Information for Parents

As a parent of a McCallum Orchestra student, you are automatically part of the McCallum Orchestra Booster Club. Please consider the ways you can be a part of supporting our incredible teachers and musicians.

Orchestra Ensembles

The McCallum High School Orchestra Department is the largest performing arts department at McCallum High School with over 200 students enrolled in the program across three performing orchestras for violin, viola, cello, bass and harp players. More information is available about the various ensembles and the orchestra program.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals mostly take place during the school day.  Chamber Orchestra is double blocked, having rehearsal on both A Day and B Day. After-school rehearsals are scheduled as required by the program.  These will typically be once or twice per week in the weeks leading up to the UIL String and UIL Full Orchestra competitions.  Fundraising concerts or special events may require after-school rehearsals.  The Chamber Orchestra will have after-school rehearsals prior to the Spring choir concert. Chamber Orchestra also rehearses one week in August, 3 hours per day, prior to the first day of school. Detailed information about rehearsals are communicated by the directors to the students.

Concerts

All 3 McCallum Orchestras perform regularly throughout the school year. Below is a list of the concerts you can typically expect over the course of a typical school year. Please note exact dates will not be made available until the beginning of the academic year and every effort is made to update the calendar promptly with details.

• Fall Concert– Generally happens in October and takes place over 2 days. On the first evening, Lamar Middle School Orchestra opens, followed by all 3 McCallum orchestras.  The next evening, the Chamber Orchestra and the Classical Guitarists perform.
• Winter Concert (December)
• All-City Orchestra (January): Students from across Austin are selected by their directors to participate in this concert at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center.
• Pre-UIL Full Orchestra Concert (February)
• Pre-UIL String Orchestra Concert (April)
• Chamber Orchestra accompanies Choir (May)
• Spring Concert (May)
• Fundraising Concerts (as scheduled)

Competitions

The McCallum orchestras participate with other region orchestras.  The Full Orchestra includes McCallum band members.  These competitions and include pre-UIL concerts prior to the event are required.

If a student fails a class at the end of a six-week period, that student becomes ineligible for any extra-curricular activity, including All-Region and All-State Orchestra auditions and performances, UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest, and UIL Concert & Sight-reading Contests. Ineligible students must still attend all regular orchestra rehearsals and concerts.

• TMEA All-Region Orchestra (October)- Students may audition to participate in the TMEA Region 18 Orchestra.  Requirements are available in May at https://region18orch.weebly.com/high-school-material.html, with specific excerpts made available later.  The same etudes become part of the requirements for TMEA State Orchestra.
• TMEA All-State Orchestra (October & February)– Students who place at the highest levels in the region competition are eligible to audition for All-State Orchestra.
• AISD Solo & Ensemble (April/May)– Opportunity to perform a solo or small ensemble piece for a judge.  The student will receive the judge’s comments and rating, with a “Best in Class” selection available for later taping.  The student may have to arrange for a piano accompanist.
• UIL Solo & Ensemble (January)– Opportunity to perform a solo or small ensemble piece for a judge.  The student will receive the judge’s comments and rating.  Students who perform from memory with Grade1 selection from the UIL Prescribed Music List (https://www.uiltexas.org/pml/)  and receive a 1c rating may participate in the state event.  The student may have to arrange for a piano accompanist.
• UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contest (May / June)– State-level competition for those who advanced from the region UIL Solo & Ensemble competition.  The student will have to arrange for a piano accompanist.
• UIL Full Orchestra (March) and UIL Full Orchestra (April)– The McCallum orchestras participate with other region orchestras.  The Full Orchestra includes McCallum band members.  These competitions are required, and include pre-UIL concerts prior to the event.

Instruments and Fees

An orchestra fee of $80 is collected by the directors to pay for uniforms, contest entrance fees, equipment and facility fees.  The McCallum Orchestra Booster club does not receive this money; all booster club activities are funded by donations from members, sponsorships and fundraising events.

• Cellos and Basses-AISD provides free cellos and basses for in-school use.  For practice at home, the fee is $50 per year.  For summer practice, the fee is $25.
• Violins and Violas-The violin and viola players are expected to bring their own instruments.
• Storage Lockers-The violin and viola players are expected to bring their own instruments.
• Practice– Students are expected to practice outside of class.

Orchestra Trip

Each year, the orchestra takes an approximately 4-day trip.    The trips alternate between a lower-cost bus trip to a city such as New Orleans, and a higher cost trip to a farther city such as Washington DC or New York City.   The lower cost trip is around $600, and the higher cost trip is around $2500.  The actual cost will be communicated later, and depends on the specific events.  The McCallum Orchestra Booster club is able to offer limited scholarships to assist those in need.  

Parent chaperones play a large part in helping on the trip.  Typically, the students will participate in workshops and master classes from local music professors or musicians, followed with a performance.  Plenty of time is left for exploring the city.  The McCallum Orchestra Booster trip coordinator plans an exciting schedule of activities for the students, and will be in touch throughout the year through CHARMS.

The orchestra will perform in a variety of concerts, on and off campus. Some of these will be formal concerts, some informal. The orchestra director will decide what concerts are “formal” or “informal.” Part of the Orchestra Participation Fee covers the use of Orchestra Formal Uniform.

Uniforms

Formal Uniform

The Official Orchestra Uniform is unisex and provided by McCallum. Students must provide their own BLACK dress shoes and BLACK socks to be worn with their black uniform. Please note: No flip-flops, no matter how dressy looking. Jewelry may be worn as long as it doesn’t interfere with playing.

Informal Uniform

Directors will notify students of specific informal uniform requirements. May be long-sleeved McOrchestra Shirt, “Build Your Own Black”, McOrchestra T-Shirts, Jeans, Dressy or Casual Attire, depending on venue and event.

“Build Your Own Black” Guidelines
-Black floor length and loose fitting slacks/skirt/dress
-Black high cut top with 3/4-full length sleeves
-Black socks or hose
-Black closed toe dress shoes (no sneakers or combat boots/doc martens boots)

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH CONCERT DRESS WILL RESULT IN A REDUCTION OF YOUR CONCERT GRADE.

Letter Jackets

Early in the year, each student has the opportunity to purchase a letter jacket.  McCallum Orchestra Students qualify to add a Letter to the jacket if they have completed ONE of the following.

1.        Three Years participation in McCallum Orchestra with a commitment to a Fourth Year in McCallum Orchestra; OR

2.        Two Years of being selected into the TMEA Region 18 Orchestra plus Two Years of Texas State Solo and Ensemble qualification; OR

3.        Selection into the Texas All-State Orchestra.