Reynolds Middle School Orchestra Handbook 2018-2019 Reynolds Middle School 700 N Coleman St Prosper, TX 75078 Phone: 469-219-2165 1
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION Welcome to Reynolds Middle School! My name is Mrs. Oyedipe and I am the director of the Reynolds MS Orchestra. This will be my 3rd year at Reynolds, and my 20 th year in education. Through the years, I have taught general music, private lessons, string and full orchestra to grades Pre-K through 12. As a violinist, I have traveled the world and performed in many places. WHY I LIKE BEING A MUSICIAN: *meeting diverse people and instantly having something in common *helping others celebrate special moments in life *lifelong friendships (I m still friends with my old orchestra pals!) *playing interesting music and learning about the great composers *experiencing other cultures through the music *mental focus and deep concentration What is your WHY??? Some days we may not feel very motivated to practice (and that s totally normal). Remembering your WHY can energize you, move you forward and keep you on track. Your WHY might change as you grow and mature. And if you ve lost your WHY, it s never too late to start new and rediscover your WHY. Let s work together to have a great year! Dawn Oyedipe, Reynolds MS Orchestra Director droyedipe@prosper-isd.net Conference period: 6 th period Monday, Tuesday, Friday 1:00-1:45pm and before/after school by appointment Visit my Reynolds staff member page here: https://www.prosper-isd.net/domain/2453 2
Table of Contents Course Objectives 4 TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) 4 Minor Grades, 40% 4 Major Grades, 60% 4 Concert Performance Grade (1 major grade) 4 Make Up and Late Work 5 Practice Record Grade 5 Weekly Rehearsal Grade 5 Playing Tests 6 Orchestra Binder 6 Basic Class Rules 6 Consequences 6 No Pass No Play 6 Chairs/Seating Order 6 Daily Rehearsal Procedures 7 On the way to rehearsal 7 Entering the room 7 Unpacking Time 7 Class Announcements 8 Group Warmup 8 Rehearsal 8 Packup Procedure 8 Home Practice Procedure 9 Orchestra Uniforms 9 Parent Volunteers 9 2018-2019 Reynolds codes 10 3
REYNOLDS MS ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS AND HANDBOOK Course Objectives 1. Orchestra students will be able to read, rehearse, and publicly perform appropriate musical literature for their level of ability and ensemble instrumentation 2. Orchestra students will develop proper right and left hand playing technique and apply it during both rehearsals and performances. 3. Orchestra students will develop musicianship skills, such as pitch accuracy, rhythmic accuracy, and sight-reading, creative expression, music theory, and more. 4. Orchestra students will develop life skills such as respect, professionalism, teamwork, self-discipline, personal responsibility, focus, taking initiative, and much more. 5. Orchestra students will learn professional performance etiquette as both a performer and an audience member. TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) Musical perception Creative expression & performance Cultural & historical understanding Critical thinking and evaluation Minor Grades, 40% Playing quiz Weekly Rehearsal Grade Theory assignments Written quiz (terms, notes, theory) Orchestra binder Practice reports Online assignments Major Grades, 60% Playing tests Written tests (theory, history etc.) Projects Concert performance grade Concert Performance Grade (1 major grade) 10 points Dress Out Day. Wear Orchestra T-shirt to school on day of concert 10 points Concert Attire, be in uniform on the night of performance 10 points having required music and supplies 50 points stage performance, concert etiquette (includes listening attentively to the other performing groups on the concert) 20 points written concert evaluation 4
Dress rehearsal and concert attendance are required for orchestra class. Make up assignments will be given if the absence cannot be avoided (or in case of illness/emergency). To receive an excused absence, parent must submit note in writing at least one week prior to the concert or immediately upon return to school in case of sickness. Playing test will be given as makeup grade. Student will need to complete a written evaluation from the recording of the concert. Make Up and Late Work Students will follow regular school guidelines regarding make-up and late work. 1 day late = maximum of 70, 2 days late = maximum of 50, 3 days late = zero. For excused absences, students will have 1 day to submit makeup work per day absent. Practice Record Grade Students should strive to practice a minimum of 100 minutes per week, on the assigned class material (ideal is 5 days X 20 minutes). This includes scales, rhythm charts, exercises and concert music. Students will be assessed on their home practice through pass-offs, playing tests and quizzes. Expect to practice more if there is a special contest or audition approaching. New practice assignment will be in class each Friday. Extra practice reports can be found on Google Classroom or in the box in the classroom. Practice Record Grading scale: 100+ minutes of practice, turned in on time, with assignment illed out (with parent s signature) = grade of 100. Students receive 1 point per minute for example 80 minutes = grade of 80. 