Tharp Orchestra Handbook 2015-2016 Congratulations on your decision to enroll your child in the Tharp Orchestra! We on the Hilliard Orchestra staff look forward to working with your children this year as they embark on the adventure of learning and continuing their skills on a musical instrument. Orchestra is a year long commitment, and all students are expected to fulfill this commitment for the entire 2015-2016 school year. Orchestra Teachers Miss Caitlin Bartholic -caitlin_bartholic@hboe.org -614-921-2976 Miss Gillian Henning -gillian_henning@hboe.org Please read through and sign this handbook, and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. SCHEDULE Orchestra is a part of each student s daily schedule. Your child will come to Orchestra class during his/her designated period every single school day. This means that violin and viola students will need to bring their instruments to and from school every day. Although this can be a minor inconvenience, a short bus ride or walk with a violin or viola is worth the hours of playing we will take part in each week at school. (Cellists and bassists will have the opportunity to use a school instrument to avoid transportation issues). MATERIALS All students must have the following in class each day: Instrument (cellists and bassists will leave their own instrument at home) Essential Elements for Strings Book 1 Pencil 1 Binder to hold Orchestra music and handouts provided ipad
GRADING All students will receive a letter grade each trimester in Orchestra based on the six areas listed below. We encourage you to have frequent conversations with your child as to his/her progress in orchestra class, as well as any assignments due. The Tharp Orchestra website will be updated almost daily with assignment information. Preparation Students must bring all required materials and assignments to class each day. Points will be deducted for materials that are missing (see list of materials on page 1). This portion of the grade is worth 20%. Tests/Quizzes There will be several written and playing quizzes/tests given during each grading period. Frequency of assessments will be determined at the discretion of the orchestra instructor. Playing quizzes may occur live during class, and some can be completed at home. Graded quizzes/tests will always be announced in advance. This portion of the grade is worth 15%. Participation Students will be evaluated on effort, attitude, and appropriate class participation during each class. Points will be deducted for poor posture, difficulty to perform the assignment at an acceptable level, not following directions, class disruption, and tardiness. This portion of the grade is worth 20%. Practice Records/Homework This year for the first time students will complete their Home Practice Organizer on their ipad. We will go over this procedure in detail in class. Parents signature must be present for students to earn the full grade. Students will be required to practice 60 minutes per week. This portion of the grade is worth 15%.
Audience Participation Each student is required to attend one concert or other musical event outside of the school day each trimester grading period. We strongly recommend students attend other Hilliard Orchestra Concerts, but any musical event in or outside of the Hilliard Schools will fulfill the requirement. Students need to bring a program from the event (or parent signature) as well as a written reflection on the event in order to earn credit. Students will receive a detailed list of suggested events each grading period, but are welcome to find events not on the list. Students will also be provided a template to complete this assignment on their ipad. This portion of the grade is worth 5%. Performances Concert performances are the culmination of our hard work over the course of several months. There will be three concerts per year for all Sixth Grade Orchestra students. Attendance and performance in these concerts is expected and is calculated into each student s grade. Excused absences will only be allowed due to illness or family emergency. An e-mail or note signed from a parent is required following a concert absence due to illness or family emergency. Concert dates are listed below so that you may mark them on your calendar to avoid any possible conflicts. Please keep in mind that students will need to arrive approximately one hour before the performance begins in order to tune and warm up. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23rd TUESDAY, MARCH 1st 7pm, Davidson High School Auditorium 7pm, Davidson High School Auditorium At the end of the year, students will perform in a concert during the school day with the band and choir. More information to come in the spring. This portion of the grade is worth 25%. Please Note: Each student must bring his/her own instrument to performances. There are not enough school cellos and basses available for students to use during concerts.
Orchestra Karate! This year students have the opportunity to earn Karate Belts throughout the school year. Karate Belts will be awarded for completing performance tasks at school. We will choose several days throughout each trimester for students to perform pre-disclosed songs or skills for a teacher. If students do not earn their belts on their first try, they can easily try again at a later date. Each time students earn a belt they will be given a ribbon to tie onto the scroll of their instrument to show their achievement Cellists and bassists will be given a rubber band on which to tie their ribbons so they may easily be put onto the scroll of their instrument before class, and removed after class. Students will also be able to put these rubber bands on their home instrument to display during concerts. Technology Use and Permissions In case you are not aware, we have an orchestra website (http://music.hilliardschools.org) on which we occasionally post pictures and videos of Tharp students. (Names of students are never displayed with pictures/videos). Please read and sign the attached form indicating whether it is okay for us to include your child in pictures/video, or if we need to remove them from the room when we are taking pictures/video in class. Students will also be expected to use a fantastic FREE online resources that corresponds with our method book, Essential Elements Interactive online. Instructions to sign in to this resource are available in each student s workbook, and will be introduced during class. This is also a resource for parents as our class calendar will be available, as well as student playing assignments. Orchestra Contract Read the information on the following page, then go to
Read the following information below with your child. Click Here to complete the online form to turn in your Orchestra Contract and Website Permission. Please e-mail caitlin_bartholic@hboe.org if you have any questions. WEBSITE PERMISSION Hilliard Tharp Orchestra Directors have my permission to post orchestra photos and videos that may include my son/daughter, understanding that names will never be posted with pictures or videos, and pictures/videos will only be posted with the intent to showcase the orchestra & students in a positive light. ORCHESTRA CONTRACT We have read the provided information and understand the expectations and commitment of orchestra. We understand that orchestra is a year-long commitment and promise quality participation. We also understand that attendance and participation is required at all Tharp Orchestra concerts this year, as these are a required part of the music curriculum. Additionally, we understand the grading policy of orchestra, including the Audience Participation requirement. We understand that practice time must be put in outside of class, and Home Practice Organizers must be filled out and turned in with parent signatures. I will always strive to do my best and be prepared, responsible, respectful, and productive in orchestra class.