Christmas Concert details and a Florida reminder!

Hello band and orchestra students and parents,

1. All band and orchestra students will have early rehearsal Tuesday, Dec. 16 at the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts to prepare for the concert.

-Concert Band and Concert Orchestra arrive between 7:05 and 7:10 a.m. 

-Symphonic Band and Symphonic Orchestra arrive between 7:35 and 7:40 a.m.

2. The front doors to the Jack H. Miller will be open from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. and the back/loading dock door will be open from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and there will be a bus to bring you back to HCHS at the end of rehearsal.

3. The Tuesday evening musician concert call time is 5:30 p.m., please bring a snack and water bottle for in between the two concerts.

4. Wednesday, Dec. 18
Symphonic Orchestra (strings only) at HCS staff Christmas gathering 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in HCHS cafeteria

5. Did you know that you can order your family tickets for Disney World at a discounted rate because we are performing at Disney World. Family tickets are the same as student performer tickets. Please follow this link to place your order and for details. Disney Family Ticket Order Form. This must be completed and submitted by Friday, December 12. There will be no late orders. Please reach out to Darla Schaap at schaapdarla@gmail.com if you have any questions.

6. Invite friends and family to the Christmas Concert - The High School Music Department invites you to its annual band, orchestra, and choir Christmas concert Tuesday, December 16 at the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts, located on the campus of Hope College. Performances will be at 6:00 p.m. and 7:45 p.m (5:30 p.m. call time). 

We look forward to sharing in the celebration of our Savior’s birth through our music!

We need your help with our Christmas concert. 

Please sign up here to help with offering, greeting, and handing out programs at the 6:00 p.m. concert.

Please sign up here to help with offering, greeting, and handing out programs at the 7:45 p.m. concert. 

Thank you!

Mr. VB

--

Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian High School  950 Ottawa Ave, Holland, MI 49423  school: 616.820.2805 cell: 616.212.8867 blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musichchs/ "Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ"

Important Florida info and Christmas performances begin!

 Hello band and orchestra students and parents,

Don't miss this important info!

1. Did you know that you can order your family tickets for Disney World at a discounted rate because we are performing at Disney World. Family tickets are the same as student performer tickets. Please follow this link to place your order and for details. Disney Family Ticket Order Form. This must be completed and submitted by Friday, December 12. There will be no late orders. Please reach out to Darla Schaap at schaapdarla@gmail.com if you have any questions.

2. See the HCHS Folk Ensemble (with some symphonic orchestra members) at Pillar Church on Sunday (Dec. 7) morning (9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services, 7 a.m. call time)

and all of the HCHS Symphonic Orchestra at Central Ave. Christian Reformed Church evening (5:00 p.m. service, 3:30 p.m. call time) this Sunday (Dec. 7).

3. Invite friends and family to the Christmas Concert - The High School Music Department invites you to its annual band, orchestra, and choir Christmas concert Tuesday, December 16 at the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts, located on the campus of Hope College. Performances will be at 6:00 p.m. and 7:45 p.m (5:30 p.m. call time). 

We look forward to sharing in the celebration of our Savior’s birth through our music!

We need your help with our Christmas concert. 

Please sign up here to help with offering, greeting, and handing out programs at the 6:00 p.m. concert.

Please sign up here to help with offering, greeting, and handing out programs at the 7:45 p.m. concert. 

Thank you!

Mr. VB

--

Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian High School  950 Ottawa Ave, Holland, MI 49423  school: 616.820.2805 cell: 616.212.8867 blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musichchs/ "Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ"

A look at December and more Florida information!

Dear band and orchestra students and parents,

What great fun we had at Swingin' the Night Away!

Florida letters went out to friends and family asking for support for the HCHS band/orchestra trip to Florida. Check in with those that your student sent a letter to and ask if they received it. We are about half way to our goal. Thanks for helping us keep this trip affordable for kids.

