Please check on a weekly basis for the most up to date news and changes
Website Updated: September 25, 2026
New Song under Audio for Latin Fair- Carnival Brazil
New Content ( Christmas concert music!) under Audio tab!
Start listening -practice slowly to improve quickly! :)
Wednesday October 7, 4:30-4:55pm Latin American Fair Performance:
Mr.Payne's room. The Theme is FIFA!. Dress in Soccer outfits for this fun performance!
Bring your families and friends for a fun filled evening. There will be food trucks, games and a soccer game. celebrations start at 4:00pm. Soccer game 6:00pm-7:00pm
District Honor Orchestra all rehearsals all at Northside High School Auditorium:
Tuesday, September 22, be seated by 4:45, Rehearsal & chair auditions 5:00-7:30pm
Friday, October 16, be seated 5:45pm, Rehearsal 6:00-8:00pm
Saturday, October 17, be seated 8:45am, Rehearsal 9:00-12:00pm
Lunch 12:oo-1:30pm on your own, Dress for the concert
Rehearsal 1:30-2:34pm Stage
Call for tuning on stage 3:15pm
Concert begins 3:30-5:00pm -ish... FREE ATTENDANCE
GMEA ALL STATE AUDITTIONS
October 24, 2026 at Columbus HS: District Audition
Final Round Audition: January 9, 2027 at The Westminster Schools Atlanta, GA
All-State Event: March 4-6, 2027 The Classic Center Athens, GA
All state etude videos:
Violin Etude
Viola Etude https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZwGJwig5hI
Cello Etude
Thursday, November 12 at 6:00pm: IB Gala Performance
About 30 instrumentalists will be chosen due to space limitation. Concert Black and white.
Chamber orchestra is asked to stay and perform from 6:40-7:00pm in the Media Center as background music for our guests.
Monday December 7:Dress Rehearsal for Winter Concert. Orchestra Room. All students!
3:30- 4:30pm Beginner group (6th, 7th, 8th grade)
4:30 - 6:00pm Intermediate/advanced group Stay 5 minutes to clean up after the rehearsal!
Tuesday December 8: Winter Concert at 6:00pm in the Gym. Call time 5:30
Concert black and white dress code. Students need to help clean up after the concert.
Instrument Rentals- New and Used- Great Prices Sharmusic
Donorschoose projects link https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/7995313
if you or anyone you know that can help us raise funds for new instruments, this is the place to help young musicians reach their dreams with the right size instruments. Tax deductible!
New Orchestra Students: click here to watch this video
and see a little of what we do in orchestra. It also helps in choosing an instrument, if you don't know what you would like to play yet.
From our syllabus:
Concert Dress Code
Each student has to be wearing the following for all concerts:
Black dress shoes – no tennis shoes
Black dress socks/stockings – no white socks
Black dress pants/skirt (covering the knees)
White dress button up shirt – no low cuts for the ladies, no logos
Parents, students need to take their instruments home and practice daily, otherwise a pop test
will be administered the next day.
Cellos need to go home on weekends if daily is not possible.
Bass, whenever possible, given its large size, and vehicle limitations.
Orchestra is a performance based class, therefore:
After school rehearsals are a mandatory part of being in any orchestra.
The rehearsals incorporate all sections of the orchestra, so that all parts of the music are covered at the same time. We use these crucial times for concert and festival preparation, school functions or any last minute invitations to perform for an event.
Orchestra supply list
1. Pencil, Eraser
2. Method Book (Essential Elements for strings, about $12.00)
3. Rosin ($5.00-$12.00)
4. A 3 ring binder with protective sleeves for sheet music ( black preferred)
5. Stopper for cellos and bass ($7.00-$20.00)
6. Shoulder rest for violins and violas ($12.00-$30.00)
7. An extra set of strings and rosin, as they will break!
8. If using a free school instrument we request that you consider purchasing your own bow!
$35.00-$100.00. The larger the instrument the more the bow costs.
9. When using a school instrument, on violins, violas and cellos we request that you cover the cost of a new string set (yearly) for optimal sound performance and safety $20.00-50.00
10. Daily Dose of Positive attitude
Places to shop in Columbus:
Baker Music Shop, #2 Midtown Loop, (706) 563-7924
Everything Musical, 2400 W. Britt David Road, (706) 323-1809
Places to shop online for best price guarantee (they do rentals too):
Sharmusic.com and Swstrings.com
Please do not purchase instruments from Amazon or Ebay without consulting with me first. Most instruments are junk and you will regret your purchase.
