Saturday, December 23, 2017

Give everyone a gift!

We Cordially Invite You to become a
Highlands Ranch High School Friend of the Orchestra!

The Friends of the Orchestra program provides vital funding for numerous HRHS Orchestra programs, activities, and music education resources.  The HRHS Orchestra Boosters is a designated 501(c)(3) charitable organization, making all monetary donations tax deductible.  

With additional participation of new donors and recurring donors, the HRHS Orchestra Boosters can continue to expand the learning opportunities for our Orchestra students, including providing sectional coaching sessions with visiting professional musicians and Orchestra scholarships for our graduating seniors.

Please become a Friend of the Orchestra, and encourage others to join.  Family, relatives, friends, and businesses are welcome to contribute.  Upon making a generous donation of $25 or more, your name will be listed in every Orchestra performance program this year to acknowledge and thank you for your support.  

Feel free to return and donate as often as you like, or sign up at the Donate link for recurring monthly donations using your PayPal account.  And remember, HRHS Orchestra Boosters is a designated 501(c)(3) charitable organization, making this a great opportunity to get in an end-of-year tax deductible donation!


Visit our webpage:


The following levels are encouraged to support the HRHS Orchestra 2017-2018 season:

Black and White   $25 ~ name listed in programs
Silver                     $50 ~ name listed in programs
Blue                       $100 ~ name listed in programs
Platinum                Special Donations

Business/Corporate      $100, $250, $500 or $1000 ~ business card ad in program and on website

To receive a Thank You letter that includes relevant tax information, please provide your contact information when you make your donation, or e-mail Paul Gross.

The HRHS Orchestra Boosters and the students we serve appreciate your support!

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Gift card donations requested

Do you happen to have extra gift certificates sitting around that you haven’t used? Does someone at work keep giving you Starbucks, Dairy Queen, Cold Stone Creamery, or other gift cards?  You take them and say “thank you,” but it’s not your cup of tea.  You hold on to them, but wonder when you’ll ever use them.  Well, have we got a solution to your problem!  
We are asking for gift cards to any variety of businesses to use as thank you gifts for teachers, section coaches, and others.  We only ask that they be new, at least $10 in value, and free of any personalization.  Please feel free to send them in with your students to class (if you think it’s safe! Ha ha!). As always, please feel free to email Sandra or Mr. Woodworth if you have any questions.  Thanks for helping us, and lightening your wallet’s load.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

A new Mark Wood video

Hello everyone!

We wanted to share this video from Douglas County School District on our Mark Wood visit.  It's great fun to watch him in class with the kids!  Be sure to watch the Channel 9 video also in our blog.
One more thing:  Don't forget to check the calendar on the website as we have several Winter Showcase rehearsal and performance dates coming up quickly!
If we don't chat again before Thanksgiving break, have a wonderful, safe holiday with your loved ones.  We are very thankful for your continued support for our Boosters and our students!

Start your holiday shopping now!

Hi everyone,
Here is the order form for the holiday scrip order.  Mr. Woodworth has forms, as well.
The orders are due back to Mr. Woodworth or Deb Stilwell by Nov. 29, along with payment; it will take about a week to get the cards in.  We will distribute them to the students or email the parents that they're in -- whichever they prefer.  
It's an easy fundraiser for the students.  The scrip company will pay Boosters the total of all the rebates, then, from there, they will be posted to the individual students’ accounts.  Besides those listed on the form, there are hundreds of other retailers available.  There is a link to GL Scr​​ip on the order form.

You can start the season feeling good knowing that your early holiday shopping also benefits our Orchestras.  Please contact Deb Stilwell if you have any questions.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Mark Wood visit on Channel 9

Channel 9 showcased our Orchestra visit from Mark Wood on air Sunday evening.  Here is the link to watch the clip if you missed it.  We have also added a link to a portion of the Feeder Festival concert to our Concert Videos section on the lower right side of this page.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Silent auction at Mark Wood concert Friday!


Hello all,

Tomorrow night is our big Mark Wood concert at 7 p.m.! Have you bought your tickets yet?  We hope you got a preview at our amazing Feeder Fest tonight. Wow!  In addition to another raffle at tomorrow night’s concert, we will also be featuring a silent auction on some fabulous gift baskets.  We have several baskets to choose from, including “Home for the Holidays,” “Relaxation,” a special Mark Wood basket, and more!  The bidding for some of these baskets will start as low as $10! You may pay by cash or credit card tomorrow night.  We hope you will join us and invite all your family and friends.  It’s sure to be a fantastic night!  We can’t wait to see everyone there and ready to rock!

