Concert next week and potential inclement weather

1/30/2026 1:58 pm

Good afternoon- Just a couple of things heading in to the weekend:

1. Please take home instruments for practice and in case of inclement weather.  On Canvas, I have posted an announcement with music, reference recordings, tempos, and practice expectations.  

2. Our Pre-LGPE concert is Thursday, 2/5 at 6 pm in the MHS Auditorium.  

• Counts as a major grade
• Students should arrive in concert attire (concert dress black) at least 30 minutes before their anticipated performance time (see below) to check in and warm up in the orchestra room
• After each group performs, they are expected to stay to watch the performance after theirs, but then students are free to leave
• No food will be provided for this concert; there is no after school rehearsal

ESTIMATED Performance Times: We could run ahead or behind schedule, so it is important that you arrive half an hour early to check in/warm up as mentioned above.  We cannot wait for you when it is time to go on stage.  

Performs at (arrive 30 minutes early!): 

6 pm: Concert Orchestra

6:20: Band 3

6:45: Sinfonia

7:10: Band 2

7:40: Chamber Orchestra

8:10: Band 1

Let me know if you have any questions. 

Regards, 

Andrew Cummings, Director

Milton HS Orchestras

Early spring announcements- lots of info!

1/23/2026 1:58 pm

1. INCLEMENT WEATHER ASSIGNMENT: In the event that we have any weather-related closures, make sure that instruments go home with students today.  Canvas modules have been updated to reflect your current repertoire/practice priorities.  We have a Pre-LGPE concert on February 5th!  We will have a recorded playing test on this music prior to LGPE (March 12/13), so continue to practice the sections we have worked on in class and look ahead.  Thanks! 
2. BANQUET CHAIRPERSON NEEDED: We do not yet have a volunteer to lead our end of year banquet team.  This event (April 23^rd) is always a highlight of the year, and it cannot happen without a lot of volunteers.  Please contact me directly or email the boosters at miltonorchestra@gmail.com if you can help!  Some aspects of the planning need to begin as soon as possible.  
3. PRE-LGPE CONCERT: Our Pre-LGPE concert is in a new format this year.  We are excited to combine with band for an exciting but relatively informal (except for attire) event.  Scheduling necessitated that we hold this preview quite early, so we will perform only selections of our overall LGPE program.  Things to keep in mind:

• Concert attire is the same (concert black) as usual.
• In the Milton HS Auditorium
• There will be no pre-rehearsal, pre-meal, or concessions.
• Concert begins at 6:00 pm- call (arrival) time and performance time will vary by ensemble and will be announced closer to the concert. Concert Orchestra will perform near the beginning, Sinfonia middle, and Chamber end. 
• Performances will alternate between band and orchestra.  Students will be expected (for a grade) to arrive early enough to warm up and stay to watch at least one ensemble following their own.  Otherwise, audience and students will rotate throughout the evening (similarly to LGPE).  It's more like a performance festival than a traditional concert.  
• There will not be reserved or advance seating for this concert.  

• Volunteer/chaperone slots are posted at the link below.  Please help if you can!  Performances are also open to come watch (and are sometimes not well-attended).  We would really like to see you there since it is the only time we'll perform these complete programs.  Volunteer: https://www.miltonorchestra.org/volunteer/151201
• Details so far: (All at Alpharetta HS)
• Sinfonia- 3/12: Bus from Milton around 2:15 pm, Perform 4:40 pm, return to Milton by 6:25 pm
• Chamber- 3/12: Arrive (responsible for own transportation) no later than 6:30 pm, Perform at 7:50 pm, depart after sight reading
• Concert- 3/13: Bus from Milton around 3:45 pm, Perform 5:20 pm, return to Milton by 7:05 pm.  

LGPE Dates/Times- mark your calendars

1/8/2026 11:27 am

Good morning- We have received our assigned dates and times for Large Group Performance Evaluation at Alpharetta High School in March.  The scheduling window has been on the calendar all year, but now you can mark these specifics for your orchestra.  This is a major event/grade and required for all orchestra members (FCS requires all ensemble programs to participate in this evaluation).  Subject to adjustments by the LGPE organizers.  

