Welcome to the Stephen F. Austin
High School Orchestra Web Site
Thanks for visiting!
QUICK LINKS:
*
FBISD School Year Calendar - 2010/2011 - Click HERE
*
Almost
final AHS Orchestra
2010-2011 Calendar as of 06/27/10 - CLICK
HERE
*
Please participate in the Kroger or
Randall's programs to benefit AHSO! Click HERE to find out how.
|
Help AOBA reach this goal and see the amazing results in the orchestra program. We need your help to keep AHSO the best orchestra program in the state! |
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What are some of the MANY uses for these funds?
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09/03/10
****
AHSO Performing at the Astros Game? You Betcha!
****
Dear Students and Parents,
AHSO is going to set
precedence again! We have been invited to be the first string orchestra EVER to
play at a Houston Astros game on Saturday, September 18th. We also have an
opportunity for discount tickets so friends and family can come.
All AHSO family, past and
present are invited. We would like to have a great reunion and take in a great
game at the same time. Meet old friends from past years and hear the remarkable
talent of current performers while we set yet another AHSO milestone.
How can you join in
the fun?
AOBA will handle the
reservation and purchase of tickets, all you need to do is e-mail or call
Bob Ruzicka
bob@brinsure.com
281-703-1013
HERE
is an order form if you wish to send in your reservation with your student.
All student performers must
also buy a ticket but we have a reduced price at either $10 or $12 depending on
the location.
WHO:
ALL AHSO family and friends, past, present and future
WHAT:
AHSO to perform at an Astros Game (vs. Cincinnati Reds)
WHERE:
Minute Maid Park, Houston
WHEN:
Saturday, September 18, 2010, 6:05 PM game start
Thanks!
09/02/10
**** A Far Cry – an unforgettable
experience of musical excellence ****
Dear Students and Parents,
We have the opportunity to appreciate excellence right here
in Sugar Land, Texas. A Far Cry is coming and will perform in Sugar Land. Many
of you had the opportunity to hear them when we visited their home base of
Boston last Spring. Now they will be here!
WHO: A Far
Cry
WHAT: A Memorable Concert
Event
WHERE: Sugar Land Baptist Church
(Formerly Williams Trace Baptist)
16755 Southwest Fwy - Sugar Land, Texas 77479
WHEN: Monday, September 13th,
7:00 PM
Hailed
by the Boston Globe as “one of Boston’s most promising classical music
groups,” A Far Cry is making waves, experimenting with how music is performed
and heard. A tightly-knit group of 17 young professional musicians, A Far Cry
formed in early 2007, seeking the freedom and flexibility of a string quartet as
well as the power and beauty of an orchestra.
Operating
with rotating leadership and no conductor, A Far Cry is generating interest not
only in the concert hall, but also with its innovative model. All artistic
decisions are made by vote as a collective, and the musicians take care of all
the behind-the-scenes work, from booking concerts to designing programs.
A
501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, A Far Cry is also committed to social
change and harmony, donating proceeds from concerts to homeless shelters in the
Boston area, and partnering with other non-profits such as the Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society. A Far Cry’s 2008-09 season holds engagements at the Yellow
Barn and Kneisel Hall Festivals, concerts from Minnesota to Florida, and a
growing hometown series in Boston.
09/01/10
**** Big Thanks to All and Carwash This
Saturday ****
Dear Students and Parents,
First: Thanks to all who attended the AOBA meeting and the
Open House last night. You rearranged your schedules to make it a record
turnout for a record year. With all this excitement, great things will happen!
There is a carwash this Saturday and volunteers are needed!
Reply to this e-mail if you can come (RLNZ@sbcglobal.net)
WHO: 4-6
Parents, 20-30 Students
WHAT: Carwash
WHERE: Plantation & 359 at the Valero
in the Randall’s Parking lot
Pecan Grove Subdivision
WHEN: Saturday, Sept 04, 8:30
– 1:00
Cars are washed for donations. Tell your friends and bring
your own cars. Let’s put these eager kids to work!
