Get Ready for a Great Year!
Information for A,B, & C Orchestra Members and Families
Instrument Maintenance & Supplies
Make sure your instrument is ready for the start of the school year by having regular maintenance done now:
- A Bow re-hair or replacement should be done once every year for the average player. Student's performing and practicing at a high level should have their bow hair replaced every 6 months.
- Strings should be replaced for violin/viola every year, cellists every other year, and bassists every three years.
Some maintenance may be covered through your rental contract so make sure to check with your rental company. If you own your instrument, you'll want to take your instrument to a reputable luthier for a re-hair. You can get this done at Dallas Strings located in Allen.
Supplies: Make sure to have the following supplies ready for orchestra class. You might already have some of these things from last year.
- Rosin
- Cleaning cloth - this just needs to be a clean, dry cloth that can be kept in your case to clean the strings regularly.
- Shoulder rest (violin/viola students only)
- Clip-on tuner
- Black binder that will be used for orchestra class only
- Pencils to keep in your orchestra binder (not pens)
Private Lessons
It is recommended that all students sign up for private instruction on their instrument. Lessons are available as pull-outs during orchestra class once a week or outside of the school day. Lessons before/after school can take place at Lawler or at a teacher's studio.
Get Involved
- Booster Club Officer Positions
- Booster club 501(c)3 paperwork
- Chaperones for field trips
- Hospitality at concerts
- Occasional classroom support - Copies, Filing, Money Collection, Form collection
Important Dates & Performances
Fall Concert - October 25th - This is a required event for all orchestra students in the A,B, & C orchestras. Our fall concert will be held in the Lawler MS Cafetorium.
Winter Concert - December 18th - This is a required event for all orchestra students. Our winter concert will be held at Centennial HS
Solo & Ensemble Contest - April 2019 - This is an optional event for all students, but is highly recommended. This is your student's opportunity to display their solo abilities and their highest levels of musicianship.
Spring Concert - May 7th - This is a required event for all orchestra students. Our spring concert will be held at Lawler MS in the Cafetorium.
*** The above dates are not all of the orchestra events for the school year. Please make sure to check our calendar for all of our scheduled events. Some dates on our orchestra calendar are only for specific groups of students. Make sure to click on events to see who they apply to.
Our Cafetorium at Lawler!
Get to Know Your Orchestra Director
This will be my 10th year teaching - I spent my first three years teaching in Grand Prairie ISD where I started a new orchestra program at Fannin Middle school. I spent the next six years teaching orchestra at Huffines MS in Lewisville ISD. I loved working with my students and families in Lewisville, and I'm beyond excited to be working closer to home in Frisco and joining the Lawler community this fall.
A little about my music background: I grew up in the Chicago Suburbs where I started piano at age five and viola at age nine. I moved to the Houston area during my last two years of high school which allowed me to be part of the award winning orchestra programs at both Neuqua Valley HS in Naperville, IL and Cinco Ranch HS in Katy, TX. I attended the University of North Texas and graduated with a Bachelor in Music Education in 2009 with a concentration in viola.
I absolutely love what I do. Helping students to discover their talents and a passion for music brings me joy each day. I cannot wait to get started working with our Lawler Orchestras.
When I'm not teaching music, I'm spending time with my husband (who is also an orchestra teacher!), my son Declan, and my two fat cats!