Orchestra (After School) - 2024-2025

About 2024-2025 7th & 8th Grade After School Orchestra:

• Weekly 75-minute practices
• One winter and one spring semester concert. (Saturday, December 14 & Saturday, May 10)
• Students can qualify and choose to try out for area competitions for an additional fee.
• Participants:
• 7th-8th grade students
• Minimum participants = 20 students
• Pianists must also be able to play a second instrument with the same minimum qualifications on the second instrument. (See below).
• Minimum Qualifications: A minimum of one full academic year of beginning Orchestra or one full year of ensemble experience. Questions about qualifications should be sent to the director, Carlos Cita.
• Students will need to provide their own instrument (except pianists) and concert apparel.

Practice Schedule:

Mondays - 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. (Please note this is different from the 2023 - 2024 practice day.)

First practice = Monday, August 19

Last practice = Monday, May 12

Practice Location:

Music Room

After School Orchestra Director:

Carlos Cita

Fees:

Fees: $52.30 Registration Fee +  $325 Participation Fee ($339.95 if paying through MySchoolBucks).  

• All fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable and are due in full even if the student withdraws from the program or the school.
• A $25 late fee will be added once a payment is more than 3 days late. The student will then lose financial eligibility until the late payment and the late fee are paid.

A payment plan for the participation fee is available. Please select “Payment Plan” on the registration form when registering. The payment plan is as follows:

25% due August 16 - ($81.25 by check or $84.98 by MySchoolBucks)

25% due November 1 - ($81.25 by check or $84.98 by MySchoolBucks)

25% due January 17 - ($81.25 by check or $84.98 by MySchoolBucks)

25% due March 3 - ($81.25 by check or $84.98 by MySchoolBucks)

Financial assistance is available to those who need it. See Financial Assistance. To inquire, please email [email protected].

Eligibility:

Please see Eligibility for Extracurricular Clubs and Activities. 

• Students must be academically eligible to perform in concerts and pep rallies. Students must be academically eligible to compete in Soundwaves and other competitions entered by the school. 
• Students must be financially eligible to participate in practices, performances, and competitions.
• Students must maintain their Character in Good Standing eligibility, which requires that students adhere to the Meridian Student & Parent Handbook and the After School Band and Orchestra Terms for Participation.

Important Dates:

Tuesday, August 6 - Registration opens.

Wednesday, August 14 - Registration closes at 9:00 p.m. NO LATE REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED.

Thursday,  August 15 - Participation fees invoiced via MySchoolBucks.

Friday, August 16 - Participation fees due via MySchoolBucks invoice. (Or the first payment plan payment is due.)

Monday, August 19 - Practices start

Friday, November 1 - 2nd payment due for those on the payment plan

Saturday, December 14  from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. - Winter Concert

Friday, January 17 - 3rd payment due for those on the payment plan.

Monday, March 3 - 4th and final payment due for those on a payment plan.

Saturday, May 10  from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. - Spring Concert

Monday, May 12 - Last practice

Registration:

Registration is now closed. It was originally scheduled to end at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14, but MySchoolBucks was running maintenance at that time, so registration was extended to 10 a.m. on Thursday August 15. No late registrations will be accepted.

Lettering Requirements:

Lettering is reserved for high school students. 

Questions:

• About After School Orchestra: Please email the Carlos Cita
• About After School Orchestra registration, Invoices or lettering: Please email [email protected].