From the Podium WELCOME! Welcome! Vol. 5, No. 1 August By Melissa Rohrer, Orchestra Boosters President

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1 Welcome! Vol. 5, No. 1 August 2011 WELCOME! By Melissa Rohrer, Orchestra Boosters President A s president of the Orchestra Boosters for the school year, I would like to welcome everyone to the BBHHS orchestra program. Orchestra Boosters is a group of parents dedicated to supporting and encouraging our orchestra students. We meet once a month with the orchestra director(s) and student representatives to plan various events and activities. Here are just a few examples of what the Orchestra Boosters do: help organize the welcome dinner in the Fall; assist at concerts; raise funds; coordinate volunteers for the OMEA State Adjudication; assist with student-led activities; decorate the Swarm Board in the cafeteria; decorate students lockers before concerts; administer the John Bowers Senior Award; organize the Spring Banquet; and publish four newsletters each year. This first one is being mailed to your home so you will have important information before school starts. You will receive the other three newsletters electronically. Please mark your calendars for the Welcome Back Dinner on September 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. The Orchestra Boosters will be on hand to introduce ourselves to the new families. Parents are also invited to check out the Orchestra Boosters at our first meeting, on September 19 at 7 p.m. in the music classroom (059). You can enter the school in the rear music entrance. We look forward to meeting the new families and welcome back returning ones. I hope to see you all at the Welcome Dinner, Melissa Rohrer (440) melissa_rohrer@sbcglobal.net From the Podium By Steve Cocchiola, Orchestra Director I hope you all have had a fantastic summer and are starting to mentally get back into school mode. I am very excited about the upcoming school year, and look forward to the challenges that this year will present. For each of us, there will be some uncertainties and some brand new uncharted territories. For our upcoming Freshmen, the change of a new director and also a brand new school climate to get used to can be both a good and bad thing. As scary as it may seem I know that the students, teachers, and fellow musicians at BBHHS will be more than welcoming. For all of the returning students, the uncertainty of a new schedule will be fun for us all to figure out. For myself, being in a "similar but different" position makes this year feel brand new all over again. I am honored to have this shared experience together with you all. Instead of laying out the specific calendar events that are coming up in this space (like our Welcome Back Dinner on September 13, or the Northeast Regional Auditions on September 24, or even our first concert on October 18), I want to start off with a challenge for you. Every year we try to do better; to Get Better Continued on page 3

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3 Orchestra Calendar (Note: All meeting sites are in the High School unless otherwise noted.) Date Event Time Location Aug. 24 First Day of School Sept. 9 Audition Tapes Due 2:25 pm Sept. 13 Welcome Back dinner 6:30 pm Cafeteria Sept. 19 Orchestra Boosters meeting 7:00 pm Music Class Room (059) Sept. 24 NE Regional Orchestra Auditions TBA Cleveland State University Oct. 6 Fundraiser at Honey Hut 6:30-8:30 pm Honey Hut, Brecksville Oct. 18 Orchestra Concert 7:00 pm Auditorium Oct. 23 NE Regional Orch. Rehearsal TBA Cleveland State University Oct. 24 Orchestra Boosters Meeting 7:00 pm Music Class Room (059) Nov. 5 NE Regional Orch. Rehearsal TBA Cleveland State University Nov. 6 NE Regional Orch. Concert 3:30 pm CSU/Waetjen Auditorium Nov. 17 COYO Orchestra Concert 7:00 Auditorium Nov. 21 Orchestra Boosters meeting 7:00 pm Music Class Room (059) Dec. 12 Orchestra Boosters meeting 7:00 pm Music Class Room (059) Dec. 15 Holiday Concert 7:00 pm Auditorium Jan. 23 Orchestra Boosters meeting 7:00 pm Music Class Room (059) Jan. 26 TRI-M Recital 7:00 pm Auditorium Jan. 28 OMEA Solo & Ensemble all day TBA Feb. 3-4 Ticket to Broadway (Quartet) 7:00 pm Auditorium Feb. 7 8th grade parent orientation 7:00 pm Music Room Feb OMEA All State Convention Columbus Feb. 27 Orchestra Boosters meeting 7:00 pm Music Class Room (059) Mar. 2 OMEA State Adjudication TBA BBHHS / Co-Host Mar. 8 HS/MS Festival of Orchestras 7:00 pm Auditorium Mar. 20 Orchestra Boosters meeting 7:00 pm Music Class Room (059) April 16 Orchestra Boosters meeting 7:00 pm Music Class Room (059) April Spring Musical 7:00 pm Auditorium May 21 Orchestra Boosters meeting 7:00 pm Music Class Room (059) May 25 Spring Concert 7:00 pm Auditorium May 29 Orchestra banquet 6:30 pm St. Michael s Woodside June 2 Commencement (Quartet) 2:00 pm State Theater To be scheduled: Symphonic Orchestra rehearsal dates Have questions? Please contact any of the following: BBHHS Orchestra Director: Steve Cocchiola / / cocchiolas@bbhcsd.org Orchestra Boosters: President: Melissa Rohrer / / melissa_rohrer@sbcglobal.net Vice President: Beth Smith / / smithba@bbhcsd.org Secretary: Jayne Trautman / / jaynejojo@roadrunner.com Treasurer: Bruce Wilson / / bruce.wilson@ey.com 2

4 Q&A: Meet the Director An interview with Steve Cocchiola Q: When did you join BBHHS? A: This is my seventh year; I started in Q: What positions have you held? A: I started part time, with Symphonic Band and Marching Band, and as an assistant to Chamber Orchestra and String Orchestra. I also taught Middle School Jazz Band after school. Over the years my responsibilities expanded to include teaching fourth and fifth grade strings with Jennifer O Neal, as well as music theory at the high school. For two years I was also Dorene Marsh s assistant of the eighth grade orchestra. Now I direct all three high school orchestra classes (Concert, String and Chamber), music theory, and I also teach strings at Central. Q: With the retirement of longtime district orchestra directors Charles Valley and Dorene Marsh, will the orchestra program change? A: My goal is to keep our entire string program in grades 4-12 intact. Realistically, the orchestra program will see minor changes because there will now be a different voice and vision at the 4-8 grade levels, and I think the high school will feel different due to the new bell schedule. The only thing that I would change, and I have spoken with Mr. Valley about this, is to tweak the Continued on page 4 From the Podium Continued from page 1 Every Day and last year was a tremendous year of accomplishments. We had the greatest number of participants in the school s history for the Northeast Regional Orchestra; another student accepted as an All State Orchestra member; one of the longest concerts in school history in May 2011; and a list of music that our ensembles performed that would rival many college programs. The challenge is simple: What can YOU do to add to this impressive legacy? What will be your contri- bution to the history of our program? The challenge is simple: What can YOU do to add to this impressive legacy? What will be your contribution to the history of our program? I leave you with one of my favorite lines from both a poem and a movie: We are the makers of music, and we are the dreamers of dreams. Welcome to the school year. 3

5 Continued from page 3 awards that are given at the banquet. Some new awards will be given, and the physical awards might be different. Q: What ideas have you brought to the high school orchestra program? A: Mr. Valley has been nothing but supportive toward my ideas and was very open to incorporating them into the program, so many small changes have been implemented since These include the orchestra going back to large group adjudication with the Ohio Music Education Association, adding a concert in the fall, creating a scholarship for seniors, writing by-laws for our booster organization, and adding some curricular work like concert critiques and fourth-quarter projects. The biggest change is the creation of the Concert Orchestra, which is primarily for freshmen. Q: What music do you enjoy listening to? A: I enjoy listening to the Beatles and Queen. I am also a product of the 80s and usually keep my Sirius XM tuned in to the 80s channel. As far as classical music, I enjoy Holst, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Mozart. Q: Did you have a teacher who inspired you? A: My High School Orchestra director is the reason I am a teacher today. She was an excellent inspiration, and I have tried to model most of my teaching style to reflect the experiences I was given as a high school student. She provided an atmosphere that was inviting and positive, and challenged us to do our best. It was very student focused, and always asked us for input. In fact, in my junior year of high school I decided that music education was the career path for me. Q: What other jobs have you had? A: Throughout most of high school, college, and even after I started teaching in Tampa I held part-time jobs. I worked in an appliance parts warehouse for more than eight years, and also worked part time at a music/comic book shop for about nine years. Q: Where are you originally from, and where did you attend college? A: I was born in Queens, N.Y., and lived there for around 10 years before my father who worked for Prudential Insurance was transferred to Brandon, Fla., right outside of Tampa. I finished my public school in the Brandon area, and then went to college at the University of South Florida where I majored in Music Education. I lived in Florida for 20 years, and then moved up here in the summer of Q: What is your favorite restaurant? A: Yes? Any? I think the restaurants that my family and I frequent the most is Red Robin, but I will drive anywhere for great food! We took a trip to Pittsburgh to go to Primanti Bros. once just for fun! Q: What do you do in your rare free time? A: Besides spending time with my family, I have been known to spend too many hours playing on the X-Box

6 Orchestra Student Officers Congratulations to the incoming student leadership team for the new school year! President: Stephanie Swedik Vice President: Nicole Fantozzi Recording Secretary: Christine Soong Corresponding Secretary: Erin Schaffeld Treasurer: Cindy Zhao Student Activity Coordinator: Kimberlyn Paschke Outreach Coordinator: Hannah Olsen Equipment Manager: Deryk Trautman Some of the titles and tasks of the orchestra student leadership team have changed from recent years. At the end of last school year, the students evaluated all of the officer positions and their respective responsibilities. As a result they decided to eliminate some positions, combine others, and create new ones to better serve the program. Good luck to all on their newly reorganized team! Honey Hut Fundraiser Thursday, October 6 6:30 8:30 p.m. Don t miss the popular Orchestra Boosters fundraiser at Honey Hut Ice Cream Shoppe in Brecksville, held before/during the annual Homecoming Parade. A flyer will be available on the orchestra website (bbhhsorchestra.com) the week of the fundraiser to print out and take to Honey Hut. If you present the flyer when you buy ice cream, the shop will donate a portion of sales back to the orchestra. REMEMBER TO BRING THE FLYER! Andrew Sabol receives John Bowers Award Andrew Sabol, BBHHS Class of 2011, received the Orchestra Boosters John Bowers Memorial Award for graduating seniors last May. Andrew, who was a four-year member of BBHHS Chamber Orchestra and principal cellist for two years, will attend Bowling Green State University this fall, majoring in Music Education. Any senior who plays a stringed instrument in one of the school s orchestras is eligible for this scholarship, named for prominent former orchestra booster John Bowers, who passed away suddenly in Mr. Bowers played a key role in creating this financial award for seniors who excel in their musicianship. He also chaired BBHHS second Ohio Music Education Association Large Group Adjudicated Event, in February His two sons were active in the BBHHS orchestras. 5

7 Orchestra Families: Join us for Dinner! The BBHHS Orchestra Student officers will host a pot luck-style Welcome Back Dinner on Tuesday, September 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. All orchestra members and their families are invited! Here s what each class should bring: SENIORS: JUNIORS: SOPHOMORES: FRESHMEN: Bottled water or two 2-liter bottles of soda, iced tea, or lemonade Dessert Salad A hot side dish to share (and a serving utensil) The Orchestra Boosters will provide pizza and paper products. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this casual evening of getting to know other orchestra families. Please let us know by Thursday, September 8, if you can come! You can return this form to one of the directors or Orchestra President Stephanie Swedik. Or, your RSVP to Stephanie at swediksm@yahoo.com. Questions? Call Stephanie at Student s name(s): Grade(s): Total attending (including student): Phone: Parent s address: 6

8 Mr. Valley Thanks Orchestra Boosters Charles Valley, director of the orchestra program at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School for the past 25 years, retired in May. He recently sent this letter of appreciation. Dear Orchestra Music Boosters, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kindness as I wrapped up my final year of teaching. It will be impossible for me to put into words my thanks and appreciation but I will try. I have had the privilege of watching Orchestra Boosters (originally known as OPUS) grow from its inception into a dynamic mover and shaker organization. It has been heartening seeing so many parents attending the meetings. The Orchestra Boosters has been an incredibly supportive group to not only our orchestra students but to our music department in general for many years. Orchestra Boosters go way beyond that, helping in so many other ways. So many parents over the years have given so much of their time and energy to help with concerts and adjudicated events, banquets, trips, fund raising, etc. That is why I always say, We could not do half of the things that we do without the support of Orchestra Boosters. On a very personal note, I cannot thank you enough for the way that you honored me at the end of the school year and especially the reception after our final concert. Everyone has been so kind. The Swarm Board was incredible. I actually got a chance to see it one evening when I was in the cafeteria by myself. It almost seemed surreal to me. Looking at the wonderful pictures reinforced what I have said all along, I was the one who was truly blessed to teach in wonderful school systems with incredible students who came from incredible and supportive parents all under the guidance and direction of very caring administrators. I was truly humbled by the way you treated me so special with the reception and your kind words. I also want to thank you for the gifts as well. Your thoughtfulness and kindness went way beyond anything I ever deserved, and I will forever be grateful for it. As I expressed to Vocal Music Boosters, I would like to say thank you for believing in the importance of the arts in your children s education and for supporting them to the fullest. Thank you for all you do for our school, the music department and especially the orchestra program. And thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all you have done for me. I feel so privileged to have been able to teach music to the best young men and women our society has to offer. I really did receive far more than I was able to give and what you have given me will always be among the fondest memories of my teaching career. God bless you all, Chuck Valley 7

9 The Orchestra Boosters Need You! All parents of orchestra students are welcome to attend Orchestra Boosters meetings. There is no formal membership; in fact, parents are boosters just by having a student in the orchestra program! Orchestra Boosters meetings are held once a month at the High School, in the music classroom (059), at 7 p.m. The schedule for the school year is: September 19 October 24 November 21 December 12 January 23 February 27 March 20 April 16 May 21 For more information, please contact any of the Orchestra Boosters officers: President: Melissa Rohrer melissa_rohrer@sbcglobal.net Vice President: Beth Smith smithba@bbhcsd.org Secretary: Jayne Trautman jaynejojo@roadrunner.com Treasurer: Bruce Wilson bruce.wilson@ey.com If you can help, please complete the form below and have your child return it to the Orchestra Boosters mailbox in the orchestra room. The activity chairperson will contact you prior to the event. (Parents and businesses alike are invited to become orchestra sponsors by making a monetary donation; sponsorship forms are available at bbhhsorchestra.com and in the newsletters.) Yes, I d like to help! Contact me about my availability to help with the items checked below. Name Student s name Phone address Chaperone social events (bowling party, hayride, movie night) Contact me about helping throughout the year if you need volunteers for any activity October Fall Concert, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. pass out programs December Poinsettia sale fundraiser Assist with pickup, afternoon or evening shift (date TBA) Hooded sweatshirt sale Assist with pickup (date TBA) Holiday Concert, Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Ticket sales, presale/at door; pass out programs March OMEA State Adjudicated Event, March 2 volunteers needed for shifts 3-10 p.m. HS/MS Festival of Orchestras, March 8, 7 p.m. pass out programs Assist with reception immediately following Festival of Orchestras May Swarm Board week Decorate cafeteria bulletin board to recognize orchestra students Spring Concert, May 25, 7 p.m. Ticket sales, presale/at door; pass out programs Orchestra Banquet, May 29 Design programs, assist with arrangements/registration End-of-Year Party Chaperone (usually after Spring concert at a local restaurant) 8

10 got music? Become a Family Orchestra Sponsor Show your support for the outstanding Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Orchestra Program! Your sponsorship benefits orchestra students by funding instruments, social events, musicianship awards, the annual orchestra banquet and biennial performance trip. Visit their website at to learn more about this talented group of musicians. Students value the many opportunities that the orchestra program provides. We hope you do too! Please support the orchestra program by completing and returning the form below with your check payable to BBHHS Orchestra Boosters. BBHHS Orchestra Boosters c/o Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, 6380 Mill Road, Broadview Heights, OH Concerts: Fall Concert - Oct 18 th Holiday - Dec 15 th Festival of Orchestras - March 8 th Spring - May 25 th ================================================================== Family Orchestra Sponsorship Form Sponsors are recognized in all orchestra concert programs. Please check your selected sponsorship category below. Include your individual or family name as you would like it to appear in the programs. For those sponsors receiving concert tickets: Each ticket will admit one person to the concert of your choice. Your ticket must be relinquished at the door. MAESTRO Sponsors - Receive six (6) concert tickets AND a private 30 minute $ 250 performance by the BBHHS string quartet, to be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time and place. Perfect for birthdays and other special occasions! WHOLE NOTE Sponsors - Receive six (6) concert tickets $ 100 HALF NOTE Sponsors - Receive four (4) concert tickets $ 50 QUARTER NOTE Sponsors - Receive two (2) concert tickets $ 25 EIGHTH NOTE Sponsors - Receive recognition in the concert programs $ 10 Sponsor Name: Phone: Address: Questions? Own a business or run an organization? Call to find out about Community Orchestra Sponsorships Contact Kay Mendlik at or kmendlik@cox.net Thank you for your support!

11 Minimum Time, Maximum Achievement A Guide to Good Practice Habits Place Musicians need a place to practice that is quiet and minimizes interruptions. Musicians need a music stand, a metronome, and a straight back chair. Duration It is better to practice often for short periods of time than seldom for long periods. This is for skill and muscle development, which needs frequency for best results. Twenty minutes to a half an hour each day is perfect for students who are working on lessons and orchestra music. Students taking private lessons and/or working toward an audition should practice half an hour to an hour a day. Method Start with a warm-up for about 5 minutes. Review scales minutes of lesson material during which musicians should be working out difficult passages, slowly and with a lot of repetition minutes of orchestra music during which musicians should be working out difficult passages, slowly and with a lot of repetition. End with something fun Just play through a favorite selection. Suggestions for Parents For most students and adults practice is not fun. Playing your instrument is fun but practice is tedious work and is difficult. Most students will not practice without encouragement. Occasionally, take time to sit and listen to your child in the same room. Set up a convenient time each day for practice. Never use music as a punishment. Intervene if you do not hear the type of practice session outlined in this paper. Private Lessons Weekly lessons for minutes of help At the student s home, a music store, or at the private teacher s place Useful practice websites:

12 PRIVATE TEACHER RESOURCE LIST LOCAL MUSIC STORES AND UNIVERSITIES Each of the following locations offers lessons for students at all ability levels on all of the string instruments: 1. Baldwin Wallace College, Preparatory Division (440) Brecksville Center for the Arts (440) Brecksville Music Shoppe (440) The Cleveland Institute of Music, (216) x252 Preparatory Division 5. The Cleveland Music School Settlement (216) x Cleveland State University Department of Music (216) Community Music Program 7. First Chair Music Studios (440) Royalton Music Center (440) Tri-C Community Music Program (216) (Studios located in Parma and Cleveland) VIOLIN AND VIOLA Melissa Leisinger (440) Michael Houff (216) Flora Nevarez (360) Sara Schimelpfenig (440) Jordyn Woodhams (H.S. student, viola) (216) CELLO Eric Hoffman (440) Jeff Schimelpfenig (216) BASS Scott Astey (440) This list represents only a starting point for you in selecting a private teacher. Please feel free to contact any other qualified teacher that you might know. New names are added regularly to the list, as students refer me to their teachers. 11