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Welcome and Thanks for visiting!
05/21/13 Wear Formal Performance Uniforms (Tux
and Dresses) Black shoes, no flip flops or sandals. Bring
Water to drink, no food on the bus. 10:30 Arrive at AHS, in
uniform Load the equipment truck 11:00 Depart via FBISD
transportation to the Toyota Center 12:15 Unload and Set up
Performance Area
Mr. Yancey will already be there working on the set up
Stands, Percussion and Chairs are already at the Toyota Center. 1:00 Graduation Begins
Mr. Law: Conducts the Procession: Orchestra plays Pomp and
Circumstance (Elgar)
Mr. Yancey: Conducts the School Song
Mr. Feldpausch: Conducts the National Anthem 2:15 Reload the bus
and return to AHS 3:30 Approximate time
to arrive back at School. Directors are free to wear suits or a
Cap and Gown. In the past, men have mostly worn suits.
Mr. Chreste and Ms. Vandiver will be at
the mandatory Midwest Meeting in Chicago.
05/21/13
We have received our first All-State Clinic Opportunity. CLINICIANS : When: August 13-16 2013 Where: The Centrum Spring, TX How much?: $250 ($100 of which is due by August 1, 2013 Please send deposit to: SaenzCello Studios
05/21/13 Dear Parents and Students,
05/19/13 **** Chicago!
Chicago! ...........(see lyrics below) **** Dear Camerata Parents and Students, Welcome to the world of Austin High School Orchestra Travel. My name is
Linda Baldwin and I am the trip coordinator for you or your child's odyssey into
the world of Chicago and the Midwest Clinic. This is the first of many e-mails
you will receive regarding the trip. The more info I can give you, the better,
so please don't hesitate to call or e-mail with questions, suggestions,
comments. I am available. It is very important that I get lots of your info so I
can be in close contact with you all. If you are a wind family or new freshman,
please go to the Chicago page of the AHSO web site and download the contact
form. Current AHSO Camerata members, If you know you will not be able to travel with us,
reply to this email and I will remove you from the distribution list. Here is my info: The first order of business is the trip agreement. It is attached to this
e-mail and is required of every student (and adult – parents welcome) who will
travel with us. This document shows that you are serious about traveling with us
and understand what is required. Please print, fill out, sign and return this
form to me ASAP. You can scan and email or fax to the above number. (No cover
sheet required). Along with this form we need a $250.00 non-refundable deposit
(all checks made out to AOBA). Thank you to those of you who have already made
this deposit. For the rest, please get that in as soon as you can. That brings us to cost: We are scheduling a cost of $1800.00 per student but are working hard to
keep that amount less. There are variables at this point but we are locking
things down as fast as possible. We need to do fundraising so any ideas or help
there would be much appreciated. Any funds we collect will go directly to reduce
costs of each participant. We need you to pay on the following schedule: Trip
Payment Schedule Per Person (all checks payable to AOBA): 05/31/13
Non-refundable deposit
$ 250.00 per person We have reserved and plan to leave IAH in Houston on Monday morning,
12/16/13 and return late evening on
Friday 12/20/13. I will publish flight info on the next email. Thanks! I leave you with the immortal word sung by Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett
from solo albums in the late 50's (I know you are too young to know who they
are) - Chicago, Chicago, That
toddlin' town Chicago, The town that Billy
Sunday couldn't shut down
05/19/13 Dear Parents and Students, Are you still basking in the warm glow of the Spring Concert? Did you think
that once again you sounded amazing? The audience sure did and thanks to Mr.
Long Pham (father of our own Patrick), you can relive the moments... Here is your opportunity to re-listen to that wonderful performance - Beginner/Sinfonia/Chamber
Orchestras 01 Lean
On Me -http://youtu.be/NwhZDnKZkWc 02 Music
of the Night - http://youtu.be/L7nMinHjYME 03 Baby
Elephant Walk - http://youtu.be/hZcVN6iQ6-Q 04 Rock
'N Classics - http://youtu.be/W7TY_SZGhF8 05 Viva
La Vida - http://youtu.be/MNYqx4AWYKY
Philharmonic/Symphony/Camerata
Orchestras 06 Led
Zeppelin Meddley - http://youtu.be/U7hzKNeDsY4 07
Clocks - http://youtu.be/vNAPzkX_ErI 08 Gangnam
Style - http://youtu.be/xejYM7vCyS8 09 I Got
Rhythm - http://youtu.be/nxQMnEk_R9g 10
Themes From the Musical Chicago - http://youtu.be/oNIGP1TOTEw 11 Five By the Beatles - http://youtu.be/yxJmVTUvyqI
05/18/13
05/17/13 Superior Performance
05/17/13 This is the
last AHSO milestone for the Class of 2013 before graduation, and you are
invited! No rehearsals required, no formal clothes, just come for a fun time and
a chance to watch the seniors leap into their after-high-school adventures! The
Wood's have opened their yard and pool for this great event. A huge thanks goes
out to Paula Connell, Juanita Carda, and Bob and Beth Ruzika for coordinating
this event. WHAT: Senior
Leap WHERE: Sanders
Ridge in New Territory Sugar Land, TX
77479 WHEN: Friday,
May 31, 5:00-8:00
05/07/13 Dear Parents and Students, AHS
auditions begin tomorrow! Camerata and Symphony should
play the scale and arpeggio that accompanies the key of the
Region/State etude. It is better to play a portion of the
etudes well instead of all of the etude without refinement. Best
wishes to all, do your best. Please
use a metronome to practice.
05/03/13 Ladies and Gentlemen, The senior recital has moved from Friday, May 24 to Thursday
May 23rd. Please make note. Also, graduation will start at 1PM, not 1:30 PM so mark that
or you will be late! HERE is the
revised pdf. Thanks!
04/28/13 Dear Parents and Students, May is upon us and all the year-end activities that go with it. You have been
a wonderful bunch in all the orchestras, now it is time to reflect and to honor
those who will graduate and not be with us next year. Seniors, we need you to dry clean your uniforms and return them WITH YOUR
NAME on the bag. If you are performing with the full orchestra at UofH on
the 16th, wait until after then. Key Things to remember: Auditions Begin May 6th. Cam and Sym MUST audition on All-State material. See
Ms. Vandiver's facebook post on the correct approach to make it successful.
Others may be auditioning on these or on the FBISD etude selection. Check with
Ms. Vandiver or Mr. Law if you are not sure. Audition packet and FBISD etudes
are posted at Charms and at AHSOrch.org.
Whew! Lots to do!
04/23/13 Dear Parents and Students, Time once again for the annual auditions to determine your placement in the
AHS Orchestras. Attached is the audition packet. This packet is full of
information for you all but most importantly, you must bring the fully
filled out Audition Form
along with the blank judging sheet to your audition. Auditions will be during each class during the week of May 6 - 10. Ms.
Vandiver and Mr. Law will give you specifics on what is required for each class.
This packet is posted to the Charms website and also at ahsorch.org. Your
directors will tell you exactly what is required to prepare. If they are
using the FBISD etudes, these are also posted at both places. Violin
Viola Cello
Bass Harp Best of luck!
04/23/13 Dear Parents and Students, Rehearsal
Schedule for U of H Concert: May
25 (Thursday)
3 to 5 Band Hall AOBA
furnishing Subway for all 75 students 4:30
Board bus for UH No
admission charge parents and friends are welcome to come listen. This is a Directors Choice Competition and also a taping for Full Honor Orchestra.
04/18/13 It has been a grueling but ultimately extremely successful week for AHSO and the UIL Concert and Sightreading Competitions. Camerata rounded out the week of accomplishment with 6 straight ones from all judges, a Sweepstakes Award. Congratulations to all in Camerata and also to all of the highly accomplished orchestras of AHSO. You have done an amazing job and all of the entire AHS family is proud of your unending talent.
04/18/13 Dear Parents and Students, All
students
need to bring back their school instruments next week so that Mr. Law and Mrs.
