kprice@austinisd.org
414-2348
Go to main orchestra site here.
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Welcome to another outstanding year in the Bowie Bulldog
Orchestra!
I look forward to working with all of you this year.
Please
feel free to browse through the BHS Orchestra Handbook below and contact
me with any questions you may have.
The Sinfonietta Orchestra
This orchestra is composed primarily of freshmen, and is intended to introduce students new to Bowie to the routines and techniques required for advanced high school performance. Emphasis is on fundamental playing technique, hand position, posture, bowing styles, shifting, intonation, and ensemble performance. The orchestra meets in two groups (violins and viola/cello/bass) during the school day, and rehearses together after school on Mondays from 4:30-5:30. Attendance at after school rehearsals is required.
The Philharmonic Orchestra
This orchestra is composed primarily of 10th-12th graders. Its goal is the continued growth and advancement in the areas of fundamental playing technique, hand position, posture, bowing styles, shifting, intonation, and ensemble performance. This orchestra functions as both a string orchestra and a full orchestra during the year. Occasional sectionals and/or outside rehearsals are to be expected, and attendance is required.
The Symphony Orchestra
This orchestra is composed primarily of 10th-12th graders, and membership is reserved for the most advanced string players. Students are expected to possess a high skill level of playing technique. Emphasis is on the preparation of advanced level literature, and performance that displays the highest level of ensemble playing. This orchestra functions as both a string orchestra and a full orchestra during the year. Weekly sectionals are required.
Supplemental Activities Include:
1. All-Region and All-State Orchestra
2. UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest
3. Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest
4. Austin Youth Orchestras
Materials
1. Each student is required to furnish for themselves a black 3-ring hardcover binder with inside pockets and a set of dividers.
2. Daily Warmups, by Michael Allen (furnished)
3. Essentials for Strings, by Gerald Anderson (furnished)
4. Concert literature, as selected by director (furnished)
5. In addition to the above, the Sinfonietta and Philharmonic
Orchestras will use:
Essential Technique for Strings, by Michael Allen (furnished)
Advanced Technique for Strings, by Michael Allen (furnished)
6. Each student is responsible for having the appropriate instrument supplies, including rosin, strings, rock stops, mutes, and an instrument and bow in good playing condition.
Music Procedure
1. Each student will have his or her own set of parts, kept in his or her own binder.
2. Violins, violas and celli will have a stand partner and will share a folder during rehearsal. However, each student must have his or her own folder in every rehearsal—either on the stand or under the chair. Folder and pencil checks will occur periodically and without notice for a grade.
3. Use the same folder/set of parts each day in class, then transfer markings to your individual set afterwards.
4. Lost music will be replaced at a cost of .25 per sheet. If you lose music, notify the librarian in your class for its replacement. Better: replace it yourself by copying a friend’s outside of rehearsal time. Best: don’t lose your music.
Facilities
1. Food and drink are not allowed in the orchestra room, the instrument storage room, or the practice rooms.
2. Please keep the orchestra room and instrument storage room free of clutter. We do not have an adequate facility for the size of our program. It is vital to keep instruments, music, and rock stops in their proper place.
3. If you are fortunate enough to have (or share) a locker, keep it clean.
4. Do not play on any instrument other than your own or one checked out to you by the school.
Uniforms
Women—are required to have a classy, black concert outfit with long sleeves and a long skirt or pants. Black shoes and black hose will complete your uniform.
Men—are required to provide a tux shirt, black shoes, black socks, and a red bow tie and cummerbund. A school tuxedo will be issued to you. Because our school tux wardrobe is in short supply, we encourage any men that already own a tux to wear their own.
All—and orchestra T-shirt will be worn for casual performances and functions. The cost of the T-shirt will vary from year to year, depending upon logo and style.
Phone and Copy Machine
The phone in the office and the copy machine are for school use only, and may only be used by the permission of the director.
Only the librarian from each class is authorized to use the copy machine.
Grades
Six Weeks Grade Weights
25% Performances
25% Written assessment
25% Playing assessment
25% Daily work: attitude, participation, evidence of practice, homework
1. Be present.
2. Be on time.
3. Have instrument, music, and a sharpened pencil.
4. Participate appropriately. Talking, disruption of class, poor posture,
and refusing to participate are not appropriate behaviors.
