Cy-Fair High School Orchestras Kevin Ray, Orchestra Director www.cyfairorchestra.weebly.com Kevin.ray@cfisd.net cyfairorchestra@gmail.com Cy-Fair High School 22602 Hempstead Hwy. Cypress, Texas 77429 Phone: 281-517-2194
Cy-Fair Orchestras UIL CLASS Name Description Varsity Chamber (4) Non-Varsity Symphony (2) - Audition Required. - Performs grade IV/V literature from the UIL PML. - Students should be comfortable performing threeoctave scales and Class 1 solos at UIL Solo/Ensemble Competition - Violins must be comfortable in all advanced positions (must read several ledger lines/8va) - Violists must be comfortable in advanced positions. Must be able to fluently read treble clef - Cello/Bassists must be comfortable in thumb position and should read tenor/treble clefs with fluency. - Must be able to sight-read at a grade III/IV level - Encouraged to audition for Region 27 Orchestra - Private Lessons not required by encouraged. - Full Orchestra Rehearsals after school - Audition Required. - Performs grade II/III/IV literature from the UIL Prescribed Music List. - Students must be comfortable with two-octave scales (both major and minor) - All instruments should be able to shift accurately from each position - Must be able to sight-read at a grade I/II level Sub Non-Varsity (A) Philharmonic (6) - Audition Required. - Performs grade II/III/IV literature from the UIL Prescribed Music List, Must sight-read at a grade I level - Mastering techniques / scales will be taught Sub Non-Varsity (B) Camerata (1) Concert (5) - Audition required for Concert (5) - No audition required for Camerata (1) - Orchestras will combine to form Sinfonia Orchestra.
Communication Staying connected to students, parents, and community is vital to the success of the Cy-Fair Orchestra program. Please feel free to contact me via email/phone with any questions or concerns. Please allow 24 hours for email/phone response. Here are the ways to stay informed. kevin.ray@cfisd.net cyfairorchestra@gmail.com Primary District Email Weekly Newsletter, Reminders www.cyfairorchestra.weebly.com - Orchestra website / blog - Resources - Solo/Ensemble Sign-up Form - Absence Requests - Class information - Calendar - Parent Information Form Text message (469) 502-7954 with @cdb2f to receive alerts and reminders about orchestra. Remind101.com Text Message Correspondence (All regular texting rates apply) (281) 517-2194 Cy-Fair HS Office Phone Please call at during conference periods 3/7.
CHARMS OFFICE ASSISTANT In order to receive electronic communication for anything orchestra-related, you must follow the below instructions. CHARMS ONLINE REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Go to www.charmsoffice.com/charms/login.asp 2. Type in cyfairhsorch in the PARENT/STUDENT/MEMBER LOGIN box 3. In the next window, next to ENTER STUDENT ID/PASSWORD type in your student s ID# (use numbers only) Click ENTER and you should see your student s name at the top right corner. 4. Find the ICON that says PERSONAL INFORMATION, and open it. 5. Please complete all the information for both student AND PARENT(S). Use dashes when typing in phone numbers. Double check e-mail accuracy. 6. When all information is complete, click UPDATE. (This is a green button at the bottom of the page.)
General Procedures, Policies and Expectations Sectional Attendance Sectional attendance is a vital part of the success of the orchestra program. Sectionals will be divided mostly by instrument and on occasion by designation of high/low strings. Students should expect at least one sectional per six week period. Academic Eligibility As per Texas State Law, students must receive a 70 or higher in all class to be academically eligible to compete. This includes all contests governed by the University Interscholastic League including Solo/Ensemble Competition, State Solo/Ensemble Competition, Concert and Sight-reading competition. This also includes extracurricular events and auditioning for Region 27 Orchestra. Eligibility will be strictly upheld. University Interscholastic League *University Interscholastic League See uiltexas.org for more information. The University Interscholastic League is the governing body for all competition in the state of Texas. It is the joint responsibility of students and directors to pay careful attention to guidelines, procedures, and classifications to avoid disqualifications from competitions. Students will have the opportunity to participate in the UIL Solo/Ensemble Competition held in February of each year and the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Competition held in March/April of each year.
General Procedures, Policies and Expectations (cont.) Performance Attendance Materials / Supplies Students will have from five to six major performances each year. These include a Fall Concert, Children s Concert, Winter Concert, Pre- UIL Performance, UIL Performance, and Spring Concert. Attendance is required and participation is a major grade. Concerts will only be excused due to major family events, illness, or emergency situations. Communication from parent/guardian is needed for excusal of events. Violin and viola students will need to rent or own their instrument. Cello and bass students are welcome to use their own instrument or loan an instrument from the school. Students will be provided with a black three-ring notebook. All students are responsible to maintain their folders. Various method/exercise books will be recommended throughout the year to supplement instruction. Accommodations can be made. Class Expectations - Enter room quietly - Be prepared with instrument, music, and pencil - Tune softly and quickly - Good rehearsal etiquette and technique (limit sidebar conversations, stay engaged) - Regular home practice of techniques and skills taught in class - Keep room clean and tidy by putting away books, rosin, folders, etc.
