Active Membership Requirements

The orchestra program is open to all interested students at Timber Creek High School, Trinity Springs Middle School, and Trinity Meadows Intermediate School who demonstrate a combination of the following:

• A desire to participate in the program

• A basic ability to perform

• A positive and cooperative attitude in rehearsal and performance settings

As with any co-curricular organization, membership in the orchestra program is a privilege. Failure to meet the requirements of the campus and/or organizational requirements may result in removal from the program. 

Behavioral Expectations

Behavioral expectations are designed to create an environment that enhances student learning and performance. These expectations are based upon the premise that every student has a right to participate in the learning process without interference.

In general, students are expected to adhere to the “Code of Conduct” as detailed in the Keller ISD student handbook. 

The following provides more specific application to the orchestra program:

Be kind

• Be polite and treat others as you want to be treated.

• Be loyal, honest, courteous, and sportsmanlike in all dealings with your director, fellow orchestra members, and chaperones. A respectful response to adults with positive verbiage when addressed is expected.

• Negative verbal displays or non-verbal actions are considered inappropriate. This also applies to the internet/social media!

• Participate in all orchestra activities with a supportive and positive attitude.

• Everyone can have a bad day, be extra tired, or not feeling well, but it is still expected that you are kind.

Be professional

• Leave unnecessary “drama” at the door! While there needs to be sensitivity toward those who are experiencing legitimate difficulties, day-to-day friction between students should be addressed outside of class.

• Rough-housing/horseplay of any form in any setting is prohibited. There are still plenty of opportunities to kick back and have fun.

• Students should refrain from public displays of affection during all orchestra activities.

• Refrain from the use of degrading verbiage, profanity, and/or obscene gestures. Bullying of any form will not be tolerated.

Be punctual

• “To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late.”

• Always give yourself enough time to get setup, warmup, and ready to rehearse.

Be focused

•  Listen carefully to all instructions the first time they are given; what applies to one section of the ensemble often applies to your section as well.

• When given a musical instruction, always mark your music – otherwise you won’t remember. Be sure to use a pencil (not pen!)

• You will often be asked to play small excerpts of a piece; expect to stop and start many times.

• Speak or play your instrument only when you have been asked to do so.

Be responsible

• You must have your materials present and in working order for every rehearsal:

  • • Instrument

    • Shoulder rest (upper strings) / Anchor Strap/Rock stop (lower strings)

    • Orchestra binder containing all concert music and method books

    • Sharpened pencil (no pens)

    • Electronic tuner

• Gum, food, and drink (excluding water) are prohibited in all orchestra areas.

• Keep your instrument locker clean and neat; it is only for your instrument.

• Keeping the room clean and neat is everyone’s responsibility!

Be careful (with your instrument)

• Treat your instrument with care – it’s delicate; the finish of your instrument is easily damaged.

• Inappropriate treatment of school instruments will result in forfeiture of use. 

•  Wipe rosin from your instrument and loosen your bow each time before packing up. 

• Do not leave your instrument in the car at any time. Being exposed to extreme and rapid changes of temperature can cause warping and cracks resulting in permanent damage.

• Instruments other than yours are off-limits, including percussion instruments and pianos. 

Behavior-Related Consequences

Timber Creek Orchestra students are among the best on our campuses and in our community. With a positive and team-oriented attitude, orchestra members will keep behavioral considerations out of the consequence mode. However, should students exhibit behavioral concerns, consequences may include one or more of the following responses:

• Verbal warning

• Student and/or parent conference

• Principal referral

• Loss of role/placement in orchestra

• Removal from the orchestra program

Any student who severely disrupts a rehearsal or performance setting may be dismissed from the setting and/or be sent directly to the principal for disciplinary purposes without warning or call to parents. Severe actions may also result in immediate disciplinary action and removal from the orchestra program. This policy applies any time the orchestra is convened for rehearsal, performance, travel, and social activities.

REMEMBER: A consequence is something you choose.

Classroom Expectations

To have a successful musical program, the orchestra must use every minute of rehearsal efficiently. 