Vandiver can inspect them for cracks, new strings and any repairs.
We also need to be sure that our inventory is correct. We will reissue
instruments for the summer months. Please
bring your banquet
money payable
to AOBA within the next few days, the cost is $26 per person. Parents and
family are certainly welcome. Seniors
need to clean their uniforms and return them Thursday, May 23rd. You
are allowed to dress up on the Spring Concert and you don't perform in
graduation. Seniors performing with the Full Orchestra at the University
of Houston on May 16th will wear their uniforms one last time. Senior
wills and pictures
are due tomorrow, April 19th. One will has been turned in and
we anxiously look forward to the rest.
04/17/13 Dear Parents and Students, Philharmonic and Symphony both performed in the UIL Concert and Sight Reading
Competition today and both performed with great skill. All 1's were received
today by both orchestras giving AHSO two more Sweepstakes Awards.
Congratulations! Another great day for AHSO!
04/16/13 Dear Parents and Students, This is UIL week for AHSO String Orchestras. During this week, every orchestra at AHSO will perform prepared pieces for a panel of three judges. Here is where the weeks of rehearsal will be put to the test. Afterward, they will face another daunting panel of three judges for the sight reading exercise. Here they are given a piece of music that they and Ms. Vandiver and Mr. Law have never seen or performed. After a few moments review, they then perform this piece. They are judged on how well they perform unfamiliar music and how well they pay attention to the director as they are led. Thrilling and nerve wracking! Congratulations are in order for the combined orchestra of Beginner and Sinfonia. They received an excellent rating in both concert and sight reading. It is amazing how far some of these students have come this year. You are a wonderful group. Congratulations also to Chamber Orchestra. This group received a Superior rating in both concert and sight reading. They received a 1 rating from all six judges and so are awarded Sweepstakes. Quite an accomplishment and all of AHS is very proud of you! Wednesday will be performances by Philharmonic and Symphony, Thursday will be Camerata. It is sure to be a week of honor for AHSO. Watch for another post tomorrow.
04/15/13 Music...the
Universal Language Stephen F. Austin High School
Orchestra Spring Awards Banquet Friday, May 3, 2013 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM Palm Pavilion, Safari Texas Ranch 11627 FM 1464 Richmond, Texas 77407 All members of the AHS Orchestra are
invited to join in the celebration of the 2012-2013 performance year and the
many accomplishments that you have achieved.
All tickets are $26 .00 and must be
paid in advance, checks payable to AOBA Please RSVP with total number of guests by
Friday, April 26th
04/15/13 Dear Students and Parents, It is important that Austin High
School is represented professionally and that each student does his/her best to
portray themselves as dedicated and hard working individuals. In order to better
prepare ourselves mentally and physically for the contest, we suggest that
students to implement the follow instructions the night before his/her contest: 1)
Inspect concert uniform Boys: Tuxedo
shirt, black Slacks (not jeans or kakis), black socks and black dress shoes,
bow-ties & vest Girls:
Formal black orchestra dress, black hose and black dress shoes (no sandals, or
open toed shoes)
2)
Inspect instrument and bow
(cellos and bassists may use school instruments, but he/she should use the
instrument that sounds the best, and which is most comfortable to perform
successfully), clean instrument and make sure no heavy rosin built-up on the
strings.
Schedule (Beg/Sinfonia & Chamber) 5th Period (Eat A lunch and dress in uniform) 12:30
Load buses for Hightower HS 2:00
Warm up (Beg/Sinfonia) 2:30
Stage Performance 3:00
Sight-reading (Beg/Sinfonia) 3:30
Warm up (Chamber) 4:00
Stage Performance 4:30
Sight-reading (Chamber) 5:00
Load buses for AHS (both orchestras) 5:40
Arrive at AHS for parents to pick up WEDNESDAY Schedule (Philharmonic/Symphony) 5th Period (Eat A lunch and dress in uniform) 6th Period (Short rehearsal for Philharmonic in
the orchestra room) 1:00
Load buses for Hightower HS 2:30
Warm up (Philharmonic) 3:00
Stage Performance 3:30
Sight-reading (Philharmonic) Listen
to KHS & DHS 4:45
Warm up (Symphony) 5:15
Stage Performance 5:45
Sight-reading (Symphony) 6:15
Load buses for AHS (both orchestras) 6:50
Arrive at AHS for parents to pick up THURSDAY Schedule (Camerata) (6:30am Camerata Rehearsal) 4:45
Warm up 5:15
Stage Performance 5:45
Sight-reading 6:15
Load bus for AHS 6:50
Arrive at AHS for parents to pick up Please do not hesitate to contact me at carolyn.vandiver@fortbendisd.com or 281-634-2076 if you have any questions.
04/15/13 Dear
parents of the students performing for the UH Showcase of Music -- AHSO
has been fortunate to be selected to participate in the UH Showcase of Music
this year. This is an honor for us and a unique experience for our student
musicians. We will be performing on Thursday May 16 2013, at 7:10 pm, in the
Moores Opera House on the University of Houston campus. This is a state of the
art, professional performance venue associated with the Moores School of Music
at UH. UH offers degree programs at the bachelors, masters, and doctors level,
and this facility supports that program as well as the nationally known opera
program. It is used for non-university events as well. This
event is a once in a lifetime opportunity for your student to be able to
participate in a performance at a professional venue. I am sure they will
appreciate having been there. In addition to the performance, the musical
selections will be taped for our entries into state orchestra competition. The
acoustics and professional level equipment and surroundings at Moores will
ensure a high quality recording unlike anything we can produce at AHS or the
surrounding area. The
total cost of this trip is $48 per student. That includes entry fee, box lunch,
and FBISD bus transportation. Due to our successful efforts this year in
fundraising, the AOBA board has decided to help with this expense at $23 per
student. We are asking for only $25 per student. Please send funds to the school
at your earliest convenience. I appreciate your support of your students and
this experience. If paying by check, please make it out to AOBA. Please
fill out the simple form HERE and return with your payment. Thank you very
much. Due
to the timing of the event, and expected rehearsals before, students will be at
school all day. That is why we are providing the meal. We expect to depart from
AHS for UH at approximately 4:30 -- 4:45 pm. to allow for traffic conditions. We
are required to be at UH by 6 pm. I
know that Carolyn Vandiver has already discussed this in class, and some of you
have already paid. Thank you for stepping up so quickly. We look forward to an
encouraging, challenging, and pleasant experience for all. Thank
you very much. Sincerely,
04/15/13 Dear Parents and Students, We haven't even closed this academic year, but as you know, next years is
already in the works. TMEA has posted the books from which they will select the
etudes for Region thru State for the 2013-2014 season. Check the list, if you
have these books already in your music collection and you are familiar with the
style and content of the pieces, you are a whole step ahead of the orchestra
masses! Enjoy the practice! It has only just begun... Harp:
Hasselmans - Las
Source Etude Op. 44 - Salvi Publications
Y. Kondonassis - The Yolanda Kondonassis Collection - Carl Fischer Piano:
Heinmann-Henle Urtext - Well-Tempered Clavier, Part. 1 -- Kalmus -
BWV 846-869
Dover - Mendelssohn: Complete Works for Pianoforte Solo, Vol 2 -- Dover Violin:
Rode/Galamian - Rode 24 Caprices for the Violin -- IMC -- 2066
Galamian - Fiorillo 36 Etudes or Caprices for Violin Solo (Ivan
Galamian) -- IMC - No. 2178 Viola:
Mazas (Mogill Edition) - Etudes Speciales, Op. 36, Bk. 1, Vol. 1885 --
Schirmer - 5026 2570
Duport - Twenty-One Etudes Book 1 for Cello -- Schirmer --
50255840
Storch-Hrabe - 57 Studies, Vol I (Fred Zimmermann) -- IMC - No.