Thanks to these volunteers whose work makes this trip happen. Janet Jenosky, Bonnie Brower, David and Jamie Dannenberg, Jes Dozeman, Billy and Liza Greene, Darin Klooster, Judy Rozema, Darla Schaap, Becky and Mike Tuesink, Brooke VanTil, Steve VanDyke, Melissa VanderZwaag, Pete and Jessica Westra

1. Did you know that you can order your family tickets for Disney World at a discounted rate because we are performing at Disney World. Family tickets are the same as student performer tickets. Please follow this link to place your order and for details. Disney Family Ticket Order Form. This must be completed and submitted by Friday, December 12. Please reach out to Darla Schaap at schaapdarla@gmail.com if you have any questions.

2. Invite friends and family to the Christmas Concert - The High School Music Department invites you to its annual band, orchestra, and choir Christmas concert Tuesday, December 16 at the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts, located on the campus of Hope College. Performances will be at 6:00 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. 

We look forward to sharing in the celebration of our Savior’s birth through our music!

We need your help with our Christmas concert. 

Please sign up here to help with offering, greeting, and handing out programs at the 6:00 p.m. concert.

Please sign up here to help with offering, greeting, and handing out programs at the 7:45 p.m. concert.

4. Here is the Ham Fundraiser sheet. This is an individual fundraiser. Orders are due on Monday, Nov. 24 and delivered on Dec. 11.

5. We are raising money for Florida 2026 by selling concessions at the musical. We still need your help to donate some candy or water and/or help sell concessions at the musical performances. Use these links below if you can help out.

Candy Donations for Musical

Musical Concession Help

6. We are in the solo and ensemble festival prep season and we have 61 students participating.

The important dates are:

Recital Night: Wednesday, January 28 (HCHS)

District S & E: Saturday, January 31 (Wyoming HS)

Those who receive the highest rating (a one) will qualify for State Solo and Ensemble Festival:

State S & E: Saturday, March 21 (Portage Northern I think, TBD)

7. Here are upcoming dates for band and orchestra students:

Dec. 7 Symphonic Orchestra at Pillar Church at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services

Dec. 7 Symphonic Orchestra Central Ave Church 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 16 All Bands and Orchestras at Christmas Concert at Jack H. Miller at 6:00 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
Dec. 17 Symphonic Orchestra Staff Christmas Social

Thank you!

Mr. VB

--

Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian High School  950 Ottawa Ave, Holland, MI 49423  school: 616.820.2805 cell: 616.212.8867 blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musichchs/ "Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ"

More events coming, pictures, and a Christmas concert!

Hello band and orchestra students and parents,

Some of these are reposts because we still need some volunteers and donations!

1. Great work on the concert! So proud of all of these groups! Here is a recording of this concert.

2. Check out our band/orchestra pictures linked here!

3. Symphonic Band will need their uniforms at school on Tuesday, Nov. 11 for the Veterans Day Assembly which begins at 9:30 a.m. Friends and family are invited to attend the event in the HCHS gym.

4. Sign up here if you can help out at Swingin' the Night Away at the event or if you can bring a dessert or two!

5. We are raising money for Florida 2026 by selling concessions at the musical. We would love it if you could donate some candy or water and/or help sell concessions at the musical performances. Use these links below if you can help out.

Candy Donations for Musical

Musical Concession Help

6. Don't miss Swingin' the Night Away!

The Holland Christian Jazz Bands and the Old Timer’s Jazz Band are proud to present  Swingin’ the Night Away in the HCHS cafeteria on Friday, November 14, from 6:45 to 9 p.m. Admission is $5 (cash only) and goes to support our music programs at HCS. New to swing  dancing? No worries! The Hope College Swing Club will be on hand from 6:45 pm-7:30 pm to teach  us the basic steps of swing, so the evening can be enjoyed by novice and experienced  dancers alike. Not in the mood for dancing? Come socialize, indulge in some delicious  desserts, punch, and enjoy the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington  and more.

7. 2025 HS Christmas Concert
The High School Music Department invites you to its annual band, orchestra and choir Christmas concert on Tuesday, December 16th at the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts, located on the campus of Hope College. This year we will be offering TWO performance times at 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. We look forward to sharing in the celebration of our Savior’s birth through our music.

