• Katy Dane

    Director - Prelude, Philharmonic, Symphony Orchestra
    Asst. Director - Varsity Treble Choir & Mixed Choir

    6th, 7th, 8th grade
    Phone: 943-5090 x.6988
    Email: danek@georgetownisd.org 
    Conference Period: 11:30am-12:15pm, Monday through Friday

     

    Orchestra Information:

    Welcome to Orchestra!

     

    Spring Concert: Wednesday March 22nd, 6pm @ BMS

    Auditions for 2023-24 Orchestras: March 30th - April 12th during class

    GISD MS Orchestra Solo & Ensemble Contest: Saturday April 15th @ BMS

    Pathways: Solo & Ensemble contest practice every Friday in the 4th 9 weeks

    Six Flags Fine Arts trip: Monday May 15th @ Six Flags Fiesta Texas

    End of Year Orchestra Concert: Tuesday May 16th @ GISD PAC

     

     

    ***TAKE INSTRUMENTS & ALL MUSIC HOME AFTER CONCERTS & OVER SCHOOL BREAKS***

     

     

     

    Volunteer to Chaperone in 2022-23: Complete Form

     

    Book to Purchase: $8.50-$9.50/each

    1st year players: Measures of Success, Book 1

    2nd & 3rd year players: Measures of Success, Book 2

    (Miss Dane has 3 brand new Violin Bk. 2s  available for purchase)

       

    Medical Release Permission Form for 2022-23 Orchestra Trips

    Medical Form linked here: English or Spanish

     

    Instruments for 2022-2023!

    NEW ORCHESTRA STUDENTS - CHOOSE your instrument and get SIZED in the Benold Orchestra Room.

    Contact Miss Dane (danek@georgetownisd.org) to make your choice! Instrument Rental, Sizing, and Class Information will be available to all new students & families.

    INSTRUMENT RENTALS for GISD Instruments

    Rental form linked here: English or Spanish 

    Form must be completed with 1st payment at Instrument pick up

    Rental Payment Schedule: 1st payment ($20) due in August, 2nd payment ($40) due in November, 3rd payment ($40) due in March. Pay everything online!

     

     

    ONLINE PAYMENT LINK FOR BMS ORCHESTRA HERE

     

    2022-23 ORCHESTRA STUDENTS - Benold Orchestra

    • If you have not yet chosen your instrument for Orchestra, are new to Benold MS from another school or have recently moved to GISD, please call or email Miss Dane to set up an appointment for an orientation (beginners) or an audition (upper levels)
    • Violin, Viola, Cello & Bass rentals will be available for rental only if we have the size to accommodate you.  The total cost is $100 for the school year and does not include any insurance or maintenance on the instrument.
    • First payment is $20 with the form completed and upon pick up, remaining payments are made in November and February at $40 each.
    Welcome to the Benold Orchestra! Students interested in joining should contact Ms Dane. In Orchestra, we have Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello and Basses. Each instrument comes in a variety of sizes, just like shoes! As you grow, you'll be able to exchange your instrument for the next size up. To decide, listen to the sound of the instrument,  explore videos and recordings online, and come to our Open House or Try-Out Day and we'll find the instrument that you love in a size that fits you!
     
    Can you do Sports and Orchestra throughout the year? Yes! Nearly 70% of our Orchestra students also play a sport at Benold or compete on teams outside of school. We haven't had any conflicts with any game days, and the coaches and teachers always work together if there are any conflicts that come up with practices. It's rare there's a conflict, but the few required concerts we have that are in the evenings you will have 2-6 months notice before they come up and the coaches and teachers work really well together in order to help you be able to be where you are needed for BOTH your sports team and your musical team!
     
    How many years of experience do I need in order to join the Benold Orchestra? More than 90% of the kids that join their first year have never touched a String instrument before joinging orchestra. Beginning Orchestra (Prelude) starts from day one and welcomes ALL Benold students no matter what grade or experience level. We learn the parts of the instrument, how to hold it, how to play it, and how to begin playing songs for concerts. If you are an incoming student and have taken private lessons before, or are coming from another school where you took Orchestra, contact Ms. Dane via email to set up an audition. This will help get you placed into the right level Orchestra to have a successful and fun school year! 
     
    Can you do 2 Fine Arts classes, like Choir/Orchestra, Band/Orchestra, Theater/Orchestra, Art/Orchestra? Yes if you are in 7th or 8th grade! If so, that means you are one multi-talented student! Just remember when you are in two performing groups, you will also need to practice both of those instruments and attend both required performances. The advantage is, when you are gifted and talented in one fine art, the second fine art you add on usually you work very quickly (learn the fastest) and retain a lot from so many disciplines. It's a win-win!
     
    What else do we do in Orchestra? After school parties, field trips to Georgetown HS, Elementary School Tour, Six Flags, Pizza parties and DOUGHNUT DAY following every concert! This year we are hoping to see the Austin Symphony! Although we will be making some modifcations to our schedule due to COVID-19, we are still hopeful for an enjoyable musical experience in a NEW way this year!