Sudlow Orchestra Handbook -2016 Full Orchestra String Orchestra Orchestra Director Kristian J. Svennevig Contact info: svennevigk@davenportschools.org Sudlow: 563-326-3504
-2016 Sudlow Orchestra Rehearsal procedures Welcome to the culture of Excellence! Before rehearsal starts: 1. Before you Enter class take potty and drink breaks. You will be allowed to leave class only for bathroom emergencies. You will have 2 per quarter. You may never leave my class without my permission. 2. Enter the room quietly and with purpose. Get your instrument from the shelf and your music and go directly to your seat. If I have to tell you to have a seat because you are wandering your participation grade will go down! 3. Get instrument out, get music ready and rosin your bow. If you are rosining your bow when rehearsal starts, then your participation grade will go down! 4. Please remain seated during tuning, we will check it by section and as a group. If you are out of tune, I will come to your seat and make sure you are in tune. You may use a tuner or tuning app for tuning only, after that no electronics are permitted. Structure of rehearsal: 1. Warm up activity (4 to 5 minutes): you should be in your seat when bell rings for the warm up activity (your participation grade starts from this activity; everyone is expected to do the warm ups.) 2. Warm up scales/ technique excercises and drills (10 to 15 minutes). (warm ups help our fingers work better, reduce our mistakes, and increase our skills quickly and efficiently) 3. Introducing concepts, terminology, musical ideas or talk about upcoming events (2-5 minutes.) This is when you can ask me questions. 4. Rehearse music (25-35 minutes.) 5. Pack up, put instrument back on shelf, and return to your seat (the remaining 2 minutes.) make sure your area is picked up! (no papers on the floor, candy wrappers, pencils, junk, etc.) 6. I will dismiss the class when everyone is back in their assigned seat and quiet. By following these procedures we will maximize our learning and have an efficient and orderly classroom. This translates into having the best orchestra possible and getting the most learning done.
Classroom Rules 1. Only necessary sound while we are rehearsing (in other words, limit talking, and instrument noises) 2. Stop playing when I stop conducting. 3. Be in seat, with materials and ready to go at the start of class. 4. Respect everyone in class. (a pleasant and respectful atmosphere is the most enjoyable kind.) 5. Tuning time is quiet Consequences 1. Verbal Warning 2. Write a discipline plan, call parents 3. Conference with Parents 4. Removal from orchestra program Proper Rehearsal Etiquette: (how to rehearse like a pro!) 1. When my hands are up, it is your cue to be quiet with your bow on the string. It is important to pay attention when I count off to start the piece. 2. When I stop conducting you will stop playing. Please pay Attention to this! Continuing to play after I stop wastes time and creates noise pollution. 3. No side conversations during rehearsal. It is rude to your classmates and to your conductor to talk during rehearsal. You will also miss important instructions and details from the conductor. 4. No Electronics during rehearsal. Tuners and tuning Apps are only permitted before class starts. First time is a warning but after that I will take it. If I catch you texting during class you have an automatic detention. This kind of behavior is very rude. 5. Always give your best effort. If you get lost, try to find your place quickly and join back in. Even if you can t join in immediately follow along in the music with your instrument in playing position so that you can join in at the nearest opportunity. You can t succeed if you don t always try. 6. Play with good sound, posture, instrument position and technique. Great players are always 100% committed to giving their best performance. If that effort isn t practiced in rehearsal then it won t happen in performance. 7. Have a pencil ready to mark your music. This cuts down on mistakes. Mark mistakes lightly to indicate what you need to practice. The goal is to play the piece right as many times as possible and not to keep making the same mistakes over again.. Be prepared for rehearsal: always bring your music and instrument to class. Don t assume we are not playing. Even if there are only 5 students in class we will probably still rehearse. This is called good work ethic.