--

Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian High School  950 Ottawa Ave, Holland, MI 49423  school: 616.820.2805 cell: 616.212.8867 blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musichchs/ "Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ"

Concert Week is Coming!

Hello band and orchestra students and parents,

We can't wait for these upcoming events!

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. - HS Band/Orchestra Fall Pops Concert

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m. - Veterans Day Assembly - symphonic band

Friday, Nov. 14, 6:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Swingin' the Night Away

1. Students should arrive in uniform to HCHS by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the concert is at HCHS in the auditorium. Invite friends and family!

2. Please sign up here if you can help out with greeting, distributing programs, taking offering, serving refreshments.

3. Sign up here if you can help out at Swingin' the Night Away at the event or if you can bring a dessert or two!

4. We are raising money for Florida 2026 by selling concessions at the musical. We would love it if you could donate some candy or water and/or help sell concessions at the musical performances. Use these links below if you can help out.

Candy Donations for Musical

Musical Concession Help

5. Florida first payments of $475 (unless you did fundraisers) will be due on Thursday, November 6. The other payment is due Friday, January 9. I have the spreadsheet of student fundraiser earnings at school and kids can check in on their total during class.

6. The Holland Christian Jazz Bands and the Old Timer’s Jazz Band are proud to present  Swingin’ the Night Away in the HCHS cafeteria on Friday, November 14, from 6:45 to 9pm. Admission is $5 (cash only) and goes to support our music programs at HCS. New to swing  dancing? No worries! The Hope College Swing Club will be on hand from 6:45 pm-7:30 pm to teach  us the basic steps of swing, so the evening can be enjoyed by novice and experienced  dancers alike. Not in the mood for dancing? Come socialize, indulge in some delicious  desserts, punch, and enjoy the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington  and more.

7. Need a concert for honors points or want to enjoy some great music? Mr. VB conducts the Calvin Community Symphony on a concert on November 1 and you are invited to attend! The concert is at 2 p.m. in the Calvin University Covenant Fine Arts Center and admission is free. More details on our website. https://www.calvincommunitysymphony.org/concert-calendar

Thanks,

Mr. VB

--

Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian High School  950 Ottawa Ave, Holland, MI 49423  school: 616.820.2805 cell: 616.212.8867 blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musichchs/ "Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ"

A busy week and your help is needed!

Dear band and orchestra students and parents,

This is a busy week!

1. Band students have Florida letter writing in class tomorrow.

2. Orchestra members are taking pictures on Wednesday. Have appropriate footwear for tux/dress. The last blog post has details.

3. We need your help with retreat this week. Consider donating or helping with the items in this sign up genius. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4EA8AC2EA3FE3-59321891-2025#/

4. There is pizza for all band/orchestra students in the band/orchestra room on Friday at 6:00 p.m. We have bussing to get kids to the retreat after the football game on Friday. Please send me an email if you would like to have your child drive themself to Camp Geneva. Parents should pick up students after the retreat on Saturday is at 11 a.m. and will be at Camp Geneva Pines at 17000 Quincy St, Holland, MI 49424. 

Here is the retreat information, packing list, and consent form. 

5. Pep band (all band students) will play on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and through the half time. After half time students will put away instruments and go back into the game again for free.

6. Thank you to Steve VanDyk, Kim Blaker, Ella Vanden Berg, and Katy Westra who will be chaperoning alongside myself for this year's retreat. 

Thank you!

Mr. VB

--

Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian High School  950 Ottawa Ave, Holland, MI 49423  school: 616.820.2805 cell: 616.212.8867 blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musichchs/ "Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ"

October Fun!

Dear band and orchestra students and parents,

I hope you are doing well! Please note these reminders and announcements.

