JAR THAT WILL BE PUT AT THE PROGRAM TABLE FOR ANY WHO DESIRE TO HELP WITH SPARE CHANGE OR DOLLARS. THIS MONEY WILL BE USED TO HELP FAMILIES IN OUR AREA THAT WOULD OTHERWISE NOT HAVE A CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR. YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

Miscellaneous supplies such as rosin, extra strings, instruments and accessories are going to be available for purchase from a local vendor at the concert
American Fork High School /American Fork Junior High Advanced Orchestra Concert
Call time is 7 pm in Orchestra Room at AF High School
Performance is 7:30 pm
Junior High Advanced Orchestra is performing 1st on the concert (7:30pm)
AF High School Full Symphony will perform 2nd on the concert. (7:55pm)

Parent Teacher Conference ORCHESTRA UPDATE

Just a note to let the parents know that I will be available for Parent/Teacher conference on Thursday at 6:15 pm. I will not be available earlier because my room is being used for elementary strings....Come and chat with me about Orchestra, your Student, Tour or anything that has to do with our class...See you soon

Happy Thanksgiving

I thought I would post some of the things that I am thankful for at this time.
1. A wonderful place to live. American Fork is a great place! It is a great place for kids and there are many wonderful people who make it a super community!
2. Family and Friends...Each of us have people who love us. Friends and Family come in all shapes and sizes... It is such a blessing to not be alone!
3. An Education.....what a great blessing it is to be taught and to learn
4. My students ...they are funny, intelligent, crazy and LOUD but wonderful!
5. Something to believe in, something to work for and something to keep busy with!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

NOVEMBER STUFF AND JUNK!

A couple of items for the November 2009 orchestra!!!

If you are going on tour, you should have turned in your Blue contract forms to Mrs. SMITH. Please make sure you have $100 dollars in your tour account or you have some type of fundraiser credit posted with Mrs. Smith.

Pick up your fundraiser pies and mixes on November 17 at AF JUNIOR HIGH ORCH ROOM at 2:45 to 3:30pm. Make arrangements to get your orders ASAP.

It is time to start thinking about Solo/Ensemble performances. Start thinking about who you would like to perform with. It can be a quartet, trio, duet, small ensemble or solo. We will be signing up soon for the groups to perform. Don't wait until the last minute!

Last of all, Happy Thanksgiving!!!! I as a teacher am thankful for YOU!!!! May you become the very best that you can be. Remember to practice carefully because "practice makes permanent"
Love yer guts

PIES AND MIXES.....They are here

PIES AND MIXES are here....Pick them up on Tuesday November 17, 2009 at American Fork Junior High School Orchestra ROOM. If you are sick or otherwise unable to pick up your orders, please send someone in your place to get them. They need to be delivered ASAP!!!!!

PIES AND MIXES FOR FUNDRAISING

Many of you tasted the fundraising mixes that AF orchestra's are selling to raise funds. We are also selling pies for Thanksgiving. Ask your student about the fundraiser. They have been given forms to track sales to help them with funds for tour and for Lagoon Festival. All forms are due by the 28th of October. Any questions?.....email Mrs. Smith @ Smitsh704@alpine.k12.ut.us.

FALL CONCERT REVIEW

A wonderful concert was played on October 22, 2009 at AFHS Auditorium featuring the AFHS and AF JUNIOR Orchestra's. As a director, I was to thank all those who helped with the set-up, programs, decorations and the tasty samples of Allyson's Pantry. Please know that the students did their best to perform well. We evaluated our performances and discussed important details that would enhance our next performance. Thank you to all who came and supported the students and the orchestra program. We loved having you hear us play!

WELCOME TO OCTOBER

Here it is the 15th already! The past week has been very busy with many happy and sad times. We as an orchestra would like to send our condolences to AFHS marching band in the loss of their friend and director, Heather Christensen. She was a friend to us as well at AF Orchestras. We will miss her smile and her friendship. Her funeral will be held at American Fork Tabernacle on Saturday, October 17 at 11 am.

A big thanks from Mrs. Smith for the sweet comments about the marriage of her daughter Carly. Thanks to all the students and parents who supported my family at this time. It was a wonderful event!

