Dear Students,

Below, you will find a link to find your orchestra placement for next school year.  Students are listed by student ID, and it does not reflect your placement within your ensemble. I suggest you use Ctrl-F to find your number.

The nature of auditions is that some people are happy with their placements, but others feel some disappointment.  Please understand that Mrs. Gross and I spent a great deal of time working through the audition results to guarantee that everyone is in the group that will allow them to succeed, but also to become better musicians.  Most importantly, please don’t let the results define you as a musician or as a person.  In the end, none of this matters that much. But the work that you will do (or not do) means everything about who you will become as a person. In other words, grow where you are planted.

If you’re disappointed, please consider a few points:

1. The level of competition at West is high.  Really high.  The upside of this is that all of our orchestras really play beyond their apparent level.  For example, the third orchestra at West is playing at a level much higher than the top orchestra at most schools in Texas. Regardless of the group you’re in, it is going to be good.

2. It is totally normal to be in a “lower” group at West than you were in at Shepton or Jasper. Juniors, remember that you were auditioning against seniors with more experience and against talented players from the other high school.  Believe me, though, that the level of music we will be playing in the groups will not in any way be a step back from what you are accustomed to.

Later in the summer, counselors will let us know if there are conflicts in your schedule. Mrs. Gross and I will work those out for you – if there’s something we need to discuss with you in that regard, we will send you an email or call.

Remember that this upcoming year, every student may elect to take orchestra for honors credit. At the beginning of the year, we will fully review the requirements so you can make your final decision and opt in or out.

RESULTS

Location
Renaissance Dallas Richardson Hotel
900 E Lookout Dr
Richardson, TX 75082

Timeline
6:30 – 7pm: Check In. Each school will have their own check-in table.
7-9: Dinner and Presentations
9-11: Dance

Traffic can be heavy at this time of day, so budget a bit longer than you think it will take to get there.

If you are being picked up at 11, please be certain your ride is on time

Attire
Semi-formal is required. Shorts, jeans, and other casual clothing are not permitted.

Dropoff
If you are being dropped off by a parent, they should drop you at the Renaissance entrance on Plaza Drive (east side of the hotel). Pickup is at 11, and they should be on time to pick you up.

Parking
You must use the parking garage on Plaza Drive, on the east side of the Renaissance Hotel. When you pull in to the parking garage, you will receive a parking ticket on cardstock. YOU MUST BRING THIS TICKET IN TO THE BANQUET WITH YOU!

When you check-in at the banquet, there will be a “parking validation” machine. You must stick your parking ticket in to that machine to have it validated – this will allow you to leave the parking garage for free. If you forget to validate your parking ticket, you will likely be charged to leave the parking garage at the end of the night.

Do not park anywhere on the surrounding streets! Most of the parking in the area is permit-only for area apartments, and you will be towed at your expense.