1. We are doing Florida letter writing on Monday and Tuesday next week during class.

As part of an effort to keep this trip affordable for all students we will be sending out letters requesting donations in class on Monday/Tuesday Oct. 6/7. This is a group fundraiser and the donations are shared between all students and will go to help offset the cost of the trip for all students. In order to facilitate this process, all Florida bound students, please complete this address letter form by Friday, Oct. 3. Each student will need 3 or 4 names and addresses. Here is a copy of the letter we will send. Students who are unable to attend the Florida trip won't need to send letters or provide addresses, but can help with the process. It will just be a portion of the class time.

2. We have new band/orchestra picture dates due to unexpected conflicts with previous dates. Pictures will happen during class and/or family flex.

Orchestras will have pictures taken on Wednesday, Oct. 8

Bands will have pictures taken on Thursday, Oct. 16

Did you know that band/orchestra students are getting fitted for their band/orchestra uniforms during their class periods? Guys will wear a tuxedo, vest, shirt, and tie and girls will wear a black dress. A special thanks to Carol Redder who has headed this up for many years! 

We will keep your uniform at school for you for pictures, but students should take the uniform home after pictures are done. All students will need to provide their own footwear appropriate to be worn with a tux or dress. Guys will need black dress shoes and socks and girls will need black flats or other appropriate dressy black footwear. No tennis shoes or white socks.

3. Did you know that it is time to think about and start signing up for Solo and Ensemble Festival even though it doesn't happen until January 31? Mr. Vanden Berg will be talking about this in class this week. It is good to start planning for this now.
Here is the form that you can use to sign up.

4. We need chaperones for the band/orchestra retreat next weekend! Please let me know if you can help out. 

5.  I highly recommend taking lessons on your instrument this year, it is a great way to grow as a musician. You can do it for the year or just for a season. Here are a number of excellent musicians who are willing to share their expertise!  Mr. Veenstra, Mrs. Kruizenga, and I give lessons here at HC and we also have wonderful people to suggest to you. Some of these instructors give lessons right here at HCHS. Don't hesitate to reach out and ask if you have any questions or if we can help in any way.

6. HC Music Boosters offers a lesson scholarship and will pay for 8 lessons with highly qualified instructors. 

Thank you!

Mr. VB

--

Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian High School  950 Ottawa Ave, Holland, MI 49423  school: 616.820.2805 cell: 616.212.8867 blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musichchs/ "Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ"

Florida info, Symphony Night, Fees, and Chaperones Needed!

 Hello band and orchestra students and parents,

I hope you are doing well. I am looking forward to seeing you at the Florida trip parent meeting tomorrow evening, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the HCHS auditorium. Students may also attend this meeting.

1. Symphony Night:  All band and orchestra students are invited to sign up here to take a trip to the Grand Rapids Symphony. Sign up on this link on the paper on my door by Wednesday, Sept. 17. This will happen on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 pm. We will leave school via a bus at 4:45 p.m. and stop to eat in Grandville at Five Guys, Chipotle, Potbelly, and McDonald’s. We will return home at approximately 10:30 p.m. We would love to have a few parents join us. There is a free symphony ticket included for parents. Please bring $15 to help offset the cost of the symphony ticket and bus transportation. You will need to bring your own money for food. Dress nicely in shirts with collars and nice pants/dresses/skirts.

2. Retreat: As mentioned in our last blog, the band and orchestra retreat at Camp Geneva on Oct. 10 and 11. We need chaperones! Please let me know if you would be willing to help out. There is no cost for chaperones.

3.Florida Fundraisers: The info in the last blog post described a little about the fundraisers we are doing. If you would like to participate here are two opportunities. Butter Braid pastry sale and Sub sale. Here is the link to sell Butterbraids online. 

4. Music Calendar: Parents and students, please be sure that the dates from the calendar/schedules in the last blog post and linked here are added to your family calendars. Please fill out the form linked here to verify that you have signed off on the dates and also use this form to communicate any calendar conflicts for this 25/26 school year. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Completion of this form is required. This form is due by Thursday, September 25.

*Band and Orchestra Retreat/Florida trip are not required events and do not impact student grades, but it is helpful if you let us know if you are unable to take part in these events, for our planning purposes.

