Orchestra News

1) End of semester grades have been posted. Ms. Silberman will be touching base with each student to discuss 1st semester successes and to 'game plan' a focus for each student for 2nd semester. Any parents interested in that information is welcome to e-mail or call Ms. Silberman (silberman_daryl@salkeiz.k12.or.us).

2) Not too early to work on the two reviews due by the end of second semester. The Oregon Symphony Association in Salem contacted Ms. Silberman to remind us of upcoming concerts, including this next Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 8 p.m. Here's an excerpt from the e-mail they sent:

"Tickets are available at: (503) 364-0149 or 1-800-992-8499. Classical ticket prices range between $25 and $43 while Pops tickets run from $24 to $54. Student tickets are available at the box office for $5 the night of the concert to any student with ID. The box office opens at 6:30 p.m. at Smith Auditorium. This season's remaining concerts, which are all on Tuesday evenings, are listed below. All concerts begin at 8:00 p.m. in Smith Auditorium on the Willamette University campus.

Jan. 29: "Legends of Swing" featuring arrangements of songs by Nelson Riddle for some of the greatest singers of the 40s and 50s (Pop)
Feb. 5: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2, Kirill Gerstein, piano, Gregory Vajda, conductor*
Feb.y 19: Liszt Piano Concerto No. 2, Arnaldo Cohen, piano, Carlos Kalmar, conductor*
April 15: Mozart Clarinet Concerto, Sharon Kam, clarinet, Gregory Vajda, conductor**
April 22: "A Sentimental Journey" featuring Norman Leyden and the Oregon Symphony Orchestra (Pops)"

3) We have launched YMMP - Young Musician's Mentoring Program. Mr. Shippy and Ms. Cline
have polled their students and we have about 20 young students in middle or elementary school who would like coaching by high school students. The Titan orchestra student's commitment is to coach the young musician 4 times - once or twice a month could do it - either at school or at a house, and upon completion of the 4th coaching, the high school student will be paid $20. Also, all high school students will receive a good amount of extra credit from Ms. Silberman for successfully participating in this program. This is one of the ways we can assure that we have a thriving program here at West. Please touch base with Ms. Silberman if you're interested in participating.

4) Thanks to all for a great first semester! Second semester we have many exciting things to look forward to - newly configured period 5 and 6 classes, a 'solo' playing improvement unit, advanced orchestra classical composer and contemporary player projects, district and (hopefully) state competitions for advanced orchestra and symphony, a concert at West with the middle school orchestra too, a concert at West with the 4th and 5th grade orchestras too, and we will begin planning the big trip for next year ('08/'09).

~Ms. Silberman

Daryl Silberman, director
West Salem High School Orchestras
(503) 399-5533 x256
Cell: (818) 317-8218