*Please note that some of the top links are bookmarks to later sections of the email. If those links don’t work, please scroll through the email to find the appropriate section. Our apologies for any inconvenience.
Senior recitals are coming up. These are among the final opportunities to hear our seniors in some of their final performances as DSAO students. Enjoy the amazing music, and celebrate their hard work!
Thank you so much to those who have made your $350 master mentor contribution. We ask all who are able but have not done so to please complete your contribution, or to contribute whatever amount that you are able. Information about the program is below (CLICK HERE).
Middle School orchestra performance, Thurs. Mar. 9, 10a at Lincoln Elementary
Eli Castro & Rachel England, March 8, 7pm (Band and Orch) Greer Ramsey-White & Emma Cohen, March 13, 7pm Simone Hammett-Lynch, March 23, 7pm Arianna Montoya-Garcia, March 24, 7pm Artur Korotin, April 6, 7pm Corley Friesen-Johnson, April 11, 5pm
Congratulations to all DSAO All State Orchestra participants!
Pictured: Ana Rase, Dong Lee, Sean Bowser, Dr. Lasansky, Tatia Slouka, Abby Davidson, Alison Orthel, Rachel England, Jenna Pizer & Nell Rudoff
All DSA Orchestra students are required to attend one performance.
Senior Recitals
Eli Castro & Rachel England, March 8, 7pm (Band and Orch) Greer Ramsey-White & Emma Cohen, March 13, 7pm Simone Hammett-Lynch, March 23, 7pm Arianna Montoya-Garcia, March 24, 7pm Artur Korotin, April 6, 7pm Corley Friesen-Johnson, April 11, 5pm
Homework Assignments
Please read carefully. Below is written work for high school as well as theta assignments for middle and high school. Thank you so much!
High School Dvorak 8 analysis Due April 15
Please analyze first mov. in terms of SONATA FORM. For this particular assignment please don’t use a lot of descriptive words. I’m interested in the following:
1. How does Dvorak use sonata form? (He adheres to it but also changes some things). Please identify the first theme group (which measures in the movement?) , second theme group, closing theme, development, recap and coda. 2. Identify the keys of all the above sections. Dvorak does some interesting things with the harmony! 3. How does Dvorak use thematic transformation? He does a lot of it!
Again, this should be a one page assignment with lots of symbols and not so many words. Please focus on the form, harmony and usage of motives, fragments etc..(thematic transformation)
Theta
High School: Please complete an additional 60 levels by March 1.
Middle School: Please complete an additional 40 levels by March 1.
Juries: This year all students except Seniors will be required to play juries. The jury will consist of two scales (same requirements as DSA auditions-seewebsite under:apply) and one movement of a major solo piece. Juries will begin after the final concerts in May.
Seniors are required to present a senior recital. See Dr. Lasansky if you have questions.
SINFONIA seating is posted under middle school assignments. Please check there to make sure you are playing the correct part. Grades have been posted in IC.
High School Orchestra Concert for National School Board Association Conference Sat. March 25, 2017, 11:30a-3p
From Dr: Lasansky:
Saturday March 25, 2017 11:30-3:00 National School Board Association Conference Denver. Denver Convention Center 700 14th St-Denver DSAO is the featured performing group and will participate in a special interactive event with school board members . Mandatory Performance for Advanced Orchestra.
Please note: There will be a bus to transport students from and to DSA. More details to follow.
Please return the linked photo release form (CLICK HERE) to the “forms” bin by March 10th
Please also review the sample questions for the Q&A (CLICK HERE).
The deadlines are approaching for the Lamont Summary Academy 2017 Session
Scholarship application deadline – February 15, 2017 Regular application deadline – March 15, 2017
Lamont is pleased to announce the Lamont Summer Academy 2017 session dates: June 18 – July 2, 2017!
Join them for an inspiring, innovative and fun 15-day intensive pre-college music experience at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. Study in state-of-the-art facilities with outstanding artist faculty and musical peers from throughout the United States and abroad!
This year’s highlights include Guest Artists Mike Block and Hanneke Block, and a brand new classical guitar curriculum.
Check their website and Facebook for more details regarding the 2017 Lamont Summer Academy.
Orchestra Concert Closet Open for Donations and Requests
If a student or family has a need for specific items, on a first come first serve basis, please feel free to contact Chris Engel at cengel_md@yahoo.com
Description Time to dig those dresses, suits and tuxedos out of the back of the closet.
Isn’t it funny how something that looked so great on our musicians just a few short months ago now looks like it shrunk two sizes at the cleaners?
It can really be frustrating (and expensive) to buy a new formal outfit at the beginning of the school year only to realize half way through the year that it no longer fits.
What do you usually do with all that out grown concert attire?
Well, here’s your answer. We have started an orchestra concert closet where we could store outgrown but still very wearable concert attire. This clothing and formal attire would then be made available to any orchestra family prior to each concert for outfitting their growing musician.
What to donate: male and female concert attire (tuxedos, suits, dress shirts, bow ties, cummerbunds, vests, suspenders, belts, dresses, skirts, dress pants, dress shoes).
Please make sure these items are clean and in good condition.
Master Mentor/Visiting Artist Program Wrapping up 2016-2017 – Confirm your family’s donation here!
