STUDENT AGREES THAT:

As a Covington FAA Orchestra member, I will act in accordance with the academic and behavior expectations stated below. These expectations have been set in place for my classroom success as well as the success of others in orchestra.

I will come to class prepared every day. Therefore, I will bring the following daily:

• Myself: I cannot learn if I am not at school.

• My instrument: I need to practice every day! I cannot succeed if I fall behind.

• My complete folder with music, book(s), pencil, and paper: I cannot achieve if I do not have all of the materials I need

I will make a commitment of excellence by:

• 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 program.

School Class-time 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 impact the learning process and impact the overall quality of our orchestra. Each class includes new musical details and ensemble techniques athat cannot be learned through individual practice. These are essential skills that shape the success of our award-winning orchestra program.

When students miss class, we must pause to reteach critical material, which delays progress for the entire class. While private lessons can provide some support, they cannot replace the specific and evolving instruction given during rehearsals.

I will follow the Rehearsal/Performance Absence and Tardy Procedures (also mentioned previously in handbook):

• 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. 

The Strings Program takes several trips each year, which may include:
Elementary school performances, All-City Orchestra, Pre-UIL Festival, UIL, Fall Festival “Monster” Concert, String Festival, Winter Showcase, and an end-of-year fun trip.

To participate, students must:

• Have no outstanding balances or obligations with the Strings Program or other school groups

• Submit all required forms (signed and complete) and parent permission slips

• Pass all classes and turn in all assignments/tests on time

• Attend all concerts

• Maintain good behavior in class

On Trips, Students Must:

• Wear required attire and bring necessary snacks, music, and materials

• Stay with the group unless given permission by the director

• Follow school check-out procedures if leaving with a parent during school hours

• Help clean buses before exiting and follow all bus rules (stay seated, keep voices down, nothing out of windows)

• Inform Mr. Hall in advance of any medication needs

• Show respect to chaperones and follow instructions

• Avoid inappropriate behavior (fighting, profanity, aggressive conduct, shoplifting, drugs, inappropriate relationships, etc.)

Participation in all rehearsals and performances is required. Notify the director in advance of any absences or tardies via email (jeffrey.hall@austinisd.org), Remind, or a written note with date, reason, and parent signature.

Concert Grade Make-Up: If absent from the Winter or Final Concert, students must perform their pieces for the class using a listening rubric.

Tardies: Students must be on time. Three (3) unexcused tardies will count as one (1) unexcused absence. Excessive absences/tardies may result in loss of privileges such as field trips or special events.

Orchestra is a performance-based activity. Success depends on each student’s commitment to excellence.

(Refusal to follow these expectations will result in discipline procedures.)

• No gum in the classroom.

• No cell phones visible or audible without permission. Unauthorized phones will be confiscated. A classroom phone is available for parent/student communication.

• Enter and exit quietly between classes.

• Stay silent during rehearsals unless called on; raise your hand to speak.

• Do not touch or play another person’s instrument (including the piano) without permission-violations may result in detention or referral.

• Keep hands and feet to yourself-no horseplay in the C-Building or classroom.

• Leave the room clean-put away rockstops, tuners, music, chairs, and stands, etc.

Our goal is to provide every student with the full benefits of the orchestra program. To achieve this, the classroom must remain positive and free from disruptions. If a student chooses to behave in a way that interferes with their learning or the learning of others, consequences will follow-aligned with Covington Fine Arts Academy’s school-wide rules and based on the severity of the behavior.

Progressive Consequences:

1. Warning

2. Phone Call Home and/or Reflection Assignment

3. Lunch Detention - failure to attend will result in a 1-hour after-school detention

4. Office Referral - may affect field trip eligibility and placement in advanced classes

The Orchestra Hall is available before and after school for tutoring and parent meetings.

• Drop-Off Access: The C-building (Orchestra Hall) opens daily at 8:10 a.m. for students to place instruments in assigned lockers/spaces.

• Tutoring Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:45 a.m. - please notify Mr. Hall in advance to confirm availability.

• Access After 7:45 a.m.: Students arriving after this time must have an orchestra pass to enter the C-building.

• Expectations: Students must remain on task and respectful; disruptive behavior will result in being asked to leave.

• Restricted Access: Only current orchestra students and their parents may enter. Do not enter the orchestra office or storage closets without permission.

Parent Meetings

• Available Tuesday–Friday at 5:00 p.m. by request.

If Locked Out

• Call the classroom phone: (512) 414-3276 x59801.

Orchestra students and parents are expected to model proper concert behavior to reflect positively on Covington and the Fine Arts Department. Please follow these guidelines at all performances:

• No talking during performances-it distracts both performers and audience members.

• Remain seated for the entire performance. If you must leave, do so quietly between songs or during applause.

• No food or drink in the performance area, including the stage, backstage, and seating.

• Show support with polite applause only-no yelling, whistling, or shouting names. Applaud after the conductor lowers their arms.

• Be mindful when bringing small children.

• Silence or turn off cell phones and devices. Music students should not have them during performances.

• Stay for the entire concert to support all performers.

Disruptive behavior that draws attention away from the performers may result in being asked to leave.

(Grade percentages may change)

Formative Grades – 60% of total grade

40% – Daily/Weekly Participation

• Being prepared for class with all required materials

20% – Practicing

• Completed through the “3’s the Key” assignment

• Minimum: 120 minutes per week (at least 4 days)

• This is the most important part of the class

Summative Grades - 40% of total grade

20% – Playing/Written Assessments

• Performance of assigned music (may be recorded in BLEND)

• Music theory, rhythm, vocabulary

• Handbook/forms completed and returned

20% – Rehearsals & Performances

• Rehearsals are extra practices outside the school day for important performances

• May be up to two after-school rehearsals per week for some students

• Times: 7:30–8:15 a.m. or 4:00–7:00 p.m. (no Mondays)

• Performances include fall, winter, and spring concerts; UIL contests; school assemblies, etc.

• Absences from required concerts/rehearsals must be made up:

  • Advanced groups: Attend extra sectionals

  • Beginning Orchestra: Assist at advanced orchestra sectionals (see calendar)

The Covington Fine Arts Strings Program has an official Facebook page, Instagram account, and website (www.CMSstrings.org) to share news and celebrate our students. Families are encouraged to follow, like, and share.

All members and parents are responsible for what they post on our pages. Inappropriate content-including profanity, disrespectful language, inappropriate images, references to drugs/alcohol/tobacco, threats, or posts showing poor sportsmanship toward other programs-will not be tolerated.

Violations will be reviewed by the directors and/or principal and may result in removal of the post, a permanent ban from our pages, or dismissal from the program.

Covington is a No Place for Hate school. We have zero tolerance for cyberbullying and will act immediately to maintain a safe and respectful online environment for all members.

Region Orchestra Auditions

(Does not apply to beginners)

In Region 18 of Texas, there are two “Region Orchestras”:

• Full Orchestra – Includes all symphony instruments and is made up of the highest-level middle school musicians in the region.

• String Orchestra – Includes only string instruments and is made up of advanced string players who did not make the Full Orchestra.

To be selected for either group, students must participate in the Region Orchestra Auditions (see the Calendar of Events). These auditions require performing three advanced selections:

1. Summer Etude – Assigned at the end of the school year and learned over the summer.

2. Excerpts – Usually taken from well-known symphonic works.

Participation Requirements:

• All CMS Honor Orchestra 8th graders and Fine Arts Academy members are required to audition.

• Since Covington hosts this district-wide event, all other Honor Orchestra students are expected to volunteer to help with contest setup and organization.