Mira Mesa High School Orchestras

On a Zoom, on a phone, in a room, or all alone. A glimpse at teaching and learning in 2021. Also, it was great to have Mr. Cinque (Bass, San Diego Symphony / San Diego Symphony Musicians) back on campus today for the first time since March 2020. #miramesaorchestras #miramesa #incrediblyusefulexercises

End of Quarter Update -- And yes, students are still encouraged to submit any pending work. Have a great weekend!

Materials for tonight's Spring Concert (2021), including a Digital Program, Side-Screen Program, and Promotional Image, are available at the link below. Thank you all for your support! http://www.miramesaorchestras.org/home/spring-concert-2021

It’s technology test time ahead of Wednesday’s concert with the Mira Mesa High School Orchestras. We are looking forward to sharing some music and some time with our families, friends, and supporters. Selections include works by Antonio Vivaldi, Florence Price, student composers (a collaborative cello composition project), and Brendan McBrien, as well as selections from Coco and Up. #miramesaorchestras

Slowly but surely we are working to expand opportunities for all students (both hybrid and online) to come together and play collaboratively on site. Here is a brief clip from our time together this afternoon -- a little Vivaldi (arranged by Bob Phillips). It's been wonderful seeing some familiar (and newly familiar) faces joining us on campus and we look forward to welcoming even more of our musicians as safe and accessible opportunities are added.

While the 2020-21 school year has presented our students with many challenges, we have continued to provide the best possible resources and opportunities for our musicians. Whether it be securing instruments, providing coaching opportunities, acquiring music, or simply purchasing materials for students to use at home, we have worked hard to ensure that all students are able to participate fully in our program. Now, you can make a difference and help us navigate this unique ye...ar by making a tax-deductible donation. Donate Today: http://tiny.cc/supportmiramesa Donations in all amounts are greatly appreciated and a digital receipt acknowledging your support is provided immediately.

Rehearsal number two with selections by Antonio Vivaldi, Florence Price, and Brendan McBrien.

Bassists Another resource is now available to support and guide you. Thank you to Dennis Whittaker for compiling a wonderful series of ‘Incredibly Useful Exercises’. Be sure to check out the affiliated YouTube channel as well for video tutorials and guides! #bass #incrediblyusefulexercises #miramesaorchestras

In a year where students have faced (and overcome) many obstacles, there may have been times when you questioned whether you are seen or heard. Your perseverance and ability to adapt have not gone unnoticed so please know We see you.... We hear you. You are appreciated. To all our students, thank you! #miramesaorchestras #miramesa

Here are a few shots from our first exclusively live rehearsal in 403 days, including the first sounds in multiple parts (a staggered D Major Scale -- in the comments) since March 2020. Again, thank you to all of the Mira Mesa High School musicians who attended today. We appreciate you sharing your time and are thankful to have you with us.

Our musicians have access to four new compositions, courtesy of the California Orchestra Directors Association - CODA and the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra. All pieces are part of Celebrate CA, a new collaborative initiative for 2020-21. Take a look at all four pieces, starting with Syzygy, by Viet Cuong.

A sneak peek at today's 1PM String Session - exploring audio setup and recording with Soundtrap. String sessions are being provided to support our Mira Mesa Senior High School musicians as well as string students from other SDUSD VAPA affiliated programs.

String Sessions Held regularly at 1PM for our Mira Mesa High School musicians and friends. Students, check your San Diego Unified School District email account for more information!

Cellist Sophie Webber has put together a playlist covering Ševík's 40 Variations, Op. 3. Subscribe to her channel or bookmark the playlist for future reference. Thank you, Ms. Webber!

Updating Practices Here’s a brief sample clip showing how instruction can be modified to meet the needs of online learning. Here, musicians can rehearse an A Major Scale (in 1, 2, and 3 Octaves) in a musical context with a track created in Soundtrap. There are also affiliated PDF files with notations and fingerings for all string instruments that were created with Avid Sibelius.

To help our students navigate their new online resource, a Soundtrap slide deck has been created. Hopefully this will be of use to our musicians as they familiarize themselves with the program. https://tinyurl.com/soundtrapresource

ICYMI -- Among other things, this past week we were able to secure Soundtrap seats for EVERY string musician in our orchestra program for 2020-21. Students, visit soundtrap.com and log in using your San Diego Unified School District email credentials. Soundtrap is a digital audio workstation (DAW) that will allow our students opportunities to arrange, compose, and collaborate online. We have already been using it (amost daily) in our 1PM orchestra sessions. Happy exploring!

Parents, students, and supporters. Here are a few select slides from today's session agenda. We have been working hard to continue to provide quality learning opportunities and resources for our students. In addition to 'instrument in hand' activities, we have been working to integrate other platforms / programs to keep things interesting for our musicians. Please do ask them what they think so far regarding a few of these, including Pear Deck, Noteflight, Soundtrap, Avid Sibelius, and Spotify, among others.

It’s bow giveaway week! Stop by our orchestra sessions at 1PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday this week for a chance to claim a new carbon fiber bow courtesy of Music Central and SHAR Music. #miramesaorchestras #musiccentral #sharmusic #miramesa

Parents & Families - Thank you to the students who have been attending our Orchestra Club! Since getting started we have been working hard to meet the needs our students, including offering opportunities for individuals to share their thoughts, offer feedback, and even monitor their own social emotional needs (with additional data driven considerations provided). While the platforms currently utilized may vary (Pear Deck, polls, Noteflight, Soundtrap, Flipgrid, Avid Sibelius..., etc), the objective is the same -- to serve and support students. For more information on our club, including agendas that are updated daily and direct links to access these opportunities, please visit our Google Classroom page. Now, enjoy the weekend! See you next week.

Students, Parents, and Families - Tomorrow (Thursday, September 17th) there will be two windows available for individuals to pick up materials needed to help ensure students can participate fully in orchestra activities. Drive up to the new music building during either window, 12:30 - 2:30 PM or 4:00 - 6:00 PM to be provided instruments, music stands, other materials, or even have instruments tuned / adjusted. See the slides below for additional information.... Thank you.

Need an instrument or stand? We’re here to help and have two different windows open this Thursday to accommodate our students and families.

Here is updated on the 2021 California All-State Ensembles for students in our Mira Mesa High School Orchestras and Mira Mesa High School Band & Color Guard.