General Procedures, Policies and Expectations (cont.) Student Code of Conduct Uniforms and Formal Concert Dress Activity Fee Students are expected to abide by the Cy-Fair Orchestra Code of Conduct and all CFISD District policies whenever representing the Cy-Fair Orchestra program. This applies to all curricular/ extracurricular activities such as UIL performances and overnight trips. Students will be issued a formal concert uniform at the beginning of each year. Gentleman will receive a tuxedo jacket and pants. Ladies will receive a dress/gown. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain these items throughout the school year. Gentleman are responsible for acquiring their own tuxedo shirt, bow-tie, black socks, and black dress shoes. Ladies are responsible for the appropriate footwear. Accommodations will be made for those students with financial needs. Students will be charged for any damaged uniforms returned at the end of each year. An activity fee of $75 will be charged at the beginning of each year. This fee will be used for the following purposes: (1) Orchestra Spirit T-Shirt, (2) Printing/Copying needs of orchestra, (3) Orchestra Composite Photograph for room and yearbook, (4) Uniform Dry-Cleaning, (5) Trophy Engraving, (6) Orchestra binder, (7) Uniform Alterations *If financial need arises, optional payment plans can be arranged.
General Procedures, Policies and Expectations (cont.) Informal Concert Dress Children s Concert String Supplies Spring Trip Policy 1. Orchestra Spirit T-Shirt 2. Denim jeans (with no holes) 3. Everyday school shoes/sneakers The annual Cy-Fair Orchestra Children s concert will take place in the fall (late October early November). This is a major event in promoting string education to the community. This is also a fundraising event for the orchestra. Informal Concert dress required for this event. Representatives from Fishburn Violins and Lisle Violins are in weekly contact with the Cy-Fair High School Orchestra. Students can request that supplies from these shops are brought to Cy-Fair. Payment can be in the form of cash/check and must be paid up front. FISHBURN VIOLIN: (281-290-4580) LISLE VIOLIN: (713-526-4005) As per CFISD policy, the orchestra program will travel out of state every other year. Students should view the spring trip as a privilege and represent the Cy-Fair Orchestra program at the highest level. At the director and administrative discretion, parents/ guardians of students with a record of behavior infractions may be required to attend the trip as a chaperone.
Orchestra Placements and Chairing Orchestra Auditions Director Discretion and Orchestra Placements Chairing Orchestra auditions will take the place of the final exam. Students will be graded on an rubric that totals 200 points that will be broken up into three categories: Scales (50 points), Excerpts (150 points) and Sight-Reading (50 points). Students will be ranked based on this criteria for orchestra placement consideration. Although orchestra rankings based on end-of-year auditions will be used primarily to determine placements, final decisions are ultimately at the directors discretion. Apart from the audition ranking, the director will consider the following: 1. Sectional Attendance 2. Eligibility 3. Concert Attendance 4. UIL Participation 5. Solo/Ensemble Participation 6. Overall citizenship in orchestra Chairing will be conducted at directors discretion. Students will be assigned principal positions based on the following criteria: periodic playing assessments, citizenship in class, leadership qualities, and sectional attendance. Students can plan to be reseated 1-2 times per six-week period. Seating should not be solely viewed as a reflection of student ranking in orchestra.
UIL Solo and Ensemble Competition Requirements Prescribed Music List Accompanist Discretion of the Director Merit of Solo/Ensemble Texas State Solo/Ensemble Competition Students in Chamber (4) and Symphony (2) are required to perform at the UIL Solo/Ensemble Competition in February. Students will consult director/private instructors to find a selection on the Prescribed Music List (PML) that best represents the students development. Students will be responsible for reading the performance requirements on the PML. Students who do not perform from the correct edition or stray from the requirements listed will be disqualified. Students who choose to perform a solo will be required to pay for an accompanist if the selected work calls for piano. Students should expect to pay a fee from $35 40 for two rehearsals and performance. Students who are not prepared to compete at competition will be excused from their performance on the discretion of the director. Solo/Ensemble is an important curricular event in orchestra. Students who earn a Division 1 rating on a Class 1 Solo (memorized) or Ensemble will have the option to perform at the TSSEC in Austin, TX. Students must inform director of plans prior to registration date. This date occurs historically in early April.
