Parents, students, friends, family members, and whoever else happens to be reading this: I can't wait for this season to start!   I have officially uploaded ALL music to the members site!  There are some GREAT tunes for this concert!  Some are easy, and there's a couple that are definitely on the challenging side.  All of our students: PLEASE look over those before our first rehearsal!

String players: there is some hype about Black Violin - I am excited that we are a part of this performance!  We have some people in the community who are very excited to hear us perform, and I'm so happy that we have this opportunity!  Also, if you're in the music section, the last 2 tunes are Skating and Christmas Time is Here.  Just so you know, we're going to squeeze those two into a medley, so it's just going to sound like 1 larger piece of music.  I wish there was a piano part for Skating.  We're going to make one, though... and a percussion part, too!

For all NEW members: I realized earlier in the week that you might be confused about Lima Senior.  You'll be driving in to the east parking lot.  If you see "Student Activities Entrance" you're in the right general spot.  Then, you sort of follow the driveway along, and you want to enter near the big "rolly garage door" - it will be a silver colored door marked "E3".  The door should be unlocked before our rehearsal.  You'll go in and see the bathrooms directly on your left, and take the left at the first double door, which is the music wing.  From there, the orchestra room will be sort of in the middle of the hallway (it's shaped like a large, flat "U"), and the band room should be on the left just after you enter.  If you're a string player, we would highly encourage you to put your cases in the hallway, or (if it's open) the orchestra room.  I know that sounds a bit confusing and/or a bit strange for right now, but I'm sure you'll find that to be a pretty accurate description.

Seniors: if you need a recommendation, or some direction for your future, all you need to do is ask!  Dr Waters is a seasoned college professor with a varied and rich background.  Mr MacBenn has been sending seniors to college for twenty years.  One might think that we know what we're talking about if you have any questions.

Fair enough?  Again, I'm so excited and happy to be a part of our organization.  I speak for Dr Waters and myself both when we say that we want you to be successful with all that you do.  We're glad that we have each other for this season.  See you all soon!  

Hey everyone.   I did some work.  I have uploaded Impossible is Possible for the string players, for the performance with Black Violin in October.  I have uploaded parts for L'Inverno, Sleepers Awake, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Carol of the Bells, and Simple Gifts.  That gives our Christmas concert 5 songs.  I still have 3 to go, which will give us 8 pieces of music - that will be great!  I believe that I will get those last few uploaded at the beginning of next week.  A Sleigh Ride (sorry, not the one you're thinking of) will be another piece of music uploaded soon.  I would humbly recommend working on Carol of the Bells, because as I listened to the recording, it's anything but easy.

If I missed someone, if I forgot someone, or if I did something to mess up a link, you're going to have to tell me about it.  I've had a few parents & students email me already, so thank you for helping me fix that stuff.  Full disclosure, I have a degree in music, and I can sell real estate, but I do not have a degree in web design.  For my "peeps" in LAYO, I will always do my best, though. 

I can't wait to make some music with everyone.  

Our season is picking up speed, and we haven't even started!  Christmas music should be up in the next week or so.  If you are a string player, PLEASE have your music ready for our first rehearsal.   All of the music: Black Violin AND Christmas music.  If you want to do the music digitally, that's fine.  If you want to print off your own music, that's fine.  If you need a physical copy of it, you will need to inform Mr MacBenn.  You can send him an email (if you already have it), you can send him an email through the "CONTACT" button at the top, or you can use your LAYO Handbook to find his cell phone number and send him a text message.  Our first rehearsal is scheduled for SEPTEMBER 26, 2021. 3-6 PM at Lima Senior High School.  This will be a strings only rehearsal.  You'll need music for Black Violin and the Christmas Concert music. (I know I already said that, but I'm feeling the need to repeat myself, because it's so important)

Parents, on the days of rehearsals, you might want to check out web page for any last minute information that may come up, such as time or location changes.  We don't want to change anything of the sort, believe me.  However, if we need to because of disinfection/COVID protocols, or inclement weather, or whatever other reason, that's the medium that we will do it through.  The entire pandemic experience has taught us all that even some of the best plans change at the last moment, even though we don't want them to do so.

