North Middle School Orchestra 2017-2018 We have read the information regarding Orchestra at North Middle School and understand that there are performances and occasional rehearsals outside the school day for which attendance is required and for which grades are given. We received a copy of the criteria used in grading for the orchestra classes and a calendar showing the concert dates for the 2017-2018 school year. North Middle School Orchestra Program After you have read through the Orchestra Handbook please sign and return the bottom portion. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Print Student s Name Student s Signature Orchestra Group Parent Signature Handbook 2017-2018 Date Elizabeth Quinby, Orchestra Director Tara Rosipal, Principal 12 1
Welcome! Welcome to the Orchestra Program at North Middle School. I m so excited you have decided to be in orchestra. I have some awesome things planned for us this year! Excellence, success and pride are traditions we strive to maintain at North Middle School. As a part of the music program your child will get the chance to experience that tradition. Never be afraid to ask questions, come in for help, or share a concern you may have in music. I am here to make this a successful year! If you have access to the internet, the NMS orchestra has a web page! This web page includes concert dates, how to submit a progress log, online tools, private teacher lists and more! http://northmiddleschoolorchestra.weebly.com/ Mrs. Elizabeth Quinby, Orchestra Director Instrument Identification, Storage, & Repair EVERY INSTRUMENT MUST HAVE A NAME TAG ON THEIR INSTRUMENT CASE! There are some NMS Music tags for purchase. They are $2.00 a piece. Instrument Rental: Any student using a school-owned instrument is responsible for its care and maintenance. A fee of $70.00 is charged for the full school year, $35.00 for a semester, $20.00 for students on free and reduced lunch, and $15.00 for summer music session. See GFPS rental agreement for pertinent details. Storage: Students will be assigned a cer tain space to keep their instrument. Students can bring their instrument to their storage space AFTER 7:30 a.m. and may pick them up until 3:30 p.m. (2:15 on most Wednesdays). For the safety of personal property, it is highly recommended that instruments be taken home on weekends and holiday breaks. Repair: Please notify Mrs. Quinby as soon as possible if an instrument needs repair. Students and parents should NOT attempt to repair an instrument themselves. Mrs. Quinby has a list of instrument repair shops. Orchestras at NMS! Concert Orchestra- 8th Grade Philharmonic Orchestra - 8th Grade Grizzly String Orchestra - 7th Grade Orso String Orchestra - 7th Grade String Ensemble Orchestra - 7th Grade Music and Folders All sheet music, books, folders, and other supplements are furnished by the school. Cost due to neglect, damage or loss of assigned music is the direct responsibility of the student. It is the student s responsibility to notify their instructor when problems occur. 2 11
Classroom Expectations Table of Contents All NMS students follow the GRRR Expectations: G Respectful Responsible Ready Expectations in the music room follow those same guidelines. Respect: Respect for all people and instruments Responsible: No food, gum, or candy in the orchestra room Ready: Positive attitude and on time. Welcome letter....page 2 Orchestras at NMS..Page 2 Concert Calendar....Page 4 Concert Calendar....Page 5 NMS Music Staff....Page 6 Concert Dress......Page 7 Grading....Page 8 Class Materials/Performances...Page 9 Expectations.Page 10 Instrument storage, identification, and repair...page 11 Student/Parent sign form..page 12 Consequences: First Time: Verbal Reminder Second Time: Discussion with teacher and phone call home Third Time: Detention and phone call home. Severe Clause: Severe Clause will result in immediate removal to the office. 10 3
