MRHS Orchestra Newsletter
November 2026
November Calendar
- Monday, 11/2 Campus Professional Day, No School for Students
- Wednesday, 11/4 Picture Day
- Friday, 11/6 Mariachi National Anthem at Football Game, Rhodes Stadium
- Friday, 11/13 Friendsgiving 6-8PM 9th Grade Cafe
- Monday-Friday 11/23-11/27 Thanksgiving Break!
Sinfonia
- Wednesday, 11/4 3:30-5PM
Symphony Orchestra (Sinfonia and Camerata)
- Monday, 11/9 3:30-5:30PM
- Monday, 11/16 3:30-5:30PM
- Monday, 11/30 3:30-5:30PM
Musical (select students)
- Wednesday, 11/11 3:30-5:30PM
- Wednesday, 11/18 3:30-5:30PM
Picture Day
Orchestra Picture Day is coming soon! All students will take a group ensemble photo and an individual composite photo during their regularly scheduled orchestra class.
Date: Wednesday, 11/4
Time: During All Orchestra Classes
Location: Morton Ranch High School
REQUIRED FORMAL ORCHESTRA ATTIRE
All students must wear their official Katy ISD formal orchestra uniform for pictures.
Gentlemen:
Formal KISD Orchestra uniform
White button-down dress shirt
Black dress shoes (NO SNEAKERS)
Long black dress socks
Ladies:
Formal KISD Orchestra uniform
Flat black formal dress shoes (NO SNEAKERS)
Long black hosiery
Please ensure uniforms are clean, pressed, and ready for Picture Day.
ORDERING STUDENT PHOTOS
Picture order forms will be sent home with students once they are received from the photography company. Families will also have the option to purchase photographs online, which is typically faster and more convenient.
Orchestra photographs make wonderful holiday gifts for family and friends!
2026–2027 Picture Day online ordering link
We recommend viewing the photography website on a laptop or desktop computer for the best experience.
IMPORTANT: STUDENT PRIVACY CODE REQUIREMENTS
Per campus administration, students must have an approved privacy code to be included in group photographs for the school yearbook.
Privacy Code Y (Yes): Student may be included.
Privacy Code O (Other): Student may be included.
Privacy Code N (No): Student cannot be included in group photographs.
If your student's privacy code is marked N, we are required to exclude them from group photographs unless the parent or guardian updates their permission.
Parents, please verify your student's privacy permissions and make any necessary changes before Picture Day.
2026–2027 Privacy Code Change Form
We want every eligible orchestra student represented in our ensemble photographs! Thank you for helping students arrive prepared and professionally dressed for this special occasion.
Friendsgiving
We are excited to celebrate our annual Friendsgiving with our Orchestra and Mariachi students! This is a wonderful opportunity for students to relax, enjoy a delicious meal, participate in fun activities, and spend time with friends before Thanksgiving Break.
Date: Friday, November 13
Time: 6:00–8:00 PM
Location: MRHS 9th Grade Cafeteria
STUDENT PARTICIPATION
Friendsgiving is exclusively for current MRHS Orchestra and Mariachi students. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate family members or outside friends due to our event budget and available resources.
WHAT TO BRING
We ask each student to contribute a main dish, side dish, or dessert to share. Please use the SignUpGenius link below to select what you will bring. No drinks are needed.
Friendsgiving SignUpGenius – Food & Volunteers
PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Parents, we need YOUR help to make Friendsgiving a success! Please consider volunteering to assist with this special event. You can sign up using the same SignUpGenius link above.
Our Orchestra and Mariachi Student Officers will organize fun activities and entertainment throughout the evening while students enjoy dinner and time together.
We look forward to an evening of great food, friendship, and celebrating our amazing Orchestra and Mariachi community!
Final Exam Solo Submission - Friday, 12/4 7AM
FALL SEMESTER FINAL EXAM – SOLO VIDEO SUBMISSION
All Fall Semester Final Exam solo recordings are due Friday, December 4, 2026, by 7:00 AM. Students must upload their video to the designated Canvas module.