Tardies

The school policy is the standard. Students must be in the classroom when the tardy bell rings. A specific amount of time is given for instrument setup and tuning, after which students are expected to be ready for rehearsal.

Active Participation

During rehearsals, students are expected to be attentive and engaged in the task at hand. Every student will actively participate in rehearsal unless he/she brings a note from a doctor describing a medical condition which would prevent participation. In short, if you are well enough to be at school, then you are well enough to participate. 

Personal Needs / Restroom Pass

Students are asked to take care of personal needs before class begins to minimize disruptions. If a special need arises, students should ask for permission to use the restroom. Students will be given a specific time limit which, if exceeded, will result in being marked tardy for the class. Students must leave all electronic devices with the director. Students who exhibit a regular pattern of requesting a restroom pass will be denied. 

Chair Placement / Solos

Chair placement and solos will be assigned according to the director’s discretion for what will most benefit the sound and presentation of the orchestra. The decision of the director is final. Decisions are not based on seniority; rather, on musicianship and ability as evidenced in assessments.

Instrument Storage

The rehearsal room (when applicable) will be unlocked before and after school for students to drop off and pick up instruments. 

When available, violin and viola players will be assigned a locker. If a student chooses to use a combination lock of their own, they must provide the director with combination. No keyed locks will be allowed. Lockers are subject to search at any time and without warning, should be kept clean, and free of trash.

Cellos and basses should be stored on the appropriate racks.

Personal Items

Clothing items, books, purses, school projects, cell phones, electronic devices, other valuables, etc., left in instrument lockers, in the classroom, or in the hallway area are not the responsibility of the orchestra or director. Building custodians are instructed to dispose of all loose items on the floors or in hallways after hours.

Personal Practice Expectations

REHEARSAL and PRACTICE are not the same. Students are expected to practice outside of class to reinforce concepts presented in class. Students should come to class ready to contribute to the group’s rehearsal for the day.

What to Practice

Students are expected to work on all material covered in class during each practice session including scales, technique exercises, concert music, and any additional solo literature. 

When to Practice

The following chart outlines minimum time students should be practicing outside of class. Practice time should be scheduled with the same priority as work from other classes. If a day is missed during the week due to other activities, weekend time should be given to practice. 

Consistency is key – shorter daily practice sessions are far more beneficial than one or two long practice sessions at the end of the week before recording a passoff. 

Beginner

Minimum 15-20 minutes daily

Minimum 5 days per week

Intermediate

Minimum 30-40 minutes daily

Minimum 5 days per week

Advanced

Minimum 45-60 minutes daily

5 days per week

Where to Practice

Daily practice should take place in a quiet, well-lit, and comfortable area. It should be interruption-free (no phone, TV, computer, etc.). Students should use a music stand for their music to ensure proper posture and playing technique. 

Performance Events

Concert participation is required for all students and is a significant factor in the student’s overall grade. The event calendar with all scheduled performances is provided on the TCO website. Please post these dates on your personal calendar.

For information about attendance conflicts, makeup assignments/grades, please refer to the attendance and grading policy sections of the handbook.

Pickup from Events

We are very appreciative of the effort that families go to for their child’s success and enjoyment in the orchestra program. Please be aware of the CALL time, as well as performance START and END times. Students should not only be on time for the call of the event but should also be picked up within five minutes of the event’s conclusion.

Late pickup

Being late for pickup makes your child feel uncomfortable as well as taking away time from the director. Please be aware of all the people that a late pickup of a child can affect. If a child is left longer than thirty minutes, the Keller Police Department will be called to bring them home. 

Riding with friends

Students are expected to seek parental permission before riding in a friend’s vehicle to or from any orchestra-related activity. 

Performance Etiquette

For the performers on stage:

• Be on time. Call times should be strictly observed. (To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late!)

• Ensure that you have all necessary equipment and materials.

• Make a restroom stop before reporting to the rehearsal hall.

• Electronic devices must be left with your personal items in the rehearsal hall.

