Performing in an orchestra, or any large ensemble is quite different than performing as a soloist, or even in a small ensemble, like a duo. This article, full of lists and resources, aims to help students performing ”Handel and more”‘ in Orchestra Day 2025, feel prepared by understanding common practices of large ensembles, as well as details specific to this year’s performance. Here’s an overview of what is included & the status of each subject:
- 10 rules for orchestras
- Preparatory conducting video links
- Tentative program order (coming soon)
- 7 song tabs that, when complete, will include:
- Backing tracks for vocalists & students that have parts up to tempo (coming soon)
- Sheet music for download (5 of 7 songs ready)
- Listening videos of other performers on each song
- Logistics for the day:
- Volunteer schedules (coming soon)
- Keyboard drop-off schedules (prior to the event time) (coming soon)
- What to wear & bring
- Ticket & T-shirt pricing / availability
Handel & More: 10 Rules For Orchestras
Most situations in life have unspoken protocols. This is also true of an orchestra. Here are 10 basic rules for orchestras:
- The conductor is always right
- If the conductor is wrong, refer to rule number one
- Be in your seat and ready to play by rehearsal call time. This means that before call time you will need time to unpack, tune, collect your music, and find your seat.
- Bring a pencil to your orchestra seat. Use it during rehearsal to mark any changes or anything that needs special attention.
- Do not talk during the rehearsal unless necessary. Rehearsal time is precious. (You may ask questions of your section leader or teacher during the break).
- Do not play unless the conductor is conducting.
- If the conductor is working with a different section of the orchestra, do not play or talk. Listen to what is said; it may also apply to you. Follow along in your music, and finger notes silently.
- Do not run or jump in rooms with instruments.
- Be courteous when sharing stands or keyboards.
- Never touch another musicians’ instrument without their permission.
Handel & More: Preparatory Conducting Videos
Whether is is your first time following a conductor or your hundredth time, reviewing how to follow a conductor prior to rehearsal is always a great idea. Here are a couple of videos to help you grasp the basics of what a conductor does and how to follow them:
Conducting in 2/4, 3/4, & 4/4 Time Signatures
This video, from Teton Music, contains the basics of how to conduct in 2/4, 3/4, & 4/4 time. All of these time signatures use a quarter note to represent the beat, which is why there is a 4 on the bottom of the time signature. The top number of the time signature shows whether there are 2 beats, 3 beats, or 4 beats in each measure. Whether performing Handel or any other composer, understanding the time signature from the conductor is vital.
Conducting Motions Beyond The Beat
A conductor’s job goes well beyond keeping time. He or she must understand each work as a whole and help the ensemble create music which will elicit an emotional response from the audience. Alan Gilbert, discusses the motions a conductor creates and the purpose of those motions in this video.
Handel & More: Backing Tracks, Sheet Music, & Listening Videos
Backing Tracks
Backing Tracks will be posted soon to provide vocalists an opportunity to try their part with the orchestra in advance. Instrumentalists can also practice with these tracks once their part is up to speed.
Sheet Music
Sheet music links will be posted as each song is ready. Please revisit the website until you have all 7 songs printed, in program order, in a black binder prior to Orchestra day.
- Program Order will be posted here soon
Listening Videos
Research is an important part of performing in an ensemble. Understanding how your part fits into the ensemble as a whole can be difficult without listening to performances containing the entire ensemble.
Listening to performances can also bring down your stress level or stage fright as a performer, since you will walk into your rehearsal with an idea of how each piece should sound. Grab your music and follow along as you listen to these performances of your pieces by other ensembles!
Please make sure to visit all 7 tabs below (Blue Skies, Lord To Thee, Sonata, Aladdin, California, I’m Sitting, & Someone).