Come have a warm but fun day raising funds for all the
orchestra needs.
Thanks!
08/29/10
**** Charms: A New
Way to Communicate! ****
Thanks!
  |
Orchestra Cookie Dates - 2010/2011 School Year September 01 February 02 September 15 February 16 October 13 March 02 October 27 March 23 November 10 April 06 December 01 April 20 January 05 May 04 January 19 May 18 |
08/29/10
****
A Message From Your Student Officers ****
Dear
Austin Orchestra Friends and Family Members!
Welcome back to another exciting year here at Austin High School. To the upperclassmen, we hope your academic and extracurricular endeavors are going smoothly. And for those of you who are new to our family, we warmly welcome you into our arms. We are the eighteen student officers for the 2010-2011 school year and we hope to make this year full of memorable events and enlightening experiences.
In
order to fulfill that promise, we are trying very hard to increase our sense of
team spirit and community. With a record-smashing 170+ people enrolled
in orchestra this year, it's hard not to make some lifelong friends. This year,
we have more social events than in previous years. Our first big event is
"Fish Camp," a day where all of us get to spend the
afternoon with each other playing games, competing with each other, and meeting
new faces. Once all the beginning-of-the-year mess goes away, we may hold some
sort of game night for one to two hours every Friday. Maybe we'll even play
Quidditch! (it's a real sport, fun and involved) But the point we want to
emphasize is that orchestra does not need to be an elective that everyone gets
together just to play instruments. Don't think of it as a chore: we want to practice
hard for the success of our orchestra program. We want to enjoy making music and
having fun not only by ourselves, but with EVERYONE in orchestra, regardless of
the class period you're in.
Even
though all the officers are motivated, we can only make so much of a difference.
Much of the experience you will glean from your four years here lies upon
your shoulders, not ours. We will try to help you get the most out of orchestra
and high school. But each of you must take the initiative to get to know one
another. Go forth, don't be shy. Introduce yourself and have a conversation with
as many orchestra students as you can. Don't limit yourself to just those in
your period. You would be surprised at all the quirks in each of us. And most
importantly, make your orchestra experience into your second family. We will see
each other for many years; let's not get too impersonal with each other.
Also,
we want to make all our officers as accessible to you as possible. Please feel
free to talk to any of us and make suggestions about how you think we can make
orchestra more fun and improve the program. Attached to this email is a list of
all the officers and their contact information (not prank call
information). This list is also posted on the bulletin board behind the podium.
All of us are on Facebook as well. The Facebook group page for the
2010-2011 school year is as follows: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120205344682392 .
This page will be a supplement to emails. We will send out periodic messages,
update calendars and dates, and post tidbits here for your enjoyment. The
blackboard behind the violin section will be used as a REAL "Facebook
wall" that will have a list of important dates, updates, encouraging
messages, and pretty pictures. Feel free to add to the mural as long as
your contributions are artistic and school appropriate.
We
hope that all of us will be able to make beautiful music this year and share it
with all the people we love around us.
Hope
your school year is off to a great start!
Your
Awesome Orchestra Officers :D
08/28/10
****
Our First Cookie Day is September 1st, Can you help?
****
Dear
Parents,
We
need a half dozen people or more between 8:30 and 12:30 spread out in two hour
shifts.
Our
chairperson for these sales is Lindsey Longshaw and she can be reached!:
Cell.......713
598 7600
Home....281 494 9667
Please let Lindsey know you can come!
Every other Wednesday, volunteers come to AHS, bake some of the most delicious cookies you will EVER eat and sell them to AHS students during the lunches. Not a good baker? That is not a problem! Otis Spunkmeyer provides us with the dough, already prepared. They also provide the ovens! Can’t get easier than that. Plus, you will get a chance to chat with some of the finest parents you will ever meet and your child will get one bag of cookies for free. Don’t miss out on all the fun!
Thanks!
08/27/10
**** MANDATORY ORCHESTRA PARENT MEETING, BEFORE OPEN
HOUSE ****
A message from your AOBA President – Redia Anderson
Next Tuesday, August 31st, we
are hosting our mandatory Orchestra parent meeting @ 5:30 in the
orchestra hall for your convenience, right before the Open House at Austin High
School.
