Orchestra Teacher: Dr. Sarah Rusin E-mail: sarusin@rochester.k12.mn.us Course Description & Content In the John Adams Middle School Orchestras, students will focus on developing technical skills in bowing and left hand facility, as well as in music literacy and sight-reading. Emphasis is placed on the development of musicianship through progressive technical studies and advanced modern and classical orchestra literature. Musical skills as well as aesthetic critique are assessed each quarter. In orchestra, students will grow in their performance abilities on their individual instruments as well as improve their aural skills, musical terminology, and music symbol identification. Required Materials (Purchase at Schmitt 507-288-1960, Welhaven 507-282-4286 or sharmusic.com, ) Shoulder rest violin/viola Rock stop cello/bass Rosin violin/viola/cello/bass String Basics Book provided by Dr. Rusin Grading Breakdown Daily Work 40% o The daily work will include a performance assessment and/or a written exam on concepts studied in class. Be ready to play your part for Dr. Rusin. o Students will have and turn in a charted weekly practice of at least 145 minutes per week or take weekly private lessons (at least 30 minutes) to be exempt from turning in a practice chart. I will hand out a weekly practice record keeper during the first week, and keep it with you in your music folder and fill it out each week as you practice. Have your parents initial it weekly. You are expected to come to class prepared with your individual part. Concerts 30% o Each student is required to participate in our December and May concerts. Participation is required and all students are expected to wear the proper concert dress. 6 th grade students have their own concerts dates. 7 th and 8 th grade students will perform on one concert. 7 th graders will perform first and have priority for auditorium seating. After the 7 th graders perform, their families are free to leave, and 8 th grade families will then enter and find seats in the auditorium. Practice 25% o Quizzes and tests in aural skills, musical terms, and musical symbols are given each semester. Common assessments tests may be remediated (see syllabus for details). o Playing assessments will be based on class music, it is imperative to practice at least 145 minutes a week for this class. We will be using weekly practice charts to monitor your practice and return to teacher. Written Class Assignments 5% o Students will be assigned personal or group concert reviews. o The concert review cannot be completed if the student was not present at the concert. No makeup work will be given for an unexcused absence from a concert.
Course Organization The orchestra period is structured into two parts. The first portion of the period will consist of warm-up technique study, as well as music concept instruction. The second portion of each class period will involve concert music rehearsal and occasional SmartMusic assessment. Orchestra Calendar 2016-2017 Orchestra Events and Performances (Attendance at performances/events are REQUIRED for all JAMS orchestra students unless otherwise specified): December 13 December 15 May 23 May 25 John Adams 6 th Grade Orchestra Concert 7:00p.m. JA Auditorium John Adams 7 th /8 th Grade Orchestra Concert 7:00p.m. JA Auditorium John Adams 6 th Grade Orchestra Concert 7:00p.m. JA Auditorium John Adams 7 th /8 th Grade Orchestra Concert 7:00p.m. JA Auditorium Music Folder and Parts Policy Every student will receive practice parts to be used at rehearsals. All students are required to bring their folder/music books and music every day to class so that markings and fingerings are consistent. If a student loses a music part or folder during rehearsal or a performance, points will be subtracted from their final grade. Replacement Strings for Student-Owned or Rented Instruments In emergency situations, replacement strings may be provided for student-owned or rented instruments. If a student is given a replacement string from the JAMS Orchestra string inventory, he or she must replace the string by paying the following fees by cash or check made out to JAMS. The student may also simply replace the string himself/herself. It is a good idea to have a backup set of strings through Wellhaven, Schmitt, sharmusic.com, johnsonstring.com etc. Violin Viola Cello E: $9.00 A: $10.00 A: $16.00 A: $12.75 D: $11.00 D: $17.00 D: $18.00 G: $12.00 G: $35.00 G: $19.25 C: $14.50 C: $44.75 In December and May, all unpaid string fees will be reported to the JAMS financial office and the student s name will be placed on the JAMS student fine list. The student s grades will be held until all fees are paid. Concert Uniforms Women Black concert dress, or white dress top/black dress pants or skirt, black shoes, nylons Men White dress shirt with collar, black dress pants, black socks, black dress shoes Classroom Procedures Passes: Restroom and hall passes are reserved for emergencies. Please take care of everything BEFORE you come to class.