TOUR INFORMATION FOR Southern UTAH /Las VEGAS TOUR......You're GONNA LOVE IT!

For those of you who are unable to attend the Meeting, Here is the proposed itinerary for this year's Orchestra Tour. It's gonna be great! (Note that this is not a FINAL Tour itinerary. Items and times may change slightly to accomodate schedule changes!)

Proposed Itinerary for Southern Utah/LAS VEGAS Tour- April 15, 16, 17,18, 2010

Thursday April 15, 2010
7:30 AM—Meet/Load Charter Bus
8:30 AM—Departure for St. George
12:30pm Arrive in St. George/ Sack Lunch on own
1 PM –Dixie State College—Rehearsal/Master Class Possible exchange concert with St. George H.S.
225 S. 700 E., St. George, Utah (435) 652-7500
3PM—Check into Hotel –Abbey Inn St. George
3:45 PM-- Load Bus—Early Dinner at Golden Corral
42 South River Rd.
St. George, Utah
4:30 PM Depart for Las Vegas
6:30pm Arrive in Las Vegas/ Mandalay Bay Theatre
7:30pm - Mandalay Bay-Broadway production of Disney’s Lion King

10:30pm Return to St. George
12 Midnight Room check/ Lights out

Friday April 16.2010
8:30-9:30 am Breakfast at Abbey Inn, 1129 south Bluff St, St. George, UT 84770, (435) 652-5950
9:45 am Load bus for Zion National Park
11 am- Load Shuttle in Zion’s Park
Lunch on own at Zion’s Lodge
Visit visitor center, various trails and sightseeing in park (NO ANGEL’S LANDING HIKES!)
4 PM Tailgate BBQ at the Visitors Center in Springdale –Dinner Provided
6pm Return to St. George
7-9 pm Lazer Mania game center
Return to Hotel 9pm
Lights out/Room check 10:30pm

Saturday April 17, 2010
6:30-7:45am Breakfast at Abbey Inn
8 am Load bus
8:15 am Leave for Las Vegas/ Heritage Festival
10 am Arrive at Heritage Festival/
Performance and Concert Attendance TIME TBA
Lunch on Own
-Time TBA Early Afternoon- Guided Tour of Hoover Dam
-Return to Adventure Dome/Circus Circus
-Dinner Voucher at Circus Circus Buffet
-7:30pm Heritage Festival Awards
9pm Return to St. George and Abbey Inn
11:30pm-Room Check/Lights out

Sunday ,April 18, 2010
6:30-8am Breakfast and Checkout
8:30 am Leave St. George for Home
12:30pm Arrive at American Fork High School



The cost of the tour is $350/per person. That includes transportation, Hotel, National Park fees, Meals (Breakfast and Dinner each day), Heritage Festival entrance fees, Entrance to Hoover Dam, Lazer Mania, Lion King and AdventureDome.













Rules for Tour 2010

1. Boys and girls may not under any circumstances be in each other’s hotel rooms at any time.

2. Always be in groups of 4 or more people.

3. Keep your chaperone informed at all times as to where you are.

4. Be quiet and courteous to other hotel guests. Horseplay, loud noise and congregating are not allowed after 9pm near guest windows or doors. If you are meeting a group, please meet in the lobby of the hotel.

5. Nightly curfew: Be in own room by 10:00pm or ½ hour after returning to the hotel each night.
ANYBODY MAKING NOISE SO AS TO DISTURB OTHER HOTEL GUESTS WILL FAIL CITIZENSHIP FOR THE TERM!

6. Be on TIME! Coaches will leave at the time on the itinerary or as announced. Be at the coaches
10 minutes early. If you are more than 5 minutes late your participation grade for tour will be lowered.

7. Stereos, ipods, mp3's, radios, etc. must have personal headphone to be used. This also applies while in the your hotel rooms.
8. No outside calls from your hotel room. Use the pay phones or cell phones if you must call long distance. Do not call other rooms after curfew unless it is an emergency. In an emergency, call your chaperone immediately.
9. Videos may be watched on the coaches (if VCR or DVD player is available) and in rooms but can be rated no higher than PG. This is a district policy and cannot be changed.
10. No switching coaches. This makes it too hard to keep track of everyone.
11. Keep your hotel rooms clean. If you break anything, you pay for it.
12. Remember that you are representing American Fork High School….show a lot of class.
13. You are expected to participate in all scheduled activities. You can only leave the tour with a parent. Other family members may meet you at the sight-seeing activities or concerts on the tour,
but it is district policy that you cannot leave the tour unless it is with your parent.
14. All school rules apply while on tour. This includes dress standards!!! No mooning, indecent exposure, lewd or offensive language or behavior, strip poker of any kind, or public displays of affection of any kind will not be tolerated. No Sexual inuendo and calling between rooms with any such practice. No boxing gloves or other items that are not acceptable to use during school hours are allowed. No smoking, alcohol, or drugs (other than those listed on your health form) are permitted. This includes the taking of caffeine tablets to stay awake all night on the bus or hotel. Bring your handbook if you have any questions. What is not acceptable at school is not acceptable on tour.
15. You are responsible to carry your own luggage and instruments. Luggage is limited to one medium sized suit case to check and one carry on or back-pack.
16. HAVE FUN!!!!
I have read the above rules and agree to follow them. I understand that if I choose to break the rules that my room assignment, coach assignment, and/or my opportunity to participate in the activities on tour can/will be changed.

Student Signature____________________________ Date_______________________

I have reviewed the above rules with my student. I understand that in the event of any infraction(s) of bold lettered rules that my student will be returned home at my expense.

Parent Signature______________________________ Date__________________________

Good Luck at Allstate Auditions

Reminder that Allstate Auditions are held at AFHS and Summerhays music for all instrumental students! GOOD LUCK!

September Stuff

Concert Attire!- All students need to check their concert clothing to see if anything needs to be updated, resized or acquired!

• Ladies, if you need a new dress and would like to order one through the school, please see Mrs. Smith by September 30th. If you ahve a dress to sell or wold like to buy a used dress from antohter year, Contact Mr. Thornton(AF Junior Choir Director) to put your name on the list (if you are selling a used dress) or get the list (if you need a dress.) You can start to pick up the lists on Wednesday September 23 after school in Mr. Thornton's room. If you miss this date, contact Mr. Thornton or Mrs. Smith directly.
• Young Men, You need black pants, socks and Shoes for the concert. You may purchase a Tux Shirt package through the school for a reasonable cost. We are getting the shirt package from Tuxedo's by Lee. Please see Mrs. Smith for details. All orders should be done by September 30, 2009.

Parent teacher conferences will be held Wednesday Sept 23 for AFHS students 3-7pm. Thursday Mrs. Smith will be available at AF junior high from 6-7:30pm.

TOUR ORCHESTRA PARENT MEETING....WEDNESDAY September 23, 2009 after AFHS parent teacher conference. Meet in the AFHS Orchestra Room at 7pm. Information and forms will be provided.

Welcome to School 2009-2010

AF Orchestra Students,
Welcome to a great year. Orchestra information will be posted on this site for upcoming events and activities. Please note that links will be placed occasionally on this site. These links will give you locations of websites and places for information about other orchestra activities locally and around the state.

Just a reminder to keep your instrument in good condition and to set up a schedule that works for you individually for your practice time. Remember "Practice makes Permanent" so be careful to do your best when learning your music.

Upcoming Calendar Dates:

• Monday September 14, 2009--Chamber Strings gig at the Senior Center. Be there at 4:15 pm. Performance is @ 4:30 -5pm. Attire is Concert Black!
• Monday Sept 14-Wednesday Sept 30 Pizza Card Fundraiser. Check with Mrs. Smith for Details
• Sept 23/24 Parent Teacher Conferences
• Monday October 5, 2009 No School- Teacher Professional Development Day
• Thur/Fri October 15-16 Fall Break- NO SCHOOL
• Thursday October 22, 2009 FALL ORCHESTRA CONCERT . JUNIOR high Concert 6pm at AF High School Auditorium. High School Concert 7:30pm at AF High School Auditorium.
• Friday October 23rd- End of 1st Term
• Monday October 26-Nov 6 Bakery Pies and Allyson's Pantry Fundraiser