Orchestra graduation final info 2025
5/16/2025 2:13 pm
Good afternoon! Final info for graduation performance...
Orchestra Graduation Performance MONDAY 5/19: Details/Updates...
Who: Required for all students who auditioned into 2025-26 Sinfonia or Chamber Orchestra
What to Wear: Semi-formal/business casual/Sunday best...Collared shirts and pants, dresses, skirt or pant and blouse, etc. Light materials and colors recommended to stay cool. No concert black, no jeans, no athletic shoes, no shorts. Look nice but stay cool, and make sure everything is appropriate for being up on stage.
When: Monday, 5/19: Be at the gate for 5:30 pm entry and setup (see map/read below); 5:40 sound check; 6:45 prelude music
NEW THIS YEAR: Students have the option to silently depart part way through the ceremony once we are done playing. There is only one time available to do this- anyone choosing to stay on stage must remain there through the end! Cases will be in different places depending on your choice- so know ahead of time which you are doing. If you leave, you must go directly out of the venue to your car or ride (unless joining family in the audience). Leaving early allows you to miss the traffic at the end, but you are welcome to stay on stage to watch the whole ceremony. I'll be there through the end. I don't know precisely what time this will be, so have a way to communicate. We'll take note for next time.
Where: Ameris Bank Amphitheatre- see map attached
- If driving, students should park in lot C (same as graduate parking) off of Maxwell Rd.
- If being dropped off (recommended especially for large instruments), your best bet is to pull into the Faculty/VIP parking off of Encore Pkwy. If it's being monitored that early, tell them you're dropping off for the orchestra- do not park in this lot, though. Drop off only. That will get you to a closer gate or the loading dock for entry with instruments.
- Water will be provided backstage. You cannot bring in food or drink.
- Highly recommended to eat before coming. You will have a short time after soundcheck to visit the concession stands before we have to be back in seats.
- I believe the ceremony (including our music) will be live streamed again. Keep an eye out for a link from Principal Jones.
- After the ceremony if staying to end (see note about early dismissal above): Students can hang back with me in a central location until they've made contact with their ride and know where they are being picked up. The traffic flow can get a little hectic afterwards, so this is recommended.
Graduation times, essential volunteers, and more
5/8/2025 12:54 pm
Good afternoon- Several important updates/reminders:
GRADUATION 5/19/25- Required for all students who auditioned into NEXT year's Sinfonia or Chamber Orchestra.
5:30 pm: Arrival/load-in time at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. I will send a map with the drop off/parking info.
6:45 pm: Play up until and during the 7:30 ceremony.
See "Volunteers" below about dismissal possibilities
Attire: "Business Casual/Sunday Best." You should not wear concert black. Instead, just look nice: Tucked in/collared shirts, khakis, appropriate length dresses, pants/blouse are all appropriate. No athletic shoes, jeans, t-shirts. We will be on stage near VIP guests and on display for everyone to see. Be mindful, though, that it can be pretty warm on stage.
VERY IMPORTANT- VOLUNTEERS FOR GRADUATION DISMISSAL:
IF I can get 2 parent volunteers to help facilitate, students should have the option to depart midway through the ceremony after our final selections. Otherwise, they all stay to the end of the ceremony like in past years. Please contact me at cummingsas@fultonschools.org or through GroupMe if available to help (mostly watching our cases/equipment at the load in/out area). We need to cover 5:30 to about 8:30, but we can divide it up if we have enough interest.
TUXEDOS are past due- make sure you've returned your rental in the dry cleaning bag and/or with receipt. If you drop it off, label with your name.
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES/LESSONS/AUDITIONS/AND MORE:
https://www.miltonorchestra.org/otheropps
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Concert, banquet, photo request, and reminders
4/15/2025 1:46 pm
Good afternoon,
CONCERT
I'm looking forward to our concert tomorrow!
Recap of schedule Wednesday, 4/16:
Advisement- Symphony (Sinfonia and Chamber) rehearsal on stage
All classes rehearse on stage during class periods
5 pm Symphony (Sinfonia and Chamber) rehearsal on stage
6 pm Pizza available for performers
6:45 Concert Orchestra ready on stage
6:55 Sinfonia and Concert in audience
7:00 Concert begins!
Seat reservations here: https://www.miltonorchestra.org/concerts
BANQUET
Thursday, 4/24 at 6:30 pm in the Milton cafeteria
Milton Orchestra families and supporters- purchase your tickets (it is a catered event) for the Orchestra Banquet at: miltonorchestra.org/packet/1383 (must be logged in to Membership Toolkit)
Or navigate to: miltonorchestra.org>My account>myforms/paperwork
BANQUET PICTURES
Students and parents, please contribute photos for the banquet slide show at the link below or directly to our student volunteer as described in class. We don't have a lot so far, so it's up to you to make our slide show fun! Photos don't have to all be of orchestra events specifically, just orchestra students.
https://miltonorchestra.smugmug.com/upload/fHqs5j/a
SENT PREVIOUSLY (these items were in the message before spring break, but I promised I would re-send in case you missed it)
- Recordings from Nashville (RCA Studio B) and LGPE (Alpharetta HS) are available here and on Canvas:
- SENIORS and families: Check your email for a special SENIOR edition of this message with additional content.
- Graduation is the afternoon/evening of May 19th at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. This is a required performance for all 2025-26 Sinfonia and Chamber Orchestra members who are current Milton students. Please make sure you've marked the date- I will send timing and other details as soon as I have more to share.
- Class placements were posted after school today, 4/4 and are available here:
- https://www.miltonorchestra.org/placement
- This posting day always brings a lot of both excitement and disappointment. Please take the time to process what you need to. I will be glad to talk through results and answer any questions you have after spring break. And, of course, if you think there's been a potential clerical error, let me know/ask about that as well...it's a lot of scoring, copying, pasting, and sorting.
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Concert, recordings, placements, graduation
4/4/2025 4:42 pm
Good afternoon and Happy Spring Break!
I know this is the worst time to send important info, so I will probably resend this when we return. In case you want to make sure you're keeping up with things before then, here are some updates/reminders:
- Our concert is Wednesday, April 16th at 7 pm.
- Sinfonia and Chamber students will rehearse "Pirates of the Caribbean" (on stage with winds/percussion) at 5 pm and also during advisement that day
- Pizza will be available for performers around 6 pm
- All orchestras need to be in places at 6:50 pm (concert orchestra on stage by 6:45)
- Our spring banquet is quickly approaching! Order your dinner/RSVP here by 4/16 for the April 24th banquet: https://www.miltonorchestra.org/packet/1383 (you'll need to log into Membership Toolkit).
- Recordings from Nashville (RCA Studio B) and LGPE (Alpharetta HS) are available here and on Canvas:
- SENIORS and families: Check your email for a special SENIOR edition of this message with additional content.
- Graduation is the afternoon/evening of May 19th at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. This is a required performance for all 2025-26 Sinfonia and Chamber Orchestra members who are current Milton students. Please make sure you've marked the date- I will send timing and other details as soon as I have more to share.
- Class placements were posted after school today, 4/4 and are available here:
- https://www.miltonorchestra.org/placement
- This posting day always brings a lot of both excitement and disappointment. Please take the time to process what you need to. I will be glad to talk through results and answer any questions you have after spring break. And, of course, if you think there's been a potential clerical error, let me know/ask about that as well...it's a lot of scoring, copying, pasting, and sorting.
Everyone have a wonderful break, and thank you for all of your hard work so far this semester! I'm looking forward to finishing with some great performances and events!
Read MoreLGPE Final Reminders/Timing: Please read all!
2/11/2025 2:05 pm
Orchestra Families- Just a reminder about LGPE Wednesday and Thursday. We've worked hard- now it's time to enjoy outstanding culminating performances of this repertoire!
