September 14th, 2025 Orchestra Notes

This past week saw our rehearsals in full swing, and students preparing music and repertoire for our October Fall Concert! Additionally, our Pit Orchestra is off and running, and Saturday's rehearsal completed the first read-through of the whole show!

In this week's update:

• Piano Studio updated schedule

• Rehearsal Schedules

• Volunteer reminders

• Upcoming dates

• Concert attire reminders

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Piano Studio Updates

We've received administration approval to shift Piano Studio to a Wednesday/Friday schedule for the beginning of the Fall semester to accommodate our instructor's schedule! Pianos will begin on this adjusted schedule this week.

Pianos will meet on the following schedule as a single class:

Piano Studio

4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

MPR Classroom

Beginning at the end of September, Piano students will also be able to schedule their one-on-one lessons with our instructor! Students will receive two half-hour private lessons in addition to their twice-a-week studio class.

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Rehearsal Schedules

Tuesday, September 16th

Wind Orchestra:

(all winds and percussion)

2:00 p.m.-3:45 p.m.

String/Symphony Orchestra:

(all strings)

4:00 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

UPDATED TIME FOR PIANOS

Wednesday, September 17th

Piano Studio

4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

MPR Classroom

Thursday, September 18th

Wind Orchestra:

(all winds and percussion)

2:00 p.m.-3:45 p.m.

String/Symphony Orchestra:

(all strings)

4:00 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

Pit Orchestra:

6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

UPDATED TIME FOR PIANOS

Friday, September 19th

Piano Studio

4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

MPR Classroom

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Pit Orchestra

Pit has had two fantastic rehearsals, and we've completed the reading of the show in possibly the fastest turn-around yet! There is a lot of practice and improvement to be had in the month ahead, and students need to make sure they are putting in the practice time outside of rehearsal.

Please double-check the rehearsal schedule, and make sure that you (or your student) can be present at every rehearsal! With such a limited amount of time, every minute in rehearsal is vital to prepare for tech week.

The Pit Orchestra future rehearsal dates are as follows:

• September 18th: 6-8:30 p.m.

• September 25th: 6-8:30 p.m.

• October 2nd: 6-8:30 p.m.

• October 4th (Sitzprobe rehearsal): Time TBD

TECH WEEK

• October 6th: 5:30-9:30 p.m.

• October 7th: 5:30-9:30 p.m.

• October 8th: 5:30-10:00 p.m.

• October 9th: 5:30-10:00 p.m.

SHOWS:

• October 10th: 7:00 p.m.

• October 11th: 7:00 p.m.

• October 12th: 2:00 p.m.

• October 17th: 7:00 p.m.

• October 18th: 7:00 p.m.

• October 19th: 2:00 p.m.

NOTE: All dates for musical rehearsals and performances are mandatory. Any possible conflicts must be communicated with Mr. Bement and Mr. Myers as soon as possible for discussion about options, as the rehearsal schedule is very impacted.

Volunteer commitment:

As the students put in long hours for the preparation and rehearsal for the show, we traditionally feed the students for each day of tech rehearsal and at each show. This involves a small meal that gives them sustenance and nutrition to get through the rehearsal, and helps provide a much needed boost for the students.

This year, we ask that each family with a student involved in the show contributes to one portion of a meal for the students across the two week run of the production. Dates are available for sign-up here: https://signup.com/go/QXcjJnj

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Upcoming Dates!

October 3rd: APA Walk for the Arts

October 4th: Shrek the Musical Sitzprobe

October 6th-9th: Tech week: Shrek the Musical

October 10th-12th, 17th-19th: Shrek the Musical

October 30th: APA Orchestra Fall Concert

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Concert Attire!

As a reminder, all students will need one of the following attire combinations for our opening concert on October 30th:

• Option A: Suit or Tux

  • Black tuxedo or suit (pants and jacket, no jeans)

  • Pressed black dress shirt

  • Black bow tie or necktie

  • Black dress socks (no ankle socks)

  • Black dress shoes (no Vans, Converse, or sneakers. Black marching shoes are okay!)

  • Solid Black Belt (if required)

• Option B: Dress

  • Plain black, floor to mid-calf length gown with long or 3/4 sleeves

  • Black dress shoes (two-inch heels or less, please)

  • Solid black belt (if required)

• Option C: Slacks or Skirt and Top

  • Long or mid-calf black skirt or black dress slack, with a black top having 3/4 or full-length sleeves.

  • Black socks or leggings and close-toed black dress shoes (two-inch heels or less, please)

  • Solid Black belt

  • Black tie or bowtie (if desired)

• In ALL cases:

  • No excessive jewlery, sequins, sparkles, or distracting accessories

  • Pants, skirts, and dresses should be well-fit, and not skin-tight (both for presentation and for playing technique!)

  • No jeans

  • Shoes must be all black, and cannot be sneakers.

If there is any portion of the concert attire you need to update or fit your student for for pants, dress shirts, and jackets, Friar Tux--Huntington Beach has an excellent relationship with the school. They can get you outfitted at a discounted rate for HBHS.

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Thank you for your involvement and support of the APA Orchestra programs!

Mr. Myers

Mr. Bement