• Do not talk while anywhere on stage (the audience can see you).

• It is inappropriate to acknowledge anyone in the audience except at the conclusion of the performance.

• Adjust your setup (chair, stand, spacing) so it is exactly like our rehearsal space.

• After each piece, remain sitting tall in “ready position” while you accept the audiences’ applause. Reach for your music only after the applause has ended.

•  Always remain in “ready position” unless the director says otherwise.

• When standing for applause, turn and face the audience while holding your instrument, stand tall, and SMILE!!!

• Remain in uniform before and after your performance portion of the event.

• Students are expected to remain in the audience following their performance and to participate as audience members until all ensembles have performed. Learning to be a good audience member is a curriculum standard and therefore carries significant weight in the concert grade. Concerts are not “come and go” events.

For the audience: 

• Be on time. (To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late!)

• Make a restroom stop before the concert begins.

• Place all electronic devices in silent mode. Use only for taking pictures at appropriate times.

• Be silent and stay seated while the orchestra is performing.

• If you need to move from your seat, wait until a break between pieces.

• It is appropriate to applaud when the conductor enters the stage and after each piece has finished (when the conductor lowers his/her arms).

• Clap when it is appropriate and clap appropriately.

• Yelling, whistling, and overly enthusiastic noise-making, while appropriate at a rock or jazz concert, is not appropriate for an orchestral concert unless encouraged by the director.

• If the performance is outstanding, you should stand up and clap.

• As a courtesy to others, take all unhappy and crying children to the foyer until calm.

Travel

The orchestra occasionally has opportunity to travel to other venues for contests, festivals, and special events. Itineraries, costs, and event details will be published well in advance of the trip.

Transportation

Students will be expected to use school or official transportation provided by Keller ISD. It is expected that students remain with the group for the entire trip. Unless it is an emergency, last-minute communication from parents for an early pickup is not acceptable and could have a negative impact on the student’s participation on future trips.

Meetings with Non-Orchestra Members

While traveling with the orchestra, students may not arrange meetings with or including non-orchestra members without express and prior approval by the director. Requests must be submitted in writing by parents and should be made well in advance.

The director reserves the right to modify these guidelines in the interest and safety of orchestra students.

Travel Behavior Expectations

• Follow directions, especially about boundaries – where to be and not to be. Comply with all requests made by chaperones or other adults, unless you believe the request to be unsafe or professionally inappropriate. If you completely disagree with a chaperone, ask the director for clarification.

• Do not bring anything on the trip that would get you in trouble at school. 

• Be safe; do not engage in reckless behavior that could harm yourself or others. If you see students doing things that could cause them or another student to get hurt, please tell a chaperone or the director.

• Proper behavior on buses, in hotels, and in restaurants is the same as the rehearsal room. 

• Students are expected to always be courteous to drivers, chaperones, and other passengers.

• All Keller ISD policies are in effect when students are traveling with the orchestra. Disregard for these policies will result in the inability of the student to travel with the orchestra.

• If there is ever a question about anything regarding the trip, ask a chaperone or the director.
  
  

During bus travel:

• It is each student’s responsibility to load their bags, instruments, and equipment on the buses. Assist other students who may need extra help, especially those with larger instruments.

• Bags, purses, etc., are to be stowed in the overhead compartments or under the seat, not in the bus aisles.

• Students are to be completely quiet during every roll call and when instructions are being given by the chaperones, the director, or the driver.

• Students must ride the same bus for the duration of the trip; do not switch buses unless told to do so by the director.

• If you notice a student who is missing, speak up.

• While the bus is moving, students may speak at reasonable noise levels that do not distract the driver.

• Every student must remain seated when the bus is in motion. Students are not allowed to sit in the aisle or on another person’s lap.

• Blankets may only be used when a student is sitting alone.

• Group activities on the bus should be respectful and should not involve peer pressure to coerce students into unwanted or uncomfortable situations. No lewd or disrespectful songs or other activities are allowed.

• Electronic devices are allowed with headphones only.
  
