Cy fair handbook

Cy-Fair OrchestrasUIL CLASS Name Description

Varsity Chamber (4) - Audition Required.- Performs grade IV/V literature from the UIL PML.- Students should be comfortable performing three-

octave 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

Non-Varsity Symphony (2)

- 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

[email protected] Primary District Email

[email protected] 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 PhonePlease call at during conference periods 3/7.

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.

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 LeagueSee 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 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.

Materials / Supplies 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.


Student Code of Conduct 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.

Formal Concert Dress 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.

Activity Fee An activity fee of $50 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

Optional Payment plan: $5/10 months, $10/5 months


Informal Concert Dress 1. Orchestra Spirit T-Shirt2. Denim jeans (with no holes)

3. Everyday school shoes/sneakers

Children’s Concert 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.

String Supplies - Extra strings- Rosin

- Rock stop (cello/bass)

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)

UIL Solo and Ensemble Competition

Requirements 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.

Prescribed Music List 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.

Accompanist 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.

Discretion of the Director Students who are not prepared to compete at competition will be excused from their

performance on the discretion of the director.

Merit of Solo/Ensemble Solo/Ensemble is an important curricular event in orchestra.

Texas State Solo/Ensemble Competition

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.

Student Officers and Responsibilities

Student Officers and Responsibilities (cont.)

President – Orchestra Operation Manager

- 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 announcements- Assist with attendance- Provide assistance to Orchestra Director when needed

Vice President – Student Activity Leader

- Respects Presidents Authority - 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

Facilities Manager - Respects Presidents Authority - Appoints a staff 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


Orchestra Publicity Manager - Respects Presidents Authority - 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 accounts (Facebook, twitter, etc.)

Head Librarian - Respects President Authority - Organize music for all orchestras- Assist with copying procedures and distribution- Organize library- Helps copy and distribute solos/ensembles for UIL Competition

Secretary - Takes minutes for all leadership meetings - Shares minutes (through email communication) with all members and Orchestra Director- Assists president as needed

Children’s Concert Script Writing team*

Not an elected position. Interested students will meet with Orchestra Director. Orchestra director will make appointments.


Expectations -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

Guidelines -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)

Letter Jacket Policy

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 OrchestraStudents 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)

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.)

Documents

Cy fair handbook