9. Listen to the other instruments. Sometimes they have the same part as you and you can learn things faster by listening to them. Sometimes it will help you find your place in the music faster. Great musicians know if they have the melody or harmony/accompaniment or background. If you have accompaniment or background make sure you can hear the melody over what you are playing; don t blast away on the accompaniment or background. This is called balance. 10. Be in the Zone! Being in the zone is a skill that requires you to train your concentration and focus. Mastery of this skill is as good as gold! It will help you achieve in every other area of your life! Expectations and Educational objectives 1. You will be expected to learn to tune your instrument. 2. You will be expected to learn your music, scales, and exercises. 3. You will demonstrate progress. You need to own that! 4. You will work in a friendly atmosphere that helps you gain skills, selfconfidence, self-discipline, and ownership of your achievements. 5. You will take pride in our organization. 6. As your teacher, I will not let you fail in your learning. 7. I will always consider your input in making decisions.. You will have fun. Grading Requirements: A. Lesson Grade: (Lesson grade is 5 points per lesson) 1. Achieving your goals. Part of the lesson grade is determined by meeting your goals, It also means you must practice. So practice quality not quantity. skills proficiencies are part of students goals (these are set up individually) 2. Lesson attendance a. 1 free skip per quarter b. missed lessons after the skip are counted as an I c. effectively your grade goes down ½ a letter grade with each further \ missed lesson B. Class participation (Rehearsal grade is 5 points per week.) 1. must be in your seat ready to go when class starts 2. must have music and instrument 3. must have work attitude/ be willing to meet challenges/ be positive 4. Be helpful to others. Have good teamwork. C. Concert attendance. (concerts are 20 points each) 1. you are obligated to perform; missed concerts have to have a parent note 2. each concert missed drops grade significantly. 3. concerts may be made up only with prior notice and parent note or due to illness or dire family emergencies D. Return of the signed contract slip. (worth 50 points) not turning this in will result in a failing grade. Instrument Rental/Usage Fee: If you use a school instrument then you will need to submit a check payable to Sudlow in the amount of $40. Care and repair is your responsibility. If you break it, it is your responsibility to fix it.
Concert dress: Sudlow orchestra student s uniform consists of: White Tuxedo shirt Black dress pants (no jeans) or long skirt Black socks Black shoes Black bow tie Tux shirts and bow ties will be available to purchase for cost of about $22 for both. Info coming soon. Description of events: October All City Festival Saturday October 17, is our first event of the year. 7 th and th grade students rehearse starting at 12:45pm and 6 th grade students will start rehearsing at 2:45 We have a guest conductor that will work with our students in a combined performance of all of the intermediate schools in the Davenport district. It is an epic event! Winter Concert On December 1 st, in the Sudlow Gym, we will be doing a winter concert with the Bands. The 6 th graders at 6:00pm. The 7 th / th graders at 7:00pm. All City Solo Festival is Saturday, February 27, 2016 at North High School Learning and performing a solo is an integral part of a student s instrumental music education. The Davenport Community Schools Instrumental Music Department hosts an annual solo festival at North High School in February (listed on schedule of events). It is Davenport School District requirement that All Sudlow band and orchestra students attend this festival. It also fulfills the requirement of National Music standards #2 and #7. Only playing the solo part of a piece represents an incomplete rendition of the piece. Therefore, a piano accompanist provides the missing harmony and countermelodies of the solos. Working with a pianist is an important part of the solo experience. If you already have a piano teacher, church organist, musical relative or friend, feel free to contact them. If you don t know a pianist, Deb McIntosh is available here at Sudlow to accompany your child. Mrs. McIntosh has knowledge and experience with this type of playing. If paid in advance Her fee is $25 for 3-4 rehearsals here at Sudlow during orchestra class. This is the deal of a century! She will arrange all rehearsals for your child. If you are using Deb MacIntosh as your accompanist, Please fill out the accompanist form included in this packet. All others, Please get your accompanists lined up before Winter break. If you wait too long it will be difficult to get an accompanist. Please let Mr. Svennevig know who your accompanist is before winter break Here is a list of accompanists and their contact info: Nora Reiter 563-370-447 Jo Vandercar 563-323-531 Jessica Fisher 563-31-041 Deb McIntosh 563-50-1274 Marilyn Oehler home 563-359-449 Cell: 563-340-3153
Progressive concert at Central On March th 2016 at 7:00pm, we will have our 4-12 grade concert in the Central Gym. This is a great opportunity for the audience and students to see the level of progression from 4 th grade to High School. It is important for our students to represent our school orchestra for the general public. Large Group Orchestra Clinic On April 2 nd 2016, we will have our orchestra large group clinic. This will be full symphony orchestra performance, (with winds, brass and percussion) and acts as one of our Davenport School District yearly assessments. The Clinician s evaluation of our group is kept on record with the Fine Arts Coordinator s office. It is a chance for us to showcase the Sudlow orchestra in front of the other schools. It is kind of a big deal. Six Flags Trip: Saturday May 14 th, 2016 The 7 th / th orchestra will be going to Six Flags in Gurney IL to participate in a music competition. Cost of the trip is right around $95 per student. Fundraising may be available to help defer the cost. Please contact Mr. Svennevig for options if there are issues regarding payment. More info will be coming around January for the event. Spring Concert: May 19 th 2016, will be our final concert of year! Concert starts at 6:00pm in the Sudlow Gym. This will also involve full orchestra members. 6 th grade orchestra and 7 th / th grade orchestra will perform. Standard concert dress. Honor Orchestras: There are 3 that are available throughout the year by director nomination/audition. Typically only about 5 or 6 students from each school are accepted in to any of the orchestras. They usually pick the top 5 students from the director s nominations. If interested please ask regarding the requirements. Junior Honors All State Orchestra is Held in Ames, IA at Iowa State University. Typically only advanced th graders are admitted as it represents the most advanced orchestra students from all over Iowa. That is held the week before Thanksgiving. November 20 th this year. SEISTA Honors Orchestra is held here in the Quad Cities. That happens on January 17 th 2016. Kennedy Honors Festival is held in Cedar Rapids, IA at Kennedy High School and occurs the first week of March. They haven t confirmed the date yet. There are 3 levels of orchestras. Green (usually 6th and 7 th graders), Gold (advanced 7 th and th graders) and Chamber (very advanced th graders and mostly advanced 9 th grade students) Davenport Community Schools Non-Discrimination Statement The Davenport Community School District (DCSD) provides equal educational and employment opportunities and will not illegally discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, ancestry, or actual or potential parental, familial, or marital status. DCSD will take affirmative action in recruitment, appointment, assignment, and advancement of women and men, members of diverse racial/ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities for job categories in which any of these groups of people are underrepresented. Inquiries related to this policy may be directed to Dawn Anderson Rascher, DSCD Equity Coordinator, 1606 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 5203 or by phone at 563-336-305. Inquiries may also be directed to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, the Region VII Office of the United States Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, or the Region VII Office of Civil Rights, United States Department of Education.
Accompanist Fee $25 ($40 after Thanksgiving) If you are using Deb McIntosh as an accompanist, please fill out this form and return it to Mr. Svennevig. This will give me an idea of how many students need to be scheduled out of orchestra during January and February. The fee for using Deb is $25. This will be due before Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, the charge is $40. Checks need to be made out to Deb McIntosh. Please write Accompanist Fee on the memo line of the check. STUDENTS NAME: PARENT NAME: PARENT PHONE NUMBER: PARENT EMAIL ADDRESS: PAID: Check Number CA$H
-2016 Sudlow Music Department Events Calendar Thursday, August 20, Unpack Your Backpack N/A Monday, August 24, First Day of School HAVLife Night at the River Bandits Ukes of Hazzard Friday, August 2, Friday, August 2, Sudlow/JB/Central Half-Time Show Orange Crush 7- Tuesday, September 15, 5th grade Super Start Lesson@6:30-7:30 elementry students 5th Monday, September 07, No School Labor Day Wednesday, September 23, Hy-Vee Honor Flight Orange Crush 7- Friday, September 25, Audition Tapes for OPUS Due Choir Tuesday, October 06, Fannie May Fund Raiser Kick-Off Choirs Tuesday, October 13, Band Spectacular @ Brady Steet 7:00 7th and th Band 7- Tuesday, October 13, Portland Cello Project @ 1:15pm Music Students Saturday, October 17, Real Men Sing@ Wartburg College 7th and th Grade Boys Choir 7- Saturday, October 17, All City Intermediate String Festiva l Orchestra Monday, October 19, Band Spectacular RAIN DATE 7th and th Band 7- Thursday, October 22, 6th Grade Fall Concert @ 6:30 6th Band and Choir 6 Friday, October 23, End of 1st Quarter - 2hr early out Tuesday, October 27, Real Men Sing - Davenport 7& Men's Choir 7-10/2-30/15 Parent Teacher Conferences Saturday, October 31, Halloween Parade 7:00 Mid American 3rd and Iowa 7th and th Band 7- TBA Select Choir to St. Ambrose to record Select Choir 7 - Tuesday, November 10, 6th Grade Honor Band Select Band students 6 Wednesday, November 11, Veteran's Day No School Wednesday, November 11, Veteran's Day Parade Marching Band 7 - Wednesday, November 1, OPUS Honor Choir- Ames, IA Thursday, November 19, OPUS Honor Choir- Ames, IA Select 7th-th Grade Choir members 7- Select 7th-th Grade Choir members 7-
Saturday, November 21, Junior Honors All-State Orchestra, Ames, IA Select orchestra members 6- Monday, November 23, Festival of Trees@ River Center Downtown Davenport 2-4pm Choir and Jazz Band 7- or 11/24/ Festival of Trees@ River Center Downtown Davenport 2-4pm Choir and Jazz Band 7-11/25-27/15 Thanksgiving Break No School Tuesday, December 1, Band/Orchestra Winter Concert 6th @6pm 7- th @7pm Band/Orchestra Wednesday, December 02, Broadway in Chicago:Lion King Vocal Music Saturday, December 05, Ukes in the East Village Ukes of Hazzard Tuesday, Dec, Sudlow Winter Choral Concert 6/7/ Grade Choirs 6/7/ Choirs 6/7 / TBA - Monday, December 21 IBA Recording 6th, 7th and th Grade Bands Monday, December 21, Combined Central/Sudlow/JB @Adler 7:00pm Grade Choir 12/23/15-1/1/16 Winter Break No School Monday, January 04, 2016 Teacher In-Service Saturday, January 09, 2016 SEIBA Honor Band Auditions- Fairfield, IA Select 7th and th Band Students 7- Friday, January 15, 2016 End of 2nd Quarter - 2hr early out Saturday, January 16, 2016 SEISTA Festival Select Orchestra members Monday, January 1, 2016 Martin Luther King Day - No School Saturday, January 23, 2016 SEIBA Concert Band Friday, January 29, 2016 SE ICDA El/JH Honor Choir Festival Select 7th and th Choir Students 7- Tuesday, February 9, 2016 Circa 