Welcome To Northwood Orchestra and guitar 2026-2027!!
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:
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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.
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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.
- 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!
Here is a Printable Calendar of Orchestra Events for the School Year.
8th Grade Band, Chorus, and Orchestra Disney Trip April 21-24, 2027!!!!
Virtual Meeting on Tuesday, August 18th at 6pm
The link will be in 8th grade students 3rd period orchestra google classroom. The virtual meeting link will be emailed to 8th grade orchestra parents on the day of the meeting 10 minutes before it starts.
Teacher’s Academic Daily Schedule:
1st Period 8:25-8:55 Planning
2nd Period 8:59-9:46 8th Grade Guitar Class
3rd Period 9:49-10:35 8th Grade Orchestra
Planning/Lunch 10:38-11:32
4th Period 11:36-12:23 7th Grade Orchestra
5th Period 12:26-1:12 7th Grade Orchestra
Planning 1:15-1:34
6th Period 1:38-2:25 6th Grade Orchestra
7th Period 2:28-3:15 6th Grade Orchestra
2026-2027 Orchestra calendar
Semester One
Tuesday, August 11 - First Day of School
Monday, September 10 - Region Orchestra Audition Registration and Money Due (Required for Honors Students)
Saturday, September 26 - Cellobration at the University of South Carolina (Required for Honors Cellists)(Option 2 on registration)
Saturday, October 3 - Region Orchestra Auditions at League Academy (Required for Honors Students)
Wednesday, October 10 - Region Orchestra Registration due (Required for any Honors Students that are accepted)
Tuesday, October 20 - All-County Audition Videos are due (Required for Honors Students)
Tuesday, October 27 - 8th Grade Orchestra Rehearsal 3:30-4:30pm (Required for 7th Grade)
Wednesday, October 28 - 7th Grade Orchestra Rehearsal 3:30-4:30pm (Required for 8th Grade)
Thursday, October 29 - Fall Concert at 6pm (Required for 7th & 8th Grade)
Thursday-Friday, November 13-14 - Region Orchestra Event at Easley High School (Required for Honors Students who are chosen)
Friday, November 20 - All-State Orchestra Registration due (Required for Students that made Region Orchestra)
Wednesday, December 2 - 8th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:30pm (Required for 8th Grade)
Thursday, December 3 - 7th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:30pm (Required for 7th Grade)
Saturday, December 5 -All-State Audition Workshop at the Fine Arts Center (Honors students that made Region Orchestra)
Tuesday, December 8 - 6th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:30pm (Required for 6th Grade)
Wednesday, December 9 - Winter Concert at 6pm-6th Grade Concert, 6:30pm - 7th and 8th Grade (Required for All Students)
Semester Two
Saturday, January 9 - All-State Orchestra Auditions at Irmo High School
Saturday, January TBA - Double Bass Workshop/Violin-Viola Workshop (Required for Honors Students)
Wednesday, January 27 - All-State Registration Forms due (Required for Students who were chosen for the orchestra)
Friday, January 29 - All-County Orchestra at Southside High School (Required for students that were chosen after audition)
Tuesday, February 2 - Curriculum Night concert - arrive at 5:40pm, perform at 6pm, done by 6:05pm - black and white 8th grade
Friday-Sunday, February 19-21 - All-State Orchestra Event at Lexington High School (Required for Honors Students who are chosen after auditions)
Tuesday, February 9- CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:30pm
Tuesday, February 16 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:30pm
Tuesday, February 23 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:30pm
Wednesday, February 25 - Registration for Solo & Ensemble Due (Form and $5)(Required for all Honors Students and open for all grades)
Tuesday, March 2 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:30pm
Tuesday, March 9 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:30pm
Tuesday, March 16 - CPA Rehearsal 8th Grade 3:30-4:30pm
March 20-29 - Spring Break
Wednesday, March 18 - Concert Performance Assessment at Greer High School (Required for 8th Grade Orchestra)
Saturday, April 10 - Solo & Ensemble at Palmetto Middle School (Required for all Honors Students and open for all grades)
Thursday, May 6 - 8th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:30pm (Required for 8th Grade)
Tuesday, May 11 - 7th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:30pm (Required for 7th Grade)
Wednesday, May 12 - 6th Grade Orchestras Combined Rehearsal 3:30-4:30pm (Required for 6th Grade)
Thursday, May 13- Spring Concert at 6pm-6th Grade Concert, 6:30pm - 7th and 8th Grade (Required for All Students)
Thursday, April TBA - Rising 6th Grade Rental Meeting from 5-6pm in the Cafeteria
Wednesday-Saturday, April 21-24 - Disney Trip with Band, Chorus, and Orchestra (8th grade students who sign up/pay)
Saturday, May 8 or 15- 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 2025
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:
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.
7th Grade supplies needed
Instrument and bow
Essential Elements for Strings by book 2 by Michael W. Allen, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes, and Robert Gillespie
8th Grade supplies needed
Instrument and bow
Essential Technique for Strings by book 3 by Michael W. Allen, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes, and Robert Gillespie
Essentials for Strings by Gerald Anderson