The Lamar Orchestras are open to any students with at least one year of orchestra ensemble experience (or one year or private lesson enrollment) and that are enrolled in an applicable orchestra class at Lamar High School. Students are expected to remain in orchestra the entire year.

The orchestra is scheduled to rehearse afterschool Mondays and Tuesdays from 5-6:30PM. These afterschool rehearsals are mandatory and any conflicts with other programs and academic tutorials must be communicated well in advance.

Any poor communication may result in revoking of leadership title, chair demotion, orchestra demotion, or expulsion from the program.

Since the orchestra program is co-curricular, activities outside of the school day do affect students' inevitable grade during the school day.

All students are responsible for a participation fee for the 2022-2023 school year, which helps supplement the orchestra budget and is used to purchase music, supplies, and assist with travel expenses the orchestra will incur. The following is the fee for this year, payable thorugh School Pay:

• 2022-2023 Participation Fee: $100.00

Through the participation fee, students will receive parts of their casual orchestra uniform, including one 2022-2023 Orchestra Tee-Shirt (to be worn on select Fridays) and one Orchestra Polo Shirt (to be worn at any time and at casual events).

If a student requires the use of a school-owned instrument, parents/guardians will need to fill out an Instrument Usage Form and pay a one-time Usage Fee, which will vary by instrument:

• 2022-2023 Usage Fee for Violin/Viola: $75.00

• 2022-2023 Usage Fee for Cello/Bass: $100.00

All fees are expected to be paid upfront and in full.

Parent/Guardians who have concerns about school-owned instruments being transported through HISD transportation have the opportunity to rent a second instrument at no additional charge. In this instance, one school-owned instrument would remain at home for practice and one would remain at school for ease of access. NOTE: As we are still receiving our new inventory, instruments will be first come, first served. As we get our new inventory, students will receive a second HISD Instrument Agreement Form for the new instrument.

If you are facing financial hardship, we can work out payment plans for any applicable fees. We are also accepting extra donations of fees to help our students struggling with financial hardship.

Lamar Orchestras is committed to keeping fundraising activities at a minimum and we rely on grants, profit shares, and donations from local businesses to meet the needs of all orchestra students. When the orchestra does fundraise, it is in the best interest of every student to fundraise.