21 Field Trip 7th and th Grade Choir 7- Thursday, February 11, 2016 Jazz Musicre @ 6:30 Sudlow Cafe Jazz Band members Monday, February 15, 2016 President's Day - No School TBA Central Show Choir perform in Large Gym th Grade Choirs Saturday, February 27, 2016 Elementary/Intermediate Solo Festival 5th-th Grade Band/Orch members 5-6- 7- Thursdy, March 10, 2016 5-12 Band and 5-6- MIOSM Concert @ Adler chamber groups 7- Saturday, March 5, 2016 Kennedy HS MS Honors Orchestra Festival Select Orchestra Cedar Rapids, Iowa members Tuesday, March, 2016 Progressive Concert@Central High Gym 7pm 4th-12th Grade Orchestra
Friday, March 1, 2016 End of 3rd Quarter - 2hr early out 3/21-25/16 Spring Break Saturday, April 02, 2016 Instrumental Large Group Festival Band/Orchestra 7- Tuesday, April 12, 2016 Intermediate Vocal Festival @ NHS- 6:00pm 7th-th Grade Choir 7- Wednesday, April 13, 2016 Iowa Assessments All Students Friday, April 15, 2016 Demo Concert at Sudlow 1st period Band/Orchestra 7- Saturday, April 16, 2016 Saturday, April 23, 2016 Sudlow Jazz Fest ICDA SE Solo and Ensemble @ PVJH All Jazz Bands/Sugar Rush Combo 6th Gr. Choir & Select 6/7/ Students 5th and 6th Grade TBA 5th Grade Parent Night bands 7 Saturday, May 7, 2016 6th, 7th and th Adventureland/Drake Relays Festival of Bands Grade Bands All City Elem. Band/Orchestra Festival 7:00pm 5th Grade Band Tuesday, May 10, 2016 Adler Theater and Orch Students 4-5 Honors Program (6th & 7th @2:30; th Thursday, May 05, 2016 @6:00) Ukes of Hazzard Wednesday, May 04, 6th, 7th and th 2016 Year End Concert 6th@6pm & 7-@7pm Grade Bands 6th-7th-th Grade Thursday, May 12, 2016 Spring Choral Concert @North HS 6:30pm Choir Saturday, May 14, 2016 6-Flags Choir/Orchestra Trip Festival Choirs/Orchestra 7- Thursday, May 12, 2016 Thursday, May 19, 2016 IBA Conference Sudlow Orchestra Spring Concert @Sudlow gym 6:00pm 6th,7th and th Grade Orchestra Friday, May 20, 2016 Ukulele Concert at Washington for K-2nd Ukes of Hazzard Thursday, May 26, 2016 End of 4th Quarter - 2hr early out Friday, May 27, 2016 In-service Day Monday, May 30, 2016 Memorial Day - No School
Please return this portion to Mr. Svennevig By Sept 1,. Sudlow Orchestra Performance contract We have looked over the the handbook and calendar of events and acknowledge that by being in orchestra, which is a performance based class, it obligates the student to perform at these events. We are aware of the required events and have placed them on our calendar. Please enter all dates for events on your calendar. We understand that it is a privilege to be a part of the Sudlow Orchestra. We aknowledge that the student is solely responsible for their behavior inside and outside of the rehearsal room. Any missed events will affect the student s grade and will only be made up at the discretion of the instructor. You must provide adequate notice for any events that will be missed. Unless it is a dire emergency, telling me the day before a concert that you can t attend is not acceptable advanced notice. I understand that not returning this slip will deduct 50 points and will probably result in a failing grade. It is an expectation that all fingernails should be kept short, and at a length that allows proper hand position and technique. Bad technique directly affects the quality of sound of our group. We understand that by returning this form it binds us to the terms of this agreement. Student Name Student Signature date Parent Name Parent Signature date Parent email for concert updates and info Best Phone # to reach you Home Address