Blue Skies
By Irving Berlin
Sheet Music Links for Blue Skies
Listening Videos for Blue Skies
Lord To Thee Each Night & Day
By George Frederick Handel
Sheet Music Links for Lord To Thee Each Night & Day
Listening Videos for Lord To Thee Each Night & Day
Sonata in D, Mvt. 1
By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sheet Music Links for Sonata in D, Mvt. 1
Listening Videos for Sonata in D, Mvt. 1
Aladdin, Mvt. 2
By Edgar Stillman Kelley
Sheet Music Links for Aladdin, Mvt. 2
Performance Videos for Aladdin, Mvt. 2
California, Here I Come
By Meyer, Jolson, & DeSylva
Sheet Music Links for California, Here I Come
Performance Videos for California, Here I Come
I’m Sitting On Top Of The World
By Lewis, Young, & Henderson
Sheet Music Links for I’m Sitting On Top Of The World
We’re still adding the finishing touches to this song. Please come back tomorrow to see if the music has been posted.
Thank you for your patience.
Performance Videos for I’m Sitting On Top Of The World
Someone To Watch Over Me
By George Gershwin
COMING SOON: Sheet Music Links for Someone To Watch Over Me
We’re still adding the finishing touches to this song. Please come back tomorrow to see if the music has been posted.
Thank you for your patience.
Performance Videos for Someone To Watch Over Me
Handel & More: Volunteers, Keyboards, What To Wear, & What To Bring
A huge thank you to all students and parents for the extra effort of preparing music, volunteering to bring equipment, & volunteering to work the event. Without your help, opportunities like orchestra day would not exist for our students. We appreciate each of you.
Schedules For Volunteers & Keyboard Drop-Off
Volunteer & keyboard drop-off schedules will be posted here soon. Please check back later this week for more information. Volunteers should check-in with Marissa upon arrival at their scheduled time.
What To Wear
This dress code applies to both the rehearsal and the concert:
- Closed-toed shoes
- Jeans
- T-shirt (Vance Music, plain black, or plain blue)
- Closed-toed shoes
What To Bring
Sections marked “students will be listed here soon” will be based on what students signed up to bring. We do need every keyboard we can get, so if you are able to bring a keyboard, & did not sign up to do so, please reach out to Marissa (marissa@vancemusic.com) asap.
- Your instrument
- Your music in a black 3-ring binder (see music order above)
- Your pencil
- Vocalists only: bottled water for rehearsal that seals completely
- Keyboards & Power Cords (assigned drop-off time)
- (students will be listed here soon)
- Keyboard Stands (assigned drop-off time)
- (students will be listed here soon)
- Keyboard Benches (assigned drop-off time)
- (students will be listed here soon)
- Keyboard-Attached Music Stands (assigned drop-off time)
- (students will be listed here soon)
- Solid-Back Music Stands
- (students will be listed here soon)
- Open-Back Music Stands
- (students will be listed here soon)
Handel & More: Tickets & T-shirts
Concert Tickets
The concert will be at 7pm at Tyler Road Baptist Church & is open to the public (see the Google maps link the event overview below).
Concert tickets for Handel & more: Vance Music’s Orchestra Day are $15.00 per audience member, and will be available at the door (cash only). Children 5 and under will be admitted for free. Vance Music parents may purchase advance tickets (cash or check) through July 25th.
Parent volunteers will receive a name-tag which will serve as their ticket for the concert.
If you wish to sell Orchestra Day tickets, but did not receive a ticket packet at the recital, please email Marissa (marissa@vancemusic.com)
Vance Music T-Shirts
We still have t-shirts available! If you would like a Vance Music t-shirt, please email Marissa (marissa@vancemusic.com) to see if your size is in stock. Students who wear Vance Music t-shirts for Orchestra Day receive a $5.00 discount for the event.
Handel & More: Orchestra Day 2025 Overview
Tyler Road Baptist Church
571 S. Tyler Road Wichita, Ks 67209
Saturday, July 26th, 2025
Keyboard Drop-off & Volunteers Arrive (schedule coming soon)
1:00 PM Rehearsal Call Time
1:15 – 4:45 PM Rehearsal
6:45 PM Concert Call Time
7:00 PM Concert (tickets available at the door – cash only)