Orchestra fees start at $150 to $300 depending upon the program your student is a member of. Additional fees include the Orchestra Instrument Usage fee of $50 (Reduced Lunch) to $125, if a student is assigned a school-owned instrument. There is a sibling discount for the participation fee for parents who have more than one student in the program.

Parents may contact Bell’s Music Shop in Keller at (817) 337-7900. The address is 536 Keller Pkwy, Keller, TX 76248. Students who are issued a school-owned instrument will be sized for the proper fitting instrument and assigned the instrument on Charger Orchestra Registration day.

The Orchestra Instrument Usage fee is $125 or $50 for students on reduced lunch. Students who are assigned a cello or bass will be issued a school-owned instrument for class, but will rent an instrument from Bell’s Music Shop for home practice. You may contact Bell’s Music Shop for rental cost inquiries.

There are a very limited amount instruments available for students who are unable to rent from Bell’s Music Shop and are issued on a case-by-case scenario.

Students who are assigned or have chosen the cello or bass will have a school-issued instrument for class, but will need to rent an instrument from Bell’s Music Shop for home practice.

Incoming 6th graders provide (3) top instrument preferences when choosing their instrument of choice. It is always my practice to assign the first preference. However, each student is assigned an instrument based on the need of the orchestra for balance.

Parents were provided a Google form to choose three instruments of preference last May. Students and parents who completed the form were sized for the proper instrument and assigned that instrument on the same day either for a school-issued instrument or a rental from Bell’s Music Shop.

Student’s/parents who did not complete the Instrument Preference Google form and were not present at the Orchestra Instrument Fitting Night in April, will be assigned an instrument based on the need of the orchestra and the size of instrument that best fits the student.

There will be an Orchestra Registration day for all Orchestra students on Saturday, August 9 from 10a-4pm. Stay tuned for a Sign Up Genius to reserve a time to complete registration.

Yes. We currently offer private lessons for violin, viola, and cello We are currently seeking private instructors for bass students. As private instructors are given clearance to teach from the District Fine Arts department, I will update the private lessons tab with their information.

You may contact Ms. Oh at eunjilove@gmail.com for rates.

Private lessons are on-site depending on Ms. Oh’s teaching schedule, but she also has a teaching studio off-site if on-campus lessons are not possible because of scheduling constraints.

Parents will be able to sign up your students for private lessons by completing the Parent Consent Form under the ‘Private lesson’s tab, on, Orchestra Registration Day on August 9th between 10:00a-3:00pm, or parents may also complete the private lessons form once school starts and contact each individual instructor directly. Information is available on our website regarding private lessons.

Yes. Students are expected to attend all performances. Allowances may be made for extenuating circumstances and determined case-by-case.

We follow the KISD Policy and Guidelines for absences. However students who miss a dress rehearsal, performance, or competition will be counted as unexcused and will be required to complete an equivalent assignment which will be due on our performance date or the day after they return from their absence.

Parents are required to complete an online absence form noting the absence and the reason for the absence.

Please review our Central Charger Orchestra Student Handbook under Absences for more information.

This is an excellent question and a very common occurrence. Students who are in sports are asked to provide their practice and game schedule. I work well with the coaches and will work out a schedule that will be okay with both coaches and orchestra.

Your child’s grade will not be affected, but we do ask that as much advance notice with their schedule is provided so the coaches and I have a schedule in place before we get too deeply in the respective season.

Yes. Students will have after-school performances, music festivals, and evening performances throughout the year. Parents will receive information via our new Charger Newsletter and direct email communication.

Yes. Weekly sectionals will occur before and after school. Rehearsals will start two weeks before a performance.

Incoming 6th grade students may schedule an appointment with me for Tutoring from 4:00pm - 4:30pm on Friday afternoons at Hillwood MS. An appointment/booking page will be added for those.

Dress rehearsals are mandatory but occur prior to an performance. Because our classes are staggered, I usually call one rehearsal prior to dress rehearsal that includes all classes so they will become comfortable playing with the entire orchestra

Students who are in Hillwood MS Orchestra 3 Varsity Sinfonia Ensemble and required to have private lessons. Non-varsity and sub-non-varsity students are not required but highly encouraged to take private lessons.

Our orchestras are competitive and participate in local adjudicated music festivals, district, region, and state auditions, and UIL (High School and Middle School). Private lessons are a strong supplement to daily class instruction and help to maintain the level of expected musicianship at Varsity, Non-varsity, and Sub Non-Varsity levels.

Middle School Orchestras are usually not pressed to attend U.I.L. However, they do participate at local adjudicated music festivals like Epic Waters and NrH20. In some cases if the Director of Fine Arts feels they are ready to participate at U.I.L. they will participate.

Purchasing a violin, viola, cello, or bass is alot like buying a car. You may have to shop around before finding something that is fitting for your student. Please see our “resources” page for vendors that are recommended by Keller ISD Fine Arts.