  

Overnight trips:

• When staying in a hotel, do not use hotel phones for long distance calls, or use non-complimentary internet and pay-per-view TV channels.

• At room checks, make sure you find out when to report to breakfast or check out the next morning.

• DO NOT leave the room for any reason. Contact the chaperone if you need help. Chaperones should give students their room number in case you need to contact them. Know your chaperone’s room number.

Class Period

Absences will be handled as stated in the district student handbook. Students who are absent during the school day have no additional formal responsibility to contact the director once the appropriate steps have been taken to notify the campus attendance office. However, it is very much appreciated if the parent could email the director prior to or on the date of the classroom absence. 

Class material covered is the responsibility of the student, and any missed rehearsal segment is expected to be addressed by the student on his or her own accord. 

Students who miss a significant number of in-school or after-school rehearsals for excused or unexcused reasons may not be allowed to perform at the concert. This affects students who miss:

• More than 30% of the classes in the 6 weeks leading up to a concert.

  • • Odd/Even or A/B classes: 5 or more class periods

    • Daily: 10 or more class periods

• Unexcused absences from any required dress rehearsals before the concert.

Students who miss too much class to perform will be required to make a recording as described in the grading policy section and submit it before the day of the concert in lieu of their concert grade.

Sectional Rehearsals / Performances

Sectional rehearsals (TCH Chamber and Sinfonia only), dress rehearsals and performances before or after school are graded class requirements for orchestra – they are not optional. Good communication between the director, students and parents can prevent misunderstandings. 

Students are expected to stay for the entire rehearsal or performance. 

Prior Commitments / Conflicts

While orchestra is an elective course, it must be given the same priority as any other class. Referring to the orchestra calendar on the TCO web site can greatly assist in preventing scheduling conflicts. Conflicts with other school activities occasionally happen and can often be worked out. However, clubs, organizations, tutorials, and make-up work should be completed outside of orchestra time.

If the student has a conflict that was planned before the required event is announced, the parent must communicate this conflict in writing to the director at the beginning of the school year.

For conflicts with events added later to the orchestra calendar, parents have 10 days to notify the director of the conflict.

Conflicts will be handled on an individual basis. Be aware that not all absences will be “excused.” The director retains the right to approve or disapprove the absence as excused. 

Student Employment

Students who have after-school jobs are expected to communicate with their employer and request that their work schedules be arranged to accommodate all rehearsals and performances. Employers should be informed that orchestra is a class, not an extra-curricular activity. Student employment is not an excused reason for missing class.

Excused Absences 

Absences and tardies for a rehearsal or performance are only excused when they meet the following rare criteria and parents immediately send a written note informing the director. Verbal or written statements from students are not considered formal notice.

A makeup assignment will be required in lieu of a missing performance event. Please refer to the grading policy for more information.

The following reasons for missing a sectional rehearsal / performance event are excused:

• The student is too ill to attend school.
  The parent should send a written note from the doctor as soon as possible. In most cases, a signed doctor’s medical excuse will exempt the student from making up the grade. Students who are present at school both the day-of and the day-after the rehearsal/event will not be excused without a note from the doctor.

• There is a death in the family or comparable family emergency.
  The parent should send a written note to the director as soon as possible. The student will be exempt from making up the grade. 

• Religious holiday.
  Established religious holidays are excused but should be communicated in writing by the parent at the beginning of the year.

• Special circumstances that are pre-approved by the director.

Unexcused Absences

The following reasons for missing a performance are unexcused:

• Work

• Oversleeping

• Transportation not arranged

• Non-emergency appointments

• Driver’s license appointments

• College visits

• Tutorials and club meetings

• Makeup work / tests / assignments for other classes

• Any absence without prior notification

An unexcused absence from a performance could result in any of the following at the director’s discretion:

• Loss of chair position / future solo assignments

• Exclusion from orchestra social events

• Exclusion from a contest trip or event

The student will not be allowed to complete a makeup assignment and will receive a zero grade for the performance.

