AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA HANDBOOK

AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA HANDBOOK 2013-2014 Instructor: Ana Maria Solis-Herrera Voice Mail: (512) 414-1251 Room: Brady Hall E-Mail: ana.solisherrera@austinisd.org To submit playing assignments: smartmusic.com To submit written assignments: practice4mastery@yahoo.com Website: www.austinhighorchestra.com This handbook serves as an information reference point for the 2013-2014 school year. Please read all the following information carefully so that you and your child will be aware of the expectations and requirements of being an orchestra student. The student information form at the back should be turned in or e-mailed with electronic signature by September 13, 2013. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. ORCHESTRA ORIENTATION September 5 Mandatory for Students 5:00-6:00 pm Orchestra Room Pizza and ice cream will be provided September 5 Orchestra Parent Orientation 6:00 pm Choir Room CONCERTS September 25 Dinner Concert Austin HS 6:30 pm October 26 Monster Concert and Carnival Austin HS 3:00-8:00 pm December 4 Winter Concert Austin HS PAC 6:30 pm January 22 Vertical Team Dinner and Concert Austin HS Café 5:00/6:30 pm February 5 Pre-UIL Concert Full Orchestra Austin HS PAC 6:30 pm April 2 Pre-UIL Concert String Orchestra Austin HS PAC 6:30 pm May 13 Spring Concert Austin HS PAC 6:30 pm SPECIAL PERFORMANCES (Not all students included) Sept. 27 All City Orchestra (ACO) evening rehearsal McCallum HS TBA Sept. 28 ACO morning rehearsal and concert McCallum HS 4:00 pm October 23 Monster Concert Practice (middle schools) Austin High 10am-1pm November 5 Zilker Festival (Seniors) Zilker Park 9am-1pm November 21-23 All Region Orchestra Westlake HS CONTEST October 12 All Region Orchestra try outs Gorzycki MS 1:30 pm October 26 All State Taping Anderson HS 9:00am-12noon January 25 UIL Solo and Ensemble LBJ HS February 27 UIL Full Orchestra Contest Westlake HS PAC March 6-10 Trip (tentative dates; approval pending) Santa Fe, NM (tentative) April 16 UIL String Orchestra Contest McCallum HS May 10 AISD Solo and Ensemble McCallum HS May 24-26 State UIL Solo and Ensemble UT Austin AHS Orchestra Handbook 2013-2014 (v. 3) Page 1 of 10

FUNDRAISERS August AHS Decals, Grocery Bags, Back to School (Orchestra) September Program Ads (Orchestra and Individual Accounts) October 26 Monster Concert Carnival (Orchestra) November TBD (Individual Accounts) December TBD Trail of Lights (Orchestra and Individual Accounts) January 22 Dinner Pops Concert (Orchestra) ORCHESTRA SOCIALS: September 5 Social/Orientation 5-7 pm November 15 TBD December 6 Holiday Party and Lock-In (pending approval) Orchestra Room February 21 UIL Clinic and Orchestra Social May 16 Orchestra Banquet Location TBD FEES v Orchestra Fee $150.00 (Goes to general fund, contest fees, Orchestra T-shirt, uniform usage, music, Smart Music for classroom and home use, rosin for classroom use) by September 13, 2013 v School-owned instrument fee paid by September 13, 2013 ($25 per semester, $50 per year. Cello and Bass players using school instruments during school must pay this fee) GRADING SYSTEM A. Full rehearsals, sectionals, combined rehearsals, and performances 50% B. Class preparation, participation, and projects 25% C. Playing and written assignments and tests 25% COMBINED REHEARSALS, SECTIONALS AND PERFORMANCES Full Orchestra Rehearsals and Sectionals are an important part in the development of the orchestra. Attendance at these is a required part of the course. Excuses such as traffic, make up tests in other classes, or other appointments are not considered excused absences. Plan accordingly. Arrange medical appointments, other class tutorials, and other temporary commitments on days other than your rehearsal or sectional day. Absences may be excused if the instructor is informed in advance with a written note or e-mail. Excused absences from a rehearsal can be made up with a recording of the material missed. The recording must be submitted no later than 3 days after the absence. COMBINED REHEARSALS Camerata Orchestra (4 th and 7 th ) Chamber Orchestra (1 st and 5 th ) Philharmonic Orchestra (3 rd and 8 th ) Tuesdays from 8:00 am to 8:50 am Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 8:50 am Fridays from 8:00 am to 8:50 am CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SECTIONALS for Region Orchestra try-outs (1 st and 5 th period) Cellos and Basses Mondays from 8:00 am to 8:50 am Violas Thursdays from 8:00 am to 8:50 am Violins 1 Wednesdays from 4:20 pm to 5:30 pm Violin 2 Thursdays from 4:20 pm to 5:30 pm CONCERT ATTENDANCE The orchestra concert (along with other group performances) is the musician's final exam following many hours of preparation and study. In a large ensemble, like orchestra, each musician is important to the total sound. When students are missing, the total group sound changes dramatically and it can be AHS Orchestra Handbook 2013-2014 (v. 3) Page 2 of 10