And finally, our holiday concert is looking to be a great one.  There are some familiar Christmas tunes, as well as some that are a little less familiar.  Your directors believe that we've put together a solid and achievable program.  We beg you, please look at the music before the first rehearsal.  We understand that, especially with high schoolers, schedules get busy and there's all sorts of things that come up, which makes practicing difficult, which then makes a truly excellent performance almost impossible.  If we can afford a few minutes here & there before the season starts, it makes everyone's job immeasurably easier.

So much going on right now!  First of all, again, I'm so proud to be a part of this organization.  Thank you to ALL of our sponsors, supporters, friends and family who help us get this awesome ensemble up & running.

Black Violin is coming!  October 21 is the performance.  I sincerely hope that we (players, myself, Dr Waters) get a chance to meet and interact with the guys.

Masks & Covid related news!  It will be expected that everyone will wear a mask during rehearsal, unless you are actively playing a wind instrument.  Please understand that this whole Delta Variant is a big deal, and EVERYONE's safety & health is important.  Yes, it would not be a fun thing to get the COVID, and I totally understand the people out there saying "kids aren't as strongly effected by it".  Ok, but what about when that kid takes it home and passes it around to the family, unknowingly.  That would be awful.  Let's all do our part to protect & respect one another by keeping our masks on & up.  Thank you!

Cadet Orchestra.   MAYBE it's coming?  I am working on a program to get some younger string players into our ranks.  It would actually be a separate orchestra.  String orchestra only.  Best if someone would have between 1 and 3 years of playing.  Notice how there's no age bracket attached to that.  Every one of our students in LAYO is pretty awesome.  The string section, though, makes up a huge part of what we do.   It should be the responsibility of the director (or co-director... which is me) to encourage/foster/bolster our general sections.  Well, I know several younger students who play string instruments, but they don't feel like they're "good enough" to be a part of our larger ensemble.  How do we fix this?  Cadet orchestra.   Hopefully, fingers crossed, I get the go-ahead to start it in January.  

Christmas Music! Dr Waters and I have looked at Christmas music extensively.  [Do you know how hard it is to seriously look at Christmas music in August?!?] I should have that up in the members section by mid-September.  Please remember, I have to scan in and then post every one of the parts.  Sometimes, this can be difficult to do!  Also, if you're NOT OK with printing out your own part, or with using a digital format (tablet, etc...) you're going to have to let me know.  You can just click the "Contact" if that's quick.  Some of you know my email.  Some of you even know my cell phone!  Please, send a message if you need to!

I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to starting this season with everyone!  Please stay safe & healthy.  Best of luck to ALL of our students for great school year!

It is with great pride that I point out that our membership roster for the 2021-2022 season is up!  I've been a part of LAYO now for a few years, and I've been able to "watch" LAYO as a supporting teacher for years before that, and I must say that NEVER have I seen this organization put up its list of members before the year starts: that is just awesome!  I am proud of the work that Dr Waters and myself have put in to this organization, this website, and the people that we have gotten to meet along the way.  Thank you to all of the students who had the courage to audition: I know that the process can be intimidating.  I personally hold the belief that excellence "travels in packs", so if one of our members has a friend who they think is also a good musician, I for sure would not turn down the conversation with him or her.

Also, in the Members Area, I have put up digital music for the Black Violin performance.  Some people do well with an iPad or other tablet, others would prefer to print their own music.  Whatever your preference is, there is an opportunity for it.  I've seen students enlarge the music and print it on larger paper.  Dr Waters and I are going to leave it up to you how you want to do it.  If you'd prefer a printed copy, please let me know in advance.

For the Black Violin performance, our string players are going to need to have their music memorized, so I would recommend starting to work on it now.  The way I work, I often times need a reference recording to hear things.  Guess what?  I uploaded that as well, just in case someone out there operates a little bit like me.  If you're a string player, look for an email soon with the password to the music area.  Personally, I hope to have the Christmas music uploaded and ready to go by August.  I know that seems far too soon, but my experience tells me that it'll be just in time.

Thank you all, please let me know if you need anything!
Musically yours,
​JM

Auditions are done.  Great job, everyone! Mr MacBenn is trying to keep things updated, but there's a lot of information to handle.  In the next few days, I'm going to try to get a list of names & "chairs" posted.  Within the next couple of months, I'll try to get pdf copies of music posted in the Members Area section.  Personally, both of us  thought that everyone that we saw audition live did a great job, and we're proud of you all.

Hey, our first performance is with Black Violin.  Here's a news article about it:
​www.limaohio.com/news/455369/new-twist-for-enrichment-dinner