Graduation Performance Details May 19th 2026

5/12/2026 1:15 pm

Good afternoon- I like to remind everyone that graduation is our most public/visible performance all year. Thanks for staying focused this week as we continue to work hard in preparation!

TUESDAY 5/19: These details/updates about our graduation performance are based on last year- It's the same timing, so I don't expect much, if anything, to change, but I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything else...

Who: Required for all students who auditioned into 2026-27 Sinfonia or Chamber Orchestra; optional for others

What to Wear: Semi-formal/business casual/Sunday best...Collared shirts and pants, dresses, skirt or pant and blouse, etc. Light materials and colors recommended to stay cool. No concert black, no jeans, no athletic shoes, no shorts. Look nice but stay cool, and make sure everything is appropriate for being up on stage.

When: Tuesday, 5/19: Be at the gate for 5:30 pm entry and setup (see map/read below); 5:40 pm sound check; 6:45 pm prelude music; 7:30 pm ceremonial music

READ CAREFULLY AND CHOOSE...

**Students have the option to silently depart midway through the ceremony once we are done playing the Alma Mater. This is the only opportunity to leave- anyone choosing to stay on stage must remain there through the end! Cases will be in different places depending on your choice- so know ahead of time which you are doing. If you leave, you must go directly out of the venue to your car or ride (unless joining family in the audience). Leaving early allows you to miss the traffic at the end, but you are welcome to stay on stage to watch the whole ceremony. I'll be there through the end. I don't know precisely what time this will be, so have a way to communicate with your ride if applicable. If going to the audience, come back immediately to get your instrument at the end- I remember that being an issue last year.**

Where: Ameris Bank Amphitheatre- see map attached

Other notes:

If driving, students should park in lot C (same as graduate parking) off of Maxwell Rd.
If being dropped off (recommended especially for large instruments), your best bet is to pull into the Faculty/VIP parking off of Encore Pkwy. If it's being monitored that early, tell them you're dropping off for the orchestra- do not park in this lot, though. Drop off only. That will get you to a closer gate or the loading dock for entry with instruments.
Water will be provided backstage. You cannot bring in food or drink.
Highly recommended to eat before coming. You might have a short time after soundcheck to visit the concession stands before we have to be back in seats.
I believe the ceremony (including our music) will be live streamed again. Keep an eye out for a link from Principal Jones.
After the ceremony if staying to end (see note about early dismissal above): Students can hang back with me in a central location until they've made contact with their ride and know where they are being picked up. The traffic flow can get a little hectic afterwards, so this is recommended.
If using a school instrument, remember to take it with you that day and return it the next morning (or at another time arranged with me). Make sure I know you're taking an instrument.

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

Regards,

Andrew Cummings, Director

Milton HS Orchestras

Concert Thursday: Times and Other Reminders

5/5/2026 9:00 am

Good morning, Orchestra Families,

Our final concert of the year is Thursday (although many students will still perform for graduation May 19th- details below)!

CONCERT

5/7 Spring Concert (final performance and major grade for everyone)

5 pm: Sinfonia and Chamber rehearse on stage with band (How to Train Your Dragon)- this is mandatory...we canceled the remaining Advisement rehearsals to do this instead

6:15 pm: Pizza served (unless you opted out- there wasn't a form, just tell Mr. Cummings if you don't want any)

6:15 pm: Concert Orchestra arrive, eat pizza, warm up; unless staying at school in between, arrive in concert attire)

7 pm: Concert begins

Make sure your concert attire hasn't gotten too...adventuresome (our guidelines are flexible but still professional and uniform!):

https://www.miltonorchestra.org/attire

Only 1 out of 20 volunteer slots are filled for Thursday. Please help!
- https://www.miltonorchestra.org/volunteer/151202

Share the concert flyer from our Instagram and Facebook pages (@miltonorchestra)!