Remember that this is a major grade our ensemble equivalent of an EOC exam- FCS requires that every ensemble class participate. The feedback we receive annually from the LGPE judges is invaluable from a growth standpoint.
Full schedule below, including performance times if you plan to come, which is encouraged!
Essential info for students/parents:
Concert Orchestra, Wednesday- Bring concert attire, instrument, music to school...you will change before we depart; your teachers have been notified that you will leave 6th period at 2:00 pm to report to the orchestra room, change, and load the bus; bring a snack if you think you'll get hungry; no candy, gum, goldfish, or sugary drinks allowed on the bus- cleaning fee strictly enforced (bring water and easy to clean snacks)
Chamber Orchestra, Wednesday- Arrive already dressed in concert attire at Alpharetta HS with instrument, music, etc. ready to warm up at 5:30 pm; follow signs and look for a chaperone to gather/take you to warm up room- if anything is unclear, I'll send a GroupMe message; use the parent parking lots near the auditorium marked on the attached map; eat a large snack or dinner before you arrive
Sinfonia, Thursday- Arrive at MHS by 5:30 pm dressed in concert attire and with all instruments, music, etc. and having already eaten dinner (or stay through but bring your concert attire and dinner); no candy, gum, goldfish, or sugary drinks allowed on the bus- cleaning fee strictly enforced (bring water and easy to clean snacks)
BASSES:
As I mentioned, they have performance stools, but probably none in the sight reading and warmup room. You are welcome to bring your own or use a Milton stool- just know that it is your responsibility (we can help you carry stuff)
EVERYONE: Make sure instrument cases have name tags, labels, or tape before loading them on the bus (and in case anything gets misplaced or left behind)
*All times are pm
At Alpharetta HS (Sinfonia/Concert buses depart from/return to Milton HS.
Family and friends are encouraged to come watch our performances at the times below!
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Thursday Concert
2/3/2025 1:05 pm
Good afternoon-
I know it's the second message of the day- thanks for your attention. Just a couple of quick notes/reminders about our Thursday concert (2/6/25, 6:30 pm):
- Concert Orchestra should arrive by 6 pm and report directly to stage after unpacking instruments/tuning. Everyone else should arrive no later than 6:15, tune, and take seats in student section with instruments.
- Because there is no dress rehearsal, pizza is opt-in only. If you need to say in between or want to come back early for dinner, we will only order pizza for those on this list (complete form- also presented in class) by the end of Monday: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4Linh7iuIppQwRNjy-of0RnqKuyjTq3Ca858e4UgKX5hYPA/viewform?usp=header
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1. Concert attire is the same standard concert black as usual (same for LGPE next week, too). https://www.miltonorchestra.org/attire
2. Reserve seats in advance here: https://www.miltonorchestra.org/concerts
3. The county is doing some work on our stage- It's mostly complete and useable, but there may be aspects left that look transitional on Thursday as they finish up.
4. This concert is a little different than others, being a pre-LGPE concert. There will be no intermission, concessions, or other extras. We will have a guest judge writing and possibly recording (quietly) feedback to help us prepare for next week.
5. We will take a quick ensemble photo on stage prior to each group's first piece.
Read MorePermission slips and chaperones
2/3/2025 8:06 am
Good morning, Orchestra Families!
I'll be sending home permission slips today for next week's LGPE performances (at Alpharetta HS) 2/12 and 2/13. Please return these ASAP (no later than Friday, 2/7).
Regarding chaperones, we are still 2 short our absolute minimum for Concert Orchestra and 1 short for Sinfonia. To comfortably move equipment from room to room without added stress on our students, who will already be juggling a lot, we need to fill all slots and could even use additional help beyond that.
Please sign up here: miltonorchestra.org/volunteer/127773 . If you can't access the site or want to volunteer beyond the listed slots, email me (cummingsas@fultonschools.org) or send a GroupMe. Thanks! I'll look forward to seeing you at our 6:30 Pre-LGPE Concert this Thursday.
