CONCERTS AND PERFORMANCES

CONCERT ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

Participation and attendance at Talkington Orchestra concerts are MANDATORY and critical components of assessment in orchestra.  Concerts are provided free of charge to all audience members.  Family and friends are encouraged to attend as well to support and encourage students.  There are four concerts throughout the year in which all orchestra students are expected to participate:  Talkington Orchestra Hauntcert in October, Talkington Winter Concert in December, Spring Festival Performances (different for each group), and Talkington Spring Spectacular in May (See Calendar of Events for specific dates and locations, if off-campus).

CONCERT ATTIRE

Concert attire is specific for each performance, and falls under TEKS standards 5A (MS) and 6A (HS).  Failure to comply with specified concert attire may result in a ZERO on any assessed performance.  There are four basic performance attires for orchestra performances:

• **Concert Dress - students must wear their assigned black concert dress (assigned to all varsity group members and to non-varsity members if enough dresses are available).  Concert Dress should always include wearing flat black dress shoes appropriate for formal performances.  Additionally, undergarment straps should be black and hidden.  Lastly, jewelry should be minimal, with an avoidance of bracelets and rings, which often impede the ability to play a stringed instrument.**

• Recital Dress - students are expected to dress semi-formally in what is sometimes referred to as “Sunday Best.”  Students may NOT wear jeans, flip flops, or t-shirts in this dress format, but must “dress up” in a manner appropriate for a professional, classically-trained performer.

• School Dress - students must wear the school’s Wednesday Dress Uniform (white shirt with purple tie, black sweater vest, plaid skirt, and black closed-toe flats); cello and bass students may wear the khaki pants instead of the plaid skirt.

• Fun Dress - students must wear school-appropriate blue jeans, white or black tennis shoes, and the current Orchestra T-Shirt.  Occasionally, the director may allow students to wear a different top, as it suits the performance occasion (e.g., a tacky or festive sweater for the Winter Concert).

PERFORMER’S CALL

Performer’s Call is the time by which students must arrive prior to a concert.  This time serves to allow students to prepare for their performance, rehearse, and assist with setup.  Typically, performer’s call is 30 minutes prior to the start of the concert; however, certain orchestras may be required to arrive earlier.  Performer’s call times will be communicated to students and parents in advance.

REQUIRED PERFORMANCES

For specific and up-to-date performance dates, times, and locations, please be sure to bookmark and visit the Calendar of Events page often.

Students are required to participate in all of the following performances each year (dates subject to change):

• High School Throwback Concert with Alumni - September (HS Orchestra)

• Orchestra Hauntcert - October

• Orchestra Winter Concert - December

• LISD String Fling - January or February (all non-beginner students; must be academically eligible)

• UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest - February (must be academically eligible)

• UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation - April (all non-beginner students; must be academically eligible)

• Orchestra Spring Spectacular - May

• Graduation Ceremony - May (Sinfonietta and selected MS Varsity Orchestra students; must be academically eligible)

OTHER PERFORMANCES

Additional performance opportunities throughout the school year are provided to students.  Although these performances are not curricular, students eligible to participate are strongly encouraged to do so--each performer adds to and improves the overall performance of the ensemble.

• All-Region Auditions - October (all non-Beginners are encouraged to participate)

• Veterans’ Assembly - November 11 (Sinfonietta)

• All-Region Mariachi Clinic and Concert - November (students in MS and HS orchestras who participated in the All-Region Audition and were selected as members of the All-Region Mariachi ensembles are required to perform unless ineligible)

• MS All-Region Orchestra Clinic and Concert - December (students in MS orchestras who participated in the All-Region Audition and were selected as members of the All-Region Orchestra are required to perform unless ineligible)

• HS Orchestra Carol-thon - December (Sinfonietta; must be academically eligible)

• HS All-Region Orchestra Clinic and Concert - January (students in HS orchestras who participated in the All-Region Audition and were selected as members of the All-Region Orchestra are required to perform unless ineligible)

• Spring Performance Festivals/Music Tours:  Although spring performance festivals are not required, again, each student is strongly encouraged to participate to maximize the performance quality.  Because the cost of these trips is dependent on the number of students participating, students will be required to complete a Spring Music Tour Handbook Contract and will be held responsible for raising the funds necessary for these events through fundraising or personal financing.

  • HS Music Festival Tour (Sinfonietta) - April or May

  • Greater Southwest Music Festival (MS Varsity) - April or May

  • Irons Invitational (Beginner Strings and MS Non-Varsity) - April or May

PERFORMANCE FESTIVALS

IRONS INVITATIONAL

The Irons Invitational is a music festival in May in which Beginner Orchestra and Intermediate Orchestra students participate.  The festival is held in Lubbock at Coronado High School, and it is customary to perform during school on a Friday.  Each ensemble will perform a set of three pieces for a panel of judges.  Students will also be provided a meal as part of the cost of the festival performance (typically, Cici’s Pizza).  The total cost of the performance festival is $25.00 per student; however, the cost may vary from year to year.

GREATER SOUTHWEST MUSIC FESTIVAL

Greater Southwest Music Festival (GSWMF) is held in Amarillo, TX, in late April or early May.  The Advanced Orchestra will be the only orchestra ensemble that participates in GSWMF this year.  GSWMF is a Saturday day-trip in which students perform a repertoire of three pieces for a panel of judges at the Amarillo Civic Center.  Following morning performances, students enjoy lunch at Braum’s, spend time at Wonderland, and eat a hearty dinner at the Big Texan Steakhouse before returning home Saturday evening.  The total cost of GSWMF is $75.00 per student; however, the cost may vary from year to year.

HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA SPRING TOUR

The Talkington Sinfonietta’s Spring Trip is typically scheduled on a weekend between Spring Break (mid-March) and late April.  It is desired that the HS Orchestra Spring Trip location should alternate every other year between an in-state location and an out-of-state location.  Students will prepare and perform a repertoire of three pieces to perform for a panel of judges, or to perform at a significant (often historical) location.  Additionally, HS Orchestra students will spend time (2-3 days) in the area to explore and experience the sights and attractions.  The total cost of the Spring Trip varies considerably from year to year.  It is important that students decide very early in the school year to commit to or decline participation in the Spring Trip.  Committed students are required to submit a Spring Music Tour Handbook Contract (see Forms page) and dedicate time to fundraising.

Current 4-Year HS Trip Plan

2026 - Austin, TX, est. $400 2027 - Hawai'i, est. $3,500 2028 - South Padre Island, TX, est. $600 2029 - Oklahoma City, OK, est. $600

FIELD TRIPS

Throughout the school year, opportunities may be provided for students to participate in or attend a variety of orchestra-related events.  Because many of these occur during school hours, students must be eligible to attend by maintaining passing grades (70 or higher) in all classes at the time of the scheduled event.  Additional requirements may be placed on student eligibility by Talkington faculty or administration depending on the nature of the event and the amount of time required for the event. 

Revised 7/30/2025