OTHER REMINDERS

Graduation Performance (future Sinfonia and Chamber members)

Our graduation performance is May 19th beginning at 6:45 pm at Ameris Amphitheatre. Call time/sound check will be earlier and is TBA. This is a required performance for all students on next year's rosters for Sinfonia or Chamber Orchestra. Students are responsible for their own transportation/ride and will have the choice to depart mid-ceremony (after our last piece) or stay to watch the whole thing.
Thank you to everyone who completed the trip survey. Response has been positive, but we still don't have enough overall responses to give a very clear picture (respond even if you have no trip interest)...if it slipped your mind due to a busy testing week, please complete TODAY! I have a meeting with one of the trip reps this afternoon, and every little bit of info helps. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJzgcoDX5nZUICx5PXk_zeO61BrcG8FwRic3y4CVWvQuXz7w/viewform?usp=header

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

Banquet tickets, award voting, and other action items

4/14/2026 2:21 pm

ACTION REQUIRED:

Banquet (all)

Our annual Orchestra Banquet is next Thursday, 4/23! Log into Membership Toolkit and get your tickets for this catered meal and celebration: https://www.miltonorchestra.org/packet/1958 . All orchestra members and families are invited and encouraged to come!

Or go to miltonorchestra.org>My Account>My Forms/Paperwork to find the registration. You'll need to be logged in.

NSOA Voting (all)

All current orchestra students should submit their nominations for the National School Orchestra Award by the end of Wednesday, 4/15. The form is here and includes a detailed explanation.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesb5u1ssKZ19YaPeZ6eStF16QEchtIovWKPMhyFVYFWLRz5w/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Senior Program Info (seniors)

Seniors, please complete this very brief form by the end of the week to the best of your current knowledge for our senior recognitions at the concert. You can make updates with me until spring programs go to print: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSezC0Fw5vusgL5qD5cb1b5xPvp4N_a1J6YBtSP_E50GW6XoTA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

INFORMATION

Concert (all)

Our Spring Concert is May 7th at 7 pm in the MHS Auditorium. This is a required event for all orchestra students.

Graduation Performance (future Sinfonia and Chamber members)

Our graduation performance is May 19th beginning at 6:45 pm at Ameris Amphitheatre. Call time/sound check will be earlier and is TBA. This is a required performance for all students on next year's rosters for Sinfonia or Chamber Orchestra. Students are responsible for their own transportation/ride and will have the choice to depart mid-ceremony (after our last piece) or stay to watch the whole thing.

Fine Arts Signing Day (seniors)

This event is in the Media Center on Friday, May 8 at 7am. IF majoring or minoring in music (you need to have completed an audition/portfolio process and have been accepted), indicate that in the above form and I'll follow up with you. Families and friends are invited to the event as well. This is a very special Milton tradition that a lot of other schools have now adopted.

Final LGPE Reminders (Thurs/Fri)

3/11/2026 1:38 pm

Schedule below (with minor updates). A few reminders first...

Remember your concert attire when you come to school. No athletic/casual shoes. Review miltonorchestra.org/attire for guidelines. You can hang items in the orchestra room in the morning.
Music/folders! Coordinate with your stand partner to make sure your folder makes it to AHS.
Instrument, rock stops, rosin, shoulder rests, etc. are all your responsibility.
Family/friends are welcome and encouraged at our performance. The audience size at LGPE can be underwhelming, and it's always better to play for a crowd. Plus, this is the culmination of a lot of hard work!

