Welcome

T-shirt orders due by October 14!

Updates

Important Dates and Times!

Mon, 10/13: Student Holiday (Indigenous Peoples’ Day)
Mon, 10/13: San Francisco Trip registration deadline (details below)
Tue, 10/14: T-shirt orders due!
Wed, 10/15 (7:30 am): Early morning practice for all orchestras
Thu, 10/16 (5-8 pm): Orchestra Fundraiser Spirit Night at Double Dave’s on William Cannon
Mon, 10/20: Student Holiday (Diwali)
Mon, 10/20: San Francisco Trip deposit due (details below)
Wed, 10/22: PSAT (10th/11th graders)
Thu, 10/23 (7:30 am): Early morning practice for all orchestras
Thu, 10/23 (6:30 pm): Orchestra Booster Board meeting (all are invited to attend)
Wed, 10/29 (7:30 am): Early morning practice for all orchestras
Sat, 11/1: Monster Concert Festival at Austin High (more details)
Tue, 11/4 (4-10 pm): Orchestra Fundraiser Spirit Night at P. Terry’s on William Cannon
Wed, 11/12 (5:30-7:30 pm): Orchestra Fundraiser at Kendra Scott store on Congress Ave

Helpful Links and Info

• Private Lessons
• Scholarships
• Corporate Sponsors
• Fees, Instruments, and Uniform Requirements

Region Audition Results

We are so proud of all 40 students who attended the region auditions this past Saturday. All students made a great effort, and we are proud of everyone!

Congratulations to the following students who received spots in the region orchestras:

Symphony: James Maloney, Gideon Head, Gabriel Guajardo, Noah Facundo, Isaac Guajardo, and Merjon Cimron

Philharmonic: Zach Dettmer, Kendra Tseng, Georgia Pac, Kennedy Quintanilla, Sofia Miller, Miles Miller, Jade Garcia, Cormac Lewis, Owen Harp, and Syon Bhatt

Alternate players: Penn Smith, Kayla Benson, Sebastian Gromik, and Aidan Makarabooshanam

San Francisco Orchestra Trip

Families, it’s time to register for our San Francisco Orchestra trip! The trip will take place from Friday, March 13th through Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The total cost of the trip per student is $2,199.00. The cost will be paid in 4 installments (October, November, January, and February).

The registration deadline is October 13th, and the initial non-refundable deposit is $450 due on October 20th.  Please use the following link to confirm your student’s interest in attending the trip in March!
https://forms.gle/5E1taNJf3xmhHd3H7

We need a minimum of 35 participants to attend this trip! Any questions, please contact: Crystal McQueeney

Monster Concert Planning Meeting and Orchestra Parent Booster Board Meeting (Virtual)

We are having a virtual Monster Concert Planning meeting on Monday, October 6th, at 8:00 pm. We are also having an Orchestra Parent Booster Board meeting on Thursday, October 23rd, at 6:30 pm. All parents are invited to attend! See the Cuttime newsletter for meeting link.

Monster Concert (AHS Students)

To help us prepare for the Monster Concert on Saturday, November 1st, we need AHS students from all orchestras to bring donations of certain items.

Find out more info about donations by class period/instrument

Students also need to volunteer for at least one 3-hour shift to help build the Haunted House and to make posters. All students also need to volunteer on the day of the carnival to work at least one shift that day.

Students must either wear a costume on the day of the carnival or wear a carnival t-shirt.  The last day to place an order for a t-shirt is Tuesday, October 14th. Parents and family may also purchase t-shirts for the carnival. T-shirts can be ordered here:
 https://austinhighorchestra.com/concerts-uil/fall-concerts/monster-concert-2025/

Monster Concert and Festival – Volunteer Requests

Calling all ghouls, goblins, and good-hearted volunteers! The Austin High School Orchestra needs YOU for its biggest fundraiser of the year — the Monster Concert on Saturday, November 1st, 2025! 

This spooktacular event will be a night to remember, and we need your help to make it a howling success! Whether you want to help out with game booths, serve food, support behind the scenes, or ensure security, we’ve got a spot for you.

Volunteer Opportunities Include:

• Game Booths: Help keep the crowd entertained with festive games.
• Food Service: Serve up some delicious treats to hungry concert-goers.
• Backstage Support: Be the secret behind-the-scenes hero that keeps everything running smoothly.
• Security: Keep things safe while still enjoying the eerie excitement.
• Haunted House: Help bring the fright to life in our spooky maze!

In addition to the fun, you’ll get a chance to hear some talented orchestras play and might even catch a Ballet Folklorico performance. What better way to enjoy an evening full of music, mystery, and mayhem?!

Why Volunteer?

• Free Concerts
• Fun Atmosphere
• Great Food (Can you say loaded nachos?)

So, what are you waiting for? Dust off your cape, grab your broomstick, and sign up to help us make this year’s Monster Concert a night full of thrills, chills, and incredible music! Sign up now and let’s make this event the most hauntingly fun Monster Concert yet!

Sign-Up to Volunteer (Day Before and Day Of)

Building the Haunted House for Monster Concert (Volunteers Needed)

Want to get in the Halloween spirit? We’re looking for volunteers to help plan and set up the Haunted House! We need your creative energy to make it come to life.

Here are the dates and times we could use some helping hands:

• Fri, 10/17: 5 – 8 pm
• Sat, 10/18: 9 am – noon
• Fri, 10/24: 5 – 8 pm
• Sat, 10/25: 9 am – noon

Come get your hands a little messy, hang some cobwebs, and help set the stage for one of the most frightfully fun parts of the Monster Concert!  Whether you’re good at building, decorating, or just want to be part of the eerie excitement, we’d love to have you!

No experience necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and creativity!

Sign-Up to Volunteer (Haunted House and Carnival Prep)

Adult Orchestra Volunteers

The orchestra relies on adult volunteers for different events throughout the year. If you are interested in volunteering or know you will be volunteering in the orchestra room and helping students, please submit an application on the AISD Voly site. Also check out our volunteer webpage for additional info.

Get Messages Using Remind

Please make sure that you and your student(s) sign up to get important messages and reminders. To sign up for Remind, compose a text message to the number 81010.

Camerata Orchestra: @a2aa82
Philharmonic & Recital Orchestras: @g4kcfc2
Chamber Orchestra: @hh2949
Orchestra Parents: @hak8gd

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Our Platinum Sponsors

Our Gold Sponsors

And thank you to the many orchestra families who have given so generously.