What kind of shoes are appropriate for concerts?
Shoes must be ALL BLACK, plain leather (or leather-looking) dress shoes. Gentlemen's shoes can be slip-on or lace-up. Ladies shoes can have a heel or they can be flat. "Trendy" type shoes with huge chunky heels, Doc Marten type boots, or any shoe that is not totally black is not allowed. The directors recommend department stores or Payless Shoe Source to find shoes that can be worn all four years of high school that are also affordable. We are very particular about the shoes because every single musician on stage needs to look uniform and professional. Don't forget your black socks or black pantyhose also!!
What exactly do my orchestra fees pay for?
Each student pays an "orchestra fee" at the beginning of every school year. This money is used for a variety of expenditures benefiting ALL members of the NSHS Orchestra. A partial list of what these "orchestra fees" pay is: food for fall picnic, food for the Holiday party and Halloween Party, Senior Week festivities, Banquet, Orchestra T-Shirt, the composite photos, the composite board, snacks at clinics, pencils for the folders, and the technique book required by the directors. We charge a blanket amount at the beginning of the year to avoid nickel and dime-ing to you to death every other week when the kids have to bring a check for their T-shirt, then pictures, then snacks at their UIL clinic...you get the idea. Even though not everyone will participate in ALL activities for which these fees are being collected, the amount of the orchestra fee takes that into consideration (otherwise, the amount would be higher).
What are Mr. Dockray's Pet Peeves?
1. Never forget to bring a pencil to class! For your own safety, keep a spare in your folder at all times!!
2. Never leave your music folder at home!
3. Never be intimidated by an upper classman - everyone was a freshman at one time.
4. Never use "I don't have a ride" as an excuse not to go to an event
5. Never wear white socks with your uniform.
6. Never, never, ever, ever be disrespectful.
7. Always participate in all student fundraisers.
8. Always make a nuisance of yourself by becoming involved in any and all "orch dork" activities.
9. Always question your playing ability.
10. Always listen to your officers and directors. We should always know what is going on!
What are Mrs. Milbrandt’s Pet Peeves?
1. Talking and/or plucking while we are tuning or while a director is talking
2. Sitting incorrectly or using incorrect position/technique while playing
3. Leaving your instrument at school overnight, and especially over the weekend
4. Not coming to social events because you don’t have a ride… Tell a director or an officer, and we will help you find a ride!
5. Pulling the “I didn’t know” card… If you make a mistake, just own it! You’ll learn more this way!
Who do I write the check out to?
For everything, checks need to be made out to NSHSOBC (Newman Smith High School Orchestra Booster Club). This includes checks for trip payments, banquet tickets, orchestra fees, string replacement, method books, extra pictures, and membership dues, just to name a few. The NSHSOBC will accept checks written in any amount. Make sure you write the student's name and what the money is for on the memo line!! The only time checks are NOT written to the NSHSOBC is to pay for private lessons. These checks are to be written directly to the private teacher and given to him/her at the beginning of each month.
What do I do if my uniform needs altering?
In the fall, after we issue uniforms to everyone, we will make a note of what needs to be altered on your uniform and submit the list to ACE TAILOR. You need to take your uniform to them (located at 3631 N. Josey Lane, Carrollton, TX 75007, 972.939.0409) with the shoes you will wear for the concert so that they can measure and make the appropriate alterations. You are responsible for paying for any alterations necessary on your uniform, but we do get a price break because we send all of our uniforms there. YOU MUST USE THIS TAILOR. DO NOT, under any circumstances, do any home repairs or repairs with a stapler or duct tape. This damages the uniform and you will be responsible for paying for a replacement at the end of the year.
How do I get new strings or my bow re-haired?
At NSHS, we do close business with Music & Arts. We have a road rep that comes to our school twice a week to take any repairs that need to be done, and replenish our supply of strings and equipment. You can purchase strings and other supplies (metronomes, rosin, mutes, method books, etc.) indirectly from Music & Arts through us. Ask us in class for whatever you need, we will give it to you (along with a bill!), you write a check for the amount due, written out to NSHSOBC, put the check in the “Turn In Box” located in the orchestra room. If you need any repairs or maintenance done to your instrument or bow, let us know. We will write out a repair ticket, the road rep from Music & Arts will take it back to his store, it will be repaired and sent back to NSHS with the road rep, and we will get you an invoice. You will still pay the NSHSOBC for the repairs done.
We have found that this method is the easiest, fastest, and cheapest method of handling string replacement and repairs. Music & Arts gives us a deal on new strings and supplies, so you will actually get a cheaper price going through us than going to the store yourself. There are other internet websites and music stores, but make sure you know exactly what you need before you order!
What's with all the different orchestras?
We have lots of musicians in our orchestras here. In the fall, we split everyone into FOUR orchestras: Symphonic, Philharmonic, Camerata, and Concert. The Concert Orchestra is made up of ALL freshmen, regardless of playing ability. Symphonic, Philharmonic, and Camerata personnel are decided upon through an audition process that takes place the previous May. For the 2007-2008 school year ONLY, there will be no Camerata Orchestra because all of last year’s returning Camerata students moved into Philharmonic for the current school year. Symphonic is made up of the most advanced players, Philharmonic is made up of advanced players, and Camerata is made up of advancing players. In late November or early December, EVERYONE auditions for their placement in the spring semester. The most advanced musicians are placed in the Symphonic Orchestra, the next group of musicians are placed in the Philharmonic Orchestra, and everyone else is in the Camerata Orchestra. All three orchestras compete at UIL Concert and Sightreading and beginning in the 2007-2008 school year, all three orchestras will go on TRIP!
What is the "No Pass, No Play" Rule?
This rule is a UIL state-wide rule. The rule is that unless a student is passing, they are not allowed to compete in UIL Sanctioned Events. Orchestra UIL Sanctioned events include Solo and Ensemble Contest, and UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest. Regardless of when these events occur within the school year, you must be passing ALL of your classes (both academic and non-academic) during the corresponding six/nine weeks. If you are not passing, you CANNOT participate with us. Those students will be given an alternate assignment to complete. If you are planning on going on TRIP with us in the spring, and you are deemed ineligible due to failing, you will not be permitted to go on TRIP (and NO MONEY WILL BE REFUNDED). Regular concerts do not fall under the category of a UIL Sanctioned Event, so regardless of eligibility - EVERYONE participates in concerts.
How do I move up?
There are auditions held near the end of every semester. Everyone must audition - to move up AND to keep the chair you're currently in. It takes more than a good audition to move into the top orchestra. The directors take attitude, work ethic, schedule conflicts and leadership into account when considering personnel decisions. You can help yourself by attending ALL rehearsals and sectionals, coming to class on time with a positive attitude, a pencil, and your music already learned. When we pass out the audition music, come to us if you need help. If you're already sitting in one of the top two orchestras - don't slack off! Your spot in these orchestras is not guaranteed simply because you've been there before. Hard working, but not as skilled players will beat out better players that don't practice and have bad attitudes in class every time!