West Cluster Pride! Congratulations to PWSH on being named HS Honor Orchestra and Jasper for coming in runner-up. Wow!!!
Parents, please share this link on your social media accounts!
https://tinyurl.com/riceorchfunds
Here is a little blurb to accompany the link:
Hey Friends and Family!
We are raising funds for our amazing orchestra program so our students can have more opportunities and supplies this year! Here are some of the items we are fundraising for:
New music (each piece costs $60–$100)
New instruments
Awards, prizes, and fun items
Orchestra trips (bus prices are in the thousands!)
Supplies for students in need
Clinician fees
More social events
Classroom supplies
Concert venues (fees range from $900 - $3000)
Every little bit helps with a program this size! Please consider donating to our orchestra program and supporting your favorite Rice Orchestra student!!
Every student who is participating in the All Region audition process MUST check their entry before Friday, October 3rd. Failure to check your entry could result in not being able to audition.
Bach Entries are on the storage room door.
Beethoven/Brahms Entries are on the office window.
You must check the following:
You are entered for the correct group. BACH auditions vs. BEETHOVEN/BRAHMS auditions. If you have been entered for the wrong group, come see Mrs. De La Torre immediately.
Name spelled correctly.
Correct instrument.
If you don't see your name, but completed the payment and turned in the contract, come see Mrs. D immediately!
Tuesday, September 30th - Last day All Region payments (in Student Quick Pay / Rycor ) and contracts can be submitted. (This event is for Chamber and select members of Advanced, Advanced Intermediate, Prelude and Etude - no Beginners)
Saturday, October 25th - All Region Audition at Plano East Senior High (see above for participants)
Wednesday, November 12th - 5th Grade Demo (Chamber students only)
Thursday, November 20th - All Cluster day at Plano West Senior High (select 8th graders)
Wednesday, December 10th - Winter Concert at Jasper High School (times will be announced at a later time). Required for everyone.
Friday, February 27th - PreUIL at the Robinson Fine Arts Center (Chamber, Advanced, Advanced Int., & Prelude)
March 9th and 10th - UIL Competition at the Robinson Fine Arts Center (Chamber, Advanced, Advanced Int. & Prelude)
Saturday, April 25th - Solo & Ensemble Competition at Robinson Middle School
Thursday, May 7th - Spring Concert at Christ United Methodist Church (everyone!)
All students are expected to turn in a weekly practice record every Monday. This practice record should accurately reflect the time spent on orchestra or private lesson materials at home. Parents, please only sign completed practice records. Repeated zeros on practice records negatively impact a student's grade. ***Chamber students have a different accountability procedure in place.***
This year's Solo & Ensemble was a huge success. Thank you to all who participated.
Rice orchestra students earned 126 superior awards and 26 exemplary awards. Congratulations!
I’m happy to share that 4 PWSH Orchestra students are in the TOP 10 of their graduating class, including Valedictorian!
Why? As you know, several years ago, PISD changed how they calculate class rank. The new formula no longer rewards dropping fine arts classes to take AP classes purely for the GPA boost they used to provide. Now, all students are evaluated on a core set of classes that are common to everyone. It's not at all surprising to see this result, and best of all, these outstanding scholars have proven that you can do music AND compete at the highest academic level. The new plan has worked, because previously, our students VERY RARELY placed in the top 10…….. not at all due to ability, but simply because of the old GPA game that punished them. Now, our students are disproportionately represented in the top 10 every year, including several years of Valedictorian and Salutatorian.
Chamber Viola Section
We are excited to meet all our new orchestra students. If you missed the 5th Grade Instrument Selection Event, don't worry. You can still be in orchestra! We've created some onlines resources to help you navigate the process of selecting an instrument at home. It is important that you pick your instrument and start the rental process before school begins in August. ***Do NOT purchase an instrument.***
Please locate "Incoming Students" in the navigation bar above for everything you need to get started. We look forward to seeing you soon.
We had an EPIC time at the Epic Waters Music Festival!