Sinfonia (2nd period orchestra)

Thursday, 3/12

1:25 pm Report to orchestra room (change/warm up)- teachers have this info in an email

2:15 Latest departure time (bus)

3:30 Warm up at Alpharetta HS

4:40 Perform

5:05 Sight reading

Approximately 6:25: Back at MHS (make sure you have a ride)

Chamber Orchestra (4th period orchestra)

Thursday, 3/12

6:15 pm: Arrive @ Alpharetta HS

6:45 Warm up

7:50 Perform

8:30 Sight reading

Approximately 9:10: Leave or be picked up

Concert Orchestra (7th period orchestra)

Friday, 3/13

7th period: Arrive to class and change* quickly/warm up

*we will have to load on the stadium side due to dismissal timing, so we may need to move large instruments before you change

3:45 Latest departure time (bus)

4:20 Warm up

5:20 Perform

5:45 Sight read

Approximately 6:45 Back at MHS (make sure you have a ride)

LGPE Details (same as on permission slips)

3/2/2026 2:12 pm

Permission slips for LGPE were due today! For quick reference, here are each ensemble's details:

SINFONIA- 2ND PERIOD

Event: Milton Orchestra Large Group Performance Evaluation Date: Thursday, 3/12/26

Address: Alpharetta HS, 3595 Webb Bridge Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Transportation: Commercial Carrier (charter bus)

Group Name	Report to orchestra room	Depart MHS	Warm Up	Performance	Sightreading	Back at MHS
Sinfonia	Beginning of 6th period	2:15 pm	3:30 pm	4:40 pm	5:05 pm	By 6:25 pm

*No scheduled meals/snacks due to performance timing- please plan accordingly (bring a snack/concessions may be available)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAMBER- 4TH PERIOD

Event: Milton Orchestra Large Group Performance Evaluation Date: Thursday, 3/12/26

Address: Alpharetta HS, 3595 Webb Bridge Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Transportation: Private auto (parent/guardian/self)

Group	Call time @ AHS	Warm Up	Performance	Sightreading	Leave/picked up by
Chamber Orchestra	by 6:15 pm	6:45 pm	7:50 pm	8:30 pm	9:10 pm

*EAT DINNER BEFORE YOU ARRIVE!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONCERT- 7TH PERIOD

Event: Milton Orchestra Large Group Performance Evaluation Date: Friday, 3/13/26

Address: Alpharetta HS, 3595 Webb Bridge Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Transportation: Commercial Carrier (charter bus)

Group	Depart MHS	Warm Up	Performance	Sightreading	Back at MHS
Concert Orchestra	3:45 pm	4:20 pm	5:20 pm	5:45 pm	6:45 pm

*No scheduled meals/snacks due to performance timing- please plan accordingly (bring a snack/concessions may be available)

Concert next week and potential inclement weather

1/30/2026 1:58 pm

Good afternoon- Just a couple of things heading in to the weekend:

1. Please take home instruments for practice and in case of inclement weather. On Canvas, I have posted an announcement with music, reference recordings, tempos, and practice expectations.

2. Our Pre-LGPE concert is Thursday, 2/5 at 6 pm in the MHS Auditorium.

Counts as a major grade
Students should arrive in concert attire (concert dress black) at least 30 minutes before their anticipated performance time (see below) to check in and warm up in the orchestra room
After each group performs, they are expected to stay to watch the performance after theirs, but then students are free to leave
No food will be provided for this concert; there is no after school rehearsal

ESTIMATED Performance Times: We could run ahead or behind schedule, so it is important that you arrive half an hour early to check in/warm up as mentioned above. We cannot wait for you when it is time to go on stage.

Performs at (arrive 30 minutes early!):

6 pm: Concert Orchestra

6:20: Band 3

6:45: Sinfonia

7:10: Band 2

7:40: Chamber Orchestra

8:10: Band 1

Let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,

Andrew Cummings, Director

Milton HS Orchestras

Early spring announcements- lots of info!

1/23/2026 1:58 pm

Good afternoon- I hope everyone is prepared to do your best to stay safe and warm this weekend! Here are several items about upcoming events and needs for orchestra.

