High School Orchestra Handbook

Transcription

1 Hopkinton Public Schools Department of Music Hopkinton, Massachusetts High School Orchestra Handbook Tradition Excellence Pride

2 HS Music Dates These dates can also be found on the music website which can be reached through the district web page Performers should arrive and be ready to perform one hour before each concert. Mon Dec 9, pm HS Winter Chorus and Orchestra Concert Performers arrive by 6pm HS Auditorium (Snow Date, Dec 12) Tues 3/25/14 or Wed 3/26/14 7pm: HS Concert Performers arrive by 6pm Location TBD (HS or MS Auditorium) (Snow date 3/17/14) Fri to Sun, 4/4-4/6 MICCA Festival HS Auditorium Time TBD Sat/Sun 4/12-4/13 MICCA Gold Medal Showcase Mechanics Hall in Worcester or Symphony Hall in Boston, time TBD Sat, May 17 th, Pops Concert Setup (morning) Sat May 17 th or Sun 18 th Pops concert HS Auditorium Fri 9/13/13 Private Lesson Registration Forms Due Mon 9/23/13 Private Lessons Start Sat 11/16/13 Senior District Auditions 11/21-11/24 HS Musical, Bye Bye Birdie Wed 1/15/14 Senior District Rehearsal (Snow date 1/16) Fri 1/17/14 Senior District Rehearsal Sat 1/18/14 Senior District Rehearsal (10am) and Concert (Snow date Mon, 1/20) 1/25 All State Auditions (Snow Date 2/1) 2/11 Solo and Ensemble Chamber Music Concert (Snow Date 2/12) 3/20-3/23 MMEA All State Conference and Convention 5/3 MICCA Solo & Ensemble Festival 5/10 MICCA Solo & Ensemble Honors Concert Thu June 5, pm: Awards night possible performance Fri June 6, 2013: HS Graduation 1

3 Concert Attire Men: School Issued Tuxedo, White Shirt, and Bow Tie. You Supply: Black Shoes and Black Socks Women: School Issued Black Dress. You Supply: Nylons and Black Shoes Concert attire will be provided by the music department and must be worn at each concert. We are a performing group and need to look uniform. Anyone not in compliance with this rule will not be allowed to perform. All attire must be clean and pressed for each performance. Uniforms must be returned at the end of the year in the same condition. Central District and All State As a High School String Ensemble member, you will have the opportunity to audition for Central District and All-State Orchestra, organized by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association. In order to be eligible for the Central District groups you must be a member in good standing of the high school orchestra. The auditions for Districts are held on Saturday, November 16th, The rehearsals and concert are held in mid-january. Students who score high enough on the districts audition can audition for All-State Orchestra on Saturday, January 25th, 2014 (snow date 2/1/14). Grading & Attendance Students will be graded based on how well they regularly demonstrate appropriate technique, rehearsal skills, and understanding of the music. Students are expected to contribute to the learning community through active class participation and adherence to the ensemble s rules. Students will be graded based on their playing with the full ensemble and by playing in small groups or individually. Occasionally there may be written assessments or small projects. Please note that the percentages below are approximate and will be adjusted based on the number of assignments of each type in a given semester. 30 % Quizzes, Assignments & Assessments Grade This could include demonstrating good technique, improvement, musicianship, music literacy, and sight reading. Students may be required to play an excerpt of their part from the music studied in small groups or by making a recording of themselves. Grades will be based both on meeting standards and based on a student s improvement. Not all students are at the same level of study so grading is based on experience and improvement. Students folders and music will be graded based on how well students complete in-class assignments, which may include marking in articulations, dynamics, bowings and rhythmic analysis. Other assignments could be given as well and could be counted as quizzes. 40 % Classroom Rehearsal Grade This includes demonstrating appropriate rehearsal skills by consistently playing well, playing with appropriate posture, having rehearsal materials (music and pencil), contributing to classroom discussions and activities (such as group-work in sections), and demonstration of appropriate rehearsal etiquette including adherence to classroom procedures, rules and expectations. 2