Orchestra room “free will” supply list.
1. Large hand sanitizer
2. Large box tissue paper with lotion (Kleenex, Puffs)
3. Large box of disinfecting wet wipes
4. Cloth cleaning rags (clean, cut up old T-shirts work too)
5. "NOW" essential oils (EO) for our room diffuser (this is a natural and healthy alternative to wall plug-ins which are chemically based and harmful). You are always safe with any mint or citrus family EO. Seasonal EOs are always welcome also.
Thank you so much in advance for keeping us germ free and keeping our instruments looking new.
Please ensure that your child is practicing daily at home. Our success depends on each
student practicing diligently, every day, at home. All the pieces have audio files on our website for playback purpose as well as play-along.
ARCHIVES 26-27
Every Tuesday 3:20-4:30 Weekly afterschool rehearsals
Parents, please be on time for pickup for student safety.
Tuesday, September 22,No afterschool rehearsal due to Honor Orchestra rehearsal at NSHS
Tuesday, September 22,District Honor Orchestra rehearsal/chair auditions at Northside High School auditorium. Be seated by 4:45, Rehearsal 5:00-7:30pm
Drop off and pickup in the BIG parking lot facing the rotunda. Please be on time for pickup!
Students will go by the rotunda and enter the side entrance.
All State Audition Registration closes September11.
Start practicing if you consider entering. https://www.gmea.org/aso-audition-information
Note Recognition has been updated. There is a level 6 for advanced students.
Level 7 is in the works!
Beginning Students violin/viola bring a sponge if you don't have a shoulder rest.
Everyone should have a book purchased. The deadline was August 17th, for supplies.
District Honor Orchestra registration closes September 4.
YOGC season begins Monday August 31st.
YOGC AUDITIONS AUGUST 21-22 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SIGN UP FOR THE YEAR. IF YOU
PARTICIPATED IN THE SUMMER CAMP YOU DO NOT NEED TO AUDITION CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS YOGC.ORG (RESOURCES TAB)
2025-26 year
Thursday May 14,
6th Grade Award Ceremony Performance 10:30am GYM
1 selection, Ash Grove. reduced orchestra
Business elegant dress code.
No jeans, No T-shirts, YES Casual shoes!
Spring International Pot Luck- Monday May 18, 5-6 period
Please bring your favorite dish, as done at the Christmas
potluck. Remember, we want real authentic flavors! (check
the gallery for pictures and ideas....)
Tuesday May 5, 2025 at 6 pm. Spring Concert
Call time 5:30pm, Orchestra room
All students! All students. Location: Richards Gym.
Students assist clean up after the concert!
-Monday May 4, Dress Rehearsal (regular dress code)for
the Spring Concert
3:15- 4:30pm Beginner group - Gym All must be present!
4:30 - 6:00pm Intermediate/advanced group - GYM
All must be present
Students need to be present 10 minutes before rehearsal
and stay 5 minutes to clean up after the 6 pm rehearsal!
-Congratulations on a well done and a fun Beginner
Orchestra Festival on March 24th
-Thank you orchestra members for a wonderful NJHS
performance on March 25th
-Congratulation Orchestra students for bringing us
the 11th year of Superior Ratings from LGPE!
-Check out the NEW Gallery pictures!
Tuesday, March 24 Beginning Orchestra Festival (B.O.F.). Sign up deadline, March 17
Only 1st year students. Location: Hardaway HS.
Registration 5:00pm. Rehearsal 5:30-6:30.Dinner 6:30-7:00pm. Concert 7:30pm FREE!
No afterschool rehearsal on Tuesday, March 24 due to B.O.F. conflict.
Wednesday March 25 NJHS induction ceremony performance ( select members 9 )
8:45-9:30 RMS GYM. Concert black and white or NJHS elegant dress code.
Tuesday, March 24 Beginning Orchestra Festival (B.O.F.). Sign up deadline, March 17
Only 1st year students. Location: Hardaway HS. $10.00 registration @ mypaymentsplus.com
Congratulations to Imon Bhattacharyya, our GMEA ALL STATE Finalist.
Good luck to you in Athens, March 5-7. Represent us well! Go Warriors!
Tuesday, March 3 is Orchestra Picture day.
This includes classes and Honor Orchestra,
YOGC and All State
Upcoming Performances/dates
Wednesday, March 4 Large Group Performance
Evaluation (LGPE)
(7th and 8th grade students) Location: Carver HS.
Warm up time 11:00am. Performance time
11:30am. Sight Reading time 12:00pm
Concert Black and White attire.
