The Memorial Parkway
Junior High Orchestra Handbook
M P J H O r c h e s t r a H a n d b o o k
2017-2018
Dear MPJH Orchestra Students and Parents,
Welcome back students and parents. I hope that everyone had a safe and relaxing summer. I am delighted you are participating in our MPJH Orchestra Program and look forward to an exciting year teaching new and returning students. As in the past, our goal at Memorial Parkway Junior High is to reach every single student and develop their individual potential to prepare them for high school and beyond. We also have a very active and supportive Memorial Parkway Orchestra Parent Association that I hope you will consider joining. This organization offers parents a wonderful opportunity to be actively involved in their child’s music education. The following handbook is a guide to many aspects of our MPJH Orchestra Program. The calendar may be subject to change. Please read this information carefully and call or email with any questions you may have. We are looking forward to a wonderful year!
Sincerely,
Carlene Behmer, Director
MPJH Orchestras
281-237-5975
“The arts are clearly an integral part of life at Harvard and Radcliffe, important for their value to the college environment and also for the potential they provide for lifelong enrichment. In addition to academic criteria, therefore, we always consider extracurricular talents and personal strengths when we evaluate a candidate’s credentials. We look for students whose previous participation in the arts shows that they can make a Substantial contribution to our community.”
William R. Fitzsimmons—Dean of Adm., Harvard University
Commitment
Orchestra is a team event that requires the participation of ALL
students for the success of the group. Group rehearsals and
performances are mandatory for all eligible students. Failure to
attend a performance or individual competition can affect the future participation of that student in orchestra outings, jeopardize the student’s position in the performing group, and affect the student’s grades. If
a concert is missed for any reason, the child’s parent must contact Ms. Behmer by way of a note, phone call or email.
Practice Records (first year students)
Students are expected to practice every day. The amount of time that
they practice is entered into the practice record. The minimum
required practice time should keep progress at an average level. The
more the students practice, the faster they improve and the more
they will enjoy playing! Practice records will be turned into the
director and count for 15% of the student’s grade. This record should
be kept in the student’s orchestra binder. (See the chart posted on the
website.)
Eagle Orchestra ACTIVITY FEE
The MPJH Orchestra Program is one of the best in the area. The
Spring Trip as well as other fun events are ways that we enrich the students’ social experiences and nurture the skills of working together. The student activity fee pays for entry fees to contests, the beginner trip to hear the Houston Symphony and buses for the Spring Trip, among other things (please see the posted activity fee/t-shirt/tuxedo order form). Any excess will be used to purchase items that the KISD budget does not cover.
UNIFORMS
We always want to look our best. When you are in public, you represent your
Orchestra, Memorial Parkway Junior High, Katy ISD and your parents. Please follow the guidelines concerning your uniform.
Formal This uniform will be worn at formal concerts and contests. We
are judged on uniformity of dress. It is very important that all
students wear the proper attire:
• White Tuxedo Shirt
• Black dress slacks (no stripes, no jeans, no velvet – if girls choose
to wear a skirt, it must be ankle length with black tights)
• Black socks (or black tights for girls)
• Black dress shoes (not tennis shoes, not flip-flops)
INFORMAL Orchestra t-shirt and jeans can be worn on some occasions. We
will order shirts the beginning of September. All students must have one (it is
included in the activity fee).
NO-Pass/No Play
Dear Parents and Students,
Because there has been some confusion regarding a child’s eligibility to participate in an
off- campus orchestra event during the school day, the following should help to clarify pertaining to failure grades.
The University Interscholastic League/Texas Education Agency (UIL/TEA) Side by Side document in conjunction with Texas Music Educator Association (TMEA) states that “An educational field trip in which the students are not performing, or taking an active part is exempt from the No-Pass/No-Play rules, unless campus/district regulations deem otherwise. Solo/Ensemble will always be subject to the No-Pass/No-Play because it is a competition and an extracurricular activity.”
· This translates to our Orchestra groups in the following way: School Concerts: All students may participate in concerts held at MPJH as well as
Taylor High School (The Masquerade Serenade Concert for Symphony & Philharmonic Orchestras and the Spring Concert for all Orchestra students).
· With parental permission, all MPJH Orchestra students may participate in the sixth grade field trip to hear the Houston Symphony and the Spring trip to Galveston Schlitterbahn. However, the Symphony Orchestra’s trip to perform at the feeder elementary schools in December is extra-curricular and must meet No-Pass/No-Play eligibility requirements.
· TEA/UIL rules regarding No-Pass/No-Play will apply for the following events and designate specific timelines for both the loss of eligibility and the regaining of eligibility. (You can find the 2015-2016 TEA/UIL Calendar and the various information pertaining to the eligibility requirements for student participation under the “Parents” tab on the Katy ISD website, “Eligibility for Extracurricular Participation” link.)
1) Both Advanced and Beginner Solo Contests
2) Orchestra U.I.L. Performances
3) Region 23 Auditions & Performances
4) First Year Orchestra Performance at Westland Baptist Church
The above UIL/TEA information regarding No-Pass/No Play applies to every public
school in our state. MPJH will also adhere to all state and UIL guidelines. This letter is intended to clarify this issue, but should it conflict with these standards, TEA and UIL will prevail. We hope this helps to explain the student eligibility rules and insure that each child is treated fairly.
Medical Release Form for Off Campus Events
The district requires that all students have a “permission to treat form” and
“permission to travel” form on file with the orchestra department. These Katy forms can be found on the orchestra website.
Conduct
ALL KATY ISD rules will apply. No conduct will be permitted that is not permitted in the classroom. We will be respectful to bus drivers, chaperones and other adults and students. Poor conduct off campus will result in more severe consequences and possible removal from the orchestra class. Students will be placed on the MPJH discipline plan.
Sectionals
All students in Advanced Orchestra should expect a minimum of one after-school
rehearsal per week. First year orchestra students will begin weekly rehearsals around the end of September. Ms. Behmer will send weekly emails to advise parents of that week’s rehearsal schedule.
Private Lessons
KISD offers a private lesson program to any interested music students. It
is recommended that you consider private instruction for your student. This
experience reinforces learning and enables your child to play at a more accelerated rate. Lessons are $17.50 per half hour and take place at Taylor High School for our students from Memorial Parkway and McMeans. Enrollment forms will be available through your director. For further information, please contact the KISD Private Lesson office at 281-396-2270.
SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENT Maintenance Usage Fee Instruments owned by our school may be used by students in class for a usage fee of $100 per school year for basses and cellos and $50 per school year for violins and violas. Your director will have the necessary forms.