Attendance
1. All members are expected to attend all functions and rehearsals, during and outside of school hours.
2. All members are expected to be on time, in the designated place, and ready to participate.
3. If a conflict other than illness or extreme emergency arises, notification and a request for permission to miss the event must be submitted in writing by parents/guardians to the director at least one week in advance. Notification of absences due to illness or emergency must be made to the director by parents/guardian before or immediately after the rehearsal or performance.
Outside Rehearsals and Sectionals
Outside of school rehearsals are required in order to achieve excellence with any performing group. This includes sectionals, full orchestra rehearsals or string orchestra rehearsals. These rehearsals are required for each member and constitute in integral part of the student’s grade. Continued membership is contingent upon consistent attendance.
Financial Responsibilities
1. Costs relating to uniforms and T-shirts, as previously
discussed.
2. School instruments (celli and basses) may be rented from AISD for
a fee of $50 per year.
3. Supplies, including rosin, mutes, rock stops, and
strings.
4. Entry fees for solo contest and All-Region/All-State competition.
5. Cost of spring trip.
Spring Trip
The Bowie Bulldog Orchestra has the opportunity to take an out-of-state trip every two years. This trip, which involves performance in a music festival, is a reward for students’ hard work throughout the year, a reward for students who remain academically eligible and an opportunity for the Bowie Orchestra to perform at its best in other locations, thus establishing a statewide and nationwide reputation of excellence.
No monies raised through school sponsored fund raisers will be refunded should a student become academically ineligible, or for any other extenuating circumstances. Monies paid directly from a student or parent will be refunded only in the percentage refunded to the orchestra from the businesses involved (travel agent, transportation, lodging, etc.) due to their non-attendance.
In order to plan a trip, deposits must be made far in advance. Once a student commits to a spring trip, all arrangements and cost estimates are made for that student at early stages of the school year.
Summary of Expectations
1. Attend all rehearsals and sectionals, as previously discussed. Plan your schedule, and it will work. If orchestra participation is important to you, demonstrate that importance through being present, on time, and prepared.
2. Attend all performances that are scheduled by the Bowie Bulldog Orchestra. If you are ineligible to participate, the director will tell you.
3. Keep our area clean and neat.
4. Exercise good warm-up habits. Warm up…when you should. Tune…when you should. And remember…the most effective tuning is done quietly.
5. Play only your own instrument.
6. Have a sharpened pencil in your binder at all times.
7. Maintain a positive attitude! I will do my best to provide you the highest quality of instruction possible. It is my desire that this year be rich in accomplishments, memories, and shared experiences.
Bowie Orchestra Calendar
DATE EVENT TIME LOCATION
August 18 Student Council Breakfast Meeting 7:45 am
Orchestra Room
August 27 Hot Dogs and Bulldogs 6:00-9:00 pm BHS Courtyard
August 29 Sectionals Begin 7:45 am Orchestra Room
August 29 Sinfonietta Rehearsals Begin 4:30-5:30 pm Orchestra Room
September 22 Orchestra Fall Concert 7:00 pm BHS Theater
September TBA Fish Fry! TBA TBA
October 1 All-Region Auditions 8:00 am-4:00 pm Westwood HS, RRISD
October 22 Orchestra Gala 7:00-10:00 pm BHS Fine Arts Wing
October 29 All-State Taping 8:00 am-4:00 pm Austin HS
November 12 All-Region Auditions for Wind/Perc 8:00 am-4:00 pm Stony
Point HS
November 14 Orchestra Winter Concert 7:00-10:00 pm BHS Theater
November 17-19 All-Region Clinic/Concert TBA Roundrock PAC
January TBA Music by Candlelight (Chamber Con) TBA TBA
February 4 Solo & Ensemble Festival 8:00 am-4:00 pm Lanier HS
February 28 Orchestra Pre-UIL Concert 7:00-10:00 pm Theater
March 7 or 8 UIL Full Orchestra Concert/SR TBA Westlake HS
April TBA Spring Trip TBA TBA
April 11 & 12 UIL String Orchestra Concert/SR TBA Anderson HS
May 5 Orchestra Spring Concert 7:00-10:00 pm BHS Theater
May 12 Orchestra Awards Banquet 7:00 pm Onion Creek CC
All dates are subject to change—with notice! Several fundraisers and activities are in the works. Please keep up with Orchestra Notes to find out the latest information. Any questions? Contact me!
kprice@austinisd.org
414-2348