Orchestra is a performance-based class; therefore, rehearsal (formative) and performance (summative) are the primary areas in which students will be assessed. The weighting of formative and summative grades adheres to Keller ISD grading guidelines.

Rehearsal (formative)

• Preparation for daily rehearsal

• Active participation in class

• Pass-off assignments

• Sectional rehearsal attendance

Performance (summative)

• Extra rehearsals (pre-concert, dress rehearsals, etc.)

• Concert participation (both as a performer and audience member)

It is the responsibility of students to ensure their assignments are completed and submitted by the due date. Parents are strongly encouraged to monitor their child’s work and provide technical assistance with online submissions if needed.

Rehearsal Grade (formative)

Preparation for daily rehearsal

Students must have their materials present and in working order for every rehearsal.

Active participation in class 

Students must adhere to student conduct expectations.

Passoff assignments

Passoffs are assigned at the beginning of each week. Students are required to record their performance and submit by the due date (usually on Friday at midnight). These include scales, fundamental technique exercises, and excerpts from concert music presented in class. 

Students must achieve a MakeMusic score of 90 or higher to show mastery of the material. They have unlimited attempts to reach this goal before the assignment deadline. If met, they receive a final grade of 100 in Aeries. 

If they are unable to achieve the minimum MakeMusic score by the due date, students should submit their best recording. A temporary grade of 70 is entered in Aeries. The assignment is returned to them, and they are given an additional week to improve their performance and submit another recording to raise their official grade. 

If there are technical difficulties, students should make an audio recording with another device and submit it to Mr. Schubert by email. Overdue deductions still apply.

LATE WORK: According to district policy, the operational definition of late work is when a student has been provided adequate time and instruction to complete student work and has not completed it by the due date. 

• • If a student does not turn in an assignment by the due date, MSG (missing) will be entered in the grade book. This will average in as a zero.

  • Students with extended time accommodations written into their IEPs will be addressed on an individual, as-needed basis.

  • Students submitting late work are not eligible for reassessment opportunities.

Grade deductions are determined by district policy as follows:

• High School

  • After one class session late, the work may only be eligible to receive 70% of the original assigned points. 

  • Beyond one class session late, the work may only be eligible to 50% of the original assigned points with teacher discretion to assign a zero.

• Middle and Intermediate School

  • A maximum grade penalty may not exceed 10 points per day (class session).

Sectional Rehearsals

Attendance and participation are required. The same policies regarding excused and unexcused absences applies. There is a 20-point temporary deduction for excused absences with the opportunity to make-up the points by attending a different sectional. Absences must be prearranged with Mr. Schubert.

Performance Grade (summative)

Extra Rehearsals

Because of the rarity and importance of these rehearsals, attendance and participation are counted the same as a performance grade. The same policies regarding excused and unexcused absences (as well as makeup assignments) will be applicable.

Concert Participation

Concert participation is required to be part of the orchestra program. In accordance with state standards, the grade is comprised of two equal parts: 1) as a performer, and 2) as an audience member (which includes demonstrating proper concert etiquette during the event). 

If the parent fails to notify the director in advance (see attendance policy), a make-up assignment to remedy the grade is not guaranteed. This will result in a zero for the concert grade. The concert grade will also be adjusted for the following infractions: tardiness, uniform violations, forgotten music, forgotten instrument, and lack of professional demeanor.

Makeup Assignments

For pre-arranged excused absences to performance events, students must video record themselves performing all the music from the event that will be missed. The recording will be graded on a standard scale using a performance rubric. This assignment is due before the date of the missed event. For illnesses and family emergencies, students must submit the recording within 3 days of the end of the absence. For every 24-hour period the recording is late, 10% will be deducted from the student’s grade.