We will be providing a great deal of
important and new information as regards our orchestras. This is the one meeting
you don’t want to miss. We have some exciting changes to announce.
With over 175 students, this year's
orchestra surpasses the number of musicians we've ever had under one director!
The efforts of our students must continually be matched by the efforts of you,
the parents, in order to support our award winning orchestras.
Join us one hour before open house to
learn exactly what’s required to run our orchestra and to help Mrs. Vandiver
and these students take these five orchestras to the next level of excellence.
At the meeting we'll discuss our plans to
build resources which are required to help our orchestras remain competitive;
we’ll also discuss ideas to enhance our sense of community and have fun across
the five orchestras. You’ve made the investment in your child and the
instrument, now make that investment payoff in terms of a stronger musician
through your commitment and your time. Without strong parental support, we
won’t be able to achieve many of the plans to help these orchestras continue
to achieve greatness.
This is the only mandatory meeting of the
year. The Austin Orchestra Booster Association Board looks forward to getting to
know you and working with you on behalf of our talented students. This is a
meeting you won’t want to miss.
See you next
Tuesday evening.
08/26/10
**** Uniform Fitting Done Tomorrow in Class
****
Ladies and Gents,
Great turn out today for uniform fitting, both students and helpers!
If you were unable to come either day, there is one more chance, during class
tomorrow (Friday, 08/26/10). What do you need to do?
Freshmen or transfer students, come ready to try on some really nice duds!
Returning students, you have homework! Try on that uniform, now, tonight, and
see if you need to size up or size down. DO NOT ASSUME IT WILL FIT. You may have
changed over the summer!
Thanks to Ms. Ruzicka and all the wonderful helpers who came to size up the
students. AHSO could not succeed without you!
Thanks!
08/22/10
****
Entertainment Book Fundraiser ****
Dear Parents and Students,
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, grocery stores, shopping venues and attractions. The grocery
coupons alone make it worth the $25 purchase price.
AHSO gets to
keep $12.50 from every book and that helps a lot with music, equipment,
instrument repairs, activities..... all things important to AHSO.
Each student has
received one book and a sign-up sheet. We are asking each student to
try to sell two 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 Tuesday, September 10, 2010.
These books
are worth $25 cash, so please guard them carefully and don't leave them laying
around. If you lose it, you will be responsible for the $25 cost.
Thanks!
08/22/10
**** Annual Baylor All-State Etude and Excerpt
Workshop ****
Great
opportunity - call your friends and organize a carpool!
WHO: All AHSO students auditioning for
Region, Area or State
WHAT:
All-State
Etudes
and Excerpts Workshop
With
Baylor University String Faculty
WHERE:
Baylor
University School of Music, McCrary Music Building
WHEN: Saturday, September 4, 2010,
Cost: $15.00 per student
Registration
Form - Click HERE
For questions, please contact:
(254)
710-6216 or Eka_Gogichashvili@baylor.edu
08/22/10
All-State
Etude/Excerpt Bass Workshop
Focus
on preparing for 2010 All-State Auditions
Sabrina
Behrens, Instructor
2
Clinic Sessions, 8 Bassists (max) per session
Session
One:
Saturday Oct. 9, 12:00-2:00PM
Session
Two:
Saturday Oct. 9, 2:30-4:30PM
If you have any questions regarding the clinic or region etudes, please contact Sabrina Behrens at (281)633-6300 or email me at studiobass35@comcast.net
See registration form HERE.
08/20/10
Dear Parents and Students.
The
region cuts are posted. These cuts apply to Region Auditions
ONLY. If you plan to do Area/State, you must continue to
practice the entire etude. Cuts may and will be taken at
different places for those auditions. Printable version HERE.
Region
XIII High School Orchestra
Audition
Excerpts 2010-2011
VIOLIN:
Rode 5:
All of page 2.
Rode 19:
2nd line where double-stops begin to end.