Regards,
Andrew Cummings, Director
Milton HS Orchestras
Read MoreLGPE chaperones, 2/6 concert
1/22/2025 1:19 pm
Good afternoon!
A few quick items:
1. Full LGPE schedule below (updated with departure/arrival times) Please note that Concert and Sinfonia are taking buses from Milton HS due to time of day and size of ensemble/equipment needs, respectively (there will be an option for individual exceptions on permission slips). Chamber will meet and depart from Alpharetta HS on their own.
2. We need volunteers for LGPE on 2/12 and 2/13. Sign ups for all orchestras here:
https://www.miltonorchestra.org/volunteer/127773
(If you can fulfill the requirement for at least 1 badged- such as the one you need for overnight trips- chaperone with Concert Orchestra, please sign up and also email/message me a picture of your badge).
3. If you have some photography experience (hobbyist, pro/semi-pro) and would be willing to take photos of each of our ensembles as they get in place at our 2/6 concert, please let me know. This is separate from the usual photography volunteer at our concerts- we like to have one nice, staged photo of each group for the year. Email cummingsas@fultonschools.org or send me a GroupMe.
Thanks!
*All times are pm
At Alpharetta HS (Sinfonia/Concert buses depart from/return to Milton HS.
Family and friends are encouraged to come watch our performances at the times below!
| 2/12 | ||||||||
| School Name | Group Name | Depart MHS | Call time @ AHS | Warm Up | Performance | Sightreading | Back at MHS | Leave/picked up from AHS |
| Milton High School | Concert Orchestra | 2:50 | n/a | 3:40 | 4:10 | 4:40 | 5:50 | n/a |
| Milton High School | Chamber Orchestra | n/a | 5:30 | 6:10 (5:15) | 6:40 | 7:20 | n/a | 7:50 |
| 2/13 | ||||||||
| School Name | Group Name | Depart MHS | Call time @ AHS | Warm Up | Performance | Sightreading | Back at MHS | Leave/picked up from AHS |
| Milton High School | Sinfonia | 6:20 | n/a | 7:15 (6:40) | 7:45 | 8:20 | 9:20 | n/a |
LGPE Dates/Times
1/14/2025 1:11 pm
Good afternoon and Happy New Year!
We received our Large Group Performance Evaluation times. This year's event is at Alpharetta HS- it's great to be local! We hope to see many parents in the audience. We'll also need plenty of chaperones- if you are willing, please let me know and I'll make sure you get the volunteer link once it's updated with LGPE details on our website.
Remember that this is our equivalent of an EOC exam- FCS requires that every ensemble class participate. The feedback we receive annually from the LGPE judges is invaluable from a growth standpoint.
Thursday, February 6, 6:30 pm: Pre-LGPE Concert at Milton HS (Major Grade)
Wednesday, February 12 and Thursday, February 13: LGPE at Alpharetta HS (Major Grade)- see below for your ensemble's day/time
I'll send additional details about travel times and transportation methods along with permission slips. Thanks!
Times are all pm !
| 2/12 | |||||||
| School Name | Group Name | Director | Level | # of Players | Warm Up | Performance | Sightreading |
| Milton High School | Concert Orchestra | Andrew Cummings | III/IV | 35 | 3:40 | 4:10 | 4:40 |
| Milton High School | Chamber Orchestra | Andrew Cummings | VI | 28 | 6:10 (5:15) | 6:40 | 7:20 |
| 2/13 | |||||||
| School Name | Group Name | Director | Level | # of Players | Warm Up | Performance | Sightreading |
| Milton High School | Sinfonia | Andrew Cummings | V | 42 | 7:15 (6:40) | 7:45 | 8:20 |
|
warm-up times marked in parentheses are when the room will be open if directors choose to warm up early
|
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Regards,
Andrew Cummings, Director
Milton HS Orchestras
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