disastrous. Members who elect to join any school group are expected to be loyal and to follow through with their commitments to the group. Once a concert is missed, it is missed forever. Good attendance is imperative if an orchestra is to be successful. The director cannot stress it too much. The attendance consideration is not intended to punish students who are really ill or who have serious emergencies; it is stressed in the hope that it will discourage unnecessary absences. Due to the nature of the course, performances may not be made up. However, absences may be excused if the instructor is informed in writing prior to the performance. If illness is the reason for the absence, a note from the parent/guardian must be given upon return to school. Since A.I.S.D. regulations state that orchestra members are required to attend out-of-school rehearsals and performances, unexcused absences may result in removal from orchestra, a failing or lowered grade for the course, demotion of chair ranking, or some other consequence determined by the director. CLASS PREPARATION, PARTICIPATION AND SPECIAL PROJECTS Preparation and Participation during regular class rehearsals is calculated into the six weeks grade. Students are to be seated in their chairs with all materials for class (instrument, music, mutes, pencil, etc.) and warming-up appropriately by the time the class is scheduled to begin. Anyone arriving after the tardy bell will be subject to the school-wide policy on tardies. Points will be deducted for any of the following reasons: a. Lack of proper equipment (instrument, music, pencil, black binder, etc.) b. Gum or candy in class c. Lack of cooperative attitude (talking, plucking, etc.) Projects will be assigned at the beginning of every six weeks. The projects will include the student s contribution to the orchestra in aspects other than playing an instrument. CLASS RULES 1. Be in your seat with music binder, instrument and pencil by the time the tardy bell rings. 2. Come prepared practice before class. 3. Stay in your seat during class time and rehearsals. 4. To speak during class or rehearsals, raise your hand and wait to be recognized by the director. 5. The director dismisses the class, not the bell. 6. Please be considerate and courteous to each other. 7. No food or drink allowed in the rehearsal room and practice rooms. 8. No running or horseplay in the rehearsal room and practice rooms. 9. No use of cellular phones or portable electronic devices during class. 10. Securely lock violins and violas. PLAYING AND WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: All playing and written assignments are due every Monday by 11:59 pm Central time. All playing assignments must be submitted to smartmusic.com. All written assignments must be submitted to practice4mastery@yahoo.com. Assignments will only be considered submitted if sent to the correct e-mail address. Late assignments will suffer a 10% deduction from the final grade the student would receive for each day the assignment is late. AHS Orchestra Handbook 2013-2014 (v. 3) Page 3 of 10

EXPENDITURES Instrument and bow in good playing condition. Instrument cases in good condition and identified with a tag indicating name, school name, and home address and telephone number. VIOLIN/VIOLA extra set of strings kept in your case. CELLO/BASS one rock-stop for your instrument, identify with your name. Rosin appropriate for your instrument. Payment for lost or damaged school equipment or music. One plain, black three-ring binder, 1-inch wide. Needed by the end of the first week of school. Pencil to keep in music binder. Highlighter to keep in music binder. General Fund Fee of $150.00. Instrument usage fee per year $50.00. Pianist for Solo and Ensemble $50.00. Dress black shoes, black stockings or socks; in addition for