NMS Orchestra Concert Calendar 2017-2018 Please find YOUR child s group to find concert dates Philharmonic Orchestra 8th Grade Thursday, Nov. 3....Fall Concert North Middle School.......7:30 p.m. Performances Sunday, Nov. 20th.Great Falls Youth Orchestra Mansfield Theater.2:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15th... Holiday Program #4 North Middle School......7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28th....Solo and Ensemble Festival Paris Gibson Education Center Individual time to be announced Most concerts and performances are in the evening at 6:00 or 7:30 pm and attendance is required! It is necessary for parents to contact directors in advance of performances when conflicts occur. Notes are required for verification and a make-up assignment should be anticipated. We practice so that you may perform! A concert is a group activity and each and every performer is an integral part of the group's total success. Tuesday, March 28th....Orchestra MIOSM CMR....7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1st.....Spring Concert #4 North Middle School....7 p.m. Concert Orchestra 8th Grade Thursday, Dec. 15th... Holiday Program #3 North Middle School......6:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28th....Solo and Ensemble Festival Paris Gibson Education Center Individual time to be announced Tuesday, March 21st.....Orchestra MIOSM NMS......7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1st....Spring Concert #4 North Middle School....7 p.m. Class Materials All music students should supply the following: Instrument - In good working order. (Some violas, cellos, and basses are available for rent) Rosin Mute Shoulder rest - violin/viola Rock stop - Cello/bass (NMS does have a limited supply of these items, for student use). 4 9
NMS Orchestra Concert Calendar 2017-2018 Continued Grading Grading at North Middle School will be done on a quarter system. Each student will be graded every nine weeks within that structure. Music grades are based on the following areas: Class work Paper quizzes and tests Individual playing skills Progress and improvement Practice Records Performances Each student will be given 5 points per class period. This is their rehearsal etiquette grade. Having instrument - 1 Having Music - 1 Participation/Improvement - 3 Orso Orchestra 7th Grade Thursday, Dec. 8th......Holiday Program #2 North Middle School....7:30 pm Saturday, Jan 28th...Solo/Ensemble Festival Paris Gibson Education Center.TBA Monday, March 6th... 6th Grade Invitational North Middle School..7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23rd...Spring Program #3 North Middle School......7:30 p.m. Grizzly Strings 7th Grade Thursday, Dec. 8th...Holiday Program #1 North Middle School..6:00 pm Saturday, Jan. 28th..Solo/Ensemble Festival Paris Gibson Education Center.TBA Monday, March 6th 6th Grade Invitational North Middle School..7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23rd Spring Program #2 North Middle School...6 p.m. Practice Records Steady improvement and student success are directly related to home practice. A weekly practice record is required. These must be signed by an adult. Neglect or failure to practice will have a substantial effect on the grade for that grading period. Students experiencing difficulty in this area may be asked to make special arrangements for help. I am always available to assist students. **Students are able to submit a practice log online!** http://northmiddleschoolorchestra.weebly.com/ String Ensemble 7th Grade Thursday, Dec. 8th..Holiday Program #1 North Middle School..6:00 pm Saturday, Jan 28th..Solo/Ensemble Festival Paris Gibson Education Center....TBA Monday, March 6th.....6th Grade Invitational North Middle School.7:30 p.m Tuesday, May 23rd.. Spring Program #2 North Middle School.....6 p.m. 8 5
NMS Music Staff Mrs. Elizabeth Quinby, Orchestra.... 268-6561 elizabeth_quinby@gfps.k12.mt.us Mr. Russ Kellogg,Band....268-6557 Ms. Ellen Forslund, General Music/Choir...268-6581 Mr. Joel Corda, General Music/Choir......268-6554 Concert Dress 8th Grade Uniform: Gray Polo Shirt (provided by the school) Solid, full-length black pants Dark socks Dark Shoes North Middle School 2601 8th St. NE Great Falls, MT 59404 268-6525 Great Falls Public Schools Dusty Molyneaux, Music Supervisor 268-6079 7th Grade Uniform: Maroon Shirts (Provided by the school) Solid, full-length black pants Dark Socks Dark Shoes Uniform shirts will be checked out to students prior to their concerts, and are the students responsibility until they are checked in after the concert is over. A student may be charged for damage to a shirt. 6 7