1034
04/08/13 Dear Parents and Students, Please join us for the concert tomorrow. Orchestra's will be performing the pieces selected for the UIL Concert and Sightreading Competition. Come see the result of all those rehearsals! Here is the schedule for tomorrow: 6:00-6:30 Sinfonia/Beginner rehearsal on stage 6:40 All students in uniform seated by orchestra
in the auditorium 7:00 Concert begins See you there!
04/04/13 I am
very pleased to hear that you are already starting on your Senior Wills - the
all-important missives to the less-than-seniors that will guide their lives when
they must go on without your leadership... and your kind words to your fellow
seniors! When
you have completed them, please email to Ms. Baldwin at RLNZ@sbcglobal.net.
It would be most helpful to me if you would please put all text in Arial size 10
font. All material will be reviewed prior to publication and will only be edited
for objectionable content or extreme excessive length. Please
find links to rosters of just this year's seniors and of all AHSO students. You
can address each and every one of them or send messages to those you have
enjoyed the most. http://ahsorch.org/images/Seniors/Roster040413.pdf Also,
here are links to wills of the past 3 years. Don't read them all, just get the
idea. http://ahsorch.org/images/Senior_Wills_2011.pdf http://ahsorch.org/images/Senior_Wills_2010.pdf It
would be most helpful to me if you would please put all text in Arial size 10
font. All material will be reviewed prior to publication and will only be edited
for objectionable content or extreme excessive length. Finally,
I have set up the Senior '13 page on the AHSOrch.org web page.
I need a single senior picture from each of you to place there. The
end is near but much is still required. Don't procrastinate, your friends
are waiting for your important input to the rest of their lives. So.... Do it
this weekend please! Thanks,
04/04/13 Dear Seniors and Senior Parents, As all of you who have spent years at AHSO know, a beautiful and moving slide
show is created by the junior class. This slide show is composed of pictures
from the lives of the seniors. The juniors will do the work and you will be
amazed at the result but we need your help to collect the pictures. Each senior should collect up to 12 pictures from their lives that reflects
important moments in their lives from birth to their senior year. It is
preferred that you scan these and burn them to disc or email them to Alex Luong
at Aluon07050@gmail.com. If you need
to send in originals we will do our best to take care of them and get them
returned to you. Make sure they are in an envelope with your name. There will be
a folder in the orchestra room for these. It seems like there is a lot of time, but the slide show is extensive so
please send these in as soon as possible. The junior committee has set a
deadline of April 19, so please don't wait, collect your photos today. ALSO, seniors, I need to know your future plans. Please send me the name of
the college you plan to attend and your major. These will be listed in the
concert program. Thanks so much! Ms. B
04/04/13 Dear Parents and Students, Those who will be attending the U of H performance need to bring their $25
participation fee. If you have already paid, thank you very much! All checks
payable to AOBA. Chocolate sales should be final and we need you to bring your collected money NOW! Thanks!
04/04/13 Ladies and Gentlemen, It has been a long week of testing and confused schedules which means you
have not been to orchestra class regularly for a bit. As a result, some of the
performers are missing mandatory rehearsals. With UIL so close, this is
something we must improve. Attached to this email is the April calendar with
rehearsal times. An AHSO calendar is published every month. At that same time, the
calendar link is placed in two places on the AHSorch.org website (the main page
and the calendar page) and it is also uploaded to the Charms calendar folder. If
you delete your email, please know that the calendar is ALWAYS available in
these locations. You can always get a copy. Last resort, email RLNZ@sbcglobal.net.
I will send it to you again. PS. Did you know you can get the Charms calendar on your iPhone? Ask me, I'll
tell you how.
04/02/13 Dear Parents and Students, The AHS Full Orchestra has received an invitation to perform at the Midwest
Clinic in December 2013! This prestigious honor was based on the submission of a
recording of our performance and we were selected from all the entries
nationwide. What is Midwest Clinic? This is an annual conference of music educators from
all over the United States and beyond. They flock to this conference to hear all
the latest compositions and arrangements from the most important composers.
Music history is made here. A select few groups (meaning us!) are invited
to perform in order to give the full experience to these decision makers. The
premier list of vendors are also present to offer the latest in equipment,
music, recordings, college opportunities - anything you could possibly want
musically. See HERE for more
conference info. What does this mean for AHSO musicians? A chance to travel to Chicago and
experience one of the most exciting cities in the Midwest and to perform for a
very appreciative audience that can bring even more opportunity our way. AHS
was there 5 years ago and we had a wonderful time! Too early to tell what
events we will do but know that the performance is only one of the
highlights. For now, just know that once again AHS has won an honor that only a few
receive. Congratulations to all the hardworking performers and their wonderful,
supportive families.
03/27/13 Dear Parents and Students, April is almost here and attached is the calendar grid. April is the month for - STAAR Exams Whew! Use this grid to remember it all!
03/22/13 Dear Parents and Students, UIL is fast approaching and here is the rehearsal schedule for next
week. These are also posted in Charms. Watch for the month of April calendar to come soon. 03/25/13 03/26/13 03/27/13 03/28/13
3/10/13 Dear
Parents and Students, Danse
Macabre : http://youtu.be/tA3UsIJxxFw Mother
Goose Suite: http://youtu.be/x30GgYp_RWQ
Symphony No. 8: http://youtu.be/pdjZ6aapYWU Mr.
Venturi took a wonderful photo of the full orchestra, take a
look: Ms. Wood worked tirelessly compiling the Midwest Competition application using both a recording and photo. Best luck to all with great hope that we get that coveted invitation!
03/07/13 Dear Parents and Students, AHSO has had another proud success as the Full Orchestra traveled to Travis High School today to compete in the concert and sight reading contests. They made straight ones from all 6 judges (3 for concert, 3 for sightreading) achieving Sweepstakes status. Congratulations to all performers and parents for a couple of months of really hard work and a marvelous performance. But it doesn't end there..... After a grueling competition day, these professional musicians appeared this evening at the AHS Fine Arts Showcase to wow the crowd with the second performance of the award winning pieces. Great job to performers and directors. Now get some rest! Thanks!
03/06/13 AHS
Symphony Full Orchestra UIL Schedule March 7th 07:00- Be in AHS band hall dressed in uniform.
Sight-reading practice and run the show 08:20-
Load bus to Travis High School 09:45-
Warm up at THS 10:30-
Stage Performance 11:15- Sightreading 12:00-
Load Bus 12:30-
Arrive at AHS, unload bus, and change clothes 01:00-
Lunch, listen to tape, mark music 02:30-
dismiss 05:00-
On stage at AHS for sound check for International Showcase 06:30-
Symphony Full Orchestra 07:00- AHS
Choir 07:30-
AHS Honors Band
02/21/13 Dear Parents and Students, Solo and Ensemble is THIS WEEKEND starting Friday. Below are
the file links which tell you your times. We still need parent helpers so adults
please see if you can come and let us know! TOTAL
ROSTER FRIDAY
SATURDAY Please read the following info so you will be prepared.
02/18/13 Dear Parents - Your students have been working very hard on their solo and ensemble pieces.
The competition is being held at Dulles HS, this Friday Feb 22 and Sat Feb 23.
We are in need of some parents to help support the musicians during the contest.
I am hoping you will be able to step up with some time for them, especially if
you will be there anyway, if you are driving. The session Friday night is from 4pm - 10 pm. There are two rooms, and we
like to have a parent at the door to each to check students' music, be sure they
are on time help with moving kids through as needed, and just contribute to the
smooth process. There will also be a parent in the cafeteria, where the students
wait for their time slot, making sure the kids know where they are going, and
leave for the room in time. The Saturday session is exactly the same, except there are 4 rooms, and it
runs from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We are dividing the day into two shifts, 7:30 am
to 12:00, and 12:00 am to 5:00 pm. So, here is what we need -- let me know your choices of shift. Friday: 4-10PM Room 1 _____ Room 2 _____ Runner _____ Saturday 7:30-12 noon Room 1 _____ Room 2 _____ Room 3 _____ 10-12 only Room 4 _____ 8-9 only - piano Runner _____ Saturday 12 noon-5 PM Room 1 _____ Room 2 _____ Room 3 _____ Runner _____ You will want to know that Austin presents by far many more students for this
exercise than any of the other schools. We have 3-4 times the number of
solo and/or ensemble groups competing as the next 2 schools, and 10-12 times as
many as the rest. Bulldogs will be EVERYWHERE!!! And our presence will be
reflected in the results, I have no doubts. Please help us out by volunteering for a time slot for this important part of
the orchestra experience. No one ever leaves empty. It will be busy, but fun,
enlightening, and I know Carolyn and the students will appreciate it. Please respond to me by email at bob@brinsure.com.
