(For Parents AND Students)
Congratulations! Based on your accelerated musical ability, commitment to hard work, positive attitude, and a successful video audition, you have been invited to participate in our High Performance Program.
Please take the time to carefully read through the High Performance Program Contract so you are fully aware of the expectations for the program. We look forward to a great school year with you!
About the High Performance Program
Orrett’s High Performance Program is an initiative designed to provide exclusive enrichment opportunities to students demonstrating exceptional proficiency, positivity, and potential in their chosen instrument(s). This program is for students who are interested in participating in a program that provides enriched musical training and performance opportunities. Placement in the High Performance Program is invitational and based on technical ability, work ethic, commitment to your art and respect for your teachers and peers. By promoting excellence, leadership, and personal responsibility, this program develops skills applicable to the school and beyond.
1) Nomination & Admission Criteria
Nomination (and a subsequent successful video audition) is the only way to be considered for admission to the High Performance Program. Your child’s teacher and/or the administrative staff at Orrett nominated them based on the following criteria because they:
- Are currently enrolled in music lessons on the instrument they have been nominated for at Orrett (we need to ensure that everyone is getting the same base amount of musical training)
- Are at least 9 years of age
- Demonstrate accelerated musical ability (for their age and experience level)
- Show consistent, strong practicing habits
- Give the sense that music is a priority in their lives
- Maintain a helpful and positive attitude in their lessons and to others
- The family of the student has been co-operative with admin staff in keeping with our positive communication policy
A student must maintain the above nomination criteria throughout the entirety of their time in the High Performance Program in order to stay in the program.
Admission to the High Performance Program is dependent on a video audition. All submitted videos have been reviewed by a panel of teachers and administrative staff at Orrett Music Academy, and if you are receiving this contract, it means your child has successfully been accepted into the program! Congratulations!
2) Participation Requirements
Attendance: All events are exclusive to Orrett High Performance Program students. Attendance of these High Performance Program events is crucial. The opportunity to excel comes with the responsibility to put in the work to do so.
The following events require mandatory attendance:
- Participation in at least 8 of the 10 monthly workshops detailed below, which include enrolment in High Performance ensemble(s), masterclasses led by exciting visiting artists (such as members of the TSO, signed singer-songwriters, etc.), and other team-building and musical workshops
- The exclusive recital in our Performance Room just for High Performance Program students on April 13th, 2025 in the afternoon (time TBA)
- SOUNDFEST in June (exact days and times will be announced at least 5 months in advance – est. June 7th, 8th, 14th, or 15th, 2025)
The following events are optional to attend:
- Additional external performing opportunities representing Orrett at local community festivals and events
3) Schedule of High Performance Program Events
Monthly Masterclass/Ensemble Rehearsal: IMPORTANT – The monthly masterclass/ensemble rehearsals are mandatory. Participation in at least 8 of the 10 is required to stay in the program without exception.
The masterclasses and ensemble rehearsals take place once a month on the following Sundays for 2 hours. Junior Group is 12:00pm – 2:00pm. Intermediate Group is 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Senior Group is 4:00pm – 6:00pm. Please note and save the dates carefully:
- September 22nd, 2024
October 20th, 2024
November 17th, 2024
December 8th, 2024
January 12th, 2025
February 23rd, 2025
March 23rd, 2025
April 13th, 2025 (which includes an exclusive HPP recital)
May 25th, 2025
June 1st, 2025
Plus SOUNDFEST!
Out of respect for the program and the other students, if a student misses 3 of the above dates, regardless of reason or notice, they will be asked to leave the program.
High Performance Recital: The High Performance recital will take place in our Performance Room on April 13th, 2025.
4) Work Ethic & Leadership Skills
Members of the High Performance Program participate in the program because they are interested in training at a level beyond what regular lessons provide. Therefore, we have high expectations of our High Performance Program students regarding attitude, work ethic, and leadership.
Attendance and Punctuality: Details of the Attendance policy are stated earlier in the Participation Requirements section. In addition, you are expected to be on time for all events and rehearsals. If you are to be absent or late for any reason, we expect the student/parent to contact the studio by e-mail ONLY. With the exception of illness and last-minute emergencies, Orrett requires 7 days’ notice for all absences. This is to allow us time to arrange for a substitute musician to fill in your child’s instrument/section.
Ensemble Practicing: It is the responsibility of the musician to practice all the music covered in all of their ensemble rehearsals. If a class is missed, it will be up to the musician to catch up on work that was missed as class time is for practicing as an ensemble, building strong musicianship habits, and building bonds and rapport between students. HPP workshops are NOT practice time. A student must show up having already learned the music they were given to the best of their ability. Your private teacher would be happy to help.
Work Ethic: A strong work ethic includes being attentive and participatory in each event. Musicians should strive to give full effort and energy to every program opportunity. Musicians improve in their abilities only when they consistently give 100% effort to what they are doing.
Respect for the High Performance Program: We ask that you respect your position in the High Performance Program and show respect for all of your teachers and fellow musicians, including those who have not been selected for the program.
Leadership: Members of the High Performance Program are viewed as leaders within the Orrett Music Academy community. Less than 10% of students are accepted and many more aspire to be in the program themselves. As a member of the High Performance Program, you represent our Academy. We expect you to take this leadership position seriously and be aware of how your behaviour in the Academy and at Academy-related events represents Orrett Music Academy.
You must confirm your participation in the High Performance Program by completing this form no later than Thursday, August 15th, 2024. This digital contract must be signed by both parent AND child.
High Performance Program Contract Agreement:
