GMEA Orchestra Festival Information

Dear Hillgrove Orchestra Students and Parents,

As I’m sure you already know, both orchestras having been working very hard the past few weeks in preparation for the 2009 GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE), which will held on February 24th through 26th at the McEachern High School Performing Arts Center. 

To help us better prepare for this festival, both orchestras will present their programs in the Hillgrove Theater on Thursday, February 19 at 7 PM.

The LGPE program is sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association and is an evaluation procedure of musical performances and sight-reading abilities for individual students, performing groups, and teachers.  Large Group Performance Evaluation participation affords a valuable opportunity and motivation for learning during an extended period.  Recognized authorities in the field of music education will critique our performances and provide their written and oral comments.  In addition to the experience of performing at the festival, our students will also have the chance to observe the performances of other orchestras from around the county.  All performances are open to the public, and parents are encouraged to attend.

Here are some additional details for each orchestra that parents need to be aware of:

ADVANCED CHAMBER ORCHESTRA -Festival performance will be on Tuesday, February 24th at 8 PM.  Advanced Orchestra Members are will need to arrive at McEachern by 6:45 to check in and warm up before our performance.  We should be finished by 9PM.  Advanced Chamber Orchestra members are responsible for their own transportation to and from the festival.  All field trip permission forms must be completed in order to participate.

INTERMEDIATE CONCERT ORCHESTRA -Festival performance will be on Thursday, February 26 at 3:30 PM.  Intermediate Orchestra Members will be taking a Field Trip for this performance, leaving Hillgrove at 12:15 (right after lunch) and returning by 5:00 PM. No students will be allowed to ride home with parents after festival. Students need to make arrangements to be picked up at Hillgrove at 5PM.  All field trip permission forms must be completed in order to participate.

Permission forms were distributed to students on Friday.  Please sign and return all permission forms by Friday, February 20th. 

Concert Dress is required for all performances.  I look forward to seeing everyone at the Hillgrove Pre-Festival Concert next Thursday, February 19th, at 7PM, and  again at the festival performances at McEachern on February 24th and 26th.  If you have any questions, please send me an e-mail at david.doke@cobbk12.org.

Thank you for supporting our talented young musicians.

Sectionals next week during 3rd block

Violinist Helen Kim will be joining us on Tuesday, February 10th, and Cellist Charae Kreuger will be with us on Wednesday, February 11.  Please make every effort to be here and have your parts prepared.

Cobb Symphony Casual Concert and Pre-Concert Talk

Thursday, February 12 

Pre-concert Talk/Pizza party-6:00 p.m. 

Meet Guest Artist Tina Guo-7:00 p.m. 

Performance begins 7:30 p.m.  

OR Friday, February 13, 2009 

Pre-concert Talk 6:30 p.m. 

Meet Guest Artist Tina Guo-7:00 p.m. 

Performance begins 7:30 p.m. 

You are invited to attend the Casual Concert Series by the Cobb Symphony Orchestra at the Murray Arts Center. The pre-concert talk will inform the audience about the concert’s repertoire and general audience minded concepts. At 7:00 the guest artist Tina Guo will be available to greet guests to the CSO. At 7:30 pm, participants will be given access to the rehearsal process through the first half of the rehearsal.  

The stunning 23 year old cellist Tina Guo joins the CSO in this Valentine’s Day Treat. Experience power and passion unlike anything you have ever felt. Brahms magnificent third symphony is grander in scale and equal to any concerto written before its time. Hear German romanticism at its greatest depth and excitement. A perfect evening out!  

Michael Alexander, conductor http://cobbsymphony.org/ 

Tina Guo, cello http://www.tinaguo.com/ 

The orchestra will perform selections from the following program: 

Dvorak: Carnival Overture / Shostakovich: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra / Brahms: Symphony No.3 

Entrance to this event is only $5 per person if you want to eat pizza or $1 if you only attend the performance (pay at the door). Seating is general admission and early arrival is encouraged. For more information please contact John Concklin at jconcklin@cobbsymphony.org or 770.429.7016. 

Directions to the Murray Arts Center 

2250 Stilesboro Road, Kennesaw, GA 

The Murray Arts Center is located off of Barrett Parkway approximately 3 miles west of I- 75 on Stilesboro Rd, which is between Old Highway 41 and Burnt Hickory Road. Take the Barrett Parkway exit from I-75. Go west for three miles and turn north onto Stilesboro Road. The Murray Arts Center is the first driveway to the right.