• Honor/Pops Orchestra Info & Contract

    Complete and submit by 5/25

  • NOTE: DUE TO CONSTRUCTION, SUMMER CAMP WILL BE AT BOONE ELEMENTARY* 

    Attending the Summer & Fall Camp are a requirement to be in Honor/Pops Orchestra in the 2026-27 school year.

    Reminder that absences can only be excused for those who noted prior commitments on the conflict sheet, and those who have unavoidable circumstances (illnesses/emergencies). Unfortunately, trips/family events cannot be excused.

    *you will need to bring an instrument from home (there will be no access to Covington)

  • Student Grade next year (2026-27)*

  • Summer Orchestra Camp: June 8-12

    Prepares students for summer practice

  • This required orchestra camp will include:
    • Learning Cool Music!
    • Getting help with your Region Music and Summer Music Packet.
    • Help with Vibrato, 3rd position, and shifting
    • Spending summer time away from your parents and with other Orchestra Students!
    • Gaining important knowledge and skills for taking care of your instrument!
    • Getting better on your instrument!
    • Concert and Bowling on Friday!

  • Summer Camp Schedule:

    Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (1 PM – 4 PM):
    1:00 PM – Music Activities
    3:00 PM – Movie Time (you may bring popcorn/candy/sodas)

    Friday:
    6:00 PM Short Concert for your parents (Locaiton TB)
    7:00 -9:00 PM Bowling at Westgate Lanes**

    ** FREE for those that attend all 4 days of camp (Bowling is optional)

  • Bowling (Free):

    Friday: 6:00 pm concert in the Auditorium and bowling from 7-9 PM.

    Students must attend all 4 days of camp to come.

    THERE WILL BE NO BUSES - parents will need to have a plan for dropping off students at the bowling alley, carpooling and taking instruments home (DO NOT leave instruments in a hot car)

    http://www.westgatelanes.net/
    2701 West William Cannon| Austin, Texas 78745
    (512) 441-2695

  • Fall Orchestra Camp

    To prepare for our performances early in the year

  • This is also a required orchestra camp that is designed to prepare the Orchestra for quickly approaching performances.

    Additional information may be provided via e-mail to all parents with correct/updated e-mail addresses in Charms, or it may be provided to your child during the "summer orchestra camp"

    August 10-13 (Mon-Thurs, the week before school starts), 4–6 pm each day

    Calendar (continuously updated) - www.cmsstrings.org/calendar.

    Please let me know if you are not getting announcements from CutTime - this is how we communicate information longer than 140 characters (remind messages). BLEND messages don't work during the summer.

    E-mail jeffrey.hall@austinisd.org for help accessing CutTime.

  • Additional Important Information

    Summer instrument repairs, using school instruments, contacting Mr. Hall, private lessons, form acknowledgement...

  • Summer Instrument Repairs

    During the summer, if students experience ANY problems with the instrument, you can take the instrument to:

    Westbank String Shop, www.westbankstringshop.com
    6301 Manchaca Rd | Austin, TX 78745
    (512) 326-4898


    Hours: 11-6pm Tuesday - Friday (call ahead to make sure)
    11-3pm Saturday (call ahead to make sure)
    Closed Sunday/Monday
    The shop will be closed June 27th - July 6th

    MPORTANT: To take SCHOOL-issued instruments home, your parent
    will need to sign an instrument/equipment agreement (click link in next section)

  • IF YOU ARE USING A SCHOOL INSTRUMENT, PLEASE READ:

    Anyone who is using, or plans to use a school instrument, MUST COMPLETE this acknowledgement that you have received or returned a school instrument.

    Here's the school instrument usage link! https://forms.gle/i51jLXhbXSnqthkk9

  • Contact Mr. Hall...


    If you have any questions (including over the summer), please feel free to contact me through Remind (quicker response) or E-mail (could be weeks during vacation)

    Remind messaging - www.cmsstrings.org/parent-information (scroll down for instructions to sign-up for remind)
    Pops Orchestra class code - @cmsporch
    Honor Orchestra class code - @cmshorch
    String Orchestra - @cmssorch

    E-mail – jeffrey.hall@austinisd.org

  • Private Lessons
    (Highly recommended for upcoming 7th graders)

    Please consider private lessons over the summer to help with VERY CHALLENGING region music, and the summer music packet.

    Without guidance, you may not understand some of the music when you return over the summer.

    www.cmsstrings.org/private-lessons

     

     

  • Region Music

    Audition in October required for ALL Honor/Pops Orchestra 8th graders (optional for 7th graders).