4 30 % Performance Grade This includes attendance and participation at scheduled rehearsals and concerts. (If there are no performances in a term the quiz grade will count 40 points and the classroom grade 60 points.) Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory. Performances will be weighted as a major exam. All performers must stay for the entire concert. We are a music department and should encourage one another regardless of which group we are in. Your grade will be affected if you arrive late or leave early. We may schedule a dress rehearsal or other after-school rehearsal, to allow the orchestra to rehearse with other musicians. Such after-school rehearsals will be announced far in advance and will be graded the same way as a concert. If a student misses a performance or an after-school rehearsal due to serious illness or emergency they will have two weeks to schedule and complete a makeup assignment that will consist of playing all of the songs from the concert and listening to and analyzing (verbally or in writing) recordings from concerts. If a student might be unable to attend a performance for a reason other than illness or emergency, their parent should contact me (Mr. Brody) as far in advance as possible. Unexcused absences from a concert or failure to complete a makeup assignment will result in a reduction in a student s grade for the term by two full letter grades. A detailed performance calendar is included at the front of the handbook. An updated calendar is also available on the music department web site. Please be sure to check it regularly. By carefully planning your schedule, you will be able to attend all performances and still maintain other activities. Below are some problems that may occur and some solution: PROBLEM (EXCUSES) SOLUTION 1. I had to work 1. Make arrangement with your boss 2. Couldn t get a ride 2. Ask a friend 3. I didn t know about the rehearsal 3. Be responsible and mark rehearsals in your calendar now! 4. I had lots of homework 4. Manage your time and plan in advance 5. I got tickets for a. 5. Calendars are given and updated be responsible If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me (Isaac Brody) by at ibrody@hopkinton.k12.ma.us or call x1532 3

5 Hopkinton Public Schools Department of Music Hopkinton, Massachusetts August 2013 Dear Parents, Excellence in music is a product of hard work and a strong foundation of fundamentals. To facilitate excellence, the Hopkinton Music Department, in conjunction with the Hopkinton Music Association, is once again sponsoring an after school private lesson program. Please read this letter carefully and return the attached form to your child s music teacher. Professional music teachers and performers offer lessons for all band instruments, strings, and voice. Lessons are available at a rate of $25.00 per half-hour lesson. Lessons are discounted to $23.00 per half hour if lessons are paid in full and in advance. Students may elect 45 minute and hour lessons at the rate of $37.50 and $50.00 respectively. Lesson Information and Policies 1. A $25.00 registration fee must accompany the registration form. Checks should be made payable to: Hopkinton Music Association. If there are multiple registrations per family, the registration fee is capped at $ Tuition for lessons must be paid for in advance. 3. Lesson payments are due in two installments. A payment schedule is included with this notice. Lessons will be discounted to a rate of $23.00 per half hour lesson ($34.50/ 45 minute and $46.00/hour) if both semesters are paid in full by September 23, Students are expected to be at every lesson. THERE ARE NO EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR LESSONS. All lessons must be paid for whether they are attended or not. The after school lesson program is a tuition program. Lessons will only be made up if the teacher must cancel for illness or a professional reason. 5. Lessons are scheduled only when school is in session. If a lesson falls on a release day, the regular lesson schedule will be maintained. 6. Lessons are scheduled M - F 2:00 PM 7:00 PM depending on teacher availability. 7. If school is canceled or there is an early dismissal due to inclement weather, lessons will be cancelled. The teacher will schedule a make up lesson. 8. If you are unable to attend a lesson, as a courtesy, please call the teacher. The lesson will not be made up. 9. All previous financial obligations to the Hopkinton Music Association must be met before lessons are scheduled. 10. Participation in the Private Lesson Program will be cancelled if payments for the lessons are not made. If you would like to have your child participate in this program, please go to the school website at > District Departments > Music > Private Lesson Program to register for private lessons. Registration must be completed by September 13 th. This is an excellent program open to all students. I highly recommend that all students interested in developing their musical skills take advantage of this program. If you have any questions regarding the program, please feel free to contact me at the high school at X 1154 or by at Syavarow@Hopkinton.k12.MA.US. Sincerely, Steven T. Yavarow Director of Music 4

6 Please sign and return the acknowledgment/information sheet to me by Wednesday, September 11, Hopkinton Public Schools Department of Music Student and Parent Acknowledgment/Information Form High School Orchestra Please go to: and fill out the online information form before signing and returning this form. We have read the High School Orchestra Handbook and understand the information and policies contained in it. We have filled out online information form at We have reviewed the Private Lesson information. Print Student s Name Student s Signature Date Parent s/guardian s Signature Date Please return by Wednesday, September 11,