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MRHS Orchestra Newsletter
April 2024
UIL Results!
We are so proud of all students who competed at UIL this school year!
All groups received the UIL Sweepstakes trophy - what an accomplishment! We did some great work this school year. I have seen growth in all students; stay dedicated with Orchestra, Mariachi and KISD Fine Arts at MRHS!
April after school Orchestra rehearsals
Monday, 4/29 3:30-5pm
Camerata
Tuesday, 4/30 3:45-4:30pm
Chamber Purple
Tuesday, 4/30 3-3:45pm
Orchestra Uniform Return
Uniform return is due on Friday, April 26th! We will have Booster and Volunteer Parents at school that day.
Guys - need to drop off their tuxedo at a dry cleaners - I recommend Tide Cleaners on Mason Rd. When they hand it in they will need to also bring in a receipt.
Ladies - Need to hand wash and drip dry their dress. Please do not bring in the dress wet, we cannot accept it unless it is dry.
It is very important we get back our uniforms so we can provide for future students. If your student is returning to the program next year they can indicate with a parent they would like to keep their attire reserved for 2024-25.
Replacement Costs: In the event that a given item listed is lost or damaged, the student/parent must reimburse the MRHSO at the listed price:
Guys: Tux Jacket- $90, Tux Slacks- $45, Bow Tie- $15 Ladies: Dress- $75 Bag - $15
Spring Auditions for Fall Orchestra Placement 2024-25 (Final Exam)
2024-25 MRHS Orchestra Audition Music has been distributed to all students! Auditions will also serve as a final exam.
High school auditions will be video recorded and submitted into Canvas by Friday, May 3rd at 7am.
Students with late submissions are susceptible for losing placement in a current ensemble and will affect their overall audition placement ranking.
All students returning to the program are required to re-audition for 2024-25 placement. Results will be posted on the orchestra website on Friday, May 24th.
All 12th grade seniors are automatically exempted from the audition/final exam.
Students who are not returning to the program and who are exempting the final exam are not responsible for taking the audition/final exam. If you are not exempting the final you are responsible for uploading an audition into Canvas for a final exam grade. If a student chooses to rejoin the program and/or changes their mind they will need to re-audition for placement.
On February 1st notification was given to all students that if they want to audition for Sinfonia (Varsity) they would need to prepare a Class 1 solo that they also intend on using for 2024-25 UIL Solo and Ensemble. The process takes around three months of preparation to get a solo ready for performance.
Also, ALL students in Sinfonia for 2024-25 will be required to audition for All-Region Orchestra and to play a solo for UIL Solo and Ensemble with a pianist.
- Audition Info
- Audition Packet
- Audition Questionnaire (REQUIRED by all students)
It is KISD policy for 9th-11th grade students not exempting their final exams to be present for their scheduled final exam date and time. Directors are required to take attendance and report any student who is absent from a scheduled final exam and has not exempted.
Spring Car Wash!
Our Spring Car Wash is Saturday, May 4th at Brookshire Brothers. Students are required to take an AM or PM shift.
- 8:30-11:30 AM
- 11:30-2:30 PM
The actual Car Wash time is 9 AM - 2PM. We need AM shift to arrive at 8:30 AM and PM shift to stay until 2:30 PM for break down. Students will sign in and sign out with a parent. Please do not leave until your shift is complete. Be active and help out!
Don't forget to wear car wash appropriate attire, bring a water bottle, sunscreen, hats, blue tooth speakers. Stay hydrated!
Parents - we need your help at this event! Please make sure to sign up for a time slot in the Sign Up Genius Link!
Students and Parents please sign up here!
Spring Concert and Senior Farewell
All students will perform on the concert! Seniors will wear something nice, formal and colorful! 9th-11th grade students will wear their Orchestra t-shirt, jeans and sneakers.
Senior Parents: please help your student fill out this required Google Form.
- We need Senior Plans after graduation
- College/University - major/minor
- Military
- Trade School
- Employment
- College bound students with scholarships - please list each one awarded
- 3 different photos!! (senior parents...this is what your student needs help with...)