Attendance: Any unexcused absence from a concert will result in a 10% deduction for the semester grade. Student growth and achievement in music can only be accomplished with each group member at the performance. Our performances are treated as demonstrations of learning and when a student misses this important event, his or her learning suffers. Expectations of Orchestra Students Be respectful: Treat each other and the music directors with respect at all times. You are truly my sagacious strings. Orchestra will benefit you in every aspect of your high school career. I will always remember you for your talent, dedication, and kindness. Please ensure that this is how your peers will remember you as well. Be organized: Show a sense of responsibility by frequently reviewing the calendar above and informing your parents of performance dates. Show a sense of responsibility by informing the director of potential conflicts well in advance. If you need letters of recommendation please give Dr. Rusin at least two weeks to complete. Growth and achievement in music can only be accomplished with each group member performing their role in rehearsal and at a performance! Be on time: Arrive to the orchestra room quietly and get necessary equipment ready BY the time the bell rings. Be prepared: Orchestra members must be prepared with a pencil and appropriate music materials for every rehearsal. Each member must practice his or her concert music outside of rehearsal, so that we can focus on musical and ensemble issues during rehearsal. Home is where you learn your individual parts and class is where you learn each other s parts. Be responsible: Orchestra members are responsible for all music and folders they receive. If extreme circumstances occur, please see your elected Librarian for a new part. All instruments are to be in excellent playing condition, and students should have rosin, shoulder rests, rock stops, cloths, good strings etc. Use your common sense: Do not bring food or drink into the orchestra room, as it can spill on the floor or your instrument, causing expensive damage. Homework from other classes is distracting to your learning and to the rehearsal, so do not bring it to finish in orchestra class. Be brave: You have so much to be proud of. Out of the entire student body, only you dears are in the JAMS orchestra. Do not be afraid of how you play or sound. We are ALL string players in the room. I do not tolerate faces, or comments when fellow orchestra members are being taught a new technique or fingering etc. The process moves much faster if you try to produce what we are teaching and then practice at home. My most successful and rewarding musical experiences have been with my graduate string quartet, only one player per part. Of course there were times I felt like the weakest link and mortified with my intonation or technique. During these times I relied on my colleagues to support me and by facing these challenges and dedicating myself to careful practice strategies, my weaknesses became my strengths. Have fun and get involved!: We are all in orchestra to work toward a common goal of making meaningful and memorable music performances together. I encourage students to think independently and expressively about your music, if you have an idea share it with the group! The goal of us coming together is to create something bigger than ourselves. Our experience is very unique because you are all special individually and as a group. We would not sound the same or have the same experience without you.
Schmitt Music 1765 Hwy 52N Rochester, MN 507-288-1960 Fein Stringed Instruments 165 Western Avenue N. St. Paul, MN 800-347-917 Welhaven Music Co. 15 N. Broadway Rochester, MN 507-282-4286 Groth Music 8056 Nicollet Ave S Bloomington 800-969-4772 Shar Music www.sharmusic.com 800-248-7427 Ann Arbor, MI House of Note (Strings) 7210 Minnetonka Blvd. St. Louis Park, MN 877-503-2181 Orchestra Private Teachers Violin Angel Falu-Garcia 787-235-1890 Kristin Gontea 262-354-5114 Stephen Pelkey spelkey1959@gmail.com James Buchan 452-9040 Julianne Dahlin 244-0158 Kathleen Lamb 715-307-3822 Amy Lindstrom 288-7631 Sarah Myhro 280-9824 DeAnn Spencer 285-0970 Kerstin Suby 281-8078 Linda Thompson 289-4575 John Vettel 269-0499 Julie Workman 285-9707 Viola Angel Falu-Garcia 787-235-1890 Kristin Gontea 262-354-5114 Kathleen Lamb 715-307-38 Stephen Pelkey spelkey1959@gmail.com James Buchan 452-9040 Julianne Dahlin 244-0158 Kerstin Suby 281-8078 John Vettel 269-0499 Cello Amy Crockett 507-287-1881 Stephen Pelkey spelkey1959@gmail.com Sarah Burrington 288-4312 Anna Clift 581-6440 Carolyn Mead 292-5975 Julianne Dahlin 244-0158 Bass Blake Bonde (612) 963-6948 Please visit the Rochester Music Guild website for a complete list of teachers rochestermusicguild.org under private music instruction
JAMS Orchestra 2016-2017 Contract of Mutual Consent Return this form to Dr. Rusin by Friday, September 16 th Name: Grade: Instrument: Maker/Serial #: Preferred Parent Contact Phone Number: Preferred Parent Email Address: I have reviewed the John Adams Middle School Orchestra Handbook and understand the expectations and policies. I will be held accountable to the guidelines set forth by these documents and understand the consequences of not following these during this school year. I, the undersigned student, accept membership in the John Adams Middle School music program and understand I am responsible for all policies set forth in the Orchestra Syllabus and Handbook. I fully agree to carry out my responsibilities to the very best of my ability. Student Signature Date I, the undersigned parent or guardian, have read and understand the policies as set forth in the John Adams Middle School Orchestra Handbook. I grant full permission for my child to be an active member of the JAMS music program. In addition, my child has full permission to attend all concerts and events. Furthermore, I understand that I must meet all financial obligations. Parent Signature Date
Rochester Public Schools 6