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.