Give me your first two choices and I will contact you with the results ASAP. Thank you so much for your support and efforts. It is greatly appreciated. Bob Ruzicka
02/14/13 All-Staters Rock San Antonio! We all support you so make us proud!
02/02/13 Dear
Parents and Students, FBISD
has generously purchased new uniforms for AHS and all of them have been issued.
That is why we ask, 'Have you tried it on?' It
is important that we make adjustments and have everyone in a correctly fitting
uniform before UIL season where you will be wearing them. Try them on tonight! Oops!
Don't have yours yet? Five of you won't be able to check for fit because
your uniforms are still at school! Please get your uniform and try it on and let
us know! Thanks!
02/02/13
Dear Parents and Students, Join us for a night of fun at the Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center Families are welcome! February 8, 2012 8:00 PM until 11:00 PM Tickets will be picked and additional tickets may be purchased from Mrs Ruzicka at 'will call' in the lobby of the rink from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM on Feb 8. If you plan to arrive later, please make arrangements for ticket pick up by calling 281-703-0243. Skate rental is included in the price. HERE is a flyer order form to reserve your tickets.
02/02/13 Dear Parents and Students, FBISD has generously purchased new uniforms for AHS and all of them have been issued. That is why we ask, 'Have you tried it on?' It is important that we make adjustments and have everyone in a correctly fitting uniform before UIL season where you will be wearing them. Try them on tonight! Oops! Don't have yours yet? Five of you won't be able to check for fit because your uniforms are still at school! Please get your uniform and try it on and let us know! Thanks
02/01/13 Dear Parents and Students, Our main focus now is Solo and Ensemble, so practice, practice! Watch for the
first-pass schedule to come out this week. Full orchestra is also gearing up for
Concert and Sightreading so watch the rehearsal schedule carefully. Key Dates: 02/05 Papa Murphy Night 02/08 Ice Skating Social 02/13-02/16 TMEA All-State 02/18 President's Day Holiday 02/22, 02/23 Solo and Ensemble Thanks!
01/30/13 Dear
Parents and Students, Solo
and Ensemble is fast approaching so scheduling of your performances will begin.
AHSO always has the greatest participation rate and always receives a great
number of high rankings. This is a wonderful experience in learning important
musical pieces and learning poise and professionalism on a team and individual
basis. FIRST,
there is an $8 fee for every student for each event they participate in. Scheduling
is always a tricky thing so please read the following guidelines --
01/30/13
Spirit
Night! Tuesday,
February 5 3:30pm
-- 7:30pm 20%
of net sales on menu priced items will
go directly to Austin HS Orchestra Boosters 11609
S Highway 6 Woodbridge
Shopping Center behind Taco Bell 281-494-0747
01/30/13 Dear Parents and Students, The judges for the Tommy Tune Awards will be at the performance Friday night.
They will determine our chances for winning awards in many categories including
orchestra. So... we need an extra rehearsal to make sure we are completely ready for
this opportunity. WHO: All students involved with the musical Annie Get Your Gun WHAT: Extra Rehearsal WHERE: Auditorium WHEN: Thu, 01/31, 3:00PM to end of show
01/26/13 Thanks to all who came to perform at HEB for the Souper Bowl of Caring. A whole lot of food was donated to those who are in need and the crowds enjoyed a wonderful concert.
01/09/13 Dear Parents and
Students, Camerata members,
please add the Souper Bowl of Caring at HEB to your calendar. We will play from
1-1:30 on January 26. Wear your red t-shirt and jeans. Let's help feed the
hungry!!! Ms.
Vandiver
01/09/13
Dear Parents, Hello from Beth
Ruzicka, fundraising chair for AOBA and AHS Orchestra. Thank you so much for all
your support of AHSO during this current school year! We have an opportunity
that is simple and low pressure AND based on suggestions from you. Several of you have
expressed an interest in selling chocolate bars and we have gotten approval from
the district. This is not a typical fundraiser where we take orders for
merchandise. It does require an advance commitment.. We need to know who is
willing to participate and to what degree. If we have enough interest, I will
ask for payment in advance. This is how it
works... The candy is purchased from World's Finest Chocolate at a cost of $30
per box of 60. It's then sold to you at a cost of $60 per box of 60. You in turn
sell it for $1 per bar and completely recoup your money. Because of delivery
costs and profit margins, we need to sell at least 42 boxes of 60 to make it
worth our while. Beth Ruzicka
01/07/13 Here is the calendar grid for January! Please note your important activities and don't miss a thing! As always, CharmsOffice.com is where you will find the very latest of calendar information. Thanks!
01/07/13 Dear Parents and Students,
12/24/12 Wishing the Whole AHSO Family a Very Merry Christmas! From Ms. Vandiver, Mr. Law and AOBA
12/08/12 A
HUGE thanks to Mr. Long Pham for recording then uploading the holiday concert.
Now your cheer can extend throughout the holiday season. Great
job to all orchestras. Ms. Edge tweeted some very nice thoughts. It was
wonderful! Beginning
Orchestra: Jingle
Bells: http://youtu.be/5Sj8_Vz-NGA Ding
Dong Merrily On High: http://youtu.be/FU2Wan4FEWQ Christmas
Symphony: http://youtu.be/B0ifk97h0vs
Rudolph
the Red Nosed Reindeer: http://youtu.be/QBr8u3Pu_7o
Christmas
Fiddlers on the Housetop: http://youtu.be/ovLsFH9UKaU Sinfonia,
Chamber, & Philharmonic Orchestras: Yuletide
Carols: http://youtu.be/yoNSDedJmJo Christmas
Time Is Here: http://youtu.be/RS7nhts9JQ4 I
Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus: http://youtu.be/hwFS3daaGzM Of
Comfort and Joy: http://youtu.be/-SXrYsi_gP4 Gleeful
Christmas: http://youtu.be/pWC8osH4TBk Symphony
& Camerata Orchestras: Overture
to Messiah: http://youtu.be/5ESlq3w25Kw It's
the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: http://youtu.be/68wPDz3PNSk
Shabbat
Shalom: http://youtu.be/-1Cpmzw6zXE Dance
of the Sugar Plum Fairy: http://youtu.be/xtMKx9mBLL0 Sleigh
Ride: http://youtu.be/xPPfDeJPkjg Mad Russian's Christmas: http://youtu.be/Kq3EiMJAVSw
12/05/12 Dear Parents and Students, The much awaited holiday concert is tomorrow night! Thursday, Dec 6, 7PM. Admission is free and the spirit will be festive. Bring friends and family and just see if you can contain your Christmas Joy! All AHSO Students should wear their red t-shirts to school tomorrow in support of the concert. There will be concessions available for sale, so bring some change and join in. Rehearsal times prior to the concert are as follows: 3:00-3:45
Symphony/Camerata 3:45-4:45
Chamber/Philharmonic/Sinfonia 5:00-6:00 Beginners 7:00 PM Concert
11/30/12 December is here and we are racing to the holidays but along the way we have: Thu, Dec 06 - Holiday Concert, AHS Auditorium, 7:00PM Fri, Dec 07 - Progressive Dinner, 6:00PM Dec 18-Dec 21 - Semester Exams HERE is the December calendar grid. Enjoy the concert and may
each of you have a wonderful month and a wonderful holiday season.
