Question 1

Are private lessons available?

Accepted Answer

Private lessons are highly encouraged for all Hersey orchestra members.  Several string teachers are available to teach private lessons during the school day at Hersey.  You can learn more about these lessons at https://www.ce.d214.org/music-lessons.  If you are have additional questions, please contact Mr. Boyer directly at jonathan.boyer@d214.org.

Question 2

What co-curricular opportunities are available?

Accepted Answer

The following opportunities are open to students involved in the JHHS orchestra program.   ● Hersey Chamber Orchestra: This highly selective group of 16-­20 players is the capstone group of the Hersey orchestra program. More performance opportunities will be available beyond the normally scheduled Hersey orchestra concerts.   ● IMEA District 7 and All State Festivals: Interested students will audition for the District IX Orchestra. Students who place highly in the District IX Orchestra may be selected to participate in the All State Festival. The All State Festival takes place in Peoria during the Illinois Music Educators Convention in January.   ● Spring Musical Pit Orchestra: Every Spring, JHHS puts on a musical that provides instrumental students an opportunity to perform in a large scale stage production. Depending on the number of students interested in participating, there may be an audition to be a part of this ensemble. Past productions have included Evita, Little Women, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde and Chicago.   ● District 214 Honors Orchestra: Each spring, orchestra and band students have the opportunity to audition to be a part of the District 214 Honors Orchestra. This ensemble is made up of dedicated, high achieving instrumentalist from all of District 214. This ensemble rehearses throughout the year and focus on advanced full orchestra literature.   ● BackStage: The Hersey show choirs On Stage and Ladies First perform with a live combo consisting of musicians from the Hersey Music Department. This ensemble utilizes non­traditional instruments such as electric bass, electric guitar, and drumset.

Question 3

How can I stay informed about the orchestra?

Accepted Answer

The orchestra director uses Remind, a text and emailing service, in addition to Schoology emails to send out information.  Please contact jonathan.boyer@d214.org for the Remind code.

Question 4

Does the orchestra travel?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the orchestra does occasionally travel out of state and sometimes out of country.  Past trips have included: Carnegie Hall St. Louis Nashville New Orleans

Question 5

Where can I find the JHHS Orchestra Handbook?

Accepted Answer

The handbook is available here.

Question 6

What is the casual orchestra uniform?

Accepted Answer

For concerts where the dress is casual, students will wear a brown long sleeve orchestra shirt and jeans.  The t-shirt must be purchased through the orchestra.

Question 7

What is the formal orchestra uniform?

Accepted Answer

The formal orchestra uniform consists of: Ladies: JHHS long black dress, black stockings, black closed toe shoes Men: JHHS black tux, tux shirt, bowtie, cumberbund, black shoes and black socks The orchestra will provide the following: Ladies: JHHS long black dress Men: JHHS black tux, tux shirt, bowtie and cumberbund Students are responsible for: Ladies: Stockings, Black closed toe shoes Men: Black socks, Black shoes

Question 8

Can I alter the orchestra provided parts of my uniform?

Accepted Answer

Pants and Dresses can be hemmed, but the material can not be cut.

Question 9

How do I care for my uniform?

Accepted Answer

It is the students responsibility to maintain the uniform throughout the school year.  At the end of the year, students are required to return the uniform dry cleaned and with all the issued components, including the garment bag with the dry cleaning tag receipt attached.

Question 10

Where do I store my instrument during the day?

Accepted Answer

Students are assigned a lock and locker in the Orchestra Room at the beginning of the school year.

Question 11

What string accessories are available at school?

Accepted Answer

Need Answer

Question 12

What is HOYA?

Accepted Answer

HOYA (Hersey Orchestra Youth Association) is the parent booster club for the John Hersey orchestra program. All parents and guardians of students enrolled in orchestra are voting members of this not-for-profit organization. We hold board meetings and 2 general meetings each year. HOYA assists the orchestra program for various student activities.   Please contact us if you have more questions.

Question 13

How does HOYA raise funds?

Accepted Answer

The annual Pizza-cato concert in the Spring is our major fund raiser. HOYA organizes the sale of pizza, drinks and baked goods at this event. Other fundraisers include Speech Tournament concession stands and other miscellaneous fundraisers as determined by the HOYA Board and Orchestra Director. Parents can also make donation to HOYA through our sponsorship program.

Question 14

Who is the HOYA board?

Accepted Answer

The HOYA board consists of: Deborah Oiler, President - jhhso.president@gmail.com TBD, Vice President - jhhso.vpresident@gmail.com Kathie Hayes, Treasurer - jhhso.treasurer@gmail.com TBD, Secretary - jhhso.secretary@gmail.com

Question 15

How do I become a HOYA sponsor?

Accepted Answer

HOYA sponsor's provide a donation that will fund orchestra trips and scholarships. There are two levels of sponsorship that receive different levels of benefits: The Friend Level receives free admission for two people to Hersey Orchestra’s concerts with a donation of $20-$49. The Patron Level receives free admission for your family to Hersey Orchestra’s concerts with a donation of $50 and above.   All sponsors will be recognized in all concert programs during the school
year. 
Please consider becoming an orchestra sponsor. All you have to do is return the sponsor sheet with your donation to Mr Boyer. Click here to download the sponsor sheet. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Question 16

What is a student account?

Accepted Answer

HOYA maintains student accounts to pay for fees such as field trips, trips, orchestra supplies, lessons, and summer music camps. Students may accrue funds via fundraising or by directly depositing. Student credits will not be used to cover expenses incurred by HOYA. Each student will have access to their account via mymusicoffice.com. A unique ID and password will be assigned to every student. If you have issues accessing your account, please contact the director Mr. Boyer at jonathan.boyer@d214.org. Any unused credits remaining at the end of the student's participation in orchestra will be automatically transferred to the general fund. If the student has a younger sibling entering the orchestra program the following year, the credits may be transferred to the incoming student's account.

Question 17

How do students raise funds for their student accounts?

Accepted Answer

Students have the opportunity to raise funds for their student accounts throughout the year. In the fall students sell cookie dough. In addition students can receive monetary compensation for their student account or National Honors Society service hours for working a shift at a Speech Tournament concession stand.

Question 18

Where can I check the funds in my student account?

Accepted Answer

Student balances can be checked at mymusicoffice.com.

Question 19

How do I use the funds in my student account?

Accepted Answer

Funds raised via HOYA may be utilized for expenses related to music beyond trips.   Approved expenses include private lessons, summer music camps, instrument repairs such as a bow repairs, and music accessories including but not limited to rosin, strings, shoulder rest, tuner, or metronome. Please provide paperwork such as an invoice or receipt when possible.   Click  here  to download the account withdrawl form.

Question 20

How can I sign up to help at events?

Accepted Answer

You can email any of the HOYA board members if you are interested in helping with an event.  Often a Signup Genius link with a list of needs will be emailed out to families as well as posted on the front page of this website.

Question 21

What is the Pizza-cato Festival?

Accepted Answer

The Pizza-cato Festival is a music festival put on at Hersey along with the feeder Orchestra’s from River Trails Elementary School, McArthur Elementary School and the students who participate in Music for Youth (a District 25 string instruction program).  The students perform in a cabaret style environment with pizza, drinks and desserts available for purchase.  The concessions sold at the Pizza-cato Festival are the primary fundraiser for HOYA and family support and attendance is appreciated.

Question 22

What is the Orchestra Banquet?

Accepted Answer

Needs Answer