No white socks, No leggings, No tennis shoes.
Parents are welcome to come and watch the
Performance only at 11:30am, as sight reading
is only open for performers.
February 19 Whitewater Orchestra Festival (7th and 8th grade students) Location: Jordan HS
RMS departure 8:45am Warm up 9:15am Performance 9:45am Return for RMS 10:45am
Concert Black and White attire. No white socks, No leggings, No tennis shoes.
Parents are welcome to come and watch. Free Attendance.
Saturday, January 10, 2026 All State, Final Audition.
Riverwood International Charter School, located at 5900 Raider Dr, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Finalists, you need to practice your audition material a minimum of 1 hour a day
to even have a chance to get into the ALL STATE ORCHESTRA!!!
State audition music, info/map/directions here:https://www.gmea.org/aso-audition-information
Check out the Gallery for pictures of our 4th annual International Christmas Potluck on December 17. Thank you so much for your participation. The food selection was amazing. Please extend a Big thank you to your parents as well. Looking forward to our end of school year spring potluck in May 2026.
Wonderful winter concert, everyone. Thank you for your hard work and dedication
Wednesday, December 17 International Potluck during each class period.
More info via email comin soon.
Please bring a dish for sharing, that best represents your culture.
Remember, we do authentic food, not the usual chips/cookies/sodas we get everyday....
(check our gallery tab for past favorite dishes...)
Tuesday December 2 at 6:00pm
Winter Concert at RMS Gym, 6:00pm - Concert black and white dress code. ALL STUDENTS
Students need to go home and return to the orchestra room at 5:30pm, in concert black and white dress code (orchestra back door).
Students need to stay after the concert and help clean up/move stands and chair back to the orchestra room. (About 5 minutes)
Monday December 1
All orchestra Dress rehearsal(not in concert clothes)
3:30- 4:30pm Beginner group All must be present!
4:30- 6:00pm Intermediate/Advanced group All must be present! Please be on time for pickup.
Great performance at the IB Gala Open House. Thank you for your hard work!
Wednesday November 19 t at 6pm
- IB Gala performance - Concert attire
Winter Concert audio and sheet music is posted
You should be able to play each song with a few mistakes at this point.
PRACTICE SLOWLY! 2 improve quickly
Orchestra Merch Store is now open till November 17
Saturday November 8 at 7:30pm
Columbus Symphony Orchestra Concert ( The CSO is sponsoring RMS as guests with FREE tickets) An opportunity to watch and listen to Professional musicians and music. All orchestra students and their parents are invited. This is an opportunity you don't want to miss.
Congratulations YOGC students on your first concert
of the season! Great performance!
Tuesday October 28- NO AFTERSCHOOL REHEARSAL
due to YOGC concert performance. If you can, please come and support our wonderful
musicians perform. Attendance is FREE!
Georgia All State finalists:
Congratulations Nuri, Nathan and Imon for passing the District level. Sate level is on January 10. Good luck!
Saturday October 25- ALL STATE District level audition at Northside HS
Congratulations Honor Orchestra Musicians and thank you for a Great Concert. Excellent way to represent RMS!
District Honor Orchestra seating auditions
Friday October 17 - HONOR ORCHESTRA rehearsal 6:00-8:00 NHS Be seater 15 minutes prior
Saturday OCTOBER 18 - HONOR ORCHESTRA rehearsal9:00-12:00
(be seated 15 minute prior)
rehearsal 1:30-2:45 ( in concert clothes).
Concert 3:30-5:00 FREE ATTENDANCE NHS AUDITORIUM
Special Congratulations to :
Micah Hampton for making Concert Master!!!
Daniel Yao for making principal 2nd violin
Latin Fair: Congratulations and thank you for your wonderful performance on October 8
Everyone loved your music! Keep practicing!
Wednesday, October 8, LATIN FAIR performance: 6th, 7th and 8th grade select students
4:30-5:00pm Across the cafeteria. Dress code: jeans and school T-shirts, or warm colors
(yellows, oranges, reds).
Tuesday, October 7 , afterschool rehearsal only for the Latin Fair performers
Thursday September 25 - HONOR ORCHESTRA first rehearsal and chair audition
5:00-7:30 NHS
Wednesday September 10 -Deadline for ALL STATE Auditions registration
payments on mypaymentsplus
Monday September 8- YOGC ACADEMY rehearsals begin.
Friday September 5 - HONOR ORCHESTRA registration deadline.
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Youth Orchestra Of Greater Columbus - YOGC auditions and sign up for 2025-26 season. Click the logo.