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Butter Braid forms due Friday!

In the excitement of our week, we don't want to forget that Butter Braid order forms are due during class this Friday, Nov. 10.  Students can pick up their orders after school next Friday, Nov. 17.  

We are so excited to see everyone tomorrow for the Feeder Fest and Friday night for the Mark Wood concert. (Have you bought your tickets yet?)Thanks again for your continued support!

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Mark Wood Concert

Mark Wood Concert
Friday, November 10, 2017
Highlands Ranch High School Orchestras

The Highlands Ranch Orchestra’s Mark Wood concert is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.  We are putting on a fun and unique performance with legendary Rock Violinist Mark Wood.  We are looking forward to an evening full of rehearsals, a fabulous concert, and lots of fun with Mark Wood.  The Mark Wood concert will be at Highlands Ranch High School, with the concert in the auditorium at 7 p.m.

  • We will have a silent auction for two baskets Friday night.  These baskets will be on display before and during the concert.
  • HRHS Orchestra has been donated a Mark Wood SVC Stingray electric violin to be drawn for at the Friday  night concert. Tickets are $5 each, and 5 for $20. Please bring cash or check! We hope that you win! You must be present to win!
  • We will be having a short intermission during the concert, where refreshments may be purchased.
  • Reminder that Mark Wood is performing both at Feeder Fest on Thursday, Nov. 9 and, as a grand finale, he is in recital Friday,  Nov. 10 with HRHS Orchestras. These are TWO different performances; students are performing at both. Please help to fill the audience!  Here is more information.

Here is an informal outline of Friday evening’s activities:

5:00 PM High school students check-in and help set up at HRHS
5:15 PM Sound check
6 PM Volunteers arrive
7  PM Concert begins, HRHS Auditorium

Cost:
There is no cost for Orchestra students.  Adult tickets are $15, and student tickets are $10.  You can still buy tickets here.

Dinner:
Students need to eat before they arrive at 5 p.m.

Dress code:
Wear jeans and your Orchestra t-shirt.

HRHS Parent Volunteers:
Parents, we need your help with the ticket booth, check in, and concessions, starting at 6 p.m.. In order to pull off this great community performance,  we need volunteers. HRHS families, please help! (Log in with school code HRHSOrchestra, then go to the November calendar, and click on the hand on the date for the Mark Wood concert.) If you prefer or have questions, please contact Sandra Rainey (srainey@dcsdk12.org).

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,
Ryan Woodworth
Highlands Ranch HS Orchestra Director

(303) 387-2652

Orchestra Feeder Festival 2017

Orchestra Feeder Festival 2017
Thursday November 9, 2017
Highlands Ranch High School Orchestras

The Highlands Ranch Area Orchestra Feeder Festival is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017.  We are putting on a fun and unique performance with legendary Rock Violinist Mark Wood. We are looking forward to an evening full of rehearsals, a fabulous concert, and lots of fun with Mark Wood.  The Feeder Festival will be at Highlands Ranch High School, with the concert in the gymnasium at 6:30 p.m.

  • In order to pull off this great community performance,  we need volunteers. HRHS families, please help! (Log in with school code HRHSOrchestra, then go to the November calendar, and click on the hand on the dates for feeder fest and/or Mark Wood concerts.)
  • HRHS Orchestra has been donated a Mark Wood SVC Stingray electric violin that we will draw for at the Thursday night concert. Tickets are $5 each, and 5 for $20. Bring cash or check, and we hope that you win!  You must be present to win!
  • King Soopers Cards will be available, are $5 to start, and can be reloaded for all gas and food purchases.
  • Butter Braid orders are still happening; this is a great opportunity to still sell to EBOP and CMS families. Forms due Nov. 10 in class.
  • Reminder that Mark Wood is performing both at Feeder Fest on Thursday, Nov. 9 and, as a grand finale, he is in recital Friday,  Nov. 10 with HRHS Orchestras. These are TWO different performances,  students are performing at both. Please help to fill the audience!  Here is more information.

High School students need to plan to stay after school to help set up, rehearse, and then help with the middle school and elementary Orchestra students.   Mr. Woodworth will have a copy of your official “Student Jobs.”  Thank you for your mentorship and lending a helping hand.  Our young musicians look up to you!