Children s!concert! Script!Writing!Team!! Student Officers and Responsibilities!! Cy$Fair!High!School! Orchestra!Leadership!Team!!!! President! Orchestra!Operation!Manager! ORCHESTRA!DIRECTOR!! Concertmaster! Vice!President! Student!Activity!Leader!! Facilities!Manager! Classroom!Facilitator! Secretary! Head!Librarian! Orchestra!Publicity!Manager!! VIOLIN! Section( (Leader( ( VIOLA! Section(( Leader( CELLO! Section( (Leader( BASS! Section( Leader( Activity(Staff( Librarian(Staff( Facility/Equipment(Staff( Publicity(Staff(
President Orchestra Operation Manager Vice President Student Activity Leader Facilities Manager Student Officers and Responsibilities (cont.) - Communicate student concerns with Orchestra Director, Orchestra Parents association, Leadership team - Lead leadership meetings; delegate specific tasks to members - Coordinate ALL orchestra activities - Makes executive decisions when difficult to achieve consensus - Make classroom and concert announcements - Provide assistance to Orchestra Director when needed - Attends all orchestra activities (concerts, retreats, sectionals) - Organizes monthly student activities with president - Plans potlucks, banquet, and other social activities with president - Designs orchestra T-Shirt - Assist with technology (recordings, video, etc.) - Appoints a representative from each class period and communicates items discussed in leadership meetings - Attends all orchestra activities (concerts, retreats, sectionals) - Appoints a team of 4-6 students (representatives from each class period) - Makes sure that students keep orchestra room tidy and do not abuse equipment. (Makes sure rock stops, books, tuners, etc. are put away) - Assists with setting up stage at concerts - Assist with attendance
Student Officers and Responsibilities (cont.) Orchestra Publicity Manager Head Librarian Secretary Children s Concert Script Writing team* - Acts as historian for the orchestra - Manages archives of orchestra pictures - With consent of president/orchestra director, advertises orchestra achievements and events - Puts a slideshow presentation together for Centrum concert - Manages Orchestra Social Media presence (Facebook, twitter, etc.) - Organize music for all orchestras - Assist with copying procedures and distribution - Organize library - Helps copy and distribute solos/ensembles for UIL Competition - Takes minutes for all leadership meetings - Shares minutes (through email communication) with all members and Orchestra Director - Assists president as needed Not an elected position. Interested students will meet with Orchestra Director. Orchestra director will make appointments.
Student Officers and Responsibilities (cont.) Expectations Guidelines Dismissal from Office -Makes every attempt to help ALL orchestra students feel welcome and part of the program -Considers the needs of ALL orchestra students -Attends ALL orchestra events and activities -Performs responsibilities without extra prompting -Provides ideas on fundraising and encouraging student involvement at social events -Respects the authority of the President and Orchestra Director -Orchestra Master Calendar needs to be consulted prior to scheduling of all social activities. -Plans social events at least once a month -Social events during class need prior approval -President should hear out the ideas, thoughts, and plans of leadership team but ultimately has final approval -All matters of fundraising or collecting of money needs approval by orchestra director (district policy) -Student leaders who do not fulfill their obligation to their position will be removed from office at the discretion of the Orchestra Director. (Ex: absence at orchestra events, poor leadership and modeling, behavior infractions, disrespect to director and students)
Letter Jacket Policy Students can letter in orchestra and earn a letter jacket by receiving 10 points. Points can be earned in the various ways listed below. Fittings for letter jackets will occur periodically throughout the year. *Note: Only Freshmen are permitted to perform Class III solos/ensembles at UIL Competition unless you are performing on a secondary instrument (ex. Violinist performing on viola, etc.) 3 points Performance in Region 27 Orchestra Auditions for this group generally occur early in school year. Students should work on audition etudes and excerpts diligently throughout the summer break. 4 points Taping for All-State Orchestra Students who pass the region audition will be invited to tape for consideration in the Texas All-State Orchestras 4 points Acceptance to perform in any of the three Texas All-State Orchestras 3 points Earning a Superior Rating (I) when performing a Class 1, 2, or 3 Solo at UIL Solo/Ensemble Competition 2 points Students earning an Excellent Rating (II) when performing a Class 1, 2, or 3 Solo/Ensemble at UIL Solo/Ensemble Competition. 2 points Earning a Superior Rating (I) when performing a Class 1, 2, or 3 Ensemble at UIL Solo/Ensemble Competition 2 points First year of satisfactory participation (must have not missed events due to ineligibility) 5 points End of second year of satisfactory participation (must have not missed events due to ineligibility) 10 points End of the third year of participation (must have not missed events due to ineligibility)