Joseph Baird
AYO Philharmonic Conductor

Joseph Baird is the director of Orchestras at Crockett High School in the Austin Independent School District. In the spring of 2002, Mr. Baird received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education along with a Certificate in Tuba Performance from The University of Texas at Austin. Having completed all coursework towards a Master's degree in Orchestral Conducting at Indiana University School of Music, he eagerly returned to Austin in the fall of 2004. In addition to his conducting post with the Austin Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Mr. Baird is the Music Director/Conductor for the Austin Philharmonic Orchestra. One of his greatest aspirations is to share his love and passion for music with the younger generation in order to ensure its legacy for enriching the human spirit.

Elizabeth Frederick
AYO Philharmonic Conductor

Elizabeth Frederick, a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, has served as orchestra director at Canyon Vista Middle School since 1995 and also served as orchestra director at Grisham Middle School from 2003 until 2007 in the Round Rock Independent School District (ISD). Previously, she served as orchestra director at West Ridge Middle School in Eanes ISD.

Under Ms. Frederick’s direction, both the Canyon Vista and Grisham orchestra programs consistently earned Sweepstakes Awards in University Interscholastic League competition. In 1999, the Canyon Vista Middle School Chamber Orchestra was selected as the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Middle School Honor Orchestra, and, in 2005, the Grisham Middle School Symphony Orchestra was chosen to be the first invited middle school full orchestra to perform at the annual TMEA convention. Furthermore, the Canyon Vista String Orchestra was chosen as the 2010 TMEA Middle School Honor Orchestra. The orchestra will perform at the TMEA Convention in San Antonio in February 2010.

A former member of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Mrs. Frederick is an active freelance musician in the Austin area as well as a private violin/viola instructor. She is married to Ronald W. Frederick and has one son who attends The University of Texas at Austin. Mrs. Frederick’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Mu Omicron, and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association.

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Membership in the Austin Youth Philharmonic Orchestra is open to all interested students in grade six and above who qualify through the audition process. String students from schools with orchestra programs must be a member in good standing in their school orchestra. Wind and percussion students must be members in good standing in their school band programs. Membership in the AYO program is contingent upon return of the membership acceptance form with the school orchestra/band director's signature verifying that the student is a member in good standing in the school orchestra/band 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 each 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 of September (fall semester) and January (spring semester). There will be no reimbursements of the membership tuition fee after September and January.

REHEARSALS

The Philharmonic Orchestra rehearses on Monday evenings of the fall and spring semesters, 7:00–9:00 P.M., at Stephen F. Austin High School, 1715 West Cesar Chavez 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 Philharmonic Orchestra member is required to perform concerts in proper attire. The formal concert attire is as follows:

• Males — Black dress slacks (no black jeans); black long-sleeved shirt; black long tie; black socks; black dress shoes (no sneakers).
• Females — Below-the-knee black dress or black below-the-knee skirt/full-length black dress slacks (no black jeans) with black 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 access and download the Philharmonic Orchestra Handbook.