All posts by Orchestra Director

AHS ORCHESTRA UPDATE – 9.15.2025

1.  PROGRAM AD & SHOUT OUT SALES – DUETUES, SEP !6

Last Chance!!! Parents wishing to purchase a Shout-Out for their student or advertise their business in our concert program may do so by submitting the Ad Sales Program form found on our booster club page on our website.  All money and forms must be turned in no later than Tues, September 16.  Each advertisement purchased also includes a complimentary listing on our orchestra website, and will be featured at each concert through a pre-concert slideshow, printed concert program, and thank you announcements from the stage.  Please contact Ms. Wilcox at kwilcox@aisd.net if you are interested in purchasing an ad space. 

2. OFFICER/SENIOR PICTURES – WED, SEP 17

Officer/Senior Pictures will be Wed, Sept 17  during 1st period. Boys wear your concert tux and girls wear nice dresses. No jeans or tennis shoes. Students should arrive dressed at 7:25 am in the orchestra room with a regular change of clothes. We will take pictures after the hallways clear, then return to the orchestra room to change into regular school clothes. Students will be excused from the first part of 1st period.

AHS ORCHESTRA UPDATE – 8.29.2025

1. VERTICAL RAISE FUNDRAISER  DUE WED & THURS

Our VERTICAL RAISE fundraiser will begin this week! We need EVERYONE’s help to reach our goal of $19,000. Each student must bring 20 emails of likely donors on Wed, Sep 3 for A-day classes and Thurs, Sep 4 for B-day classes. A representative will speak with students and help them enter their info on these days. 

Click on Forms and Docs if you need another copy of the Vertical Raise Info & Form. 

If you are a returning AHS student or Bailey or Gunn 9th grader, you already have an account. 

  1. Find your username and password to VerticalRaise.com – it is probably on your phone. 
  2. Write your username and password at the top of the parent letter we sent home with you in class. 
  3. Add any names/phone numbers of new people to your life that you could add to your account. 
  4. Bring this sheet with you to class on the date listed above. 

If you are a new student to AHS Orchestra this year, 

  1. Write down 20 names, emails, and phone numbers of people you know who might donate to the orchestra. DO NOT assume they won’t give. People like to support you! 
  2. These names can include family members, friends, neighbors, your parent’s coworkers, etc. 
  3. Bring this sheet with you to class on the date listed above. 

Thank you for your help and support! 

2. GET FIT DAY **REQUIRED** – SAT, SEP 6

Saturday, September 6

8:50 am – 1:00 pm, 30-minute timeslot only 

AHS Orchestra Room

Main Cube Entrance

Students dress in compression/tight athletic wear for uniform fitting

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DAY. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY and follow all directions in the checklist for a painless and speedy process. 

Get Fit Day is the day students will get fitted for their uniforms and handle all administrative orchestra issues. Packets are handed out at the required parent meeting. Included in the packet is the link/QR code to sign up for a 30-minute time slot on Saturday, a checklist to make your time at school as short as possible, and everything you need to turn in. The Get Fit Day sign-up link can also be found on the website links page. 

Go to the Forms & Docs page to download another packet and find the link to sign up for a Get Fit Day time slot. 

If bringing cash, please bring the exact amount. We do not have enough cash to make change for everyone. Please make checks payable to AHS Orchestra. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

AHS ORCHESTRA UPDATE – 8.24.2025

1. SYMPHONY AFTER-SCHOOL REHEARSAL TOMORROW 

Our first after-school symphony rehearsal is tomorrow from 3:30-5:30 pm in the orchestra room. Come directly to the room or re-enter through the Main Cube entrance. Give yourself time to go through the metal detectors. You may park by the Cube entrance or in front of Gym A after 3:10 pm. 

2. BOOSTER CLUB MEETING – TUES, AUG 26

Tuesday, August 26 at 7:00 pm

AHS Auditorium before the Parent Meeting. 

Gallery Entrance from Park Row at the top of the stairs by the crosswalk. 

3. PARENT MEETING **REQUIRED** – TUES, AUG 26

Tuesday, August 26 at 7:30 pm

AHS Auditorium

Gallery Entrance from Park Row at the top of the stairs by the crosswalk.

We will be discussing all policies, expectations,events, and information pertaining to the orchestra this year. Each student is required to be there with one parent or adult family member; please, no siblings. Students are excused if they have another AISD event/practice as long as the family member is in attendance. Please email Dr. Chapman immediately if your student will not be able to attend. 

4. GET FIT DAY **REQUIRED** – SAT, SEP 6

Saturday, September 6

8:50 am – 1:00 pm, 30-minute timeslot only 

AHS Orchestra Room

Main Cube Entrance

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DAY. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY and follow all directions in the checklist for a painless and speedy process. 

Get Fit Day is the day students will get fitted for their uniforms and handle all administrative orchestra issues. Packets are handed out at the required parent meeting. Included in the packet is the link/QR code to sign up for a 30-minute time slot on Saturday, a checklist to make your time at school as short as possible, and everything you need to turn in. 

If you lost your packet, you can send your student to get another one from a director or visit our website: www.ahsorchestra.com and download it from the “Forms and Docs” page. 

If bringing cash, please bring the exact amount. We do not have enough cash to make change for everyone. Please make checks payable to AHS Orchestra. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.