5. Fee Payments: You will see info about a number of payments and fees in this blog post. You can now pay all fees at this link: hollandchristian.org/pay (sometimes using the mouse/trackpad doesn't work, you may have to use the keyboard arrows)

You can also bring a check or cash to school. If you are paying by cash or check please designate what the payment is covering in the memo line of the check or on the sealed envelope for cash. This fee can be mailed to HCHS or placed in the designated envelope in the band/orchestra room (on my office door). The fees below are all due on Thursday, September 25. Please communicate with me if you are in need of financial assistance or if you need more time.

6. Uniform Fee: Each fall band and orchestra students are assessed a uniform fee that covers uniform alterations, repairs, marching shoes and gloves, and dry cleaning. (The shoes and gloves are for band marching uniforms only.) It is $15 for orchestra and $25 for band (marching and concert uniforms). Please communicate with me if you are in need of financial assistance. Additional notes: 

-Brass, woodwind, and percussion members of the symphonic orchestra only need to pay the band uniform fee, not both.

 

7. Rental fees: Each fall students who are using a school-owned instrument are assessed a rental fee of $75 for the year. This fee covers a portion of the cost of repairs and maintenance. Students who switch instruments to help with the balance of the band or orchestra are given a waiver on this fee. Please communicate with me if you are in need of financial assistance. Please designate instrument rental in the memo line of the check. 

Thank you!

Mr. VB

--

Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian High School  950 Ottawa Ave, Holland, MI 49423  school: 616.820.2805 cell: 616.212.8867 blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musichchs/ "Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ"

Important information for HCHS bands and orchestras!

Dear band and orchestra students and parents,

I am so excited for this school year. What a great group of students we have in all of these groups!

Here is a lot of important information. My apologies for the length of this blog entry. Grab a cup of coffee, tea or whatever your favorite beverage is....here we go.  :)

Save a link to this blog as a resource for information on what is coming for the bands and orchestras this year. I will always send you an email when I update the blog.
http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com/

1. Join us for a Florida parent meeting in the HCHS auditorium on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. This meeting is important for anyone interested in the trip. Be sure you connect with myself or someone who was at the meeting if you can't make it.

This is the trip information and commitment form.

Here is a preview of our trip itinerary.

2. We are looking forward to Friday, October 10 (evening) and Saturday, October 11 (morning) at Camp Geneva for our band/orchestra retreat. It is a fun time for good food and hanging out--you won't want to miss it! We can be flexible so that we can include kids who have other activities and practices going on those days.

Here is the information on the retreat.

Here is the retreat consent form. (with medical information).

3. I highly recommend taking lessons on your instrument this year, it is a great way to grow as a musician. There are many great options for growing with experts on your and HC lesson scholarships that will be awarded this fall.  Let me know if I can help you find a lesson teacher that is a good fit!

4. Here are links to concert dates and other important event dates. I will have paper copies at parent night. Please enter these dates into your family calendar:

Concert Orchestra

Symphonic Orchestra

Concert Band

Symphonic Band

3. Please save this link to the band and orchestra page and calendar on the HCS website. It contains the most up-to-date information about upcoming events. Subscribe to the calendar on this page and all of the dates will automatically appear in your google calendar. 

4. This document is a description of the many opportunities for instrumental musicians at HCHS. It includes descriptions of pep band, marching band, symphonic orchestra, solo and ensemble festival, jazz, pit orchestra and more. There are so many opportunities for our music students to encounter through the year. Take a minute to check them out.

9. Last thing....I promise. :)
10th-12th grade students are eligible for this year to have participation in symphonic band or orchestra become a credit for honors symphonic band or honors orchestra. This would show up as an honors course on your transcript and be counted as an honors course for your grade point average. You would continue to be a member of the same class that you signed up for, but would have the opportunity to engage music more deeply and have it show up on your transcript. Many of you were already participating in the things that would make you eligible for honors distinction.
Fill this form out if you are interested in finding out more.

Thank you!
Mr. VB

--

Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian High School  950 Ottawa Ave, Holland, MI 49423  school: 616.820.2805 cell: 616.212.8867 blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musichchs/ "Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ"