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Over the last few weeks students from all over the South Central Region of Virginia, which stretches from Richmond to Bristol, have submitted their audition tapes with the hopes of being named a member of the 2020 Senior Regional Orchestra. This year, Senior Maggie Russell (Trombone) and Sophomore Hailee Perdue (French Horn) were both honored with this selection. Congratulations to Maggie and Hailee on this incredible accomplishment.
Please view this performance in fullscreen.
Thank you for your support!
#WEAREOC
Orange County Band Members, Parents, and Staff,
I hope this message finds you well...seriously. That’s typically one of those cliches we casually throw up there at the top of an email just to get the pleasantries out of the way before we get to business, but I genuinely hope you and your families are well. I have found an abundance of opportunity to contemplate and reflect over the last few months, as I am sure you have found the same. I’ve found that my thoughts are consistently occupied with our student musicians, our fantastic band parents, and our talented and dedicated instructional staff. I wonder how you’re doing and how you’ve decided to occupy your time. I wonder if you’re well; physically and emotionally. I also have spent a great deal of time and energy trying to put the pieces together for a logical and practical return to live rehearsals, trying to lay the groundwork for the start of the 2020 OCHS marching band season.
Currently, I have more questions than answers, but I wanted to be in touch with what information I do have so that we can all start making plans to move ahead together. While nothing has been absolutely confirmed yet, it is starting to look like we will be permitted to assemble in small groups starting as early as next week. Our rehearsals will be held in accordance with all safety protocols and guidelines set forth by Orange County Public Schools, the State of Virginia, and the Virginia High School League. The following precautions and protocols can be expected when our students return to OCHS for marching band rehearsal:
● Six feet of spacing will be maintained at all times ● All rehearsals will take place outdoors ● Occupancy will be limited to 10 students per rehearsal ● Students will not be permitted to enter the building before, during, or after rehearsals ● Instructional staff, guard members, and percussionists will be required to wear masks at all times ● Wind players will be asked to wear masks as they enter and exit the designated rehearsal space ● There will absolutely no sharing of equipment, instruments, water bottles, etc. ● Water stations will not be provided (students should bring their own water bottles)
While making music remains the driving force behind our return to campus, student safety has become the mission. I have worked very closely with our activity director and school administration to ensure that every precaution has been taken in order to create the safest possible learning environment possible for both our students and our staff. As we work toward the start of the school year, the safety precautions and guidelines listed above are non-negotiable and will remain in place until amendments are recommended from the appropriate state agencies.
PARTICIPATION SURVEY (link below) Those planning on participating with the 2020 OCHS Marching Band should complete and submit the participation survey as soon as possible. While there is not a formal “commitment form” being distributed this year, your response to this survey will be interpreted as your intent to join us for the 2020 season. Please provide as much information as possible so we can plan accordingly for the coming weeks.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScX_pQzqkqRexn7CNMIujWq6kxVl57_LizJD3g999 CAQKOs3Q/viewform
Rehearsal Schedule With ever evolving information and circumstances changing almost daily, I think our best bet is to proceed with our focus on the immediate future. I have been given the start date of MONDAY, JULY 20th and our plans are to begin rehearsals the following day. Currently, we are looking at seven 3 hour sessions throughout the week allowing for small groups/sections to come in and start working on warm up material and marching fundamentals. It is our hope to generate a schedule that allows each member of the ensemble to attend two sessions a week. The rehearsal sessions are listed below:
Tuesday Evenings 5pm - 8pm Thursday Evenings 5pm - 8pm Friday Afternoons 1pm - 4pm Friday Evenings 5pm - 8pm Saturday Mornings 9am - 12pm Saturday Afternoons 1pm - 4pm Saturday Evenings 5pm - 8pm
Once information has been collected through the participation survey, we will generate a schedule that can be repeated weekly. We are trying to take everything into account; transportation, instrument needs, etc. However, should you have a question or concern that has not yet been addressed, please be in touch with me as soon as possible.
Competitions, Football Games, Parades, Public Performances As I stated in the previous section, I don’t feel like we have enough information to address the demands of these types of gatherings. Of course, it is our goal to share our production with the community as well as gain feedback from adjudication panels. I have been in correspondence with many professionals across the Commonwealth to discuss potential avenues for marching performances and state assessment. When that time comes and we have the resources to participate safely, our standards will be as high as ever and we plan to continue to contribute to the impressive Orange County reputation.
The 2020 Show “Class of 2021” Our staff has reached out to our senior class and opened the floor for their ideas and feedback. We have decided to piece together a show that features musical selections from our senior band and color guard members. This year’s show will be by our seniors and for our seniors. A few musical selections have already been made and the composition process is underway. More than anything, with the likelihood that competitive opportunities will be limited this year, we are making it a priority to create a memorable and enjoyable season on the marching field.
Final Thoughts I would like to thank everyone for their patience and their perseverance. As with most challenging times, it is difficult to find solace amidst the turmoil. However, I encourage you to stay focused on the great joy and immense pride that comes with overcoming adversity. How will it feel at the end of a successful season when we can all share a moment of great accomplishment and say to one another, “We did it...and we did it together.” This season is going to be special and I am so looking forward to seeing each of you again very soon. All the best to you and your families. Be safe and stay strong.
With great love, Tommy Doss
Due to current events regarding the Coronavirus and the potential spread, the OCHS Fine Arts Boosters will be cancelling the Prom Boutique that was scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2020.
Please be advised that we are going to be doing this event yearly so, as you are spring cleaning and have any dresses, shoes and accessories that you would like to donate, please contact Carissa Grayson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will be happy to arrange to pick them up to store for next season.
The OCHS Fine Arts Boosters along with the Orange County Office on Youth will be hosting a 2020 Prom Boutique/Vendor Sale on March 21, 2020 from 10am - 2pm at the Orange County High School Hornets Sports Center. The Sports Center is located at 200 Hornet Dr, Orange, VA 22960.
The OCHS Fine Arts Boosters are requesting donations for dresses, shoes, and accessories in which we will be selling to offset the cost of what prom would usually costs for these young people. Please contact Carissa Grayson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any items you would be able to donate.
The OCHS Fine Arts Boosters are also requesting volunteer help with this event. If you are a parent of an OCHS Fine Arts Student, please access your CHARMS account to help by signing up for a shift that day.
#weareoc #ochsfab
Congratulations to OC's 21 District Choir delegates! Fantastic work, everyone! Additional congratulations to Kamryn Davis, Julia Koehler, Adam Zadory, and Michael Fowler on qualifying for All-Virginia Chorus, and Sydney Peral for earning an alternate spot. Great job, everyone!
#ocsings #weareoc
OCHS Jazz Ensemble invites you to celebrate Valentines Day with us! Thursday, February 13 at 7:00pm, we will open the doors to Dessert with a Taste of Jazz. Come out and celebrate with us and enjoy the wonderful Jazz.
Grab your tickets ahead of time, online now at https://dessert-with-a-taste-of-jazz.weeblysite.com.
The Orange County High School Saxophone Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2019 Virginia Music Educators Association annual conference. The group was one of only a few invited to attend and perform at this prestigious event. The quartet members are Cash Deane, Dykeem Cervantes, Callie Sties, and Travon Cervantes, with Emma Stewart as the guest percussionist. If you have not yet heard the quartet perform, you are truly missing something special.
On November 21st, Emma Stewart participated in the All Virginia Jazz Ensemble at the 2019 Virginia Music Educators Association annual conference. Emma auditioned back in October on the vibraphone and earned the principal chair position in the top band. The ensemble was under the direction of jazz musician Wycliff Gordon. Several students from the OCHS band program were fortunate enough to be audience members and share in the infectious enthusiasm of these amazing musicians as they performed jazz selections personally arranged by Mr. Gordon.
Bringing the very successful 2019 marching band season to an end on Saturday, November 2, the OCHS Marching Hornets finished in 3rd place at the VMBC (Virginia Marching Band Cooperative) 2019 State Championship! This is a huge accomplishment that everyone should be proud of. Their final score, which was a tough panel, was 88.5. The highest score in their class, which took 1st place, was 91.13 achieved by Cox High School from Virginia Beach.
The Marching Hornets have practiced tirelessly for many hours each day. This is more than apparent when you see their show at a competition. The quality of music and the outstanding performance prove that practice makes perfect. Congratulations 2019 Marching Hornets! You've earned your superior rating and provided a superior show to all of those that watched!
#weareoc #marchinghornets