INCLEMENT WEATHER ASSIGNMENT: In the event that we have any weather-related closures, make sure that instruments go home with students today. Canvas modules have been updated to reflect your current repertoire/practice priorities. We have a Pre-LGPE concert on February 5th! We will have a recorded playing test on this music prior to LGPE (March 12/13), so continue to practice the sections we have worked on in class and look ahead. Thanks!
BANQUET CHAIRPERSON NEEDED: We do not yet have a volunteer to lead our end of year banquet team. This event (April 23^rd) is always a highlight of the year, and it cannot happen without a lot of volunteers. Please contact me directly or email the boosters at miltonorchestra@gmail.com if you can help! Some aspects of the planning need to begin as soon as possible.
PRE-LGPE CONCERT: Our Pre-LGPE concert is in a new format this year. We are excited to combine with band for an exciting but relatively informal (except for attire) event. Scheduling necessitated that we hold this preview quite early, so we will perform only selections of our overall LGPE program. Things to keep in mind:

Concert attire is the same (concert black) as usual.
In the Milton HS Auditorium
There will be no pre-rehearsal, pre-meal, or concessions.
Concert begins at 6:00 pm- call (arrival) time and performance time will vary by ensemble and will be announced closer to the concert. Concert Orchestra will perform near the beginning, Sinfonia middle, and Chamber end.
Performances will alternate between band and orchestra. Students will be expected (for a grade) to arrive early enough to warm up and stay to watch at least one ensemble following their own. Otherwise, audience and students will rotate throughout the evening (similarly to LGPE). It's more like a performance festival than a traditional concert.
There will not be reserved or advance seating for this concert.

4. LARGE GROUP PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (LGPE) at Alpharetta HS

Volunteer/chaperone slots are posted at the link below. Please help if you can! Performances are also open to come watch (and are sometimes not well-attended). We would really like to see you there since it is the only time we'll perform these complete programs. Volunteer: https://www.miltonorchestra.org/volunteer/151201
Details so far: (All at Alpharetta HS)

Sinfonia- 3/12: Bus from Milton around 2:15 pm, Perform 4:40 pm, return to Milton by 6:25 pm
Chamber- 3/12: Arrive (responsible for own transportation) no later than 6:30 pm, Perform at 7:50 pm, depart after sight reading
Concert- 3/13: Bus from Milton around 3:45 pm, Perform 5:20 pm, return to Milton by 7:05 pm.

LGPE Dates/Times- mark your calendars

1/8/2026 11:27 am

Good morning- We have received our assigned dates and times for Large Group Performance Evaluation at Alpharetta High School in March. The scheduling window has been on the calendar all year, but now you can mark these specifics for your orchestra. This is a major event/grade and required for all orchestra members (FCS requires all ensemble programs to participate in this evaluation). Subject to adjustments by the LGPE organizers.

3/12 at 4:40 pm: Sinfonia (2nd period)

3/12 at 7:25 pm: Chamber (4th period)

3/13 at 5:20 pm: Concert (7th period)

Transportation details to follow. Times do not include arrival, warm up, and sight reading evaluation, so plan on an extended period on both sides of the performance slot. Also, remember our (very early) Pre-LGPE concert on February 5th at MHS!

Winter Concert Thursday + student social RSVP

12/10/2025 2:30 pm

Good afternoon, Milton Orchestra Families,

There are two items in this message, one about an end-of-year social (students, please RSVP), the other a repeat of previous information about Thursday's concert.

Our student leadership team has organized an end of year social/game night for Friday, 12/12 (3:30 to 5:30 pm in the orchestra room). There will be a movie and hot chocolate, plus bring your favorite games and snacks to celebrate a great semester! This is an informal gathering, but we would like to know how many people to expect for planning purposes, so please RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJi4yusvsyEoGKO67R7spgybNnNcUsecdRkCHWsLqZNa6DOQ/viewform

I'm looking forward to our Winter Concert Thursday, 12/11/25 at 7 pm in the MHS Auditorium. We will be joined by NMS and EPMS 8^th graders for a few of the musical selections. It should be an engaging and festive evening. Join us for a reception afterwards! Concert attire is our usual formal concert black (with appropriate footwear, etc.- see miltonorchestra.org/attire). Festive embellishments that don't distract are welcome but not required.