Here is an informal outline of the Thursday evening’s activities:

3:00 PM High school students check-in and help set up at HRHS (ready BY 3:10)
3:15-4:00 High school students rehearse in gym
3:45-4:00 Symphony help MS, Choir room (tune)
4:00-4:20 Chamber directing EBOP to Band room, drop stuff, then Commons to eat.
4:20-4:30 Help Advanced- tune/ get to gym with shirt and name tag
4:30-4:45 Help Beginning- tune/ get to gym with shirt and name tag
5:00 PM Symphony, Chamber eat in Commons with Cresthill
5:30- 6:00 ALL Rehearse Hoedown
6:30 PM Concert begins, HRHS gymnasium

Cost:
The cost for feeder festival is included in your Orchestra fee through the boosters. We will cover food, water, and students’ workshop time with Mark Wood.

Dinner:
The HRHS pizza dinner will be served between 5-5:30 p.m. Students can choose from cheese or pepperoni.

Dress code:
Wear jeans and your Orchestra t-shirt.

HRHS Parent Volunteers:
Parents, we need your help with handing out EBOP shirts, checking in all students,  supervising, serving pizza, helping with the raffle, helping in the autograph line for Mark Wood, and cleaning up after the concert.  The more help that we have, the smoother the evening will go. If you are able to help from 3pm until the start of the concert, please contact Sandra Rainey (srainey@dcsdk12.org).

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,
Ryan Woodworth
Highlands Ranch HS Orchestra Director
(303) 387-2652

Volunteers needed ASAP


We are quickly approaching our feeder fest and Mark Wood concerts! With all the fun and excitement, there comes a lot of work.  That’s where you come in!  I have updated the volunteer needs on the calendar in Charms.  We need a lot of help for Thursday, Nov. 9 and Friday, Nov. 10.  Please log in Charms with school code HRHSOrchestra, then go to the hand icon on those dates to see what’s still needed.  If you cannot access Charms, please contact me directly at srainey@dcsdk12.org.  Also, if there is a time frame listed, please feel free to help out anytime during that time that’s convenient for you. We are happy to have whatever help we can get!  If you prefer or you have questions, please feel free to email me.  Thank you so much for your support!

Friday, October 6, 2017

Chipotle Restaurant Night Wednesday

Join us for a fundraiser to support HRHS ORCHESTRA BOOSTERS. Come in to the Chipotle at 2209 W Wildcat Reserve Pkwy Unit E1A in Highlands Ranch on Wednesday, October 11th between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Bring in this flyer, show it on your smartphone, or tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 50% of the proceeds will be donated to HRHS ORCHESTRA BOOSTERS!
https://drive.google.com/a/dcsdk12.org/file/d/0B0-KJZT9MNeIV1ppbGdWU2NlQlNicUlxTXpoYWJpZUFBWGY0/view?usp=sharing

Saturday, September 30, 2017

We're now on Amazon Smile!

Fall is in the air, and you might be giving some thought to the upcoming holidays (or avoiding those thoughts, whichever). Now you can shop on Amazon and help the Orchestra boosters. Just click here and select us (Hrhs Orchestra Boosters) to help raise money for the Orchestra general fund while you do all of your normal (and holiday!) shopping on Amazon. It's a win-win all the way around! We appreciate all you do to help us support this wonderful organization. Happy shopping!

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Snap! Fundraising

Orchestra Parents,

Please take a moment to read about one of this year's most significant fundraising efforts.  Last year, we made $3,800 from this one fundraiser!

We will be kicking off our Snap! Raise campaign this week. Snap is an online donation campaign that allows our program to receive donations from our networks and supporters. Snap uses the power of email, text, and social media with a safe, fun, and interactive approach. All we ask is that each parent/guardian help their student gather 20 or more email addresses of their biggest fans. Please review the info below to see just how much of an impact this campaign can have for our students.

*Your contacts are strictly private and protected, and never sold or shared.*

Snap Fact Overview: 
1. Safe and Protected - Snap! Raise is the safest online donation campaign available. All data is private and never redistributed. Your student’s information on the Snap page is less detailed than what would be on a team website roster.
2. Online donation platform - Reach potential donors via email, social media, and text to ask them to support our program and visit the page, where they can seamlessly donate.
3. Email Strategy - All supporters will receive a receipt for their gift that is tax deductible, included with a personalized thank you from the student. There are three reminder emails sent to donors, with an option to unsubscribe. 
4. Network - Snap’s platform and process is what makes their campaigns so successful. It allows an extensive reach across communities by providing options to connect with multiple donors and their social networks, maximizing our raising efforts.  