3/12 at 4:40 pm: Sinfonia (2nd period)

3/12 at 7:25 pm: Chamber (4th period)

3/13 at 5:20 pm: Concert (7th period)

Transportation details to follow.  Times do not include arrival, warm up, and sight reading evaluation, so plan on an extended period on both sides of the performance slot.  Also, remember our (very early) Pre-LGPE concert on February 5th at MHS!

Winter Concert Thursday + student social RSVP

12/10/2025 2:30 pm

Good afternoon, Milton Orchestra Families,

There are two items in this message, one about an end-of-year social (students, please RSVP), the other a repeat of previous information about Thursday's concert.  

1. Our student leadership team has organized an end of year social/game night for Friday, 12/12 (3:30 to 5:30 pm in the orchestra room).  There will be a movie and hot chocolate, plus bring your favorite games and snacks to celebrate a great semester!  This is an informal gathering, but we would like to know how many people to expect for planning purposes, so please RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJi4yusvsyEoGKO67R7spgybNnNcUsecdRkCHWsLqZNa6DOQ/viewform

1. I'm looking forward to our Winter Concert Thursday, 12/11/25 at 7 pm in the MHS Auditorium.  We will be joined by NMS and EPMS 8^th graders for a few of the musical selections.  It should be an engaging and festive evening.  Join us for a reception afterwards!  Concert attire is our usual formal concert black (with appropriate footwear, etc.- see miltonorchestra.org/attire).  Festive embellishments that don't distract are welcome but not required.  

• Change to concert ticket reservation system: Booster membership (see applicable levels and join here: https://www.miltonorchestra.org/packet/1695) still gets you access to advance seat reservations for our concert.  Look for a link from the booster club if applicable.  These will close the day of the concert and be marked for you when you arrive.  NEW: By popular demand and for the sake of simplicity,  all other seats will be (free) general admission upon arrival.  Arrive early to get your seats, especially for this concert with so many guests.  
• CONCERT TIMELINE: 

Thursday, 12/11/25- These activities are all part of your MAJOR GRADE for the concert experience and, more importantly, the culmination of a lot of hard work!  Be on time (early) and ready.  Stay through the final piece of the concert (and don't forget the reception after).  

All day: Rehearsals on stage during class period

*4:45 pm: Arrive and head to auditorium with instrument/music

5:00 pm: Rehearsal for all orchestras/performers in auditorium; follow directions given by Mr. Cummings (we'll also be practicing the set changes)

6:00 pm: Pizza served; rehearsal may go longer for some ensembles

6:55 pm: In places/dressed for concert (Concert Orchestra on stage, Sinfonia/Chamber/8th grade in designated audience seating)

7:00 pm: Concert begins

Order: Concert Orchestra, Sinfonia, Combined groups with 8th grade, Chamber Orchestra

*Either stay through and bring concert attire to change into or go home and come back in concert attire

Let me know if you have any questions.  I'm looking forward to a great event!  

Regards,

Andrew Cummings, Director

Milton HS Orchestras

Winter Concert Thursday 12/11

12/3/2025 2:12 pm

1. Change to concert ticket reservation system: Booster membership (see applicable levels and join here: https://www.miltonorchestra.org/packet/1695) still gets you access to advance seat reservations for our concert.  Look for a link from the booster club if applicable.  These will close the day of the concert and be marked for you when you arrive.  NEW: By popular demand and for the sake of simplicity,  all other seats will be (free) general admission upon arrival.  It is not too late to join and get early access!  Otherwise, arrive early to get your seats, especially for this concert with so many guests.  
2. Pizza opt-OUT: If you DO NOT want pizza, please fill out this form so that we don't over-purchase.  Pizza is provided by your Milton HS Orchestra Booster Club.  2025 Winter Concert Pizza Opt Out 12/11/25  – Fill out form
3. CONCERT TIMELINE: 

Post-concert message and videos

10/3/2025 3:50 pm

Good afternoon, Milton Orchestra students and families,

Congratulations on a wonderful fall concert!  I'm so proud of everyone's hard work and the progress all three orchestras have made.  

Thanks again to the parents and students who put in extra time and effort to help ensure a smooth concert night experience, from concessions to tearing down afterwards and all of the behind-the-scenes work.  We also enjoy the support of a great administration and FCS fine arts support team, both of whom were represented in last night's audience.  

And thanks to booster club, community, and parent support, we've been able to bring in clinicians regularly to work with our sections this semester.  It's only the beginning- just think where we'll be by the end of the year!  