1 day late -30 points 2 days late -50 points Practice reports without parent s signature -50 points Practice reports will not be accepted without the assignment illed out. Weekly Rehearsal Grade Students will receive a weekly rehearsal grade based on work done in class. This will include demonstrating rehearsal techniques, marking the music, and written components as music theory practice. To receive full credit, students need to 1) have all supplies for the rehearsal and utilize them 2) be actively participating in the rehearsal. Weekly Rehearsal Grading Scale: 25 points per day X 4 class meetings =100 points per week. Pencils may be borrowed from the teacher (please return to the pencil bucket). However points will be deducted if students fail to bring and utilize personal supplies such as instrument (-15 points), book/accessories (-10 points). 5
Playing Tests Students will receive a detailed written evaluation of their playing during each playing test. Students are expected to mark any areas still needing improvement in their music. Be willing to learn from mistakes, and continue to practice these items in anticipation of our upcoming performances. Orchestra Binder All sheet music is to be kept in the orchestra binder. To prevent losing the music, please do not take the music out of the binder. Keep all graded assignments such as playing tests in the binder. The tabbed sections of the binder are: NEW MUSIC, OLD MUSIC, NOTES, ASSIGNMENTS, HANDBOOK. Keep a pencil in the binder at all times professional musicians make a habit of this. Basic Class Rules 1. Show respect to classmates, teacher, and our rehearsal space. 2. Follow outlined procedures for unpacking, rehearsing, and storage of items. 3. Don t play instruments or talk while the teacher is talking. 4. Cell phones, turned off and in backpacks until permission to use. 5. Stay on task. Take responsibility for your own actions. 6. Bring needed supplies every day, and have them at your seat. This includes instrument, accessories, pencil and binders. 7. No gum, candy or food allowed in the orchestra room, instrument storage room, practice rooms, stage or any ine arts areas. 8. All school policies regarding student dress code and conduct apply to orchestra class and any orchestra ield trips. Consequences Step 1 Warning issued to student. Step 2 Parents contacted. Step 3 Detention and referral to an administrator as appropriate. Step 4 Removal from orchestra and/or further disciplinary actions as appropriate. No Pass No Play Students must be eligible (PASSING ALL CLASSES) to compete in contests and activities off-campus with the orchestra. Chairs/Seating Order Students will rotate seating order in the classroom, to gain experience listening across the ensemble. Concert seating will be assigned on the basis of playing test average. Students chosen to be a section leader for a performance are expected to demonstrate maturity and proper rehearsal etiquette. 6
Daily Rehearsal Procedures During orchestra class, students will demonstrate two sets of skills: 1) academic skills and 2) discipline skills. The academic skills are outlined under Minor and Major Grades in the handbook. Discipline refers to managing your own personal behavior during rehearsal. Below are typical orchestra class procedures. At start of school, students will have several reminders and guided walk-throughs. However if a student willfully and/or repeatedly breaks procedures, parents will be contacted and the situation will then be treated as a school discipline violation. On the way to rehearsal Spit out gum. Gum, candy and food are not permitted in the orchestra room. Please speak with the director individually if there is a medical issue requiring food/drink. Students are allowed to use the restroom and grab a quick drink of water. Drop off backpacks and other personal items in the designated location. Cell phones are to be turned off and left inside backpacks. Gather all supplies, your instrument, binder and accessories. Entering the room Use inside speaking voices, no yelling or loud talking. Move carefully around the room. Don t knock over stands, instruments or equipment. Don t touch other people s stuff. Hands on your instrument & equipment only. Unpacking Time Unpacking time includes the passing period plus 3 minutes Chatting and appropriate conversations allowed if students remain on task. SILENT SETUP DAYS will be implemented if needed. Students will be marked tardy if not seated, unpacked and ready on time. Violin/viola put cases to the left of your chair. Close and lock your case. Cellos/basses, put cases against the wall where no one can trip over them. Put any papers to be turned in, on your stand. First and last name on all paperwork, and check that it is illed out correctly. Teacher or designated student will collect papers. Set up music, book, warmups, pencil on stand to begin rehearsal. Rosin bows daily. Cell phones can be used with permission from the teacher for speci ic assignments, otherwise they should remain out of sight inside backpacks. After uncasing, conversations should cease. Begin warming up on your instrument. Start playing through today s songs to get your ingers moving. 7