SOLO RECORDING REQUIREMENTS
Perform your entire assigned solo.
Make sure both hands are clearly visible throughout the video.
Demonstrate the progress and preparation you have made throughout the semester.
If necessary, perform at a slower tempo to maintain accuracy. Your performance should still be recognizable and reflect the music as written.
In the Canvas submission comments, include the solo title, movement (if applicable), and composer.
Remember, the goal is to demonstrate your individual progress, preparation, and musicianship. Focus on playing with accurate notes, rhythms, and a steady tempo rather than rushing through difficult passages.
FINAL EXAM EXEMPTIONS
Students who qualify for and choose to exempt their Fall Semester Final Exam are still required to complete the solo video submission.
Students taking the final exam will receive a Final Exam grade for their solo performance.
Students exempting the final exam will receive a Major Grade assessment in the gradebook instead of a Final Exam grade.
All students are expected to complete the same recording requirements and meet the December 4 deadline, regardless of exemption status.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
UIL Solo & Ensemble registration forms and all applicable fees are also due Friday, December 4, 2026, by 7:00 AM.
Please plan ahead and complete all requirements before the deadline. We look forward to hearing the progress you have made on your solos this semester!
Solo and Ensemble
Our UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest is scheduled for Saturday, January 30, 2027, at Katy High School!
At the beginning of the school year, every orchestra student was assigned a solo with the expectation of preparing for this important event. Students have been working on their music throughout the semester and should be well prepared by contest day.
As part of their fall semester final exam, all students are also required to perform the first half of their assigned solo.
ENTRY DEADLINE & REQUIREMENTS
Entry Deadline: Friday, December 4, 2026, by 7:00 AM
Students must meet academic eligibility requirements to participate in UIL Solo & Ensemble. All entry fees, accompanist fees, and required paperwork must be submitted by the deadline.
Students may enter a maximum of TWO events.
CONTEST FEES
UIL Entry Fee: $12 per event
Piano Accompanist Fee: $60 per student, which includes two after-school rehearsals in January and accompaniment on contest day.
We have arranged qualified piano accompanists for our students. Rehearsal schedules will be coordinated in January as we approach the contest.
SOLO & ENSEMBLE ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS
To complete registration, students must complete ALL TWO steps:
1. Submit Payment
All fees may be paid through the MRHS Orchestra Online Store. Cash payments are also accepted and must be placed in a labeled envelope and deposited in the orchestra room safe
2.Complete the Online Entry Form
All students must submit the Solo & Ensemble Google Entry Form.
Students will need their solo information, including the UIL Prescribed Music List (PML) number. If students are unsure of their PML number, they should ask their orchestra director for assistance.
IMPORTANT REGISTRATION REMINDER
A student's registration is NOT complete until all requirements have been fulfilled:
Payment of all applicable fees
Submission of the online Google entry form
All two steps must be completed by Friday, December 4, at 7:00 AM.
WHY SOLO & ENSEMBLE MATTERS
UIL Solo & Ensemble is an excellent opportunity for students to develop individual musicianship, confidence, technical skills, and musical independence. Preparing a solo challenges students to take ownership of their progress while developing skills that strengthen our entire orchestra program.
We encourage all students to take this opportunity seriously, practice consistently, and prepare for a successful performance!
Please contact Mr. Katz with any questions regarding registration, fees, or contest preparation.
Orchestra All-Region Students
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ALL-REGION ORCHESTRA MUSICIANS!
We are incredibly proud to recognize four outstanding Morton Ranch High School Orchestra students who have earned positions in the prestigious All-Region Orchestras! These students competed against talented musicians from across the region and earned their placements through hard work, dedication, and musical excellence.
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Anh Phi Phan – Viola
PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Joshua Aleman – Viola
Tyler Cunningham – Double Bass
Joaquin Franco-Pineda – Cello
ALL-REGION ORCHESTRA CLINIC & CONCERT
Location: Paetow High School
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026
Concert Times:
Philharmonic Orchestra – 5:15 PM
Symphony Orchestra – 6:00 PM
These talented students will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform alongside some of the finest young musicians in our region under the direction of distinguished guest conductors.
We encourage our entire orchestra community to attend and support these exceptional students!
Congratulations once again to Anh Phi, Joshua, Tyler, and Joaquin! Your accomplishments bring tremendous pride to the Morton Ranch High School Orchestra program!
Winter Orchestra Concert Thursday, 12/10
Join us for an evening of beautiful music as our orchestra students celebrate the winter season!
Our annual Winter Orchestra Concert will take place on Thursday, December 10, 2026, in the Morton Ranch High School Performing Arts Center (PAC).
CONCERT SCHEDULE
6:00 PM – Morton Ranch Junior High Orchestra
7:00 PM – Morton Ranch High School Symphony Orchestra
7:30PM – Morton Ranch High School String Orchestras
MRJH will start at 6PM then the MRHS HS portion will open with a special performance by the MRHS Symphony Orchestra, featuring our Sinfonia and Camerata string musicians performing alongside our band students as a full symphony orchestra!
Following the full orchestra performance, our string ensembles will take the stage, beginning with Chamber White, followed by Chamber Purple, Camerata, and Sinfonia.
STUDENT CALL TIMES
5:15 PM – Sinfonia
6:00 PM – Camerata, Chamber Purple, and Chamber White
All students must arrive on time, dressed appropriately, and ready to perform.
REQUIRED CONCERT ATTIRE
Students must wear their formal Orchestra uniform, the same attire required for Orchestra Picture Day. Please ensure all students have the appropriate dress shoes, shirts, socks, and hosiery. No sneakers are permitted.
We look forward to sharing the hard work and musical accomplishments of our talented orchestra students. Bring your family and friends for a wonderful evening of music as we celebrate the holiday season together!
We hope to see everyone at our Winter Orchestra Concert!
Sight Reading Factory
SIGHT READING FACTORY – STUDENT PRACTICE & ASSESSMENT EXPECTATIONS
The Morton Ranch High School Orchestra program has purchased a Sight Reading Factory subscription for every student! This valuable resource will help students strengthen their music-reading skills as we prepare for the upcoming UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation.
Students will complete regular sight-reading assessments throughout our UIL preparation. Consistent practice is essential for success!
STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS & EXPECTATIONS
Daily Practice (10–20 Minutes)
Students are expected to practice sight-reading for 10–20 minutes each day using Sight Reading Factory.
Open your orchestra course in Canvas.
Navigate to the appropriate module.
Select the Sight Reading Factory – General Practice button.
Practice consistently, focusing on accuracy, rhythm, and note recognition
Before beginning, the software will check the device's microphone to ensure it can accurately detect the student's instrument.
Recommended: Katy ISD-issued Chromebook
Other options: iPad or Android tablet
Not supported: Cellphones
Students must practice and complete assessments in a quiet environment. Background conversations, music, or other noises may interfere with the microphone and prevent the software from accurately evaluating their performance.
Completing Assessments
After sufficient independent practice, students should return to their Canvas module and open the assigned Sight Reading Factory assessment.
The software automatically evaluates performances and provides immediate feedback.
Students may retry assessments as many times as necessary to improve their scores.
Once satisfied with their grade, students must submit the assessment.
The submitted score will be recorded in the gradebook.
ASSIGNMENT DEADLINES & GRADING POLICIES
All assignments are due by 7:00 AM on the designated due date. Specific deadlines are posted in the Canvas gradebook. Students have the entire assigned week, Monday through Sunday, to practice and complete their assessments before the Monday morning deadline. Students who practice consistently should be able to complete each assessment in approximately five minutes.
IMPORTANT POLICIES:
Late assignments will NOT be accepted.
Missing assignments will receive a grade of 70% in the gradebook.
NO SUBMISSION = NO UIL PARTICIPATION. Students who fail to complete their required Sight Reading Factory assessments will not be permitted to participate in UIL.
These expectations are designed to build accountability, consistency, and individual preparation.
WHY ARE WE USING SIGHT READING FACTORY?
The UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation consists of two equally important components:
Concert Performance (50%)
Students perform prepared musical selections that we rehearse and refine during our daily orchestra classes.
Students must perform a piece of music they have never seen or rehearsed before. This evaluation measures their ability to independently interpret notes, rhythms, musical markings, and other essential elements of music.
Sight-reading represents half of our UIL evaluation, making it just as important as our prepared concert performance.
Every student has different strengths and areas for improvement. Some students need additional practice reading rhythms, while others need to develop faster note recognition, stronger pulse, or greater confidence when encountering unfamiliar music.
The good news is that sight-reading is a skill that improves with consistent, focused practice.
Sight Reading Factory provides students with:
Individualized practice at an appropriate difficulty level.
Instant feedback to identify and correct mistakes.
Unlimited opportunities to develop confidence and fluency.
Measurable progress that allows students and directors to monitor improvement.
Stronger musicianship that transfers directly into daily rehearsals and performances.
OUR GOAL
Our goal is not simply to earn a strong UIL rating. We want every student to become a more confident, capable, and independent musician.
Just 10–20 minutes of focused daily practice can make a tremendous difference in individual growth and the overall success of our orchestra program.
Thank you for supporting our students and helping us maintain a culture of excellence and accountability.
Instrument Tuning
There are many videos on YouTube to teach yourself how to tune your instrument. This is important for Sight Reading Factory assignments, the software only works when your student's strings are perfectly in tune.
Parents please purchase an extra set of strings for students to keep in their cases for backup in case one breaks, and they will break when the weather turns colder.
ALWAYS tune from coming under the pitch (flat) to the pitch and no sudden movements, go slow or the string will pop. This is just one example, please search for more.
Mariachi News
Dear Mariachi Families,
November is an exciting month for Mariachi Morton Ranch! We are proud of our students’ accomplishments and look forward to representing Morton Ranch High School at several special performances and events throughout the month. Thank you for your continued support as our students share their talent, dedication, and love for mariachi music.
🌟 Congratulations to Our Mariachi Region Qualifiers!
We are proud to congratulate James Flores and Cesar Rodriguez for earning a place in the 2027 Mariachi Region! This outstanding accomplishment reflects their hard work, musical growth, and commitment to excellence.
We are also proud to recognize Cesar Rodriguez and Victor Famuyiwa as they prepare to record for Mariachi Area auditions. Their dedication and musical achievements represent the hard work and commitment of our program. We wish them the very best as they continue pursuing these exciting opportunities. ¡Felicidades!
🎶 November 6 — National Anthem Performance
Rhodes Stadium
Mariachi Morton Ranch is honored to perform the National Anthem at Rhodes Stadium on November 6. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to represent our school and community through music and demonstrate their pride and musicianship.
🎻 November 8 — Texas Mariachi Festival
Arlington, Texas
We are excited to travel to Arlington, Texas, on November 8 to open for the renowned Mariachi Los Camperos as part of the Texas Mariachi Festival! This special opportunity will allow our students to perform on an exciting stage, share their passion for mariachi music, and celebrate the rich traditions of this incredible musical art form. We are proud to represent Morton Ranch High School!
🎼 November 14 — UH Houston Mariachi Festival
Mariachi Morton Ranch will participate in the UH Houston Mariachi Festival on November 14. Our students will have the opportunity to celebrate mariachi music alongside other talented musicians, continue developing their skills, and represent our program with pride.
🎤 November 19 — Mariachi Concert
Save the Date!
Join us for our Mariachi Morton Ranch concert on November 19! Come support our talented students as they showcase the music, dedication, and hard work they have developed throughout the school year. More details regarding the concert time and location will be shared soon.
💜 Thank You for Your Support!
We are grateful to our students, families, school administrators, and community for supporting Mariachi Morton Ranch. Every performance is an opportunity to celebrate our cultural heritage, build confidence, and create lasting memories through music.
Let’s make November a month to remember!
¡Arriba Morton Ranch! ¡Arriba Mariachi Morton Ranch!