- Baby Photo
- Junior High Photo (w/instrument, if you have one
- Senior or Graduation Photo
Senior Parents, we will honor you and your student on stage! Please wear something you'd like to wear in a photo.
Orchestra Banquet
It is getting time to celebrate our 2023-24 Orchestra school year!
Our Orchestra Banquet is 6-9pm on Saturday, May 11th at Houston Funplex!
Tickets for students and guests are $20 each and includes catered dinner! All tickets can be purchased on our website store. Families and friends are encouraged to attend! We will have dinner, dancing and awards.
Orchestra Fees
Any missing Orchestra fees were sent to your email through a Square invoice and given to your student in a paper invoice - you should have gotten them two ways if you owe money for the 2023-24 school year.
The program is missing over $6,500 in unpaid fees. Please make sure you make your payments.
As we approach the end of the school your student will be placed on MRHS Administration Holds until these fees are paid in full.
Summer Orchestra Camps
- Katy Youth Symphony All-State/Region Summer Workshop - POSTER
- Tuesday, 5/28-Thursday, 5/30
- $120 fee for three days of instruction paid BEFORE May 1st
- After May 1st is $160
- Don't wait to sign up...Region Auditions are an expectation for Camerata and a requirement for Sinfonia for 2024-25
- Stephen F Austin Summer Strings Camp
- June 23rd-29th
- Live on campus for a week like a college student in the dorms and work with Collehge Professors to make improvements on your instrument
- This camp is highly recommended
- U of H Summer Mariachi Intensive
Monday - Friday, July 22 – August 2, 2024
9 a.m. - 4 p.mGreat opportunity to work on skills and All-Region audition music with the Pros
Cut Time
We are working to get Cut Time up and running as soon as possible. Cut Time doesn't send emails, it will send a text message directly to your phone and you will have everything at your finger tips.
Be on the lookout for your first Cut Time announcement!
Mariachi Updates
April is an exciting month for Mariachi students and I have been working very hard to prepare our first ever only Mariachi Concert in Katy ISD themed: La Fiesta del Mariachi. We are ready to make History presenting 4 different groups: MDJH Mariachi La Pantera, MRJH Mariachi La Vaquilla and our special groups from MRHS Mariachi el Torito Bravo and Luna de Jalisco. Please join us for this phenomenal and special occasion on April the 25th at 7:00 pm at MRHS PAC. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased through our website or at the door.
The Mariachi Department has many more events besides the Concert. Please see below a full list of special performances and opportunities to support us prior and after the main Concert please.
This is the last spin before the performance, crucial time to keep pushing for memorization, individual and group practice but most important: Attendance. We are looking forward to an spectacular end of the year for the MRHS Mariachis full of great music and Joy! Que empiece la fiesta y que viva el Mariachi!
April
3rd MRHS Multicultural 6:15 pm call 5 pm
11th Rancho La Cumbre 6 pm mandatory both groups Fundraiser
18th Rancho La Cumbre 6 pm mandatory both groups Fundraiser
22nd, 23rd, 24th Dress rehearsals at PAC 3-5:30 both groups
30th Doneraki Restaurant around 6 pm both groups Fundraiser
May
Tentatively May 6th Academy Corporate event 3:30-4:00 pm mandatory both groups
9th Orchestra Concert students who can demonstrate mastery over La Negra will performance along with Sinfonia
17th after school Retirement Celebration for teacher, MRHS Library
18th 6:30 pm Candente restaurant downtown Houston Last event of the year mandatory both groups
Traje Return Date is Wednesday, May 8th
- After our 4/25 concert students will need to drop their uniform at Tide Cleaners on 2201 Mason Rd.
- Tide Cleaners is the ONLY place that will clean your Traje
Mariachi Auditions for 2024-25 placement
- Orchestra students will be scheduled during class after the Orchestra Concert on May 9th
- Non-Orchestra students can come in after school after school on May 8th 3-5pm
- Audition materials will be released after our Mariachi Concert on 4/25