Please consider helping your student with this fundraiser.  It doesn't get any easier than this for families to raise money for the Orchestra program.  Thank you in advance for your help!  

Monday, September 4, 2017

Fundraising Booster meeting Tuesday

Bet you’ve spent all weekend cooking and entertaining, right? Relax and join the Orchestra Boosters for a fundraising brainstorming session tomorrow night (Tuesday 9/5) at 6:30 p.m. at Brothers Bar & Grill, 7407 Park Meadows Drive, Lone Tree.  It’ll be a fun time to get together and ponder what options we might want to explore for fundraising, as well as setting some goals, for Orchestra Boosters this year. 

Whether you’re giving some thought to helping as committee chair, want to be a regular helper, or just want to know what’s going to be happening this year, come meet up with us – especially if you have some great ideas to share!  We promise we’re all great people to get to know and hang around!

Please RSVP if you want to join us so we know how many seats to save!  We hope you’ll join us for this important planning session.  Thanks in advance for helping us make this a great year for our students!  

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Volunteers needed for EBOP Instrument Rental Night!

Our first fundraising opportunity is here, and we are soliciting volunteers to participate. Golden Music (website: goldenmusic.co) is offering an opportunity to raise funds if we can coordinate groups of volunteers to work several events with them.

Any parents and students interested in helping will need to attend a training session in the HRHS Orchestra room on Thursday, August 31st, at 4 p.m. Then our first event kicks off with EBOP Instrument Rental Night at 6 p.m.!

Approximately 10 volunteering events for this fundraiser will occur over the next few weeks. Golden Music has requested up to 20 volunteers per event. Each event will last approximately 4 hours. We understand that your time available to dedicate to volunteering can be limited, but we would like to supply as many volunteers to as many events as we can to make the most of this fundraising opportunity. Students and families can receive volunteer hours, and Orchestra lettering points for participating in the training and working the events.

More information about the events to be worked, locations, dates, and times will be provided at the training session tomorrow. The HRHS Orchestra Boosters are asking for your help to make this important first fundraising opportunity a success. We hope to see you there. Please contact Ryan Woodworth with any questions you may have prior to tomorrow's training session at rswoodworth@dcsdk12.org.

Monday, August 21, 2017

Required Orchestra Meeting - Tuesday 8/29/2017 at 6:30 PM

Just a quick reminder to mark your calendar for the Required Orchestra Meeting for students and parents on Tuesday, August 29 @ 6:30-8:15 p.m.

Plan at least an hour to get everything done.  Come at 6:30 and hit a few stations before the short 7 p.m. presentation, or come at 7 p.m. for the presentation and do everything afterward.

Here are the highlights of our agenda:
  1. Concert Attire** (scroll to the bottom of this post for details)**
  2. Fundraising for your $100 Student Fee and opportunities for personal orchestra-related expenses
  3. Orchestra Merchandise  
  4. Volunteer Opportunities
  5. Friends of the Orchestra

  • Quick presentation meeting at 7 p.m.
  • Stations remain open for you to finish up until 8:15 p.m.
  • Please bring your checkbook to pay for concert attire and/or the Orchestra Student Fee, or to start in on fundraising opportunities.


  • Do these things at home before you come!





    Looking forward to seeing you Tuesday night!

    Wednesday, August 16, 2017

    Sign-up for Orchestra Parent Text Message Reminders

    HRHS Orchestra Families,

    Orchestra parents/guardians are able to sign up to receive text message reminders of important upcoming events.  These text alerts are infrequent and often used in conjunction with only a subset of the Orchestra e-mails.  Participation is voluntary but potentially helpful if you check your e-mail infrequently or if the Orchestra informational e-mails are getting lost in a sea of spam.

    If you want to receive these messages but do not want to get them via text message, an alternative is to receive these messages via the REMIND app, which you can download to your smartphone.  Your orchestra student should already be receiving similar messages as part of a separate classroom REMIND group set up by Mr. Woodworth.

    To receive these periodic messages, send a text message to number 81010 with @orchparen in the message field.

    Again, enter this number:  81010
    Text this message:  @orchparen

    Participation is optional, and you can leave the group at any time if you no longer wish to receive these messages.

    Wednesday, May 3, 2017

    Tuxedo Returns Tomorrow 5/4

    HRHS Orchestra Families,

    If your student has a rented tuxedo, please have them bring it to tomorrow's Orchestra Banquet.  We will be checking them in for a short time both before and after the Banquet.