Class Announcements Stop talking/playing when the teacher calls for attention. Be an active listener during the announcements. Turn in assigned items when requested. Raise hand and ask questions which are on topic. Listen attentively to other student s questions (and the answers). Group Warmup Open your ears. Listen carefully to adjust and match pitch. Open your eyes. Look around and match your bow exactly to everyone else. Check your posture and position. Listen to any feedback given by the teacher and make adjustments. Once you learn the correct way to hold the instrument, you are responsible to keep working on it each day. Posture and position will always be graded on playing tests. Rehearsal Active participation is expected. Prepare for a workout! HUSTLE to get in position. Everyone must be ready so we can start together. Always set your right and left hand carefully before playing. Don t randomly play out. We will always start and stop playing together. Teacher will give instructions and offer feedback in between playing. If the teacher is working with a small group, classmates are learning through observation, listening, and shadow-bowing. Know what measure we are on and follow along in your own music. Work with your stand partner to help turn the page, get the correct song, etc. If you are given free practice time: be sure you are on task, practicing the assignment. Mark all bowing and ingerings into your copy of the music, as instructed. As a reminder, writing markings is part of your daily rehearsal grade. Correct bowings and ingerings will be expected on the playing test. Worry About Yourself Do not criticize the playing skills of your classmates. There will be an assigned time for a peer evaluation. Be respectful in addressing the teacher and fellow classmates (Please, Thank You, Yes ma am, Yes Sir). Packup Procedure Do not pack up until the teacher gives permission. Pick up any loose items or bits of trash around your area. Loosen bow hairs, wipe instrument and put away accessories. Place your instrument case back on your assigned shelf. Take your music with you; there is no room for binders on the shelves. Remain in the ine arts area until the bell rings. Do not depart early. 8
Home Practice Procedure Log in to Google Classrooom to check announcements, hear listening examples and view other assignments from the teacher. Look at your practice report. What are we working on this week? Play with a steady beat. Use a metronome app, metronomeonline.net or Smartmusic as an aid. Record your minutes on the practice record, obtain parent signature and turn in Friday (on time!) Orchestra Uniforms Casual Uniform : Orchestra T-shirt (included in course fees) jeans and sneakers. Students will dress out in orchestra T-shirt at school on performance days. Jeans must meet school dress code. 6 th Grade Beginners Formal Uniform Girls: dressy black blouse, black dress pants or tea-length/mid-calf black skirt. Black closed toe shoes, no heels (ballet lat style). Boys: black dress shirt and pants, black socks, black dress shoes. Concert and Chamber Orchestra Formal Uniform All students: white tux shirt (order school-issued bow tie and cummerbund. Boys: black dress pants, black socks, black dress shoes. Girls: black dress pants or tea-length/mid-calf black skirt. Black closed toe shoes, no heels (ballet lat style). Grooming Standards (all students) All students must have nails cut short daily for correct hand position on the ingerboard. While onstage, stud earrings are permitted. Please remove watches, rings, necklaces and bracelets. Hair should be pulled away from the face and should not cause a distraction for performing. Students will not be permitted to take the stage out of uniform. Parent Volunteers Without parent volunteers, it would be impossible to do concerts, ield trips, contests and fun things outside of the classroom. We will be utilizing Sign Up genius to manage our volunteer force throughout the year. No previous experience is required, we will show you what to do. Be sure to update your Prosper ISD volunteer check as soon as possible at the following link. https://www.prosper-isd.net/domain/897 This must be completed each school year. Thank you! This concludes the Reynolds Orchestra Handbook. Please visit the provided link at www.rmsorchestras.org to sign the Handbook Acknowledgment. 9
Orchestra Fees and Please bring exact cash or check made out to Reynolds Middle School in an envelope with your child s first and last name. Also, please indicate which fees you are paying. 2018-2019 fees are: Beginners $70 (includes your binder) Concert & Chamber $60 basic fee, $20 for white tux shirt, $10 for replacement binder if needed Cello & bass students only, $75 PISD school instrument usage fee Visit our homepage at www.rmsorchestras.org for Back to School Checklist. We are updating calendar and handbook at this time, so stay tuned! :-) https://classroom.google.com Students must use PISD google email to join their Google Classroom. 1st Beginning violin yhnsykq 2nd Concert Orchestra w97tkxn 3rd Chamber Orchestra pozegl3 4th Beginning violin 6hbng 7th Beginning orchestra u8sfng 8th Beginning cello bass hezsm3 Beginning Orchestras: text @rey6orch to the number 81010 Concert Orchestra: text @reyconorch to the number 81010 Chamber Orchestra: text @reychaorch to the number 81010 10
11