Orchestra Off-Beats

Please find all of the trip information below. Email me with any questions. Thanks!

• PARENT FOLDER - All information for the trip is found in this folder. Please click on the link to access the documents.
• REMIND - Please join the parent Remind by texting @pshspar25 to 81010 (you can also download the Remind app and join the class)
• SIGNATURE PACKET - Please sign and return the signature packet. We MUST have one for every student participating!
• MEDICATION - All prescription medication must be turned in with a medical form to the school nurse one week before the trip. Controlled substances require a parent to turn the medication into the nurse. The medical form is linked below if you know your child will be taking prescription medication and you want to take care of it now. Please contact Catherine Brink if you have any questions about medications. She is the school nurse and will be collecting medications for the trip.

We will meet at 6:30am on Friday, April 11th, to depart for the trip.

Please make sure all luggage and instruments have luggage tags. We will have extra tags available on Monday.

Please let me know if you have additional questions about the trip. Thank you so much!

• April 10 - Spring Concert @ 7pm - PSHS Auditorium
• April 11-14 - Spring Trip to Baylor/Port Aransas
• April 16 - Uniform Return during class - please bring everything back that day!
• April 17 - DSO Concert @ 6-10pm - $45 - CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKET
• May 9 - Plano Pops @ 7pm - PSHS Gym
• May 10 - Central Cluster Orchestra Banquet @ 6:30pm - PSHS Cafeteria (more info soon)

Parents, we are needing some volunteers to help with the Uniform Check-in which will be on Wednesday, 4/16/25. The students will be returning their uniforms during their class periods, and we need help checking them in. The link to sign up is:

https://pshsorchestrabooster.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/144777

Please reach out to me at 214-457-0465 or smith3sons@gmail.com, if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Becky Smith

Evolution and Intermelody performed at Hedgcoxe Elementary this morning for their Fine Arts Day. Chamber and Wells alumni performed at Wells Elementary this afternoon for their nine weeks assembly. Their guest conductor was terrific!

Bravo to both the combined string orchestra and full orchestra for receiving straight one's on stage and in sightreading for a Sweepstakes! Everyone did an amazing job! Thank you to everyone who came out to here the ensembles perform!

• NOW - Spring Trip paid in full
• ASAP - Orchestra Fee

The Plano Senior High School Orchestra is going to Port Aransas for the spring trip April 11-14, 2025. Please click on the link below to register and pay the deposit for the trip. All details are included on the portal provided by Perform America. You will have the option to purchase trip insurance on the trip portal as well as make the deposit, and all future payments. The trip deposit is due now. The beach is always a fun trip and this year we will bring back the tradition of the cooking competition! Please contact Jeri Ashford with any questions about the portal.

Please keep in mind that students must be eligible to go on the spring trip. They must be passing all regular classes at the end of the third nine weeks in order to participate. Please contact me with any questions about eligibility.

Interested in being a chaperone? Register for the chaperone package to be placed on a waiting list. Our trip rep, Jeri Ashford, will send you a link to complete your registration. The chaperone package has been reduced to $450 (despite what it will say on the portal - the booster club will cover the difference with funds from the fundraiser).

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Oct. 25 - $160

Nov. 25 - $160

Jan. 25 - $160

Feb. 25 - $158

Trip must be paid in full by February 25th. Reminders will be sent out from the portal for trip payments.

If you want to set up contributions pages so others can contribute to your child's trip, here is a link that will help you (this is like a direct fundraiser just for you) - https://help.wetravel.com/en/articles/4498861-how-to-set-up-a-contribution-page

How to register, pay, and manage your booking - PDF Instructions

If you're interested in becoming a professional musician, check out this podcast by my friend Buffi Jacobs. Buffi is a cellist on broadway with Hamilton and has been a successful freelance musician for over two decades.

The Gigging Gurus Podcast is your ultimate guide to navigating the dynamic and mysterious world of music freelancing. Join us as we delve into the experiences and insights of successful musicians who have taken unconventional paths to their success. Each episode promises engaging conversations, actionable advice, and inspiring stories that will motivate and empower you!The Gigging Gurus theme "Constellation Chamber" was composed by Nick Earl and performed by Anaphase. The Gigging Gurus Podcast Buffi Jacobs - Producer Bach Norwood, Esq. - Audio Engineering and Podcast mix

Having trouble paying the orchestra fee? Please contact our treasurer, Chandrashekhar Kulkari.

Please update your information on our website as we will be using that throughout the year for all things orchestra. If you don’t have an account yet, please create one so that you are able to access everything. The orchestra fee of $150 can be paid on the website.The fee is now $150 to help with fundraising. We will still have fundraising opportunities outside of the fee, but the orchestra program needs more funds to cover basic operating costs. The family contribution includes the casual uniform (polo for juniors, sweatshirt or hoodie for seniors), dry cleaning of uniforms, clinician costs, guest artists, Pre-UIL events, music, equipment, social events, 8th grade day, 10th grade day, and so much more! If you would like to pay the fee in payments that is an option as well. All payments go to the orchestra Booster Club which is the program's financial support system. Thank you so much for your support!

Please read through the student handbook and sign and return the parent signature page. We must have this form on file for every student in the orchestra program. All students received a paper copy that can be signed and returned. Thank you!

If you are using a school instrument for the year you will receive a contract within the first two weeks of school that needs to be signed and returned and there is an $85 fee that can be paid on Rycor. Please email me directly if you need assistance with this.

The fee for private lessons is $25 for a 25 minute lessons. Lessons are are offered during orchestra class in the practice rooms. Ms. Rodriguez will let you know your teacher and schedule at the beginning of the year. Students filled out a signature page with the option to sign up for lessons, so those will begin as early as next week. Please email us with any questions about private lessons at school; we would love for everyone to have a private teacher if possible!

Plan on volunteering for orchestra? Go ahead and fill out the volunteer form for PISD to get your approval for the year. Thank you for your time and service!

Join Evolution in the fall! This student led orchestra specializes in the softer side of classical music and performs throughout the year at various events. Erek Smith and Isabelle Hou will be leading the ensemble for 2024-25. Rehearsals start Monday, 9/9, at 4:45pm.

Join Evolution in the fall! This student led orchestra specializes in pops music and performs throughout the year at various events. Alexandra James and Dillon Moya will be leading the ensemble for 2024-25. Rehearsals start Wednesday, 9/11, at 4:45pm.

Dear Parents,

Many of you indicated that you would be willing to donate supplies to the orchestra program. Below is a list of items we always need and either the booster club purchases them or I purchase them myself. We would LOVE to have a surplus on hand so that we always have supplies. Please consider donating the following items. Thank you!

• Paper Towels
• Kleenex
• Band-aids
• Hand Sanitizer
• Plastic Cutlery
  
• Canned Soda (variety of flavors)
• Capri Sun (variety of flavors)
• Plastic Cups
• Pencils
• Black Binders
• Tab Dividers

Please click below for recordings from this school year.

Please click below to access videos from the last school year.

Username: Kondrat

Password: fcfg3j

Email: april.kondrat@pisd.edu
Website: https://pshsorchestrabooster.membershiptoolkit.com/
Location: Plano Senior High School, Independence Parkway, Plano, TX, USA
Phone: 4697529396