11/26/12
Dear Parents and Students, Please join Austin HS Orchestra for an evening of skating fun and food at
Jambone's Grill and Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center this Friday, November 30
(flier attached). Enjoy dinner at
Jambone's (menu attached). Identify yourself as being with the Austin HS
Orchestra and Jambone's will donate 10% of your meal. Skating session is
from 8:00pm to 11:00 pm. We will also be
hosting a concession stand in the lobby.
11/19/12 Dear
Parents and Students, Families
are welcome! November
30, 2012 8:00
PM until 11:00 PM Tickets
may be purchased in advance using the flier HERE and will be picked in the lobby
of the rink. Additional tickets may be purchased from Mrs Ruzicka at 'will call'
in the lobby of the rink from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM on Jan 20. If you plan to
arrive later, please make arrangements for ticket pick up by calling
281-703-0243.
11/19/12 Please join the Fort Bend HIgh School Combined Choir
accompanied by the AHS Camerata Orchestra in the performance of selections from
Handel's Messiah. CD's of this magnificent performance may be purchased using the order form HERE.
11/17/12 Dear Parents, Time to consider a holiday tradition at AHSO - Our annual progressive dinner. It may seem early here before Thanksgiving but the event occurs on December 7th starting at 6PM and we're looking for three homes (need to all be in the same area) for our stops. Home
1: Hors d'oeuvres
11/17/12 Dear Parents and Students, Here is an opportunity for performers in AHSO to show all of Houston their
amazing talent. HERE is
a poster and an application. Below is the invitation e-mail sent to Ms.
Vandiver. Please consider participating! From: Jones, Muriel O [mailto:MJONES15@houstonisd.org] Dowling Middle School of Fine Arts will be hosting their 1st
Annual Kidz Got Talent Showcase on December 7, 2012. We would like to
invite your Singers, Dancers, Actors and Instrumentalists to participate in this
fantastic event which will give them an opportunity to showcase their talent.
There will be a 1st, 2nd
and Thanks,
11/15/12 Camerata/Messiah
Rehearsal Schedule Nov. 15th
Clements HS 3:30-5:30 Sectionals Nov. 26th
Austin HS 3:30-6:00 Soloists with orchestra Nov. 27th
Austin HS 3:30-6:00 Combined Nov. 28th
Austin HS 3:30-6:00 Dress Rehearsal Nov. 29th
Austin HS 6:00 Arrive dressed for the performance
7:00 Performance Begins
11/13/12 Congratulations to the nine AHSO Performers who made All-State Orchestra! You
have worked very hard to earn this achievement and you exemplify all that AHSO
aspires to be. These students will perform at the Texas Music Educators
Association annual conference in San Antonio Texas in February of 2013.
You make us proud!
11/11/12
11/06/12 Dear Parents and Students, Time is running out for your chance to participate in our
spring trip to the Bandera Flying L Ranch in conjunction with an
adjudicated performance in San Antonio. A competitive
performance, a long weekend with your friends, a great 'Dude
Ranch' good time. It doesn't get any better! HERE is an
itinerary so you can see how the trip lays out. There are still
some decisions to be made, but you will get the idea. The ranch
has a whole list of activities to choose from, so watch for even
more detail on those. At the bottom right is a link. Check out
our destination for yourself. You will certainly want to go to
the Flying L once you see their web site. Remember, the trip includes ALL expenses except souvenirs,
charter buses the entire time and an experience that AHSO has
not done before. Reserve your spot with a $100 deposit (checks written to
AOBA). Thanks!
11/01/12 Dear Parents and Students,
November is another very busy month and attached you will find the calendar grid.
Don't miss a single event!
10/30/12 Dear Parents and Students, -
Chartered busses ( not the yellow ones) -
EVERYTHING included in the cost (except souvenirs) -
Leave on Thursday, back on Saturday -
Competition performance in San Antonio Saddle up pardner, it's gonna be a quite a
ride! Thanks!
10/27/12 Dear Parents and Students, 24
AHSO Students placed in the Area Orchestra and were allowed to
tape for All-State competition.
Congratulations to all! Here is how our performers placed. Violin Russell Kan Rohan Kondetimmanahalli
Claire Wood
Brittany Xiao
Travis Yeh
Jonathan Yeung
Viola
Mai Ito
Krishna Patel Patrick Pham Eric Yeung Cello
Henry Chou
Elaine Wood
Lawrence Wu
John Yu Kevin Zhang Bass Marshal
Connell Roshan
Kulungara Mohammad
Marwan Madi Toby
Tso Federico
Venturi Amy
Williams Stephen
Wilson Piano Kruti Mehta
10/26/12 Dear
Parents and Students, Info
on Area Eliminations and Taping Friday
Night: Violin Elimination
round. At
Fort Settlement Middle School Arrive
5:00. Begin Audition at 5:30 Saturday:
Harp
and Piano You
will record at First United Methodist Church 3900
Lexington Boulevard, Missouri City, TX 77459 Chapel--not the sanctuary Report
time to tune/warm up--8 am. The
Piano will start. We have between 8-10 am. All
others at FSMS Viola
& Cello Elimination Round --Times--same
as region--8:15 check-in. Judges start at 8:45. Report
directly to the room. Taping
Violins and Basses. Arrive
at 8:30--warm up. You will be handed cds and will be
taping as close to 9 as we can go. 2
rooms--violins, 1 room--bass. The
order will be randomly generated by the computer.
Volunteers can go first. Once volunteers run out, we will
default to cd order. TAPING
PROCEDURE
TMEA releases recording cuts Friday afternoon. You
may have to log in to dl these. o
Audition material is taken from TMEA area recording
tracks only
The students must record in order as stated on the TMEA
printout. o
There will be a binder in each room for reference o
We will not re-order tracks on any cds.
Each student will get 30-45 sec. in each room for a warm
up before they tape. o
After this period, they will play the cuts in
order--stopping between tracks o
Advise your students to practice in this manner.
Record in tape order after volunteers for all rooms.
10/23/12 Here is a great opportunity to meet and perform with other
amazing musicians in the Houston area. The Houston Young Artists' Concert is hosting auditions for
their inaugural concert at Rice University. Audition Prelims - 12/01/2012-12/02/12 Audition Finals - 12/09/12 Concert - 01/19/2013 Houston Baptist University All info and application at HYAC.org
10/16/12
For Immediate Release Sugar
Land, Texas (October 16, 2012): A delegation from the
Ning Bo, a city close to Shanghai, China, visited Austin High
School on October 16, 2012, as part of an educational tour of
area schools. The group was comprised of mostly teachers who
were selected by the Chinese government as outstanding in their
craft, having received many accolades as master teachers in
their Math, Science, Social Studies, English as a Second
Language, and Chinese Language and Literature classes.
The teachers were accompanied from some administrators
from their schools. The
group was sponsored by the University of Houston Hobby Center
for Public Policy, facilitated by Mr. David Guo. Members of the delegation asked a
variety of questions about the school’s educational policies
and procedures, student achievement, testing and school
operations. The Mission of AHS is to provide an atmosphere of
high expectations for all students in their pursuit of academic
achievement as well as to assist each student in the development
of a positive self image, responsible citizenship, and cultural
awareness in an effort to become productive, lifelong learners
in evolving global society.
This
visit lends aligns with the school’s mission. Through several
classroom observations in Math, Science, Social Studies, and
World Languages, this is exactly what the delegation saw. The
principals were on hand to answer their questions. After the classroom observations and tours, delegates were given lunch and given time to meet AHS teachers. The guests also attended a special presentation in the Auditorium from AHS Fine Orchestra and Angels. Mrs. Mary Ellen Edge, the principal of Austin High School stated “we had so much fun preparing for our visitors and enjoyed getting to know more about them and the school operations in Ning Bo.” Mrs. Edge stated that this visit reminded her of the Maya Angelou quote “perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all people cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may become friends.”
10/13/12 Dear Parents and Students, 37 AHSO Students placed in the Region Orchestra. Here are how our
performers placed. Congratulations!
10/07/12 Dear Region Parents and Students, Below are the errata for each instrument. Errata are changes
or corrections to the printed etudes which help in clarity or
correct errors. This MUST be followed for auditions. Please mark
your music with these changes and be sure to practice your
etudes with these changes included. ETUDE
ERRATA Harp Salzedo
- Carlos Salzedo - Suite of Eight Dances Lyon and Healy Page(s):
22-25, Rumba Lawrence
- Solos for the Harp Player Schirmer/Hal Leonard Page(s):
25-27, Siciliano Piano Maurice
Hinson - Brahms - Two Rhapsodies, Opus 79 for the Piano Alfred Page(s):
13-20, Op. 79, No. 2: Rhapsody in G Minor Wilford
A. Palmer - Chopin - Preludes for the Piano Alfred Masterworks Page(s):
15-17, #3 - Prelude in G Major, Op. 28. No. 3 Violin Etude
1: Rode/Galamian
- Rode 24 Caprices for the Violin 2066 IMC #9 Etude
2: Rode/Galamian
- Rode 24 Caprices for the Violin 2066 IMC #22 Viola Etude
1: Palaschko
- 20 Studies, Op. 36 No. 905 IMC #13 Etude
2: Mazas
(Mogill Edition) - Etudes Speciales, Op. 36, Bk. 1, Vol. 1885
5026 2570 Schirmer #8 Cello Etude
1: Alwin
Schroeder - 170 Foundation Studies for Violoncello, Vol. 3 Carl
Fischer #140 Etude
2: Alwin
Schroeder - 170 Foundation Studies for Violoncello, Vol. 3 Carl
Fischer #158 String
Bass Etude
1: Storch-Hrabe
- 57 Studies, Vol I (Fred Zimmermann) No. 1034 IMC #7 Etude
2: Storch-Hrabe
- 57 Studies, Vol I (Fred Zimmermann) No. 1034 IMC #29
10/07/12 Dear Parents and Students, Receiving this email means you are one
of the 91 students from AHSO that will be auditioning for Region
Orchestra. Thank you for all your hard work, it is about to pay
off! Please read the ENTIRE email carefully. There is a lot you
need to know in order for auditions to run smoothly. A second
email will come next with the latest version of the errata. Auditions are Saturday, October 13th
at Sartartia Middle School. Here is what you need to know:
o
Harps
will be first o
Piano
arrive at 9 am
o
Violin
A is in Room 205 Large Band Hall o
Violin
B is in Room 202- 2nd Orchestra Room
AHS/AOBA
will run a snack bar, Please support this.
10/07/12 Dear Parents and Student, A note from the principal - Ms. Edge Our
Homecoming Game is this week against Bush High School could be
the Click 2 Houston Football Frenzy game of the week.
10/01/12 Dear
Parents and Students, The
first concert of the year is soon – Tuesday, October 9th
– and you will be amazed at what the performers have
accomplished in such a short time. This
is our ticketed concert for the semester so please tell friends
and family who plan to attend. Tickets are $5 each for adults.
Students with ID’s and preschoolers are admitted without
charge. These concert tickets can be purchased in advance or at
the door. AOBA is also
offering a Berryhill meal for purchase before the concert. Let
AOBA relieve you of the pre-concert hassles of dinner for the
family. Come join us and for $8.50 you can purchase a delicious
fajita wrap dinner
served with chips, guacamole, salsa, cookie and a drink. Because
these meals are made-to-order, we MUST
have your order and payment in to Ms. Vandiver/Mr. Law by
Friday, October 5th. HERE
is an order form so you can select your meals – a vegetarian
option is available. Please fill this out and send in with
payment made out to AOBA. Have dinner with your performer then enjoy a great evening of beautiful music.
09/29/12 Dear
Parents and Students, Attached
is the October Calendar Grid. As always, the month is packed
with activities and events and rehearsals. Key
things to note: ·
Beginning
performers will start before and after school rehearsals this
month. ·
Friday,
October 5th, Fish Camp will be held! ·
Tuesday,
October 9th is the Fall Concert. o
Join
us for dinner before the concert catered by Berryhill. o
Tickets
are $5 with preschool and students with school ID free. o
Carefully
check the rehearsal schedule on that day, the schedule is tight! ·
Thursday,
October 11th is a concert with Camerata and SMS
Symphony to be performed and recorded at Sugar Land Auditorium. ·
Saturday,
October 13th are the Region Auditions, all that
practice will pay off! ·
Friday
and Saturday, October 26th and 27th are
Area Auditions and individual recordings.
09/29/12
Dear Parents
and Students,
Fall is here
and we have a great opportunity for those of you who like to put
a little fall color in your yards – flowers!
AHSO has an
agreement with a local grower to provide flats of a several
varieties of flowers at a very low price. If you go to the box
stores or Wal-Mart to buy plants, please give these flowers a
look. You cannot beat the freshness, size and quality of a local
grower. These plants have not set out on store shelves with only
occasional watering. They are straight from the grower to you!
Each flat
contains 18-4” vigorous plants for $20. Four varieties that
are proven winners in this area – Alyssum, Dianthus, Pansies
and Snapdragons. Sales begin NOW and will extend for the next
two weeks. Plants will be delivered on Oct 27th and
students will bring them to your doorstep! Doesn’t get any
easier than that.
This is also a
fundraiser for the orchestra so please invite your friends and
neighbors to participate in this great value. HERE
is a flyer to use to take orders.
Thank you for all you do to support AHSO!
09/26/12 Dear Parents and Students, This weekend is a great opportunity for more instruction on the etudes and excerpts. Don't miss out on this chance. An application form is HERE. You can bring this with you on Saturday but they do need to know in advance if you are coming so they can have the correct facilities and lunch arrangements made. PLEASE TELL MS VANDIVER IF YOU WILL GO - even if you have already gotten your info to UH. She needs a headcount tomorrow- Thursday. Here is the invite from Dennis Whittaker and the schedule for the day. Thanks! Hello
all, Please
let your students and colleagues know about the 2012 All-State
Strings Festival at the University of Houston Moores School of
Music, on Saturday, September 29 from 8:00am until 3:00pm. The
string faculty of the Moores School of Music will lead
sectionals and mock auditions at this All-State preparation
workshop. Faculty
includes: Violin
- Andrzej Grabiec, Frank Huang and Kirsten Yon Viola
- Wayne Brooks and Suzanne LeFevre Cello
- Vagram Saradjian Double
Bass - Dennis Whittaker Rregistration
is open to all High School string players who are auditioning
for the 2013 TMEA All-State Orchestra. The schedule and
information is listed below. Students
can print out the registration information and bring it with
them on the 29th. The registration fee is $20 per person.
HOWEVER, please RSVP me if you know of any students who will be
attending. Lunch will be provided, and we need to plan on the
numbers.
Please call or email if you have any questions. We're looking
forward to an amazing day! Dennis
Whittaker
713-743-3379 Schedule: Saturday,
September 29 8:00am: Register and warm-up. Registration
is in the student lounge of the School of Music Violins:
Room 185 (Andrzej Grabiec,, Frank Huang, Kirsten Yon) Violas:
Room 131 (Wayne Brooks, Suzanne LeFevre,) Cellos:
Room 175 (Vagram Saradjian) Double
Basses - room 160
(Dennis Whittaker) 8:30:
Morning group technique class, Etudes
10:15:
Break 10:30:
Etudes and Excerpts
12:00:
Lunch (provided
by Jason’s Deli) 12:45:
Excerpts and mock auditions 2:15: Break 2:30:
Faculty recital, room 160 (parents encouraged to attend!) 3:00:
Dismissed - parent pickup
09/24/12 15810
SW Freeway (Whole
Foods Shopping Center) Sugar
Land, Tx 77478 281-325-0033 Please
join us for dinner at Mission Burrito Sugar Land Tuesday
September 25, 2012 From
4:00 pm to 9:00 pm Place
your receipt in the designated box and Mission Burrito will
donate 25% of your dinner price to AHS Orchestra. Take
out is also available
09/17/12 HERE is the pdf version of the September Calendar. Please note rehearsal schedules for your times. Thanks!
09/11/12 Dear Parents and Students, All paperwork and Entertainment Books were due last Friday
and we are still waiting for some of you to get that in. A grade will be given tomorrow depending on whether your
packet paperwork is in and completely filled in and if you
have turned in Entertainment Books or $$. Scour your back packs, your desk your whole house and get
that stuff in! Thanks!
09/11/12 Dear Parents and Students, AHSO Is no longer allowed to receive payments through Charms
for anything except for the FBISD Instrument Use Fee. Please do
not use Charms for any of the collections we are making for our
activities. FBISD is controlling our one allowed account so any payment
you may make through Charms for other items will go straight to
the district and not to AHSO. For those who have already made
payments through Charms, we thank you and we will arrange to get
those funds back to our account. I have requested with Charms
that they consider broadening the capabilities but that is not
in their plan at this time. For now, we return to the old fashioned way - cash or check
for any of our other activities. Thank you!
09/08/12 Dear Parents and Students,
Big Brother/Big Sister IS still next week.
DO NOT forget about your little brother/sister! The kids (mainly
in Sinfonia) who did not receive their little brother/sister
assignment should have gotten a scanned copy from
Melanie last night so that you can prepare this weekend. Big Ones, don't forget to get your gifts,
Little Ones are counting on you! Thank you!
09/06/12 Dear Parents and Students, Tomorrow - September 07 - Please bring in payments or unsold Entertainment Books. Need more books for $$$ you will bring? We can get 'em! Tuesday - September 11 - 5:30 PM AOBA meeting before High School Open House HERE is the latest version of the AOBA calendar for the 2012-2013 School year. It is loaded with all the activities we have already scheduled. This is a printable version but don't forget that the Charms Calendar has all of the most current info including these dates as well as the current rehearsal and sectional schedules. This calendar and the monthly calendar grid can also be found at AHSOrch.org. Come Tuesday and hear in person what all is planned. We are going to have a great year! Thanks!
09/04/12 Dear Parents and Students, University of Texas in Arlington is bringing their entire
string staff along with their director, Cliff Evans, to AHS this
Saturday to clinic students in region and all-state music. Not
only are you getting some stellar talent giving you instruction
but it is FREE!! Bring your music, your pencil and your wire
stand and get a priceless opportunity without charge. Besides,
they are always looking at potential musicians for their stellar
program. Future music majors, this is a good chance for
networking. WHO: All those auditioning for Region or All-State WHAT: Clinic from UTA String Faculty - no charge to
participate WHERE: AHS - J hall WHEN: Saturday, September 8th, 2-5 PM
09/04/12
SHSU is once again offering their faculty to clinic those
trying for Region and All-State with split clasees to allow you
to choose 'region only' or 'all-state' emphasis. Please see the
flyer HERE for info. 47th
String Invitational at Sam Houston State University General
Information A
yearly event, the String Invitational is a TMEA
All-State/All-Region workshop geared toward high school students
who are preparing for the Orchestra Division All-State
Auditions. The workshop offers sessions for different levels of
preparation/ability, which are taught by SHSU music faculty and
guest artist/clinicians from the Houston Symphony. This
decades-old tradition brings talented string players to SHSU
from across Texas. There
will be two levels of instruction on the All-State etudes; a
morning session for less experienced players who wish to focus
on the etudes exclusively, and an afternoon session for more
advanced players. The etudes will be covered on their entirety
by SHSU string faculty, and the All-State Orchestra Audition
Excerpts will be taught by members of the Houston Symphony.
Students who feel prepared will have the option of participating
in a "mock audition" and thus get professional
feedback comments. This
year's String Invitational will also include sessions on
audition preparation, instrument care, and displays by the
Fishburn Violin Shop and Sam's Strings. Participants will have
the opportunity to try out instruments and purchase music and
other accessories. Registration Students
are strongly encouraged to register online by following this
link: www.shsu.edu/~music On-site
registration is also available. Payment is accepted using major
credit cards and the cost is $30. This fee will be waived for
previous All-State students (please bring an All-State
program showing your participation). If
your school will be paying for your registration fee, please
have the orchestra director contact us directly at javierpinell@shsu.edu. What
to Bring Students
need to bring music for the excerpts and etudes, and a music
stand to be used throughout the day. Since lunch is not
provided, participants may either bring a lunch or have the
option of dining at facilities close by. Location
Map http://music.shsu.edu/contact/ Physical
Address: Parking:
Parking is free in the lots across and behind the Performing
Arts Center (avoid lots marked as "Blue Zone," or
parking spaces marked as "reserved"). There is also
parking available in the parking structure across the street
from the School of Music for a fee ($1.25/hour, $6 max.): http://www.shsu.edu/~upd_www/garage/ Schedule 8:00
-- 8:50 A.M. Registration & Meet the String Faculty - JAMES
AND NANCY GAERTNER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER--LOBBY 9:00
-- 9:15 A.M. SHSU Office of Admissions Presentation CONCERT HALL
(parents are welcome) 9:15
-- 9:50 A.M. "How To Prepare For An Orchestra
Audition" session with SHSU Music Faculty -- CONCERT HALL Dr.
Javier Pinell, violin 10:00
-- 12:00 All-State Orchestral Excerpts with members of the
Houston Symphony Orchestra Violin:
Rodica Oancea-Gonzalez, CONCERT HALL 10:00
-- 12:00 P.M. Session I All-State Etudes Violin:
Naomi Gjevre and Javier Pinell, MUSIC BUILDING 201 12:00
LUNCH 1:30-2:00
P.M. "String Instrument Care and Maintenance" Michael
Willer, Fishburn Violin Shop, CONCERT HALL 2:15
--4:00 P.M. Session II All-State Etudes Violin:
Javier Pinell and Naomi Gjevre, CONCERT HALL 3:00-4:00
P.M. Optional Mock Audition (Rooms TBA) Zachary
Carrettin
09/01/12 The
first week of school is behind us and what a week this has been!
New students keep pouring in and our enrollment is over 210 at
this moment. What a great year this will be! HERE
is the first rehearsal calendar for the year. Yes, it is time
for before and after school rehearsals to begin. All rehearsals
are mandatory unless you have discussed your situation IN
ADVANCE with your director. We have rehearsals assigned through
09/14. The rest will be sent later. This
grid will be sent out at least monthly but all dates are also in
Charms and can be accessed by going to CharmsOffice.com or
clicking on the links above. Follow the instructions given to
you in your info packet. In Charms you see ALL the rehearsals,
you need to attend only those that apply to your group or
instrument. For
the tech savvy with a smart phone, you can link to the Charms
calendar through your phone. Interested? Tell ME
your phone type and I will see what you need to do. Thanks!
08/27/12 Dear Parents and Students, AOBA (Austin Orchestra Boosters Association) will have their
first meeting on the same night as High School Open House. Two
birds with one stone and you won't believe what all you will
learn! WHO: All AHSO Parents WHAT: AOBA Kickoff Meeting WHERE: Orchestra Room at AHS WHEN: Tuesday, 09/11/12, 5:30-6:20PM One pressing item BEFORE that meeting - Cookie Sales. AHSO
bakes and sells Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies at lunch periods every
other Wednesday. Our first Cookie Day is Wednesday, September
5th. We need some people to volunteer to help with set up,
baking and sales for each of the sale dates. We have lost
several moms due to graduation, and some due to new jobs. Our long-time chairman of this vital committee graduated last
year and we are in need of someone to step in and coordinate
making sure there are enough volunteers each time. Looking forward to seeing you there!
08/27/12 Student
Instructions for Accessing Charms GO
TO: https://www.charmsoffice.com MOUSE
OVER: the green word ‘ENTER’ SELECT:
‘Parents/Students/Members’ from the drop down ENTER:
‘AustinHSOrch’ as your school code (caps do not matter) CLICK:
'Enter Charms' STUDENT
AREA PASSWORD: Your FBISD
ID 6 digit number.