    7th graders should still work on the music (the small section marked in the music)

    Click here for Region Music (updated soon)

    This is a google drive link will contain:
    1. Summer Region Etudes
    2. Advanced Fingering Charts
    3. Region help videos (to come)
    4. August Excerpt #1 (to come)
    5. August Excerpt #2 (to come)

  • Music Packet

    to practice over summer and at the camps

    This will be the music I introduce at the Summer Orchestra Camp:

    CLICK HERE for summer music packets - Coming Soon!

    We will rehearse this music at the Fall Orchestra Camp to perform at the beginning of the fall semester.

  • By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understood all of the information in this form. I understand that both camps are VERY important and required for the "Fine Arts Academy" level of music we will being playing this year. After attending the Summer Orchestra Camp (6/8-6/12), my child is going to practice their summer packet and REGION MUSIC during the summer and be ready for the Fall Orchestra Camp (8/10-8/13).

  • Date*
     - -

  • Honor/Pops Orchestra Contract

    Carefully read the next section so you know what you are agreeing to
  • Which ensemble will you be participating in for the 2026-27 school year?*
  • Check EACH box to make sure you understand the commitment you are making for the 2026-27 school year (you may remember seeing these dates when you submitted event conflicts - "conflict sheet" - in the handbook in August):*
  • The size of each section (violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, bass) has been carefully arranged for the perfect ensemble balance. For this reason, there cannot be any surprises in the fall with students changing their schedule. Please indicated your understanding of BOTH items below:*

  • Pops/Honor Commitment & Attendance Policy

    please read carefully

  • Covington FAA Orchestra members must commit to...

    • Being a member of the orchestra, and all year-long classes, for the entire school year (SCHOOL POLICY).
      • When a classmate quits a performing ensemble, it can have a serious impact on the classroom climate; being able to trust and rely on each other is so important to have successful experiences.
      • In some rare cases, a course change can be made. This would, first, require a parent-teacher meeting to explore any possible solutions before submitting a schedule change request.
    • Achieving academic excellence in all courses by maintaining a minimum of 80% grade point average
      Committing to be at school daily to learn (98% - 100% attendance)
    • Demonstrating a willingness to learn, lead, and positively motivate others. I must be an example for others to follow.
    • Maintaining good behavior at school. It is important to note that vaping and using drugs are strictly prohibited. Any involvement with these substances will result in your removal from the orchestra programAfter-school Rehearsal/Performance Attendance Policy

    After-school Rehearsal/Performance Attendance Policy

    • Students (and parents) must notify the director about possible tardies or absences in ADVANCE (see absence/tardy section of handbook).
    • Excessive absences (3rd instance) will result in loss of privilege to attend special performances off-campus, field trips, and other orchestra-related activities.
    • Three (3) unexcused tardies will be treated as One (1) unexcused absence.
    • Any absences/tardies that are not communicated by a parent within 24 hours after the absence/tardy, will NOT be excused.
    • Family trips, birthdays, company plans, and all other non-emergency plans (including appointments) made without prior approval will not be excused. Missing rehearsals/performances due to a conflict not noted on the conflict sheet (provided in August), will not be excused. 

    School Class-time Rehearsal Attendance Policy:

    • We kindly ask that parents schedule vacations and appointments in alignment with the conflict sheet submitted for the upcoming school year. Unplanned absences, even if excused, Significantly disrupt the learning process and impact the overall quality of our orchestra. Each class includes new musical details and ensemble techniques—such as balancing, tuning, and matching style—that cannot be learned through individual practice. These are essential skills that shape the advanced sound of our award-winning group.
    • When students miss class, we must pause to reteach critical material, which delays progress for the entire ensemble. While private lessons can provide some support, they cannot replace the specific and evolving instruction given during rehearsals. 
    • Because consistent attendance is vital to our success, families expecting frequent absences may want to considerString (Intermediate) Orchestra as a better fit. This class is a non-competitive class that focuses on music appreciate and basics, and does not include after school rehearsals or ensemble competitions. 

    We are a Fine Arts Academy, Award Winning program.  Very high attendance is crucial for continuing our high standards and level of performance.

    We truly appreciate your partnership in helping every student and our ensemble thrive!

  • Parent Signature:

    By signing below, I affirm that my child and I have reviewed the above information, understand the commitment we are making, and agree to abide by the contract for the 2026-27 school year.

  • Today's Date*
     - -
  • Should be Empty: