ASTA Nationals Newsletter #1

Good morning, Premiere families!

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As promised, here is the information about the pricing and itinerary for our trip to Louisville, Kentucky, for the National Orchestra Festival as part of the American String Teachers Associations National Conference.

DATES: March 20-24 (during spring break- students will not miss instructional time)

LOCATION: Round-trip Orlando, FL to Louisville, KY.

      Locations of the performance and the hotel for student lodging are TBA and will be announced once they are booked.

PRICE PER PERSON: $932, each student will be roomed in 4 to a room to keep costs down.       Chaperones can choose to room 4 to a room, 3 to a room, 2 to a room, or pay for their own       room.

PAYMENT PLAN: $75 deposit due by August 30th

      Installment 1 of $220.50 due by September 18th

      Installment 2 of $220.50 due by October 30th

      Installment 3 of $220.50 due by January 9th

      Final installment of $220.50 due by March 1st

      ​***Payments (e-check, bank draft, or card) can be made online through the travel agency's website, and instructions on how to set up your child's account are attached to this email.

      ***THE TRIP NUMBER IS 10859. You'll need this to link your online account to our trip with this travel agency.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Roundtrip transportation on a modern 56 passenger motorcoach, equipped with DVD player, Wi-Fi, & restrooms

• $5,000,000 Liability Insurance Coverage per Motorcoach

• $2,000,000 Liability Group Insurance Coverage

• Two nights at a preferred hotel (Marriott Courtside or similar)

• Meals included in the cost of the trip:

  • Two continental breakfasts at the hotel

  • One Pizza lunch at Malibu Jacks (indoor activity)

  • One dinner at Chili's

  • One St. Matthew's Mall meal card (distributed on evening students visit the mall)

• Attractions/Activities:

  • Churchill Downs & Kentucky Derby Museum, Louisville Zoo, Mall St. Matthews, Malibu Jacks (indoor arcade & activity attraction- similar to Dezerland here in Orlando), Louisville Orchestra & Chamber Choir concert, and a guided city tour.

  • National Orchestra Festival performance & masterclass- includes digital and print media, a professional photo of the ensemble, medals to all students, access to the string exhibit hall, a commemorative banner, performance tickets, and a professional recording.

If you are interested in not only supporting this incredible opportunity, but being an active participant and going with us, please fill out this link to indicate your interest as a chaperone!

      https://forms.gle/8hJ8qNS258VVzs7v5

I know this is a LOT of information, and it can seem overwhelming- but I am here to answer any questions, address any concerns, or just offer reassurances or a kind word. This trip and the memories these students will make will provide benefits that have visible, audible, long-lasting, and most of all positive effects on their musical and academic achievements. I am excited to get to work making this a reality for your children.

Orchestra Newsletter 8/29

Hello, orchestra students & families!

@dphsorchestras

https://www.facebook.com/dphsorchestras

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR- TIME FOR FUNDRAISING!

***If you have not heard already, Orange County Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, August 30th, due to anticipated impacts from Hurricane Idalia, and all OCPS activities are expected to be completed by 8pm tonight. Make sure you are prepared for the storm by referencing the official Disaster Supply Kit Checklist from FloridaDisaster.org:

https://www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/hurricane-supply-checklist/

As a result of the storm, our first VPA Recital for this evening has been cancelled and will be rescheduled to a later date. Everyone, please remain safe in the storm!

One of the most important tasks of my job is the financial stewardship of this orchestra program. I was relieved that, during COVID and the years immediately following, I was able to not only purchase enough instruments and materials so that students did not have to share instruments (a major concern during the pandemic), but that students and their families were afforded a smaller Fair Share fee of $60. Unfortunately, even with fundraising, our program and its needs have outgrown the financial support that this amount will give us- just this year alone, we have experienced a 14% growth rate!

Here is an example of the costs of running our program each year:

• Costs of music for the October concert for four ensembles- $600

• Cost of transportation per field trip (usually 2 to 3 small field trips per year)- $1200 per bus

• Cost of music for the December concert for four ensembles- $600

• Cost of music & extra judge scores for Pre-MPA concert & Music Performance Assessment- $700

• Cost of District Music Performance Assessment- $1650

• Cost of transportation to District Music Performance Assessment- $4800

• Cost of music for the Spring concert for four ensembles- $600

• Costs of music & transportation to graduation (orchestra is performing this year)- $1300

• TOTAL base costs of running our program for this year- $12,350.00

This is why the Fair Share amount of $100 per student in orchestra is so crucial to covering our operating costs each year. But I am also keenly aware that not everyone has an extra $100- that is why, this year, we are doing a Donation Campaign through InstaRaise- all the money that your child fundraises by simply entering the emails of friends, relatives, and other loved ones who would like to show their support of our program can be contributed to their Fair Share amount. Many students raise more than $100 and owe no Fair Share at all!

HOW TO JOIN, SHARE, & DONATE

It is really easy to join our Dr. Phillips High School Orchestra fundraiser - it only takes a minute!

To join our InstaRaise fundraiser go to www.instaraise.com and register using our campaign ID: 11094.

As you register, you will be guided through a few prompts and you'll be asked to enter the name, email and phone number of potential supporters. These supporters will receive an email about our fundraiser and will have the opportunity to make a donation (or shop online) to support our group. You can watch this video for step-by-step instructions on how to register online and enter your contacts. https://youtu.be/LPWLu4_Wpxo

Students who have registered and entered 15-20 supporters will be recognized in class with a special prize. For maximum success - add 20+ contacts with an email address and cell phone number in the student dashboard. For more ideas on who a supporter is, watch this video: https://youtu.be/NXqyhrBFB9I

Sharing from your own device / phone:

If it's easier, you can copy and share our fundraising page with adults who might support this campaign. Here's the URL that you can share with supporters who might be willing to help: https://instaraise.com/drphillipshs/orchestra​

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS

• NEW, IMPROVED APPAREL VOTING! Thank you to everyone who voted for their favorite design! If you haven't voted yet, there's still time- voting closes Friday. If you HAVE voted, check out the NEW design, added by one of our officers! Change your vote if you would like to: https://forms.gle/acYGZ4kqkYixUiy86

• ALL-COUNTY AUDITIONS- All-County audition music has been released. Students who are interested in auditioning can access the excerpts and sign up for an audition time here: https://www.drphillipsorchestras.com/all-county-audition-information

• VPA POLO SHIRTS- If you are new to the VPA Magnet this year, make sure to order your VPA Polo here: https://www.drphillipsorchestras.com/pay-fair-share by clicking on the "VPA Polo Payment" button.

• BROOKDALE RECITAL SERIES- We are extremely fortunate to have a wonderful relationship with Brookdale Assisted Living Facility just right down the road from our school. Once per month, students from all orchestras are invited to perform for the residents of Brookdale, and in return receive 4 hours of community service- 1 for the performance, and 3 for the preparation. If you are interested in applying to perform, please fill out the application here: https://www.drphillipsorchestras.com/brookdale-assisted-living-recitals

• LABOR DAY- There will be no school on Monday, September 4th in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the three-day weekend!

• WELCOME JAMBOREE- Our annual welcome tradition returns! Students, join us in the orchestra room on Friday, September 8th, from 2:30pm-6:30pm for pizza, sweets, drinks, games, prizes, movies, and fun activities designed to help you get to know your fellow orchestra members, and get to know your friends even better! This is all planned FOR YOU by our leadership team, so please join us for fun, food, and fellowship!

Welcome Back! 1st Orchestra Newsletter

Hello, Orchestra Students & Families!

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

My name is Mrs. Raine Allen, and I am the orchestra director here at Dr. Phillips High School. This is the first of many newsletters from me that you will receive keeping you informed of what is happening in the orchestra program, important events that are coming up, and reminders for both students and parents! I hope that you find these letters home helpful, informative, and insightful into your child's time here in our program.

I want to take this opportunity to THANK YOU, the parents, for continuing to support your child's arts education for another year. Whether your child has aspirations of pursuing music as a career one day, or simply loves the positive experience of being in a community-based music ensemble, be well rest assured that the benefits of their participation in orchestra class 50 minutes each day extend FAR beyond our classroom. These are just a few scientifically supported, evidence-based facts we know about students who participate in the arts as compared to their peers who do not:

1. Students With Access To Arts Education Are 5x Less Likely To Drop Out Of School.
   

2. 4x More Likely To Be Recognized For Academic Achievement
   

3. 3x More Likely To Pursue A Bachelor's Degree
   

4. 30% More Likely To Pursue A Professional Career
   

5. Low-Income Students With Access To Arts Education Are 2x As Likely To Graduate From College Than Their Peers With No Arts Education
   

6. 72% Of Business Leaders Say That Creativity Is The #1 Skill That They Seek When Hiring
   

7. When Arts Education Is Administered Equitably The Gap Between Low-Income And High-Income Students Begins To Close
   

8. Students With Access To Arts Education Score Higher On The SAT
   

9. 3x More Likely To Be Elected To Class Office
   

10. Students With Access To Art Education Score Higher On Literacy, Writing, and English Proficiency Skills
    

11. Art Education Makes Students Less Likely To Run Into Disciplinary Infractions

So once again, THANK YOU for being a part of such an incredibly powerful force for good in our community by allowing your students to participate in our orchestra program :) ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS

• Orchestra Website: Please visit our website at www.drphillipsorchestras.com to learn about our program and read general information for parents and students!
  

• Orchestra Program Calendar of Events (digital): Please add the events listed in our class calendar at the following link: it is a Google Calendar and can be merged directly into several digital calendars for your convenience!

  • Calendar

• 1st 9 Weeks events:

  • Monday, August 28th- Online Donation Fundraiser Begins!

  • Tuesday, August 29th, 7:00pm- VPA Evening Recital & Parent Meeting (VPA Magnet students only)

  • Monday, September 4th- NO SCHOOL, Labor Day

  • Friday, September 8th, 2:30pm-6:30pm- Welcome Jamboree Celebration in the orchestra room!

  • Wednesday, September 13th, 1:30pm-2:30pm- VPA Recital (VPA Magnet students only)

  • Saturday, September 23rd, Freedom High School- All-State Auditions (All-State students only)

  • Monday, September 25th-Thursday, September 28th (by appointment after school)- All-County auditions

  • Friday, September 29th- OPO Dress Rehearsal Field Trip

  • Wednesday, October 11th, 7pm- Fall Orchestra Concert (required for all orchestra students)

    • What Does My Child Need for Their Orchestra Uniform?

• Remaining Concert Dates for 23-24 School Year:

  • Tuesday, December 5th, 7pm

  • Thursday, February 22nd, 7pm

  • Music Performance Assessment (one of these dates): Thursday, February 29th-Saturday, March 2nd

  • Friday, April 26th, 7pm

• Need help preparing for All-State?

  • Check out the UCF All-State Preparation Clinic on Saturday, August 26th! The schedule for the day and link to register is here: UCF All-State Clinic Schedule & Registration

  • If you are participating in All-State this year, please RETURN YOUR PARTICIPATION CONTRACT (signed on both sides) and pay the audition fee here: SchoolPay Link for All-State Audition Fee ($35)

• VPA Magnet Recitals & Polos:

  • If you are a FRESHMAN Magnet student, or you lost your VPA Polo, please purchase your required VPA Polo here: SchoolPay Link for VPA Polos ($15)

  • Magnet Students are required to wear their VPA Polos all day on recital days in order to receive full recital credit. This year, being in uniform and attending recitals will be a grade for VPA Magnet students. Being tardy or out of uniform will result in a lower grade. Missing the recital without first submitting an "Excused Absence Application" form will result in a F for that recital grade.

  • Here are the VPA Recital Dates for this year (also available digitally at Calendar):

    • Tuesday, August 29th- 7:00pm (polos are not required- nice attire is accepted)

    • Wednesday, September 13th- 1:30pm

    • Wednesday, November 8th- 1:30pm

    • Wednesday, January 17th- 1:30pm

    • Wednesday, February 7th- 1:30pm

    • Wednesday, March 13th- 1:30pm

    • Monday, May 6th- 2:30pm (Seniors only, dress rehearsal)

    • Tuesday, May 7th- 7:00pm

• PREMIERE ORCHESTRA (3RD PERIOD) ACCEPTED TO ASTA NATIONAL ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL:

  • Last year, we were notified that our own Premiere Orchestra (3rd period) had been accepted to the prestigious American String Teachers Associations National Orchestra Festival, taking place in Louisville, Kentucky this year. This is an honor extended by invitation only to orchestras deemed of the highest caliber and discipline. I am so incredibly proud of the hard work of our students to be accepted into such an incredibly important program, and I know we will represent our school, our county, and our state with the highest degree of performance on the national stage.

    • I know that parents of Premiere students are concerned about the price. Rest assured, a reputable travel company has been secured (Group Travel Planners) after receiving multiple bids, so that the lowest price per student is guaranteed while maintaining the safety and quality standards required by OCPS. More information, including the price per student (based on 4 students to a room), what is included in the price per student, and a draft itinerary, will be sent in a separate email.

    • I encourage ALL members of our orchestra to rally around our Premiere Orchestra and support them in any amount you can during our Donation Fundraiser- this is an incredible opportunity for our students, our program, and our school!

As always, please call, email, or message with any questions or concerns! Sincerely, Mrs. Raine Allen