CONTENTS Reynolds and Rogers MS ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS AND HANDBOOK... 3 COURSE DETAILS... 3 TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)... 3 Minor Grades, 40%... 3 Major Grades, 60%... 3 Concert Performance Grade (1 major grade)... 4 Make Up and Late Work... 4 Home Practice and Weekly Rehearsal Grades... 4 Class Rules... 4 Consequences... 5 No Pass No Play... 5 Chairs/Seating Order... 5 Casual Performance Uniform... 5 Beginners FORMAL Uniform... 5 Intermediate/Advanced FORMAL Uniform... 5 Special Performance Attire... 5 Grooming Standards (ALL)... 5 2
REYNOLDS AND ROGERS MS ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS AND HANDBOOK Mrs. Dawn Oyedipe, Reynolds & Rogers MS droyedipe@prosper-isd.net (469) 219-2165 x72295 Mr. Ron Planks, Prosper HS & Rogers MS rlplanks@prosper-isd.net (469) 219-2180 X80461 COURSE DETAILS Beginning Orchestra: Students with little or no prior string playing experience. Students will learn to play the instruments of the string family which include violin, viola, cello and string bass. Beginning orchestra class will focus on learning the basics such as care of the instrument, how to read notes, fingering and bowing skills. Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras: Students with at least one year of prior string playing experience. Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra class will build upon skills learned in the Beginning Orchestra class. This class will offer challenging music, and additional performing opportunities. 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% Smartmusic assignments Playing quiz Weekly Rehearsal Grade Theory assignments Written quiz (terms, notes, theory) Orchestra binder Practice reports MAJOR GRADES, 60% Playing tests Written tests (theory, history etc.) Projects Concert performances 3
CONCERT PERFORMANCE GRADE (1 MAJOR GRADE) 10 points visible Orchestra T-shirt day of performance at school 10 points 100% in dress code on concert night 10 points having required supplies 50 points stage performance, concert etiquette (includes sitting with the orchestras for the duration of the concert) 20 points written concert evaluation next day Dress rehearsal and concert attendance is MANDATORY. Missing a dress rehearsal or concert will result in a zero for test grade. Make up assignments will only be given if the absence cannot be avoided and is submitted to the directors in writing at least two weeks prior to the concert. MAKE UP AND LATE WORK Students will follow regular school guidelines regarding make-up and late work. HOME PRACTICE AND WEEKLY REHEARSAL GRADES Home practice is crucial for each student to keep up with orchestra class. Rehearsal time is for coordinating our style, dynamics and overall effect but it cannot take the place of students individually learning the notes, rhythms and bowings. 100 Minute Challenge: Middle school students should strive to practice a minimum of 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week on the assigned class material. This includes scales, rhythm charts, exercises and concert music. Students will be assessed on their home practice through Smartmusic, pass-offs, playing tests and quizzes. Expect to practice more if there is a special contest or audition approaching. Weekly Rehearsal Grades: Students will earn a 100 each week (25 points per class meeting) for having instrument, all supplies, and staying 100% on tasks. Points will be deducted if these guidelines are not met, or if students consistently the following class rules. CLASS RULES 1. Be in your seat, unpacked, and ready to play when the tardy bell rings. 2. Don t play instruments or talk while the teacher is talking. 3. Technology turned off and in backpacks until permission to use. 4. Stay on task. 5. Bring needed supplies every day, and have them at your seat. This includes pencil, book, and binders. 6. NO GUM, CANDY, DRINKS, OR FOOD ALLOWED in the orchestra room, practice rooms, stage, or any fine arts rooms or hallways. 4
CONSEQUENCES Step 1 Orchestra weekly rehearsal grades will be lowered if basic class rules are not followed. (maximum of -25 points per day) Step 2 Parents will be contacted. Step 3 Student will be referred to assistant principal for additional disciplinary actions. Step 4 Removal from orchestra and or further disciplinary actions from campus administration. NO PASS NO PLAY Students must be eligible to attend field trips and contests off campus. Students are responsible for contacting teachers for tutoring, staying up to date with assignments, completing tests and make up work. CHAIRS/SEATING ORDER Students will rotate class seating order. All students are expected to work ahead in the music, become strong players, and learn to assume responsibility for leadership. All students must keep accurate fingerings and bowings marked in the music. Those who are absent must copy the markings from stand partners. Concert seating will be assigned on the basis of playing test performances. Students chosen to be a section leader for a performance are expected to demonstrate maturity and proper rehearsal etiquette. Failure to do so can result in losing one s chair. CASUAL PERFORMANCE UNIFORM Visible orchestra shirt, jeans with no holes, sneakers. Example: Beginner Demo Night performance, Winter Concert Tour BEGINNERS FORMAL UNIFORM Girls: dressy black blouse with sleeves, black dress pants or tea-length/mid-calf black skirt. Black closed toe shoes, no heels (ballet flat style). Boys: black dress shirt with long sleeves, black dress pants, black socks, black dress shoes. INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED FORMAL UNIFORM All students: white tux shirt (order from orchestra boosters), 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 flats, no heels (basic ballet flat, no ankle ties). See website for photos. SPECIAL PERFORMANCE ATTIRE Dressy, Sunday best: PISD Ensemble Festival, Solo Contest, Suites & Sweets recital Orchestra Shirt with khaki shorts: Sandy Lake, Pinstack, Six Flags GROOMING STANDARDS (ALL) All students must have nails cut short, no nail polish while onstage. Stud earrings only. 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. Thank you for helping your student be in uniform, as we learn professionalism and polished appearance! 5
Handbook Acknowledgement Form School We have read the 2017-2018 Orchestra Handbook at www.rmsorchestras.org under FORMS. We agree to abide by guidelines for participation in orchestra. Print Student First and Last Name Student Signature Print Parent First and Last Name Parent Signature Date Volunteers I would like to volunteer to help with the following this year. (check all that apply). We will send out an email a couple weeks before each event confirming your availability. Office tasks: photocopying, computer, etc (daytime) Measuring students for uniforms (daytime) Pre-Concert Helpers: monitoring students, setup refreshment (evening) Post-Concert Helpers: assist with serving refreshments, clean up (evening) Post-Concert Helpers: stage crew, stacking chairs (evening) Chaperone: ride the bus and supervise students on field trips, contests, Sandy Lake etc Any other talents or skills Volunteer name email Phone number Date of last PISD background check If you have not completed a background check, please go to http://www.prosperisd.net/domain/897 under PARENTS>VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECKS. 6