VIOLA:
Mazas 26:
Line 10, 3rd measure (key change) to end.
Mazas 7: Play entire
etude.
CELLO:
Franchomme 9:
Measure 19 to the end.
Duport 13:
Measure 64 (2nd page begins on D#) to the end.
BASS:
Storch-Hrabe 1: Line
4 beginning on 2nd note B to page 2 Line 5 to
measure 3.
Hrabe 24:
Play entire etude.
PIANO:
No Cuts, play both etudes in their entirety.
Burgmuller:
9. Matin Bell
Bach:
French Suites 6. Play Bouree
HARP:
No Cuts, play both etudes in their entirety.
Watkins:
Petite Suite, Mvt. 23 Fire Dance
Naderman:
Sept Sonates Progressives pour la Hapre, Op 92
Sonata 5. Play Trio piu allegro elegante
08/20/10
**** A message from your AOBA President - Redia
Anderson
Strategic
Planning Meeting, Saturday 8.21.10; 9 - noon;
Orchestra Hall ****
Parents,
By
now you should have received several emails regarding the
Strategic Planning meeting for the Austin High School
Orchestra being held tomorrow. Our school year resumes next
week and AOBA has been busy over the summer making
preparations to support our continuously growing, award
winning orchestra.
As
parents of student officers, you've already demonstrated your
commitment to your student and the incomparable work Mrs.
Vandiver achieves through these talented, young
musicians.
With over 175 students, this year's orchestra surpasses the
number of musicians we've ever had under one director!
The
efforts of the students must continually be matched by the
parents. You specifically are being invited to join us
tomorrow to share your ideas, thoughts and learn how we plan
to help Mrs. Vandiver take this orchestra to the next level of
excellence.
At the meeting we'll discuss how we plan to build resources, strategize on how to use the resources we have most effectively, and learn our initial thinking about how AOBA can help Mrs. Vandiver continue to achieve greatness.
I
encourage you to attend this important meeting for our
students. What we're able to accomplish tomorrow will set the
bar for just how great a year AHSO will have.
I look forward to working with you tomorrow.
Warm
regards.
Redia
Anderson
P.S.
We'll have hot coffee and donuts, too.
08/18/10
Ms
Vandiver's Class Schedule:
1st Period - Chamber Orchestra
2nd Period - Philharmonic Orchestra
3rd Period - Sinfonia Orchestra
4th Period - Beginning Orchestra
5th Period - Symphony Orchestra
6th Period - Conference Period
7th Period - Campus Control
Two orchestra phone numbers:
(281) 634-2067 OR ( 281) 634-2072
08/11/10
**** Orchestra
Uniform Fitting Dates - August 26th and 27th
****
Dear
Parents and Students,
Ladies
and Gents, it is time to get formal! The orchestra year is
starting and what better way to celebrate then to get fitted
for a beautiful gown or a debonair tuxedo. All new students
to AHSO must be fitted in order to be issued your very own
formal wear. These are required and will be worn at all
concert events. Returning students, dust off your gown or
tux and try it on. If you need a new size, bring it in on
these days for an exchange. If you are exchanging, it must
be dry cleaned before the return.
WHO:
ALL AHSO members
WHAT:
MANDATORY Uniform Fitting
WHERE:
AHS High School in J Hall
WHEN:
Last Name A-M on Thursday, Aug 26th, 2:45 PM
Last
Name N-Z on Friday, Aug
27th, 2:45 PM
Any
parents available to help? E-mail our uniform chair, Beth
Ruzicka at bethruzicka@windstream.net.
Finally,
a huge round of thanks to Ms. Ruzicka. We have record
enrollment so this is a very big job!
Thanks!
07/13/10
**** URGENT
- Volunteers Needed for Orchestra Summer Camp ****
Dear
Parents and Students,
The
FBISD Orchestra Summer Camp is in session and Ms. Vandiver
is in charge. There is an urgent need for AHSO volunteers to
come and help with the program, especially with sectionals.
'Yes' Volunteer Hours will be awarded.
