Northwood Middle School Orchestra

Northwood Orchestra Rising 6th Grade Meeting

Hello future Orchestra Students and Parents! My name is Mr. Murch and I am the orchestra teacher here at Northwood Middle School. I would like to invite everyone to our first orchestra meeting on Tuesday, April 22 at 5pm in our cafeteria. Bernhardt House of Violins will be here to measure students and go over their instrument rental program and I will talk to everyone about our orchestra program.

I hope everyone can make this meeting and I look forward to meeting everyone! Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.

Congratulations to the 8th Grade Orchestra on receiving a superior Rating at Concert Performance Assessment!!!

Click Here to see video of the concert.

8th Grade After School Rehearsals for CPA

Dear Students and Parents,

The eighth grade orchestra is performing for CPA (Concert Performance Assessment) on Monday, March 10th at Greer High School. In order to prepare for this event, I will have mandatory rehearsals on the following days:

(Today) Tuesday, February 18 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Thursday, February 20 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Tuesday, February 25 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Tuesday, March 4 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm 

Thursday, March 6 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm 

Monday, March 10 - Concert Performance Assessment 

How does Concert Performance Assessment work?

CPA is a judicial event where three orchestra judges will be listening, recording, and giving written comments on how the orchestra performs. Their expectations are extremely high and all students must play, perform, act, and look professional. Once we arrive at the school, we will unload the bus and come into the building quietly into the warm-up/unpacking room where we will tune and run through the music. After about ten minutes we will move onto the stage to perform our music. Afterwards, we will move to the sight-reading room where the students and myself have ten minutes to look at a new piece and then perform it to the best of our abilities. The judges will add all of the scores together once we are done and we will receive a plaque with our rating.

I will send out more information about the CPA trip during the school day on March 10th when it gets a little closer with field trip permission forms to be sent out.

Thanks so much and I look forward to our students having a great time and doing an outstanding job!! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

8th Grade Performs at Curriculum Night!!

Congratulations to our All-State Orchestra Student Matthew Dukeman!!

This is the highest honor a student can achieve performing in an orchestra. Students first have to make it into Region orchestra just to audition. I'm proud to say that one of our very own, bass player - Matthew Dukeman, was chosen to perform in this years All-State orchestra! The concert will be held at Boiling Springs High School on Sunday, February 23 at 3pm. Admission is free and open to the public.

Violin & Viola Choir and Bass Workshop Saturday, January 18!!

Violin and Viola Choir is Saturday, January 18 at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. The Bass Workshop is also on the same day and place. 

These events are required for 8th Grade Honors and CP Orchestra Students. Highly Encouraged for any orchestra student that has played for at least one year (7th and 8th grade orchestra students). You will receive a 100 on a major grade for Quarter 3 for attending.

Winter Concert video is up from Tuesday, December 17th!

Click Here for video of the concert.

Fundraiser pickup is Wednesday, December 11th immediately after school in the orchestra room.

Congratulations to our Region Orchestra students!!

The following students auditioned and were chosen to perform in the Region Orchestra this year:

Isabella Vo - Violin

Ruya Erdogen - Violin

Aiden Liles - Cello

Matthew Dukeman - Double Bass

Fall Concert video is up!!

Click Here to see.

Fall Orchestra Concert for 7th & 8th Grade Orchestras on Tuesday, October 22nd at 6pm In the cafeteria

We will have two mandatory after school rehearsals (one for each grade) to prepare for the concert:

Tuesday, October 15 - 7th Grade Orchestra Only After School Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm

Wednesday, October 16 - 8th Grade Orchestra Only After School Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm

Fall Concert Tuesday, October 22nd at 6pm

Our Fall orchestra concert is on Tuesday, October 22th at 6pm in the Cafetorium at Northwood Middle School. Students need to arrive by 5:30pm so we can tune and get set up.

The concert dress is: Any school appropriate Halloween costume. We will have a costume contest for multiple categories and prizes for the top costumes.  Please let me know if you have questions or concerns. Looking forward to it! 

Welcome To Northwood Orchestra and guitar 2024-2025!!

We are thrilled to have you join our musical family and can't wait to embark on this exciting journey with you. This year promises to be full of learning, growth, and, most importantly, fun. Our orchestra/guitar is a place where creativity flourishes, friendships are formed, and every note you play contributes to something truly special.

Here’s what you can look forward to this year:

1. Exploring New Music: We have an amazing repertoire lined up, from classical masterpieces to exciting contemporary pieces. Each piece will challenge you and help you grow as a musician.

2. Building Team Spirit: Orchestra is all about collaboration and teamwork. You’ll learn how to work together to create beautiful music, and you’ll form lasting friendships with your fellow musicians.

