Brookwood Orchestra Parents' Association

Volunteers are always welcome to help at concerts and special events! 
Please email BOPA to put your name on the SignUpGenius list:
​brookwoodorchestra@gmail.com

Welcome to Brookwood High School Orchestra!

     ​The Brookwood Orchestra Parents Association (BOPA) endeavors to support the orchestra directors of Brookwood High School in achieving excellence for all components of the orchestra program. Our program serves over 300 students in six different orchestras.  Your child will have a tremendous support group through the Orchestra Directors and the Brookwood Orchestra Parent Association.  We view this as an “investment” in the lives of our student musicians to set them up for future success at Brookwood, as well as for their potential participation in local/regional or state youth orchestras, and any eligible scholarships available through colleges and university orchestra programs.  Your student’s investment in time, practice, and more practice, will continue to pay dividends in their life as they embrace their talent through the Arts. 
     Since funding for the Arts in Gwinnett County Public Schools are limited, not enough resources are available to appropriately and respectfully sustain the highly acclaimed and awarded orchestra program from Brookwood High School. We desire to continue this great tradition, as BHS orchestras have received superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) for many years.  Brookwood Orchestra students have been selected for the prestigious Governor’s Honors Program, various county and state level youth orchestras including All-State Orchestra, as well as our own Chamber Orchestra having been invited to play at Carnegie Hall in New York! BOPA helps to ensure that all of our orchestra students have the opportunity to develop in their own musical journey.  We work together with the Orchestra Directors to provide opportunities for students to have an enjoyable time and build camaraderie with their fellow student musicians.  Your child will learn and grow in their individual musical talents and abilities when they join the family of Brookwood Orchestra!

BOPA Program Fee

New Student Fee - $175 per student (includes formal uniform, classroom materials, and locker rental)
Please plan to pay on or before* Brookwood Orientation Day (8/2/20) or prior to August 14th, 2020 (Doughnut Day!).
       *Payments can be paid online via PayPal at www.brookwoodorchestra.com.
 
Returning Student Fee - $75* per student (includes locker rental).  
Formal and informal uniform replacements are priced per item. 
Please plan to pay at Brookwood Orientation Day (8/2/20) or prior to August 14th, 2020. 
*Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, all returning students’ program fees for the 2020-2021 school year will be reduced.
Cancellation of spring 2020 events, although unfortunate, left some budgeted funds unused
that will now be “paid forward” into this upcoming school year.

Instrument Maintenance Fee - $60 per instrument per school year
(Cash or check made out to “BHS”) is required for all students using a school instrument.
 
Each student is responsible for only one program fee each year.  As part of the budgeting process, BOPA will determine the program fees applicable to each student according to their grade level as well as sibling discounts.
DOUGHNUT DAY!
​All students who have paid their program fees AND
turned in their signed handbook acknowledgement form
​will enjoy a KRISPY KREME doughnut in class!

Features & Benefits

The Brookwood Orchestra Program Fee includes the following annual benefits:
  • Free Admission to all Orchestra concerts at BHS
  • Formal Uniforms (included in the “New Student Fee”)
  • Calendar magnet schedule for all families
  • LGPE registration and participation costs
  • Guest Artists and Clinicians in class and at Mini-Camp (see below)
  • Transportation for BHS Orchestra students to community performances
  • Student awards including plaques, trophies, letters & bars, senior medals, etc.
  • Sheet music, instruments and repairs, classroom materials/equipment, and sound system
  • Support for Special Events:  Tailgate Party, S’morchestra, Mini-Camp, and our Awards Reception
  • Funding for the Catherine R. Hudnall Honorary Music Scholarship​
Special Highlights from recent school years:
  • Vega String Quartet performance and masterclass
  • “The Mad Violinist,” Ashanti Floyd, classroom visits
  • Mark Wood, of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, electric instrument presentation after school.
  • Richard Meyer composed “Fanfare, Fantasy, and Fugue” especially for Brookwood Orchestra
  • Chamber Orchestra’s annual performance in the Kennesaw State University Orchestra Invitational

Orchestra students are most successful when provided with
the necessary tools and appropriate encouragement.

The necessary tools: an instrument and bow of quality. 
  • A quality instrument is an investment but rental plans can be very manageable.  It is important that the instrument is played before purchase or contract rental.  Avoid “Violin-Shaped-Objects” that are difficult to play and sound terrible.  Music teachers and directors can help! 
  • Keeping an instrument in good playing condition is easier and cheaper than repairing one.
    • Wipe off the instrument after each use.
    • Loosen bows after playing.
    • Strings wear out and need to be replaced each year.
    • Bow hair breaks down and needs to be replaced each year.
The Appropriate Encouragement: positive reinforcement does wonders for student effort.  Creating opportunities for students to perform for family and friends creates opportunities for encouragement!
  • A private, quiet, comfortable, and well-lit practice space is essential for every musician to focus at home.
  • Communication is essential for the success of our orchestra and the development our students. Please contact us with any questions, comments or concerns.
  • Students learn responsibility by being given opportunities to be responsible.  We hope to have support from home as we guide young musicians into adulthood.
  • Private lessons are encouraged for all students.  A list of recommended teachers can be found on our website.  Students may apply for the Catherine R. Hudnall Honorary Scholarship in the spring semester to help with these costs.
2020-2021 Executive Board
Jason and Jewel Anderson, Incoming Co-Presidents
Coralie and Boone Benton, Outgoing Co-Presidents
Shannon Lightcap, Secretary
Kathy Ward, Treasurer
Stacey Taylor and Andrea Barnett, Fundraising