Dear DSAO parents ,
As you know we are very lucky to have a group of first-rate professional musicians (otherwise known as “Master Mentors”) who work with our students on a regular basis . This is one of the features of DSAO which distinguishes us from other schools in Colorado. As a result of this program our students receive expert, detailed instruction on all the string instruments. Among other things, this permits our advanced orchestra to play professional level music and allows our middle school to play high school (and college level) music!
I wanted to remind you that we are totally dependent on each family contributing $350 to fund this program which is so crucial to our continued success. Please remember that we receive absolutely NO MONEY from the school district to fund Master Mentors.
So, if you have not made your payment, please do so at your earliest convenience. We are well into 2nd. semester preparations and need to pay the Mentors. As always we welcome spreading out the payments if you prefer this option. Please go to our website (CLICK HERE) for instructions on making this payment
Thank you for all your support. I personally feel extremely lucky to be working at a school with such amazing students and amazing parents!
Sincerely, Dr. Lasansky
We have a new email address dedicated ONLY to payment confirmations and inquiries as they relate to the exchange of money for orchestra-related activities including the orchestra family donation, travel and any additional fees that come up through the year. With all that our families are involved in, it is very easy to miss payments or forget if you even made one, so we want to have a dedicated place for questions/confirmations.
Here is what we need from you-our families:
Contributions can be made by check or through the DSA Friends Foundation at www.dsafriends.org. If you can’t make the payment all at once, please do so in monthly installments. Please make checks payable to DSA Friends Foundation, and put “Orchestra family contribution” or “master mentor” in the memo line. Please give checks to Tracy Holt in the main office. This is also a fantastic way for family and friends to support your student! Please pass along the dsafriends.org website link to those you know are interested in supporting our programs.
For further information, please visit the OFA Fundraisingwebsite.
Investing in DSAO
Attention Business Owners – Friends and Family!
Welcome to the new school year! As you head back to school, please consider promoting your business (or promoting your friend’s business) in this year’s DSAO concert programs. (CLICK HERE for brochure). Advertising money helps fund the orchestra program, and has the added bonus of helping our families and friends promote their businesses!
Ad Submittals: It’s incredibly easy to submit advertising artwork/logos/business cards via email to Mark Herlinger, our advertising and program graphic designer. If you need assistance designing your advertisement, Mark will help you with that too! For questions about graphic guidelines to submit advertisements, please contact markherlinger@gmail.com.
Payment: Via check – Once payment is received (please turn in checks to Tracy Holt, DSA Arts Secretary in the Front Office) the advertisement will be placed in the program which is printed for all major orchestra concerts throughout the year.
Buy groceries, support DSAO
Make sure you purchase a reloadable King Soopers card! It’s simple to get started with a $2.50 card. Each time you reload the card, DSAO gets 5% back! No hidden costs! Everyone buys groceries, so it a very easy way for friends and family to contribute as well. You may email Carol Fennell for information about purchasing a card, or pick up a card at the next concert’s concession table .
DSA is collecting Boxtops!
DSA receives free money for each box top turned in. Please group the box tops in a bag or envelope, and mark them with “Orchestra” so that the funds will come to us. The collection box is located in the main office.
Student Volunteer Opportunities with El Sistema
From the website: “Almost 40 years ago, Dr. José Antonio Abreu gathered 11 children in a parking garage in Carácas, Venezuela, to play music—and El Sistema was born. The El Sistema model, using ensemble music to transform the lives of at-risk youth and communities, has now become a world-wide phenomenon.”
Regular El Sistema after school programming meets at the following times and locations. This provides a wonderful opportunity for orchestra students and parents alike to help spread the love and learning of music through volunteer time. Parents or students interested in volunteering can contact El Sistema at volunteer@elsistemacolorado.org.
Garden Place Academy: M-W 3:30-5:30, Th 1-3
Swansea Elementary School: M-Th 3-4:30
Bruce Randolph Middle/High: M-Th 2:30-5:30
DSAO SCHEDULE 2016/17
Saturday March 4 7p L’Histoire du Soldat Concert Hall Sunday March 5 3p L’Histoire du Soldat Concert Hall
Friday 3/10 Orchestra Concert7:00 PM Concert Hall Saturday 3/11 Orchestra Concert 3:00 PM Concert Hall
Friday 4/28 Chamber Concert 7:00 PM Concert Hall
Friday 5/12 Disney/Pops Orchestra Concert 7:00 PM Concert Hall Sat. 5/13 Disney/Pops Orchestra Concert 7:00 PM Concert Hall Sunday 5/14 Disney/Pops Orchestra Concert 3:00 PM Concert Hall
Complete Forms for off-campus activities
Please note the Power of Attorney and Consent for Emergency Care forms, and a copy of the medical insurance card must be completed and turned in for each student any off-campus overnight trip/event, even those events where parents are in attendance. The Power of Attorney form requires both parents to sign and is required to be notarized. You may find a notary at your local bank, or you may contact either Tracy Holt in the main office or Linda Vliet in the counseling office and ask if they can notarize for you. Both parents must be present to sign if not already completed. Please date both forms for the entire school year so you only have to do this once. Otherwise you have to complete both for all trips/events. These forms are available on the DSAO website (Click Here). Please print, complete, have notarized and drop off in the orchestra forms box in the orchestra room.
For students who have medical conditions or who take medications (including over the counter medications), you need to contact the school nurse for the current school year forms for the trip (Please see forms link on website for these forms).
Congratulations to 
