TMF Student Information

Introduction

Please read the following festival information carefully, and address any questions to the TMF office before arrival. Please also see our downloadable/printable checklist, which will be useful to you when preparing for the festival (free Adobe Reader required to view). Please also see the festival rules below and information about festival fees.

Infringement of the rules will result in expulsion, without refund, from the Texas Music Festival.

Location

The University of Houston Moores School of Music is the home of the TEXAS MUSIC FESTIVAL. The Moores School of Music Building is located at Entrance No. 16 off Cullen Blvd., west of Interstate 45. TMF participants are housed at the UH Campus Quad located at the corner of Cullen Blvd. and Wheeler St.

• Directions to UH
• View Map
  

Transportation

If you require transportation from either of Houston’s major airports (Bush Intercontinental-IAH or Houston Hobby-HOU), please convey flight information to the TMF office by May 14, 2010.  A TMF staff member will meet you at baggage claim.  Airport transportation for departure on July 4, 2010 will also be provided.

Dates

• Notification: On or before March 26, 2010.
• Arrival: Students should arrive in Houston on Friday, June 4, 2010 to check into the dorms (if housing is required).
• Registration/Orientation: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 5, 2010, Moores Opera House.
• Placement Auditions: Orchestra seating auditions for all instruments except violin will take place on Saturday, June 5, 2010, following orientation. Orchestra seating auditions for violin only will take place on Sunday, June 6, 2010 starting at 9 a.m.
• Final Performance: Saturday, July 3, 2010, 7:30 p.m., Moores Opera House.
• Departure: Sunday, July 4, 2010

Fees

• Tuition: $0 (All festival participants receive full tuition fellowships.)
• Housing: $0 (University housing and meals are provided on the UH campus for out of town participants.)
• Application Fee: $50 (Due with application, Non-refundable)
• Registration fee: $200 (Due upon acceptance. Non-refundable.)
• J-1 Visa Processing: $150 (Due upon acceptance. For students requiring J-1 visa. Includes visa and health insurance. Excludes SEVIS fee. Non-refundable.)
• Security Deposit: $200 (Due upon arrival ­ June 5, 2010. Fully refundable, provided there are no claims against participant.)

Security Deposit

A (refundable) security deposit of $200 is required of all students and will be collected at registration. Acceptable forms of payment include: credit card or a personal check made out to “UH”. Provided there are no claims against your account, the deposit will be returned after the end of the festival. In the event of dismissal, the deposit is forfeited.

Housing

TMF participants are housed at the UH Campus Quad. Students should provide their own towels, pillow, sheets, blanket, and personal toiletries. Linen packets will be available for a fee ($15) and may be requested at the Quad office upon check-in. The packets include: one towel, one wash cloth, two sheets, and one pillow (no blanket). Laundry facilities are located in the dorms. Linen packs must be returned at dorm check-out to receive security deposit.

Telephones and Internet

• Although each room has an activated telephone jack, telephones are not provided. You must bring your own standard telephone or cell phone (an answering machine is also recommended). You will be able to make local calls and long distance credit card calls from the room.
• The TMF offices will take personal messages ONLY in an EMERGENCY.
• Internet (Ethernet) hook-up is available in all dorm rooms for a cost of $10 (cost per port. Ethernet cord not provided.). Please indicate on the acceptance form if you are interested in Internet service. NOTE: The fee for internet is non-refundable, even if you decide you don’t want internet after arriving at TMF.
• Wireless internet is available on the UH campus, as well as in the School of Music library and in all libraries on campus.

Meals

Campus Dining Services provide three daily meals for residential students. Meals are served on campus in the residential community. The first meal served is dinner on Friday, June 4, 2010. The last meal served is breakfast on Sunday, July 4, 2010.

Attire

Houston’s weather in June is very warm. Casual dress is in order except for concerts.
Concert dress:

• Ladies - Ankle-length long black skirt or dress slacks, black dress shoes (no sandals), and white blouse with sleeves – at least ¾ length. (No spaghetti strap, strapless, or halter-tops).
• Men - Tuxedo, black bow tie, white dress shirt, black dress socks, and black dress shoes.

Student chamber music performances:

• Appropriate summer concert attire.

Parking

Participants park in surface student lots, excluding handicap and reserved spaces. Parking permits for these lots may be purchased at TMF registration for $25.

Lockers and Equipment

Lockers are available in the music building. Combination locks are provided. Please be sure to bring a folding stand.

Smoking

Houston has very strict smoking laws. Smoking is prohibited in dormitories, public areas, classrooms, laboratories, libraries and elevators by direct order of the state fire marshal.

Medical Care

Medical care is available through the Campus Health Center, located adjacent to the Quad dorms. Students are responsible for fees and/or insurance claim filing.

Recreation

UH Campus Recreation has offered a special TMF month pass for $42 and a daily pass for $7. To receive this special rate, please bring your TMF meal card and a form of ID to purchase membership. Off-campus activities will be organized by the housing staff.

Placement Auditions

Orchestra seating/chamber music placement will be decided through brief auditions.  Auditions for all instruments except violin will take place on Saturday, June 5, 2010, following orientation.  Auditions for violin only will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 6, 2010.  Audition information and excerpts will be available on our website (www.tmf.uh.edu/) for download in April 2010.   You are responsible for downloading and preparing the placement audition music .

Concerto Competition

All TMF participants are eligible to participate in the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artist Competition. Please prepare a standard classical concerto (maximum length 25 minutes). Competitors should bring music, including piano accompaniment, and should be prepared to perform at all levels of the competition from memory.The winner will perform the movement with the TMF Orchestra during a 2010 Season concert.  

Festival and Dormitory Regulations

Rules for the Texas Music Festival coincide with the rules of conduct for the University of Houston.

1. No alcohol allowed in any public areas of campus---all ages. Anyone under the legal drinking age of Texas caught with alcohol, or anyone found in the presence of someone under the legal drinking age will be sent home immediately.
2. No prohibited drugs.
3. No minor age students may ever leave the campus with anyone other than approved staff. Exceptions must be cleared through the TMF office.
4. Dormitory residents are asked to be considerate toward other residents, respecting quiet hours, and refraining from practicing in the dorms.
5. Dormitory residents under 18 years of age must sign out with dorm staff or TMF office when leaving the campus.
6. Attendance and punctuality are required at all rehearsals, lessons, and all scheduled performances. Lessons, if missed, will not be made up.