boys, a white wing-tip tuxedo shirt. DAILY EQUIPMENT Instrument and accessories (rock stops, rosin, shoulder rests, extra strings) Folder or black binder for your music (no stickers or decorations are allowed on the binders) Pencil/ highlighter to be kept in your binder at all times USE OF SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS A student is expected to care for a school-owned instrument as if it were his/her own. This includes providing rosin, rock-stop, and mute; replacement of broken strings; and annual bow rehairing at the end of the school year. Repair of damage caused by the student is the financial responsibility of the student. Each student using a school-owned instrument will pay a $50.00 usage fee per year. Each student will receive an Instrument Check-out card. Parent and student must sign and return the card to the director before the instrument can be taken home. Students using a school-owned instrument will be required to return the instrument in playing condition at the conclusion of the school year. The bow must be rehaired and any damage to the instrument or case must be repaired. Summer checkout of instruments is available; contact the director. INSTRUMENT CARE ALWAYS loosen your bow when you are packing up. Strap in your instrument if you have a case. Put your shoulder rest in your case at all times if you are not using it. Cellos and Basses ALWAYS put the end pin in when done playing. Cellos and Basses must be on the rack when not being played: do NOT leave it on the floor (even if you are just getting a drink of water). INSTRUMENT INSURANCE Instrument insurance is available through an A.I.S.D.-approved company. It is HIGHLY recommended that each student insure his/her instrument. Students should be realistic in their evaluations of the instrument being insured as the company has a current listing of prices. This policy covers both damage and theft. Forms are available from the director. You will complete the necessary information and mail the payment envelope to the vendor. The director will not deliver the envelope for you. The insurance should be requested by the end of August. Many homeowner policies provide adequate coverage also. Check with your agent to be sure. AHS Orchestra Handbook 2013-2014 (v. 3) Page 4 of 10

CONCERT BLACK UNIFORM FOR BOYS Boys must purchase a white, wing-tip tuxedo shirt, black socks, and black dress shoes. You may find these items in a variety of stores, not necessarily a tuxedo shop. Plan ahead when you purchase your shirt, you will grow during the year. We will issue you a school-owned tuxedo (jacket and pants), black band bow tie (not a clip-on), and black cummerbund. You will be responsible for making any necessary alterations. CONCERT BLACK UNIFORM FOR GIRLS We will issue each girl a school-owned black concert dress. You will be responsible for making any necessary alterations. You will need to provide black dress shoes and black stockings. INFORMAL UNIFORM FOR BOY AND GIRLS Orchestra T-shirt and blue jeans UNIFORM ROOM PROCEDURES When you are assigned a uniform you must take it home. The uniform storage room is used as a practice area during the school year so we can only store uniforms there on the day of the concert. The day before a concert, bring your uniform on a hanger from home. When you bring your uniform for concerts, place it on the rack and in numerical order. YOU MAY NOT CHECK OUT A UNIFORM ON PERFORMANCE DAY. YOU MAY NOT BORROW PIECES OF UNIFORMS FROM OTHER STUDENTS. You may not play at the concert if you do not have a uniform. ORCHESTRA LOCKERS Make every effort to secure your instrument during the time you are at school. Violin and viola players will be assigned an orchestra locker during orchestra camp or on the first day of school (in addition to the school locker you will be assigned for your books). Your instrument must be left in the orchestra locker during the day. You will have access to your locker before and after school. Padlocks are issued by the director; no personal locks are allowed on the orchestra lockers. Cello and string bass players will not need a locker since you will use a school-owned instrument for daily in-class rehearsals. Cello and string bass players will occasionally need to bring their instruments from home for combined rehearsal or performance. LOCKER USAGE Orchestra lockers are for orchestra only. Do not put anything unrelated inside (gym clothes, school work, textbooks, etc.) If you are sharing a locker, do not your leave your folder/binder inside. The only padlocks that are allowed are provided by the orchestra director. VIOLIN AND VIOLA LOCKERS MUST BE SECURELY LOCKED OR YOU MAY LOSE THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING A LOCKER! GENERAL INFORMATION Binders/ Folders A folder for music will be provided for everyday use. A black binder is required for all concerts and UIL. Use tabs and sheet protectors to keep your music organized. Examples of content include: Old music, concert music, music theory, solos, and technique. NEVER throw music away; it will most likely get used again. You will only be provided with one copy of music. If you lose your music, ask a friend to let you copy their music. There will be a binder check one week before concerts. AHS Orchestra Handbook 2013-2014 (v. 3) Page 5 of 10

Smart Music Weekly assignments will be assigned on SmartMusic.com for you to complete at home. The cost of Smart Music is included in your orchestra fee. The only students who may use Smart Music at school are those who do not have a computer or an ipad at home. Once that you have created your account, your login will be your e-mail address and you will decide your password. We suggest that you use your student ID number as your password. Charmsoffice You will use Charms to track the status of your finances and dues for orchestra, check out music, and receive emails about orchestra activities. If you or your parents change email address during the year, you MUST update it on Charms to continue receiving emails about orchestra activities. Log in now to Charms at www.charmsoffice.com [school code AustinHighOrch and initial password student s school ID number o Check your personal information (for self and parents) o Update to complete information and correct errors o Contact AHOP s secretary, Julie LePage <jclepage1124@sbcglobal.net>, with questions. PRIVATE LESSONS Optional activity! Private lessons are NOT required for membership in any orchestra. However, students can achieve tremendous progress in this one-to-one setting. It may be possible to arrange private lessons at school during your orchestra class time. Ask the director for detailed information, including a listing of teachers who work from their homes. PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES All-Region Orchestra Made up of students from all of UIL Music Region 18 (Hill Country area). Students audition on prescribed material (etude) and are ranked according to performance before a live, blind judging panel. Students audition on October 12 and perform on November 21-23. All-State Orchestra Made up of students selected from the All-Region auditions. Students must prepare excerpts selected from the All-State Orchestra repertoire in addition to the All-Region etude. Students make a recording of the etude and excerpts on October 26. These tapes go through two rounds of judging and students selected based on their performances will participate in the Texas Music Educators All-State Convention in San Antonio on February 13-16. This is among the highest honors an orchestra student can achieve. Students are notified of their acceptance around December 1st. Austin Youth Symphony Orchestra Made up of students in grades 9-12 from AISD and surrounding school districts. Students prepare an etude or solo of their choice. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings throughout the school year from 7:00-9:00 pm in the Austin High Orchestra hall, with several performances each year. Auditions are on September 2, 2013. UIL Solo/Ensemble Contest This event gives students the opportunity to perform a solo or small ensemble in front of a judge. Selections must come from a prescribed list. The UIL Solo/Ensemble Contest is on January 25. Students who earn a top score ( I ) on a Class I solo become eligible for State UIL Contest at UT in May. AHS Orchestra Handbook 2013-2014 (v. 3) Page 6 of 10