High School students must earn 10 points in a school year to letter. Points will be awarded for the following: 

• TMEA All-State Orchestra membership (10 points)

• TMEA Area Orchestra membership (2 points)

• Auditioned for All-State Orchestra but was not selected as an All-State Orchestra member (1 point)

• TMEA Region Symphony Orchestra membership (7 points)

• TMEA Region Philharmonic Orchestra (5 points)

• Auditioned for Region Orchestra but was not selected as a Region Orchestra member (2 points)

• First Division on a Class one solo at Keller ISD Solo & Ensemble Contest (4 points)

• First Division on a Class one ensemble at Keller ISD Solo & Ensemble Contest (4 points)

• First Division on a Class two solo at Keller ISD Solo & Ensemble Contest (2 points)

• First Division on a Class two ensemble at Keller ISD Solo & Ensemble Contest (2 points)

• First Division on a Class three solo at Keller ISD Solo & Ensemble Contest (1 point)

• First Division on a Class three ensemble at Keller ISD Solo & Ensemble Contest (1 point)

• Perform in a local youth or college ensemble (FWYO, DYO, DAAYO, GNTYO, etc.) (2 points)

• Audition for a local youth or college ensemble (1 point)

• Perform in school pit-orchestra for a musical (5 points)

• Leadership role (section leader, member of team, officer, etc.) (2 points)

Keller ISD policy states that students must purchase their own letter jackets. Orchestra directors will provide a list of eligible students to the letter jacket company and set up a date for students to be measured at school. This shall be the extent of the involvement of the directors in securing a letter jacket for the student. All transactions are handled directly between the student and the district-approved vendor.

At the discretion of the campus director and the Director of Fine Arts, each orchestra student that has not earned a letter jacket by the end of their 11th grade year, and who has remained a member in good standing every semester of their 9th, 10th, and 11th grade years, will qualify for a jacket at the beginning of their senior year.

All appeals to lettering decisions, and all special circumstances, will be heard and dealt with on a case-by-case basis by a committee composed of the Director of Fine Arts, the appropriate campus director, and another committee member appointed at the discretion of the Director of Fine Arts.

Each campus director will be responsible for ensuring that a student does not receive more than one major award.

To eliminate the need for a system of point transfer and archival record keeping, lettering points will not carry over from one year to the next. Each year all students will begin with zero points.

All-Region Orchestra

The All-Region Orchestra is an additional performance opportunity for middle and high school students who have shown a significant level of proficiency on their instrument. Students are ranked competitively against instrumentalists from Region 30, including Keller ISD and several other districts. There are separate contests for middle and high school. Students who place among the top performers participate in a two-day clinic and performance. High school students earn lettering points for auditioning and additional points if awarded a seat.

Audition

Audition music excerpts are released at the beginning of the school year with in-person auditions taking place on a Saturday in mid- to late-October. 

Clinic and Concert

This is a two-day event (Friday-Saturday). Students receive music in advance and rehearse with a guest clinician. A public concert concludes the event. All students named to a seat in the All-Region Orchestra will be expected to participate in the clinic and concert.

All-State Orchestra

The All-State Orchestra is an additional performance opportunity for high school students who demonstrate the highest levels of musical maturity and technical proficiency. Students are ranked competitively against instrumentalists from across the state. Students earn lettering points for auditioning and automatically qualify to letter if awarded a seat.

Audition

Full etudes are released in May. Etude cuts and additional audition excerpts are released in August. Students submit their audition via audio recording which must be completed by late-October.

Clinic and Concert

Students who place among the top performers are named to the Texas All-State Orchestra. They participate in a clinic and perform at the TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) convention, which takes place in February in San Antonio. Students named to a seat in the All-State Orchestra will be expected to participate in the clinic and concert.

The Solo and Ensemble Festival is a district-wide event for middle and high school students designed to improve the level of individual and small group performance. The festival is not competitive and does not rank or rate students against one another. Students earn a rating for their performance(s). The rating is determined by a performance standard and musical difficulty. High school students earn lettering points for each solo and ensemble entry.

The contest is held in mid-April. Detailed information will be distributed closer to the event. Participation in the solo portion of the festival is required for intermediate and advanced students. Students receive a test grade for this event.

Accompanist (optional)

The student will have two one-on-one rehearsals and the performance with the accompanist. The TCO will secure qualified piano accompanists or students may elect to use accompanists of their own, at the discretion of the directors.