October Orchestra Parents Association Newsletter

Hi MPVA Orchestra Families.

Happy October! Updates below for the coming month. We have our Fall Concert (featuring Lyrica, Philharmoic, & Sinfonia Orchestras), a SPIRIT NIGHT at the Chick-Fil-A in Meyer Park, an OPA Meeting, and some other things coming up.

We are collecting personal advice/wisdom about supporting student musicians to share with parents seeking more resources. If you have been a music parent for a while and have advice to share, please check out THIS FORM. All questions are optional, so answer as many or as few as you would like. Mr. Maynard will review advice and final items will be shared in the Parent Resource section of the website.

If you are receiving this newsletter via a link and not to your email, make sure you are registered and info is up to date on the Orchestra Parent Association website. www.mpvaorchestra.org

Sinfonia Orchestra Families: Some Midwest reminders and updates are included below. If you aren't receiving emails about the trip, please reach out to Carolyn at treasurer@mpvaorchestra.org.

Don't hesitate to reach out when needed. Mr Maynard is also always available for any questions. Looking forward to seeing you this month at the Fall Concert and/or the Parent Association meeting.

Thanks so much,

Becky Flechsig, president@mpvaorchestra.org

Upcoming Dates

OCTOBER 5th, 6pm: Deadline for Ads for the Fall Concert Program

OCTOBER 9th: NO SCHOOL

OCTOBER 13th, 5pm - 7pm: TMEA Region Clinic (Optional for students auditioning for Region Orchestra. Payment and Form due to Mr Maynard October 5th)

OCTOBER 15th, 6pm: Fall Concert (Sinfonia, Philharmonic, & Lyrica Performing)

OCTOBER 15th, 7pm - 9pm: CHICK-FIL-A SPIRIT NIGHT at the Meyer Park Location (South Post Oak). Make sure to mention MPVA Orchestra!**

OCTOBER 21st, 6pm: Orchestra Parent Meeting in the Orchestra Room

OCTOBER 21st, 6:30pm: Midwest Clinic Performance Information Meeting

OCTOBER 24th: TMEA Region 23 Auditions

Full calendar of events available at www.mpvaorchestra.org

**Proceeds from this event will go toward fundraising for expenses related to the Sinfonia performance at The Midwest Clinic.

Performance Uniform/Attire

With our Fall Concert coming up, just a reminder about performance attire. Our website has full information that can be viewed by clicking HERE.

Some specifics:

-All black attire.

-Black shoes with black bottoms/soles.

-Due to the height of the stage and the eye level of the audience, skirts & dresses need to be calf length or longer when standing. When a performer is seated, the skirt or dress should at least cover an inch below the bottom of the knee.

Annual Program Fees & Shirt Orders

We were hoping to reach 75 program fee payments by the end of September, and fell short by just ONE payment. We are still moving forward with the Orchestra shirt orders, and will order additional sizes for any payments we receive after the order.

Every student who has paid their fees, has started a payment plan, or has been granted a scholarship, will have a shirt ordered in their size this coming week. After the order is placed, we'll have a better idea of delivery time.

If you accidentally paid your fees via the SchoolPay link (where you purchase PE uniforms), send an email to treasurer@mpvaorchestra.org so we can confirm that your payment has been made in full (schoolpay has the incorrect amount), and to make sure we have your student's shirt size.

We'll continue to accept Program Fees & Scholarship or Payment Plan Requests all year. Any amount welcome. For info on how to pay your fees CLICK HERE.

The Midwest Clinic Updates

For Sinfonia families:

-Check the Midwest Hub on the website for an update to return flight timing.

-Upcoming Payment Deadlines (Check Individual Accounts to see if a balance is due): TODAY, 10/4. Final Payments due: October 31st.

-Please continue to share your individual links for personal fundraising, and share the GiveButter link for group fundraising.

-Room Assignment Requests need to be emailed to Mr Maynard (Timothy.maynard@houstonisd.org) and Carolyn (Treasurer@MPVAOrchestra.org) by October 9th. No guarantees, but they will do their best to accommodate.

-If you would like to Chaperone, please email Mr. Maynard (Timothy.maynard@houstonisd.org) and Carolyn (Treasurer@MPVAOrchestra.org) by October 9th.

Concert Program Ads

Get those ads in by Monday, October 5th to get the most bang for your buck! Pay once and be featured in every regular Concert Program. Businesses and 8th grade Sinfonia musicians get the Concerto Concert Program added on. To get more info and fill out the form CLICK HERE

Orchestra Fundraising Socials

Thanks so much for those who filled out forms to host social this Fall. We got feedback from multiple families that the Fall is going to be a busy and expensive time for many of you. With that in mind we have decided to push Orchestra socials to the start of 2027 and into the Spring. We'll share more info soon, but the form to host will stay up.

A social is a great way to raise funds and get to know other people in our orchestra community. A social can be any kind of event that can be done in a small or large group. A game night, a workshop, a crafting event, a wine tasting, a pool party, a fitness class, a private concert, etc. The host decides the details, the event can be for kids, adults, or families. For more info on Hosting a Social CLICK HERE.

Looking for more Info? Visit the Orchestra Website

We are working to put as much info as possible on the ORCHESTRA WEBSITE. While some info will be visible to all, other info is only visible for users who are logged in. You can use an existing Membership Toolkit Account to register. Make sure and add your students t-shirt size to their info.

Support our Business Sponsors

When you are in need of services, please consider these businesses that support MPVA Orchestra. For more information on Corporate Sponsors/Partners, CLICK HERE.

Prelude Level Sponsors:

Amati Violin Shop

Local Foods Group

Tracie Parzen, Realtor

SUBJECT: MPVA Orchestra October Parent Newsletter