3. Performing: We have several concerts and performances scheduled throughout the year. These are wonderful opportunities to showcase what you’ve learned and experience the joy of sharing music with others.

If you have any questions or need any materials, don’t hesitate to reach out.We believe that every one of you has something unique to offer, and we’re excited to see how you’ll contribute to our orchestra. Let’s make this year the best one yet! 

2024-2025 Orchestra calendar

Semester One

Tuesday, August 8 - First Day of School

Monday, August 21 - Region Orchestra Audition Registration and Money Due (Required for Honors Students)

Monday, October 14 - Region Orchestra Audition Videos due (students will share their videos through google.drive)

Tuesday, October 15 - 7th  Grade Orchestra Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 7th Grade)

Wednesday, October 16 - 8th Grade Orchestra Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 8th Grade)

Tuesday, October 22 - Fall Concert at 6pm (Required for 7th & 8th Grade)

Sunday, November 6 -All-County Videos are due (Required for Honors Students)

Friday-Saturday, November 22-23 Region Orchestra Weekend at Furman University (Required for Honors Students who are chosen from the audition)

Monday, November 25 - All-County Orchestra Registration Due/All-State Orchestra Audition Registration

Tuesday, December 10 - 8th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 8th Grade)

Wednesday, December 11 - 7th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 7th Grade)

Thursday, December 12 - 6th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 6th Grade)

Tuesday, December 17 - Winter Concert at 6pm-6th Grade Concert, 6:30pm - 7th and 8th Grade (Required for All Students)

Semester Two

Saturday, January 11 - All-State Orchestra Auditions at Irmo High School

Friday-Saturday, January 17-18 - Double Bass Workshop/Violin-Viola Workshop at Bob Jones University (Required for Honors Students who are chosen after auditions)

Friday, January 31 - All-County Orchestra at Riverside High School

Tuesday, February 11 - Curriculum Night concert - arrive at 5:40pm, perform at 6pm, done by 6:05pm - black and white 8th grade

Thursday, February 13 - CPA Rehearsal 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Friday-Sunday, February 23-25 - All-State Orchestra Event (Required for Honors Students who are chosen after auditions)

Thursday, February 20 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Tuesday, February 25 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Monday, March 1 - Registration for Solo & Ensemble Due (Form and $5)(Required for all Honors Students and open for all grades)

Tuesday, March 4 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Thursday, March 6 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:45pm

Monday, March 10 - Concert Performance Assessment (Required for 7th & 8th Grade) During School Day - Greer High School

March 17-21 - Spring Break 

Tuesday, April 22 - Rising 6th Grade Rental Meeting from 5-6pm in the Cafeteria

Friday, May 2 - Solo & Ensemble at Sterling Middle School (Required for all Honors Students and open for all grades)

Thursday, May 8 - 7th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 7th Grade)

Tuesday, May 13 - 8th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 8th Grade)

Wednesday, May 14 - 6th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:45pm (Required for 6th Grade)

Spring Concert - May 15th at 6pm-6th Grade Concert, 6:30pm - 7th and 8th Grade (Required for All Students)

Saturday, May 17 - Orchestra Carowinds Trip - Bus leaves at 8am and returns at 7:30pm

All students 8th Grade Honors and any other students that want to try out need to complete the form below that I gave out in class. Please get this to me asap. The form is linked below:

Region Registration Form 2023

MySchoolBucks Region Registration $10

6th Grade students renting instruments

Please look at renting your instruments at a local string store in our area. Here are a few that are close by and are very good:

Bernhardt House of Violins

Musical Innovations

Music and Arts

If you are planning on buying an instrument instead of renting one, please send me the link for the instrument if it is online so that I can check the quality of the instrument. Here is my email address pmurch@greenville.k12.sc.us

Here is the school rental instrument form for students that are in 6th,  7th,  or 8th grade and are using a cello or bass. The one time fee is not $50, it is $40. It is a first come first serve basis, as we do not have enough school instrument for everyone to rent from the school. It is best to start look at the local music stores to look at renting an instrument. If you are going to rent a school instrument, you could rent using the "My School Bucks" link here or send cash or check. Checks should be made to Northwood Middle School. 

Everyone that plays violin or viola still needs a shoulder rest for the size instrument that you have as well as the book "Essential Elements" book 1 by  Gillespie, Hayes, Allen.

Good shoulder rests brands are: Everest, Kun, and FOM and there are others. The book and the shoulder rest can be bought at any music store or online like amazon.com, etc.

School Guitar Rental for and link for payment

If you would like to use a school guitar, you need to complete this instrument rental form and have your student bring it to me. You can make the one time payment of $20 for the semester though "My School Buck" link here.  

Here is a link to your weekly lesson plans

Click Here