Fort
Settlement Middle School
July
12 - July 22
Monday
thru Thursday
7:30AM
- 12:00 noon
Concert
on 07/22/10, 7:00PM
Please
contact Ms. Vandiver in advance if you can assist.
Carolyn.vandiver@fortbend.k12.tx.us
Thanks!
07/12/10
**** Etude
Info - New Errata have been posted ****
Dear
Parents and Students,
It
is the middle of the summer and I hope you have been working
hard on your etudes. As returning students know, sometimes
there are corrections made to the region etudes which change
accidentals, misprints, etc. These are called errata. New
errata have been posted and they are listed below (see items
in red).
As always, the source for the latest info is at
TMEA.org, but this errata will also be posted at AHSOrch.org
for your convenience. Harp and violin are not affected.
Thanks!
Violin:
Rode: Twenty Four Caprices (Galamian),
Intenational Music Co.
#19 (Arioso Only); (Galamian)
Tempo: Eighth note = 82-96
#5 (Moderato), (Galamian)
Tempo: Quarter note = 84-96
Viola:
Mazas: Etudes Speciales, Op. 36, Book 1,
Schirmer.
#7 (Andante)
Tempo: Quarter note = 60-66
(6/16/2010)
Quarter note = 56-66.
All turns are regular turns NOT inverted turns.
m. 5 and 29 - beat 3 fingering should be a 3.
m. 40 - play in first position
m. 41 - fingering at end of bar is 4th position
#26 (Allegro non troppo)
Tempo: Quarter note = 92-100
(6/16/2010)
Quarter note = 84-100
ms. 2, 17, 19, 30, 34, 88, and 92 - accent on beat 2, NOT
decrescendo (just like in m. 6) (6/28/2010)
m. 4 - staccato on beat 3
m. 15 - 3rd beat (D nat) should be a 16th note.
ms. 40 and 48 should have the same bowing. (original bowing
is like m. 48)
ms. 40 and 48 should have the same diminuendo. (Original is
like m. 40, starting on 2nd 8th note.)
m. 51 - last 3 8th notes should have slur. (as in m. 43)
m. 74 - 1st beat, top note, C sharp NOT C natural
m. 77 - 5th note is a G. (some printings have a splotch
there.)
m. 80 - 1st three notes should have dots.
Cello:
Franchomme: 12 Caprices for Cello Solo, Op.
7 (Klengel), International Music Co.
#9
Tempo: Eighth note = 76-90
Duport: 21 Etudes for the Violoncello, Book
1, (Schulz) Schirmer.
#13 (Allegro)
Tempo: Half note = 84-96
(6/16/2010)
m. 69 - fingering of 2nd note (E) should be a 2 instead of
3.
m. 104 - last note should be F#, instead of A (same as m.
106).
Bass:
J. Hrabe: 86 Etudes for the String Bass,
Book 1 (Simandl), Carl Fischer.#24
(Maestoso)
Tempo: Quarter note = 90-94
(6/18/2010)
m. 46 - next-to-last note should be D-natural
m. 47 - next-to-last note should be F-natural
Storch-Hrabe: 57 Studies, Vol. II,
International Music Co.
#1 (Andante-Maestoso)
Tempo: Andante – quarter note = 72-76;
Maestoso – quarter note = 84-88
Harp:
David Watkins: Petite Suite for Harp,
United Music.
Mvt. 3 Fire Dance
Tempo: Dotted half note = 70
F.J. Naderman: Sept Sonates Progressives
pour la Harpe, Op. 92 (Hasselmans) Salvi.
Sonata #5 play Trio piu allegro elegante & Tempo di
minuetto
Tempo: Trio piu allegro elegante – quarter note =
120-126; Tempo di minuetto – quarter note = 96.
Piano:
J.S. Bach: French Suite No. 6, Henle
Publ.
Suggested Book: French
Suites BWV 812-817, H. Henle Verlag,
HN 1071, Distibuted in the USA by Hal Leonard
(05/19)
No. 6, Play the Bouree
Tempo: Half note = 112
Burgmuller: Eighteen Characteristic Studies
(Kalmus) Alfred.
No. 9 Matin Bell - (Morning
Bell) (05/06)
Tempo: Quarter note = 84
06/01/10
AHSO FINAL Placement Results for 2010/2011 -
Click HERE
05/06/10
**** Region/State
Etudes are Posted ****
Dear
Parents and Students,
The
region/state etudes for the 2010/2011 school year are posted and listed
below. It is very important for students to learn these etudes if
competing for state. And, if you want to make state, you will want to
begin practicing now! In the past these etudes have also been used for
major grades, chair testings and placement in the next year's orchestras
and Ms. Vandiver will make those decisions.
Violin:
Rode:
Twenty Four Caprices,
(Galamian),
Intenational Music Co.
#19
(Arioso Only); (Galamian)
Tempo: Eighth note = 82-96
#5 (Moderato), (Galamian)
Tempo: Quarter note = 84-96
Should
have 2 pages
Viola:
Mazas:
Etudes Speciales, Op. 36, Book 1,
Schirmer.
#7
(Andante)
Tempo: Quarter note = 60-66
#26
(Allegro non troppo)
Tempo: Quarter note = 92-100
Cello:
Franchomme:
12 Caprices for Cello Solo, Op. 7,
International
Music Co.
#9 (Klengel)
Tempo: Eighth note = 76-90
Duport:
21 Etudes for the Violoncello, Book 1,
(Schulz)
Schirmer.
#13
(Allegro)
Tempo: Half note = 84-96
Bass:
J.
Hrabe: 86 Etudes for the String Bass, Book 1,
(Simandl),
Carl Fischer.
#24 (Maestoso)
Tempo: Quarter note = 90-94
Storch-Hrabe:
57 Studies, Vol. II,
International
Music Co.
#1
(Andante-Maestoso)
Tempo: Andante – quarter note = 72-76; Maestoso – quarter
note = 84-88
Harp:
David
Watkins: Petite Suite for Harp, United Music.
Mvt. 3
Fire Dance
Tempo: Dotted half note = 70
F.J.
Naderman: Sept Sonates Progressives pour la Harpe, Op. 92, (Hasselmans)
Salvi.
Sonata
#5 play Trio piu allegro elegante & Tempo di minuetto
Tempo: Trio piu allegro elegante – quarter note = 120-126;
Tempo di minuetto – quarter note = 96.
Piano:
J.S.
Bach: French Suite No. 6,
Henle
Publ.
No. 6,
Play the Bouree
Tempo: Half note = 112
Burgmuller:
Eighteen Characteristic Studies,
(Kalmus)
Alfred.
No. 9
(Martin Bell)
Tempo: Quarter note = 84
04/19/10
Dear Parents and Students,
The 2010 Region-State Etudes Books have been
announced. Specific etudes will be released May 1st and can
be found at TMEA.org, click on Divisions, click on orchestra
(or they MAY have it posted to the home page at middle
right)
2010 Region-State Etudes will be selected from the following
books:
Violin:
Rode: Twenty Four Caprices (Galamian), Intenational Music Co.
Viola:
Mazas: Etudes Speciales, Op. 36, Book 1,
Schirmer.
Cello:
Franchomme: 12 Caprices for Cello Solo, Op.
7, International Music Co.
Duport: 21 Etudes for the Violoncello, Book
1, (Schulz) Schirmer.
Bass:
J. Hrabe: 86 Etudes for the String Bass,
Book 1, (Simandl), Carl Fischer.
Storch-Hrabe: 57 Strudies, Vol. II,
International Music Co.
Harp:
David Watkins: Petite Suite for Harp United Music.
F.J. Naderman: Sept Sonates Progressives pour la Harpe, Op. 92, (Hasselmans) Salvi.
Piano:
J.S. Bach: French Suite No. 6, Henle
Publ.
Burgmuller: Eighteen Characteristic Studies,
(Kalmus) Alfred.
Questions or comments about the web site: RLNZ@sbcglobal.net Linda Baldwin 281-381-7783