Tompkins High School

Orchestra News

STATE RUNNER UP!
Over the past weekend an epic battle took place for the 2020 state honor orchestra title. So epic in fact the skies were thundering in protest on Monday morning.
 
On Saturday recordings from all around the state competed for a spot in the finals. The Tompkins Sinfonia once again handily played their way into the final round! Sunday’s final round started at 8am. After the judging panel listened to all 11 state finalists Tompkins came out in first place… tied with Clear Lake HS. As there can be no tie this set the stage for a final epic showdown round between Tompkins and Clear Lake. This is the first time in TMEA’s 100 year history that two orchestras tied for first place. Both recordings were listened to again (pitted head to head) as judges deliberated. In the end the judging panel came out with a split decision 3-2 in favor of Clear Lake. While we may not have won I'm absolutely floored to have come this close to a second state title.

KCM FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS
For each concert this year we would like to celebrate and support our community by giving back. For this next concert (10/29) we would love to collect canned good donations from each household. Please plan to bring your canned good(s) to the concert for drop off at the PAC entrance. Thanks in advance for helping us share the love.

MASQUERADE SERENADE
Our second concert of the year is upon us. Philharmonia, Camerata, and Cambiata orchestra students should be signed in and ready to go by 5:45pm for our 6pm concert. Sinfonia, Sinfonietta, and Lyrica orchestras should be signed in and ready to go by 7:15pm for our 7:30pm concert. Costume guidelines were shared with students on Tuesday. If your son/daughter does not choose to wear a costume for this event they may wear all black or their formal concert uniform. 

COSTUME PARADE!!!
We're encouraging any little ones that might be tagging along to wear their favorite character costume to our concert as well. During a brief intermission we will hold our annual costume parade for any little ones (elementary and younger) that might want to show off their costume on stage!

CANDY DONATIONS
We are also asking families for large bags of candy to be donated for our event next Tuesday as well. If you can help out please have your son/daughter drop off a bag of candy to the orchestra office by this Friday. Thanks in advance for your help.

ORCHESTRA PICTURE DAY
This Friday we will be sending home a picture order form for our orchestra picture day on 10/31. Please look over this and decide if you would like to order orchestra individual or group shots. This form is due online to the photographers on 10/31. Alternatively, you may choose to go online and pay via the internet. http://www.image2c.com/order/

ALL-AREA & ALL STATE RECORDING
Best of luck to our all-state competitors on a fantastic area elimination round on Friday and a successful recording session on Saturday. An email was sent on Tuesday regarding procedures for this contest. Please let me know if you need that information and be sure you are subscribed to our Remind service.

REGION RE-CHAIR
For all of our students that earned a place in the all-region orchestras please note our section and re-chairing night is November 1st at Cinco Ranch HS. We will send more details as that date draws near.

REMIND
Please subscribe to our Remind text update service at your earliest convenience if you have not already. All of our class codes have changed so check your placement on our website www.tompkinsorchestras.org and sign up for the corresponding class for reminder from Mr. Porter throughout the school year. Simply text the right code below to the number 81010 and you are subscribed.

• Sinfonia - @othssinf
• Sinfonietta - @othsstta
• Cambiata - @othscamb
• Lyrica - @othslyr
• Philharmonia - @othsphil
• Camerata - @othscam

Musically Yours,

Matthew Porter
OTHS Orchestras