WEST Orchies! HELP!!!

Notable composer and novelist E. T. A. Hoffmann described Symphony No. 5 by saying:

"Radiant beams shoot through the deep night of this region, and we become aware of gigantic shadows which, rocking back and forth, close in on us and destroy all within us except the pain of endless longing --- a longing in which every pleasure that rose up amid jubilant tones sinks and succumbs. Only through this pain, which, while consuming but not destroying love, hope, and joy, tries to burst our breasts with a full- voiced general cry from all the passions, do we live on and are captivated beholders of the spirits".

How would you describe Beethoven's Fifth Symphony? I am looking for quotes from YOU to include in our program notes for the upcoming concert!!! Please respond in the comment section ASAP!!!!

Middle School Orchestra - The FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT!!

Pictures from the All City String Festival!

Soloists Alex and Eli take the stage for Sing, Sing, Sing. The middle of the orchestra gets all spread out! Lookin' good 2nds and viola!

Violins peforming Menuet by Boccherini.
Cello and Bass Section blitz on Tango Puerto!


Thank you for all of your hard work towards a successful performance!

A HUGE thank you to Mrs. Buttke from the West Orchestra for these awesome photos of our awesome orchestra students!

East Variety Show

HEY FOLKS!

The Wausau East High School Variety Show is THIS WEEKEND! Come see your colleagues from the East Orchestra perform Mariachi, Heavy Metal, and lots of other fun stuff!

Sunday, November 16 at 2 p.m.
Monday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m.
East Auditorium
Admission = $5

UW Milwaukee High School Honors Orchestra Festival

Hey Everybody! I can nominate interested students for the UW Milwaukee HS Honors Orchestra Festival. The event will take place on February 13-15, 2009. The registration fee is $55 which includes the cost of lunch on Saturday and the loan of all music. This is an event that you would need to attend on your own - I do not sponsor this trip. You would need to obtain your own housing and transportation for the weekend. The repertoire will include An English Suite by Hubert Parry, Stella Sung's Chorale, and Sinfonia No. 10 in b minor by Felix Mendelssohn. I have to send in the nomination forms by Thanksgiving, so if you are interested in applying, let me know ASAP. You will find out if you get in by mid-December. I had about eight students attend this festival many years ago. They really enjoyed their experience.

Cool Article!

Check out this story on NPR! PRETTY COOL STUFF!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96708334

Instruments for Sale

Double Bass for sale in Wausau - 10 year old Palatino - asking $800 - some repair needed - see Mrs. Hornby for details and contact information

Violin for sale in Wausau - asking $200 - some repair needed to make playable (soundpost and bridge) - comes with Barcus Bailey pickup - see Mrs. Hornby for more details

Duluth Symphony Orchestra - November 9, 2008

I hope you enjoyed having the Duluth Symphony Orchestra perform for us! I thought that they performed well and were gracious guests.

What did you think? Feel free to leave your concert critique in the comments section of this post.

West - Beethoven 5 Videos

Here are some videos on YouTube that Megan dug up for you to watch! Check it out and let us know what you think. Watch a few and list your favorite in the comment section here!

Mvt. 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yW_bTKC8EY&feature=related

4th movement:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjjVFNA82oc

Here is a clip of mvt. 1 that I really liked:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHAaVVytQF0

Here is a clip of mvt. 1 that a 28 year old - named kinger 7794 sent me to post.... who are you mysterious 28 year old orchie???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhcR1ZS2hVo

Winds and percussion - make sure to listen for tone and articulation along with length of notes!!! I hope you enjoy working on this piece. It is such a great example of the standard repertoire... did you know that Beethoven himself conducted the premier of this piece during a four hour concert of only his works! I guess it didn't go too well due to lack of practice. I know we will rock this one!!!!

SWING, SWING, SWING!!!

Dancing in Orchestra??? You better believe it! I hope you enjoyed working with our guest dancers.