Change to concert ticket reservation system: Booster membership (see applicable levels and join here: https://www.miltonorchestra.org/packet/1695) still gets you access to advance seat reservations for our concert. Look for a link from the booster club if applicable. These will close the day of the concert and be marked for you when you arrive. NEW: By popular demand and for the sake of simplicity, all other seats will be (free) general admission upon arrival. Arrive early to get your seats, especially for this concert with so many guests.
CONCERT TIMELINE:

Thursday, 12/11/25- These activities are all part of your MAJOR GRADE for the concert experience and, more importantly, the culmination of a lot of hard work! Be on time (early) and ready. Stay through the final piece of the concert (and don't forget the reception after).

All day: Rehearsals on stage during class period

*4:45 pm: Arrive and head to auditorium with instrument/music

5:00 pm: Rehearsal for all orchestras/performers in auditorium; follow directions given by Mr. Cummings (we'll also be practicing the set changes)

6:00 pm: Pizza served; rehearsal may go longer for some ensembles

6:55 pm: In places/dressed for concert (Concert Orchestra on stage, Sinfonia/Chamber/8th grade in designated audience seating)

7:00 pm: Concert begins

Order: Concert Orchestra, Sinfonia, Combined groups with 8th grade, Chamber Orchestra

*Either stay through and bring concert attire to change into or go home and come back in concert attire

Let me know if you have any questions. I'm looking forward to a great event!

Regards,

Andrew Cummings, Director

Milton HS Orchestras

Winter Concert Thursday 12/11

12/3/2025 2:12 pm

Good afternoon, Milton Orchestra Families,

I'm looking forward to our Winter Concert next Thursday, 12/11/25 at 7 pm in the MHS Auditorium. We will be joined by NMS and EPMS 8^th graders for a few of the musical selections. It should be an engaging and festive evening. Join us for a reception afterwards!

3 things:

Change to concert ticket reservation system: Booster membership (see applicable levels and join here: https://www.miltonorchestra.org/packet/1695) still gets you access to advance seat reservations for our concert. Look for a link from the booster club if applicable. These will close the day of the concert and be marked for you when you arrive. NEW: By popular demand and for the sake of simplicity, all other seats will be (free) general admission upon arrival. It is not too late to join and get early access! Otherwise, arrive early to get your seats, especially for this concert with so many guests.
Pizza opt-OUT: If you DO NOT want pizza, please fill out this form so that we don't over-purchase. Pizza is provided by your Milton HS Orchestra Booster Club. 2025 Winter Concert Pizza Opt Out 12/11/25 – Fill out form
CONCERT TIMELINE:

Thursday, 12/11/25- These activities are all part of your MAJOR GRADE for the concert experience and, more importantly, the culmination of a lot of hard work! Be on time (early) and ready. Stay through the final piece of the concert (and don't forget the reception after).

All day: Rehearsals on stage during class period

*4:45 pm: Arrive and head to auditorium with instrument/music

5:00 pm: Rehearsal for all orchestras/performers in auditorium; follow directions given by Mr. Cummings (we'll also be practicing the set changes)

6:00 pm: Pizza served; rehearsal may go longer for some ensembles

6:55 pm: In places/dressed for concert (Concert Orchestra on stage, Sinfonia/Chamber/8th grade in designated audience seating)

7:00 pm: Concert begins

Order: Concert Orchestra, Sinfonia, Combined groups with 8th grade, Chamber Orchestra

*Either stay through and bring concert attire to change into or go home and come back in concert attire

Let me know if you have any questions. I'm looking forward to a great event!

Regards,

Andrew Cummings, Director

Milton HS Orchestras

Tri-M Sponsor

cummingsas@fultonschools.org

www.miltonorchestra.org