TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY STRINGS CAMP
Scholarship Recipients

CONGRATULATIONS to the members of the Concertante Orchestra members listed below for being selected to receive partial scholarships to attend the Texas State University (TSU) Strings Camp, which will be held June 26 - July 3 on the TSU campus in San Marcos:

• Alex Freeman, Bass
• Rose Morgan, Viola
• Matthew Villarreal, Violin

Elizabeth Chappell
AYO Concertante Conductor

Elizabeth Chappell is a teacher, parent, and graduate of the Austin Independent School District and a native Austinite. She currently teaches sixth grade orchestra at Mathews, Pease, Allison, and Zavala Elementary Schools in Austin ISD and maintains a private violin and viola lesson studio. Ms. Chappell previously taught with The University of Texas String Project and served as orchestra director at Martin Middle School in Austin ISD from 1995 until 2003.

Ms. Chappell holds a degree in Music Therapy from the University of Kansas, a Master’s degree in Music Education from The University of Texas at Austin, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas. She is also a certified Suzuki instructor. Ms. Chappell’s primary instruments are violin and viola, and she has performed in numerous ensembles, including a mariachi band. Ms. Chappell has three children, ages thirteen (viola), eight (violin), and four (violin).

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Membership in the Austin Youth Concertante Orchestra is open to all interested students in grades kindergarten through six who qualify through the audition process. Students from schools with orchestra programs must be a member in good standing in their school orchestra. Membership in the AYO program is contingent upon return of the membership acceptance form with the orchestra director's signature verifying that the student is a member in good standing in the school orchestra program.

TUITION FEES

There is a $100.00 per semester tuition fee for each participating member, which will be collected at the initial rehearsal of the spring semester to cover operational expenses for the orchestra. Membership in the AYO program is contingent upon payment of the tuition fee. Checks are to be made payable to "AISD." In the event a student decides not to participate in the AYO program after the membership tuition fee has been paid, full reimbursements will be allowed through the month January (spring semester). There will be no reimbursements of the membership tuition fee after January.

REHEARSALS

The Concertante Orchestra rehearses on Monday evenings of the spring semester, 6:00–7:00 P.M., at O. Henry Middle School, 2610 West 10th Street, Austin, TX, 78703.

ATTENDANCE

Prompt attendance is expected of students at all rehearsals and performances. The Administrative Specialist is to be notified in advance in the event of an illness or family/personal emergency that will prevent the student from attending the rehearsal or performance. Excessive absences and tardiness (unexcused or excused) may result in the student being moved to a lower chair in the section or dismissal from the AYO program. A rehearsal and performance schedule has been included in the handbook as a reference for your convenience.

CONCERT ATTIRE

Each Concertante Orchestra member is required to perform concerts in proper attire. The formal concert attire is as follows:

• Males — Black dress slacks (no black jeans); white long-sleeved shirt; black long tie; black socks; black dress shoes (no sneakers).
• Females — Below-the-knee black skirt or full-length black dress slacks (no black jeans); white sleeved blouse; black dress shoes (no sneakers or flip flops).

Failure to comply with the concert attire requirements will result in the student not being allowed to perform in the concert.

CLICK HERE to download the Concertante Orchestra Handbook.