Round Rock High School Orchestra
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  • Home
  • About the Directors
  • Announcements
  • Audition Information
  • Booster Club
  • Calendar
  • Carnegie Hall
  • Contact
  • Course Descriptions and Information
  • Eligibility Calendar 2022-2023
  • Full Orchestra 2023
  • Handbook
  • Handouts and Forms
  • Letter Jacket Points
  • Links to Music stores, online shopping, local performances
  • Midwest Clinic 2018
  • Online Learning Resources
  • Private Lessons at RRHS
  • Schedule/Tutoring
  • Solo and Ensemble
  • Solo and Ensemble Accompanists
  • TMEA Region 26 Orchestra
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Solo and Ensemble

Solo and Ensemble 
  • Solo and Ensemble Contest will take place at Stony Point High School on January 28, 2023. Performance times will be assigned to students for both solos and ensembles competing. 
  • Deadline to submit entry forms and fees is Friday, December 2, 2022 to either  Ms. Keith. or Mr. Carter
  • Forms are included on this page. 
  • Links to accompanists are also on this page.  Students must perform with an accompanist if the music requires it. 
  • Students must use music from the Texas UIL Prescribed Music List (PML) and follow all specifications and requirements including movements performed, editions and publishers and any other requirements listed.  Class 1 is the most difficult, Class 3 is the easiest. 
  • All students competing must be UIL eligible according to the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules and the RRISD Eligibility Calendar. ​
Students must prepare their music well in advance for a successful competition! Practice and rehearsal with regular lessons with private teachers or orchestra directors or music coaches is helpful in providing feedback for a successful competition.  Ensembles should set a rigid rehearsal schedule to provide enough time for rewarding experience. Students should consider all ability levels of themselves and their ensemble partners when selecting ensemble music in regards to preparation time. This also should apply when selecting solo literature as well. 

Students wished to advance to Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest (TSSEC) which is held in May at the University of Texas, must prepare a Class 1 solo or ensemble and receive and 1 (Superior rating) at the regional Solo and Ensemble Contest.  Class 1 solos must be memorized except those that are on the Non Memorization List to advance to TSSEC.  

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Why do Solo and Ensemble?

Participation in Solo and Ensemble can help a student gain confidence in their own playing.  The goal of a student in an orchestra setting is very different that when a student is working on a solo where their goal is solely for their own musical journey.  A student can focus on the type of music they want to perform (e.g. slow and somber or fast and exciting) to help them grow as a musician.  
In working in a small ensemble allows students to work as a team to present a finished project.  These student must learn their own part individually and then rehearse together to learn how everyone else's part fits with their own.  The camaraderie of working on a piece of music with one's friends and classmates is very rewarding and students will reap the benefits of ensemble playing in both their solo work and their orchestral work as well.  




Make your plans for Solo and Ensemble! 
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Solo
  • Choose your solo!  PML                                                 What does it sound like? YouTube
  • ​Where can I buy my solo?  Here
  • Hire your accompanist!  Accompanists (you are welcome to find your own)! 
  • Number the measures of your piano part and then send your accompanist the piano accompaniment! 
  • Turn in your form and fee (forms at the bottom of the page). 
  • Practice your solo! Use a metronome so you are accurate in giving the tempo to your accompanist.  Number your measures for easier rehearsals.  Metronome    Metronome apps
  • Set up rehearsals with accompanist.  Let them know your metronome marking (s). 
  • Practice with your accompanist several times.  Mark your music! 
  • Perform on the Pre-UIL Solo and Ensemble Recital on Wednesday, January 25th at 6:30 in the Orchestra Room (not required but a great idea).  Practice bowing and announcing yourself and the piece you are performing with the composer's name accurately. 
  • Make sure you have an original piece of music that has all measures numbered for the judge. 
  • Perform at UIL Solo and Ensemble on Saturday, January 28th (Make sure you have the original  for the judge.)  Make sure you are and stay eligible! 


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​​Ensemble 
  • ​Choose your ensemble members! (Friends, classmates). 
  • Choose your ensemble piece (remember your members abilities and your time constraints)! PML   What does it sound like? YouTube
  • ​Where can we buy our music? Here
  • ​What if it is public domain? IMSLP 
  • Set up your entire rehearsal schedule until performance; once a week rehearsals is a good expectation. 
  • Collect your fees and turn them in together with one form to your director.  (Separate check for your ensemble). Forms are at the bottom of the page. 
  • Learn your part!  Number your measures for easier rehearsals. 
  • Rehearse with your ensemble.  Bring a metronome to rehearsal.  Set tempo expectations for next week's rehearsal.  Mark your music! Metronome  Metronome apps
  • Seek coaching help from either a private instructor or orchestra director. 
  • Perform on the Pre-UIL Solo and Ensemble Recital on Wednesday, January 25th at 6:30 in the Orchestra Room (not required but a great idea).  Practice bowing and announcing yourselves and the piece you are performing with the composer's name accurately.
  • Make sure you have an original piece of music that has all measures numbered for the judge.  Sometimes ensembles do not have a score so all of the parts should be numbered and given to a judge. 
  • Perform at UIL Solo and Ensemble on Saturday, January 28th (Make sure you have the original  for the judge.) Make sure you are and stay eligible! 

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Resources
Prescribed Music List (PML)

List of Accompanists
Eligibility Calendar
UIL Rules regarding eligibility


Entry forms
​​


Solo and Ensemble Solo Form.pdf
File Size: 181 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Solo and Ensemble Form.pdf
File Size: 179 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


​Erin_Keith@roundrockisd.org
​512-464-6025



​Caleb_Carter@roundrockisd.org
​512-464-6068