DO
NOT CHANGE THE PASSWORD CLICK:
'Enter' There
are many things to see here but your daily grade depends on you
updating your personal information. So…. CLICK:
Check
EVERYTHING but your
email, your cell number and your t-shirt size is critical. Also
we need to make sure at least one parent email is there so check
their info too!
Text
Ms. B at 281-381-7783. I cannot take 100 calls, but I will
answer 100 texts. Be sure to give me your name with the
question.
08/27/12
Each
year AHSO sell Entertainment Books as one of the major
fundraisers for the year. These book are chock full of wonderful
coupons from fast food and fine dining restaurants, drug stores,
shopping venues and attractions. The food coupons alone make it
more than worth the $30 purchase price. Please see the attached
flyer for details and info on prizes for high sales! AHSO
gets to keep $15.00 from every book and that helps a lot with
music, equipment, instrument repairs, activities..... all things
important to AHSO. A 50% profit! Each
student will receive one book and we are asking you to try
to sell five books. Other groups in the area are selling
Entertainment Books also, so work fast! REMEMBER: All checks
made payable to AOBA. Sales
must be complete by Friday, September 07, 2012. There will be a
student collecting sales at the beginning of each class. All
money will be locked and secured until deposit. To prevent risk
of loss, Ms. V and Mr. L will not take books or payments at
other times. These
books are worth $30 cash, so please guard them carefully and
don't leave them laying around. If you lose it, you will be
responsible for the $30 cost. Thanks!
08/23/12 Dear Parents and Students, Just one of the ways we send info to you about all things
orchestra is through posts to the orchestra Facebook page which
is maintained by AHSO officers. Friend us today and be in the
loop! Here are the most recent posts from Ms. Vandiver.
Thanks!
08/22/12 Dear
Parents and Students, Region
Auditions are fast approaching. Students have been practicing on
the etudes all summer in preparation. The etudes are far too
long for the audition so the Region posts cuts which are
the portions of the etudes that will be required on the day of
audition. Symphony and Camerata are required to continue to Area
and State after Region and so must continue to practice the
entire etudes. Philharmonic is urged but not required to
audition for Region, so you may learn only the cuts. Chamber
students, it is totally optional for you. The
cuts for your instrument are here: VIOLIN
VIOLA
CELLO
BASS. Thanks!
08/19/12 Errata for the 2012 All-State Etudes have been posted. Please
see below for your instrument. Thanks! Excerpt
Errata:
Violin TMEA director/sponsors should download the new post
of the Violin excerpts. The new posting includes Gary Lewis'
bowings for the Mahler - Symphony No. 1 excerpts. (posted 7/31) Viola
TMEA director/sponsors should download the new post
of the Viola excerpts. The new posting includes Gary Lewis'
bowings for the Mahler - Symphony No. 1 excerpts. (posted 7/31) Cello
TMEA director/sponsors should download the new post
of the Cello excerpts. The new posting includes Gary Lewis'
bowings for the Mahler - Symphony No. 1 excerpts. (posted 7/31) Excerpt #2 - Divertimento (Mvt. 1) - The
tempo of Dotted eighth note = 69-86 has been changed to
Dotted quarter note = 69-86. (posted 8/2) Excerpt #3 - Mahler - (Mvt. 1) - Change
tempo marking to half note = 96 from the beginning of the
excerpt to rehearsal marking 9; from 9 an accelerando arriving
at half note = 126-130 by the 5th measure after rehearsal
marking 10. (posted 8/13) Excerpt #4 - Mahler (Mvt. 4) - Pause
after the one measure trill at rehearsal marking 25; then
proceed to the next staff system. (posted 8/13) String
Bass
TMEA director/sponsors should download a new post of
the String Bass excerpts. The new posting includes Gary Lewis'
bowings for the Mahler - Symphony No. 1 excerpt. (posted 7/31) Harp
None Piano
Etude #2 - Chopin Prelude Opus 28 #3 in G Major - The
tempo of Quarter note = 96-104 has been changed to Half
note = 96-104. (posted 8/3)
08/03/12 Dear
AOBA members -- As
the new school year approaches, Austin Orchestra Booster
Association is preparing for a new board. To that end, we need
to recognize the nominees and vote them into office. Normally
this would have been done at the end of the school year
preceding, but since we had vacancies, we decided to hold off.
We still have one, but we will move on for now and fill the
remaining shortly. Please review the list of candidates below
and respond to this email with your vote of yea or nay. This
will be a composite ballot, not individual candidates. AOBA
2012-2013 Ballot for Board President
-- Bob Ruzicka Vice
President -- Open Secretary
-- Paula Key-Connell Treasurer
-- Darlene Bess These
are the only elected positions. Please reply to this email
promptly. We will tally the vote after 9 am on Tuesday, August 7th.
Thank you very much for your support and cooperation. Additionally,
we have several Executive Committee position openings. These
include Cookie Mom Leader, Membership, Public Relations, Student
Activity/Social , and Banquet Chairperson. These positions are
part of the Executive Committee. They meet with the board at
monthly meetings and as needed. If you are interested in helping
out AOBA in any of these roles, please reply to this email to
Linda Baldwin at RLNZ@sbcglobal.net,
or Bob Ruzicka at bob@brinsure.com. Thank
you,
07/19/12 Piano and Harp - no excerpts for you. You will use etudes for
all auditions.
05/16/12
05/10/12
05/09/12 Dear Parents and Students, Already we can tell that great things are going to happen
for AHSO next year. It was announced on Tuesday that we will
have a full-time assistant director next year. A huge thank you
goes out to Dr. Jenny, Mr. McKie, Mr. Drew, Ms. Edge and
anyone else that was a part of this decision. This person will
be hired through the usual FBISD interview process and will be
available at AHSO full time to support the programs and
instruction. What an amazing gift. This will be huge in helping
AHSO reach an even higher level. Also, there will be 6 orchestras next year with the
addition of the Camerata Orchestra. This group will be the top
level group and will be filled by audition as with all the other
orchestras. This expansion from 5 orchestras this year will
allow an even greater repertoire of amazing music to be
performed. 2012-2013 Orchestras Camerata Symphony Philharmonic Chamber Sinfonia Beginner
05/01/12 Dear Parents and Students, Available at Charms are the pdf etudes for violin, viola,
cello and bass. Harp and piano will be sent as soon as they are
available. A zipfile was also emailed. They are posted at
Charms in the 'Region - State' Folder. NOW you have something to do over summer! Thanks
05/01/12 Dear Parents and Students, TMEA has published the list of etudes for the 2012
Region-to-State competitions. Harp
Carlos Salzedo - Suite of Eight Dances Lyon and Healy Page(s): 22-25, Rumba Solos for the Harp Player Schirmer/Hal Leonard Page(s): 25-27, Siciliano Piano
Brahms - Two Rhapsodies, Opus 79 for the Piano Alfred Page(s): 13-20, Op. 79, No. 2:
Rhapsody in G Minor Chopin - Preludes for the Piano Alfred Masterworks Page(s): 15-17, #3 - Prelude in G
Major, Op. 28. No. 3 Violin
Etude 1: Rode 24 Caprices for the Violin 2066 IMC #9 Etude 2: Rode 24 Caprices for the Violin 2066 IMC #22 Viola
Etude 1: 20 Studies, Op. 36 No. 905 IMC #13 Etude 2: Etudes Speciales, Op. 36, Bk. 1, Vol. 1885 5026 2570 Schirmer #8 Cello
Etude 1: 170 Foundation Studies for Violincello, Vol. 3 Carl Fischer #140 Etude 2: 170 Foundation Studies for Violincello, Vol. 3 Carl Fischer #158 String
Bass
Etude 1: 57 Studies, Vol I (Fred Zimmermann) No. 1034 IMC #7 Etude 2: 57 Studies, Vol I (Fred Zimmermann) No. 1034 IMC #29
Questions or comments about the web site: RLNZ@sbcglobal.net Linda Baldwin 281-381-7783
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