Concertante Orchestra Handbook

The Conductor

Elizabeth Chappell

  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. Her prior teaching experience includes eight years at Martin Middle School in Austin ISD, two years with The University of Texas String Project, and four years of private violin and viola lessons. For the past three years, Ms. Chappell has been completing coursework toward her doctoral degree in Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin. 

  Ms. Chappell holds a degree in Music Therapy from the University of Kansas and a Master’s degree in Music Education from The University of Texas at Austin. She has played the violin for over 25 years, the viola for over 15 years, and has performed in various ensembles, including a mariachi band. Ms. Chappell has three children ages ten, five, and two. The oldest child is a violist in the Austin Youth Intermezzo Orchestra.

Membership in the Austin Youth Concertante Orchestra is open to all interested students in grades kindergarten through six who qualify through the audition process. The Concertante Orchestra rehearses and performs only during the spring semester. 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 p.m. - 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 conductor 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. Unexcused absences and tardiness may result in 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, and black dress shoes (no sneakers).

Females - Below-the-knee black skirt or full-length black dress slacks (no black jeans), white long-sleeved blouse, black hose, and 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.

Tom Waggoner, Coordinator, 463-9595,  Email
Ana Maria Solis, Organizer, 414-1251, Email
Fidencio Solis, Organizer, 841-4534, Email
Elizabeth Chappell, 414-4406, Email

Austin Youth Orchestra
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 12462
Austin, Texas 78711-2462

For any web issues contact: Sitemanager