AWARDS Various awards are presented throughout the year to recognize outstanding achievement and service. These awards are determined through criteria established by the director and the presentation of these awards recognizes constructive participation in and service to the group. Awards are subject to the limitations imposed by the University Interscholastic League (UIL). When Orchestra students reach the 11th grade, they may order (at their own expense) a letter jacket with the Orchestra letter on it. Individual awards may be earned through UIL contests, AISD contests, All-Region and All-State participation, and Texas State Solo/Ensemble Contests. PARENTAL SUPPORT Show an interest in the music study of your child. There is nothing more important in a child's study of music. Arrange a regular time and a quiet place for practice. Monitor practicing. Make sure that it is happening. Help the student understand that the more he or she practices the more success and enjoyment they will gain. Be generous with your praise and encouragement. Keep the instrument in good repair with rosin, strings, etc. Teach your student to be on time for rehearsals and concerts. Notify the director if the student is to be absent or tardy, and explain why. Show support with your attendance at all of your child s performances. Stay for the concert; don t just drop your child off at the door. Invite your relatives, friends, and neighbors. Encourage your child to be involved in music. Expose your child to good quality music. Take him/her to recitals and performances that are held in different cultural sites. Volunteer for the orchestra s fundraising and social activities STUDENT ACCOUNTS The main purpose of the student accounts is to assist with individual expenses related to participation in the Austin High Orchestra. All orchestra students are eligible to earn money from fundraising efforts held all year long. Money will be deposited into the Orchestra Booster Account. You can check your student account by going to www.charmsoffice.com. Money not used from a previous year is carried over to the next term. Student accounts are transferrable only to immediate family members who are in Orchestra. A student who is voluntarily or involuntarily terminated from the Austin High Orchestra relinquishes all rights to their student account and the balance will be transferred to the Orchestra s General Fund. Graduating seniors donate any remaining balance to the Orchestra s General Fund. FUNDRAISING Fundraising is an important part of the Orchestra program and is essential to continuing our pursuit of excellence. Every student is responsible for fundraising, because every student benefits in some way from the money that is collected. Primary uses of money earned will be to defray travel expenses for the orchestra trip, purchase new music, purchase new equipment and awards, and pay expenses for the spring banquet. ORCHESTRA TRIP The decision to travel depends on the merits of the event(s) we would attend. Participation in contests and clinics provide important opportunities for the students to broaden their musical horizons. During contests, students learn the discipline it takes to play in new and sometimes huge facilities; they also have the chance to listen to musicians from other areas of the state or country. In addition, the trip usually occurs close to the end of the year and provides students with a feeling of reward for having worked hard. The sense of belonging to a very special team is never more keenly felt than when the various Austin High Orchestras cheer each other on in their respective performances. The parents who have chaperoned will attest that the Orchestras of Austin High have the best students in the school! And the students in the Orchestra will tell you that we have the best chaperones in the world! All students have the opportunity to go on the trip since ample fundraising opportunities are available. AHS Orchestra Handbook 2013-2014 (v. 3) Page 7 of 10

AUSTIN HIGH ORCHESTRA 2013-2014 PERFORMANCE CALENDAR Date Event Times Place SEPTEMBER 5 Student/Parent Orientation 5:00 pm students Orchestra Room 6:00 pm parents Choir room 25 Dinner Concert 6:30 pm Austin High School 27 All City Orchestra Rehearsals 7:00-9:00 pm McCallum High School 28 All City Orchestra Rehearsals Concert 10:00-5:00 pm McCallum High School OCTOBER 12 All Region Orchestra Try outs 1:30-5:00 pm Gorzycki MS 23 Monster Concert Practices 10:00 am - 1:30 Austin High PAC 26 Monster Concert and Carnival 3:00-8:00 pm AHS Grounds 26 All State taping 9:00 am - 12:00 Anderson High School NOVEMBER 21-22 TMEA Region Orchestra Rehearsals 7:00 pm Westlake High School 23 Region Orchestra Clinic 9 am-12 noon Westlake High School 23 Region Orchestra Clinic 1:30-3:00 pm Westlake High School 23 Region Orchestra Concert 4:00 pm Westlake High School DECEMBER 4 Winter Concert 6:30 pm PAC JANUARY 11 Elementary Instrument Camp Morning TBA 22 Vertical Team Pops Dinner 5:00 pm Austin High School 22 Vertical Team Pops Concert 6:30 pm Austin High School 25 UIL Solo and Ensemble All Day McCallum High School FEBRUARY 5 Pre-UIL Concert 7:00 Austin High PAC 21 Orchestra Pre UIL Clinic 5:00-7:00 pm Orchestra Room 27 Full Orchestra UIL C&SR TBA Westlake High School 28 Middle School Pre UIL Clinic 5:00-7:00 pm Orchestra Room MARCH 6-10 Orchestra Trip (DATES TENTATIVE) Pending Approval 26-27 Middle School UIL Orchestra Contest Austin High PAC APRIL MAY 2 String Orchestra Pre-UIL Concert 6:30 pm Austin High PAC 16 UIL Concert and Sight-reading TBA McCallum High School 13 Spring Concert 6:30 pm Austin High PAC 16 Orchestra Banquet 7:00 pm Location TBD 24+26 TSSEC TBA University of Texas Austin AHS Orchestra Handbook 2013-2014 (v. 3) Page 8 of 10

Parent Volunteer Form Parent s Name: _ Student s Name: _ Return this form by Friday, September 13, 2013 Orchestra parents are the key to a successful Orchestra Program. We need your contributions of time, talent, and money. Please indicate how you can help and check all activities where you and your family can help. Thank you very much! Willing to help where needed please call as needs arise Austin High Liaison for AISD Fine Arts Coalition in Education Chaperone for UIL contests Chaperone for End of Year trip Chaperone for Orchestra socials Record orchestra concerts Coordinate collection of ads for concert programs Concert program design, production Concert uniform inventory manager and room monitor Assist with Fundraising: Concert and Dinner (September 25) Set up and clean up Collect tickets Food Line, Drinks and Desserts Monster Concert (Held October 26, preparation in the weeks leading up to the event) Donations Committee (assist in seeking donations of materials and food) Publicity (design carnival flyers and posters; deliver flyers to schools and other venues, advertise on local news paper, school news letter, radio and television) Signage Committee (create and place signs for parking, directional signs to help families reach the PAC) Stage Committee (set up signs, set up chairs and stands, control orchestra groups traffic, pass out programs, take down the stage, clean up stage and theater) Food Committee (purchase food; deliver grills, microwaves, and accessories; set up food court; work a station day of Monster Concert; clean up food court) Cooks / Food prep (work at a grill, assemble food) Haunted House Committee (design Haunted House and implementation plan, design costumes, purchase supplies, help with construction, work line during carnival, monitor students inside the house during carnival day, clean up and take down) Carnival Games Planning (ensure we have everything needed for games, set up) Carnival Games Attendants (running the games, collecting tickets, managing the experience) Carnival Games Clean-up Carnival Tickets Committee (set up ticket area, sell tickets during a shift, collect stubs from other areas, clean up) Carnival Security Committee (work a shift monitoring the choir room and hallway gate) Carnival Grounds Committee (set up electrical connections, lights, trash cans, clean up) Trail of Lights (December; exact dates TBD) Parking Lot Shift (Set up, collect money, show cars where to park, clean up) Concert and Dinner (January 22) Set up and clean up Collect tickets AHS Orchestra Handbook 2013-2014 (v. 3) Page 9 of 10

Agreement to Meet Orchestra Requirements Return this form by Friday September 13, 2013 (Extended date in the syllabus, the due date was August 30, 2013) We have read the information on the Syllabus and in the Orchestra Handbook. We agree to meet the requirements of membership in this class. Student Name: _ Student Signature: Class Period: Date: _ Parent / Guardian Name(s): Parent / Guardian Signature: Parent / Guardian Signature: Date: Date: Contact Information Student Cell: Student T-Shirt Adult Size: Student E-Mail: Home Phone Number(s): Home Address: Zip Code: Parent 1 / Legal Guardian Name: _ Parent 1 Work Number: _ Occupation:_ Cell: Parent 1 e-mail: Parent 2 Name: Parent 2 Work Number: _ Occupation: Cell: Parent 2 e-mail: Preferred form of contact for announcements Email works well preferred address(es): Please call us preferred phone number(s): _ AHS Orchestra Handbook 2013-2014 (v. 3) Page 10 of 10