    Senior girls who would like to donate or sell their concert dress can bring those as well.  Sales of used dresses will not occur until August, so please attach contact information if you wish to be reimbursed.

    Thanks!

    Sunday, April 23, 2017

    Sign-up for Orchestra Parent Text Message Reminders

    HRHS Orchestra Families,

    Orchestra parents/guardians are able to sign up to receive text message reminders of important upcoming events.  These text alerts are infrequent and often used in conjunction with only a subset of the Orchestra e-mails.  Participation is voluntary but potentially helpful if you check your e-mail infrequently or if the Orchestra informational e-mails are getting lost in a sea of spam.

    If you want to receive these messages but do not want to get them via text message, an alternative is to receive these messages via the REMIND app, which you can download to your smartphone.  Your orchestra student should already be receiving similar messages as part of a separate classroom REMIND group set up by Mr. Woodworth.

    To receive these periodic messages, send a text message to number 81010 with @orchparen in the message field.

    Again, enter this number:  81010
    Text this message:  @orchparen

    Participation is optional and you can leave the group at any time if you no longer wish to receive these messages.

    Great Works - Thursday April 27th

    HRHS Orchestra Families,

    The upcoming Great Works event features the top ensembles at HRHS.  The performance will include full orchestra and choir, thespian Shakespeare, as well as our annual concerto competition with winners Simon Ye on saxophone and Trevor Vogel on Viola.

    Symphony orchestra students are required to attend this performance, all other audience members will need to have a ticket.  Tickets are $5 each.

    Online ticket sales are active and you are encouraged to purchase your tickets in advance for the show.  The ticket purchase website is:  Great Works Tickets

    The Great Work performance is on Thursday, April 27th, at St. Andrews United Methodist Church at 7:00 PM.

    St. Andrews United Methodist Church is located at 9203 S University Blvd in Highlands Ranch, just to the north of the shopping center in the NW corner of the University/Highlands Ranch Parkway intersection.

    We look forward to seeing you there!

    Arts Alive - Tuesday April 25th

    HRHS Orchestra Families,

    Arts Alive is coming up on Tuesday, April 25th, from 7:00 - 9:30 PM in the HRHS Commons area.

    Arts Alive is our end-of-year finale for the Symphony orchestra students.  It is a kaleidoscope of ensembles from guitar, piano, vocal, and winter percussion in a Carnival like performance with goodies and treats around the halls.

    Chamber orchestra students are required to attend.

    Please come join us!

    Parent volunteers for this event will be contacted via separate e-mail with additional information.

    Sunday, April 16, 2017

    HRHS Orchestra Banquet - Thursday May 4th

    HRHS Orchestra Families,

    Our End-of-Year Orchestra Banquet will be on Thursday, May 4th, in the HRHS auditorium.  The Orchestra Boosters will be providing the main dish and drinks, but are asking the families to bring sides and desserts to share in a pot luck fashion.  Please arrive in the 6:30-6:45 PM timeframe so you have time to drop off your side/dessert in the Orchestra Room before joining us in the main auditorium.

    Please RSVP no later than April 28th at this link:  Orchestra Banquet E-vite Invitation

    Once you've clicked on the link, View the Message From The Host, go to RSVP, and add a message in your RSVP reply stating whether you will be bringing a Side Dish or Dessert.

    May the 4th Be With You!

    Online Ticket Sales for Great Works Performance on April 27th

    HRHS Orchestra Families,

    Online sales for our upcoming Great Work performance on April 27th are active and you can purchase your tickets in advance for the show.  Tickets are $5 each.

    The ticket purchase website is:  Great Works Tickets

    The Great Work performance is on Thursday, April 27th, at St. Andrews United Methodist Church at 7:00 PM.

    St. Andrews United Methodist Church is located at 9203 S University Blvd in Highlands Ranch, just to the north of the shopping center in the NW corner of the University/Highlands Ranch Parkway intersection.  We hope to see you there!

    Sunday, April 9, 2017

    April 10th Boosters General Meeting

    HRHS Orchestra Families,

    Or next Booster Club General Meeting is this Monday, April 10th, from 7:30-8:00 PM in the HRHS Orchestra Room.  The main topics for this meeting will be planning for upcoming events in the coming month, including Arts Alive (April 25th), Great Works (April 27th), and the End of Year Banquet (May 4th).

    Parents and students are welcome to attend the General Meetings.  Please come if you are interested in assisting in the planning and/or volunteering for these events.

    We hope to see you there!