Because I get a lot of questions about this, remember that most of our Sinfonia students started in Concert Orchestra, and 65-70% of our Chamber Orchestra have previously been Concert and/or Sinfonia members.   If you have any questions about what you can do to improve individually, just ask.  I've already seen some tremendous improvement from individuals and ensembles!  

Visit  https://www.youtube.com/@MiltonOrchestra for concert videos.  Have a great weekend!  

Regards,

Andrew Cummings, Director

Milton HS Orchestras

Tri-M Sponsor

cummingsas@fultonschools.org

www.miltonorchestra.org

Orchestra Concert and Spirit Night!

9/23/2025 4:45 pm

Good afternoon,

It's hard to believe our concert is next week (10/2)!  Here are a few details/reminders, plus a reminder about spirit night TOMORROW 9/24.  

SPIRIT NIGHT: 

Support our program by visiting Playa Bowls Wednesday, September 24th, 4-7 pm! Just mention that you're there for Milton Orchestra. 12660 Crabapple Rd.

CONCERT TIMELINE: 

Thursday, 10/2/25

All day: Rehearsals on stage during class period

*5:15 pm: Rehearsal on stage for all 3 orchestras (combined piece)

6:00 pm: Pizza served 

6:55 pm: In places/dressed for concert (Concert Orchestra on stage, Sinfonia/Chamber in designated audience seating)

7:00 pm: Concert begins

Order: Concert Orchestra, Sinfonia, Intermission, Chamber Orchestra, Combined (all orchestras)

*Either stay through and bring concert attire to change into or go home and come back in concert attire

PIZZA OPT OUT

If you DO NOT want pizza, please fill out this form so that we don't over-purchase.  Pizza is provided by your Milton HS Orchestra Booster Club.  

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=mLHcDGmBcEu6n9p-O6cAwn9ciSzDf0BKuMKnzTZKxVJUMVRQWjMwMkpKSFg2OEVTQzY2UTZOTDkyNS4u

Concert admission is free, but you will select your seat in advance (or scan the QR code at the door if you haven't done so).  Advance reservation links have started going out to the various levels of booster membership.  When available for everyone, it will be posted here: https://www.miltonorchestra.org/concerts 

Let me know if you have any questions.  I'm looking forward to a great fall concert!  

All State + Solo & Ensemble registration due Friday

8/28/2025 1:55 pm

Good afternoon- 

If interested in auditioning for All State or participating in Solo and Ensemble, these registrations are do to me on Friday.*

You can find all audition and event dates at miltonorchestra.org/calendar. 

A simple way to find the registration is by clicking the event or due date on our calendar, which will give a brief description along with a link to register.

The link allows you to pay through Membership Toolkit, and then I'll submit everyone's registrations to GMEA.  

Alternatively, you can also find these along with other registrations at miltonorchestra.org by selecting My Account>My Forms/Paperwork. 

Thanks!  

*Please note that if you have exempt status for round 1 due to being a current 10th or 12th grader who made All State last year, you still need to register!

Regards,

Andrew Cummings, Director

Milton HS Orchestras

Required forms and (virtual) parent meeting

8/7/2025 4:03 pm

A brief welcome (back)

7/25/2025 4:18 pm

Good afternoon- I'm looking forward to seeing everyone soon and meeting those of you who might be new to the program! 

Friday afternoon is not prime email reading time, so I'll keep this to the basics.  We'll have plenty of info for you next week so that you can get a head start on the year.  

For now, if you need to reach me or find out what's going on, here are some options:

• Email: cummingsas@fultonschools.org
• Follow us @miltonorchestra on Instagram and Facebook
• Visit miltonorchestra.org (updates in progress, but the calendar is in place and things like concert attire remain the same)
• GroupMe: If you're already in it from last year, feel free to message as needed.  If not, we'll include updated info next week.  

We continue to grow and are currently sitting at 108 strong (Concert Orchestra- 40, Sinfonia- 40, Chamber- 28) with well-balanced ensembles!  If you encounter any schedule issues, keep me in the loop along with your counselors so that we can find solutions- little changes can have a big effect on everyone else.  

Please see the attached flyer with some major dates/events and stay tuned for a trip announcement and more.  I'm looking forward to a great year!  

Regards,

Andrew Cummings, Director

Milton HS Orchestras