Ballard High School Orchestras Handbook 2015-16 "One forgets that the only thing within our power is the ability to keep the voice of truth within us undistorted." -Boris Pasternak
9 September 2015 Dear Orchestra Parents & Students: Welcome to the Ballard High School Orchestra Program! I look forward to working with all of you to continue the tradition of musical excellence we have here at BHS. In this handbook you will find Orchestra offerings, an explanation of the grading system, a list of rehearsal procedures and expectations, the policy on performance absences, detailed performance dress code, a 2015-16 calendar, and an acknowledgement form. Please read over all of its contents and keep it as a reference throughout the year. We welcome and encourage each family to participate in the BHS Performing Arts Boosters. This group is vital to the success and future of our performing arts programs, and we need good representation from our Orchestra parents, this year especially! You will meet and interact with other dedicated and motivated parents who want the best possible experiences for their children. See the attached calendar for our Boosters meetings. I am very excited to see you all and to begin the 2015-16 school year with the BHS Orchestras! I know it will be a fantastic and memorable one, and I look forward to working with you to continue the strong musical tradition at Ballard High School. Sincerely, Brittany Newell Director of Orchestras Ballard High School (206) 252-1095 bcnewell@seattleschools.org
Symphonic Orchestra A non-audition orchestra comprised of students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass. All incoming freshmen will begin in Symphonic Orchestra unless he or she auditions into Chamber Orchestra. This group performs a wide array of string orchestra literature, ranging from Baroque to contemporary, and combines with members of the band and choir for their winter masterwork performance. Symphonic Orchestra competes at regional festivals, performs at school concerts, and takes out-of-state trips. Seating and section leader auditions take place at the beginning of each semester. Chamber Orchestra An audition only orchestra comprised of students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass. This group performs a wide array of string orchestra literature ranging from Baroque to contemporary. Each winter concert, this group combines with members of the band and choir for their winter masterwork performance. Chamber Orchestra competes at regional festivals, performs at school concerts, and takes out-of-state trips. Seating and section leader auditions take place at the beginning of each semester. Extracurricular Fiddle Ensemble This ensemble is comprised of students who play violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar and mandolin. This ensemble works to refine their improvisational skills, learn music in an aural tradition, and perform authentic American roots music. The Fiddle Ensemble performs at school concerts and special events, and is available for private performances throughout the year. Performing Arts Booster Club The Performing Arts Booster Club is one of the strongest and most visible parent organizations at Ballard High School. The group assists in fundraising, chaperoning, and much of the behind-the-scene work that goes into making the Ballard Music Program one of the best in the Seattle School District. New volunteers are always needed and appreciated. Meetings are the second Tuesday of every month at 7pm in the library. The first meeting is September 9 th. If you have any questions about the Music Booster Club, please contact John Loacker, president, at jloacker@krollmap.com. Contacts Molly Anderson Orchestra Representative belliboots@comcast.net Jill Hansen uniforms maddoghansen@msn.com (206) 931-8846 Dan Requarth student accounts dan.requarth@gmail.com
GRADING POLICY Daily Points/Classwork 20% Playing Tests 40% Participation (Performances) 40% Daily Points Students must meet all classroom expectations every day in order to earn these points. The music rehearsal must be a safe environment in which all students may learn, and no student has the right to interfere with another student s music education. Therefore, the following guidelines must be followed: - Students will be in their seat with music, instrument, pencil, and necessary supplies when the music rehearsal begins. - When the director is instructing, students will not play their instrument, talk, or be disruptive. - Students will show respect to the teacher, other students and their property. - Food, drink, gum, cell phones, and ipods or other such devices are not allowed in the music room. Playing Tests In order to assess a student s progress, regular playing tests will be given both to individuals (with advance notice) and to sections (without advance notice). These tests will be recorded by each student outside of class time, and emailed to Ms. Newell on or before the due date (bcnewell@seattleschools.org). Often the tests will include scales, technical exercises, and excerpts from the music being played in class. Fundamentals such as articulation, technique, tone, intonation, rhythm, phrasing, and musicality will be assessed. Students may retake a playing test to improve his or her score through the end of the semester. Students will be given at least one week s notice for individual playing tests. Participation (Performances!) Look over and mark the concert and event schedule in your calendar now! By joining the Ballard HS orchestra, you are accepting the responsibility to attend all performances, rehearsals, and other events. Each individual is an important part of the music organization and the other students rely on your contribution to the group. Absences from rehearsals or performances will result in a loss of points. Here are a few cases for you to consider:
Illness Students claiming illness but having attended school the day of the concert and the day following the concert will not be excused. Planned absence This means that the director has been notified several weeks (if not months) in advance, and that every attempt has been made to rectify the conflict. Absences from required concerts due to the following reasons will not be excused: I had to work. Students are given the performance schedule on the first day of school so that they can avoid conflicts with work schedules. Employers told far in advance of a specific date will most likely avoid it. I couldn t find a ride. There are many other students in the choral program that will gladly help you get to and from the concert. If you are having trouble finding one, please speak to the director. I had family obligations. The performance schedule is given out on the first day of class so that students can clear their calendar and avoid personal conflicts. I forgot. Students are reminded daily for at least one week prior to a concert and are given a performance schedule on the first day of school. Students will be expected to wear certain uniforms for certain occasions. It is the student s responsibility to be in the correct uniform for each performance. Not having the complete and proper uniform for a given performance will result in loss of points for the performance, the inability to participate in the performance or both. Whenever we perform, we represent the music program, the school, and the community. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and may result in the loss of any or all field trips for the rest of the year and the corresponding participation points for each event. An unexcused absence from a performance will result in the lowering of a student s grade by 20%. The depth of coverage of material in this course requires active student engagement and participation. The failure to attend class prevents active student engagement. Because active student engagement is a necessary component of this class, attendance, tardiness, and class participation will be considered as a basis for grading in this course. Attendance and daily points will constitute 20 % of your grade for this course. Each student is given 5 points for Daily Participation or 25 points per week. Doing work for other classes or work not assigned to be done during class, sleeping, social talking being tardy or leaving class early without an excuse are all circumstances that may result in loss of your daily participation points. Students will receive no participation points for days on which they have unexcused absences. The Daily Points, Playing Tests and Participation points will be weighed accordingly and a final grade given based on the following scale: 93-100% = A 73-76% = C 90-92% = A- 70-72% = C- 87-89% = B+ 67-69% = D+ 83-86% = B 60-66% = D 80-82% = B- Below 60% = E 77-79% = C+ Students who do not consistently meet classroom expectations or receive a C- or lower at the end of a semester may be dropped from the music program.
FEES/FINES The music room is filled with very expensive instruments and equipment. It is each person s responsibility to take care of their own personal instrument as well as the school equipment. Any person found to have damaged or broken any piece of school equipment may be charged the repair/replacement cost of the equipment. Students renting school instruments must return those instruments in the same condition in which they were received or repair/replacement fees may be applied. Students will be loaned concert attire for the year to be worn at all performances. A loss of, or damage to, any part of the uniform will result in a fine. Music Department tuxedoes are to be worn ONLY at Music Department events. NOTE: INSTRUMENTS KEPT IN THE INSTRUMENT STORAGE ROOM ARE NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BALLARD HIGH SCHOOL OR THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT. STUDENTS MAY BE ISSUED SCHOOL LOCKS TO BE USED ON THE INSTRUMENT LOCKERS TO ASSIST WITH SECURITY. IF THE SCHOOL LOCK IS LOST, A $5 REPLACEMENT FINE WILL BE ASSESSED.
2015-2016 Orchestra Calendar *Please visit ballardperformingarts.org for updates to this calendar. SEPTEMBER 15 Boosters Meeting 7pm, library 18-20 Fall Orchestra Retreat OCTOBER 17 PLU Orchestra Invitational, Tacoma, all day (Chamber) NOVEMBER 3 Fall Orchestra Concert, 7pm (Symphonic, Fiddle, Chamber) 6 Shared Fiddle Concert/Dance at Ballard Homestead (Fiddle) 10 PABC Meeting in the Library, 7pm 14 Spotlight Gala (Chamber) DECEMBER 8 PABC Meeting in Library, 7pm 9 Combined Winter Orchestra/Band Concert 10 Combined Winter Choir Concert JANUARY 5 Evening Rehearsal at NSCC(Chamber) 12 PABC Meeting in the Library, 7pm / Evening Rehearsal at NSCC(Chamber) 19 Evening Rehearsal at NSCC(Chamber) 23 Dress Rehearsal at St. Stephen s Episcopal Church in Laurelhurst (Chamber) 24 Philharmonia NW Side-by-Side Concert at St. Stephen s Episcopal Church, 2:00 FEBRUARY 2 NW Region Strings Concert, 7pm (Symphonic, Fiddle, Chamber) 6 Regional Solo & Ensemble Festival (Selected Chamber Ensembles) 9 PABC Meeting in the Library, 7pm 25 EBMEA Orchestra Festival (during the school day) MARCH 5 Chamber Orchestra to Tampa Bay, FL for ASTA National Orchestra Festival 3-5, 10-12 Musical: Children of Eden (no Orchestra commitments) APRIL 2 Spaghetti Dinner, 5pm-9pm in the BHS Commons (Fiddle, Chamber, Symphonic) 8-11 Orchestra Tour to Los Angeles (Symphonic, Chamber) 19 PABC Meeting in Library, 7pm (one week late due to Spring Break) 29-30 WIAA/WMEA State Solo & Ensemble Contest in Ellensburg May 10 PABC Meeting in Library, 7pm JUNE 2 Spring Orchestra Concert, 7pm (Symphonic, Chamber, Fiddle)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM I acknowledge that I have received and read through the 2015-2016 Ballard Orchestra Handbook. I understand that being in the music program at Ballard is a commitment, and I will do my part to make the program a success. Student Name (Printed) Date Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Name (Printed) Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date This form is worth 10 points and will be the first grade of the semester. It is due Friday, September 25 th