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
Read MoreOrchestra 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.
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!
Read MoreAll 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
Read MoreRequired 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
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!
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