Grades 5-12 Orchestra Student Handbook 2016-2017 Mrs. Kendra Karriker, 5-12 Orchestra Director Chagrin Falls Schools Email: kendra.karriker@chagrinschools.org (440)247-5500 X 4355
Welcome! Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year. I am very excited to begin our new year at the 7-12 campus and at CFIS. On the following pages, you will find a detailed description of what you and your child can expect from the orchestra program. Please read this handbook with your child and then have them return the last page to me stating that you understand all of the orchestra policies and guidelines. If you have any questions pertaining to the information in this handbook, please do not hesitate to call. My email address and phone number are listed on the front of this handbook. If I am unavailable to take your call, please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible. I am looking forward to a great year! Sincerely, Mrs. Kendra Karriker Orchestra Director 5-12 Mrs. Kendra Karriker, Biography Kendra Karriker has been the Chagrin Falls 5-12 Orchestra Director for the past three years and has also been a part-time faculty member of The University of Akron School of Music where she taught String Methods I and II. Under her direction the MS/HS Orchestra has received superior ratings at OMEA District and State Contests. All orchestras participate in local clinics and masterclasses. The high school orchestra most recently performed at Disney World and with the group Project Trio. Prior to her appointment with the Chagrin Falls School District, Kendra served as coordinator of the string program at Davenport School of the Arts (DSA) in Davenport, FL. Her duties included teaching both an elementary and middle school orchestra as well as K-5 general music classes. Under her direction, the middle school orchestra at DSA received Superior and Excellent ratings at District Contest. Middle School Orchestra students from DSA participated in the Florida All-State Honors Orchestra, All-County Orchestra, and all students received Superior Ratings at District Solo and Ensemble. The Davenport School of the Arts Orchestra Program hosted many clinicians including John Crozman, creator of the internationally acclaimed string group Barrage, as well as world renowned violinist Mark O Connor. In addition to her teaching duties, Kendra served as a member of the Florida Orchestra Association Mentoring Committee as well as presented multiple sessions at the Florida Music Educators Association Annual State Convention in Tampa, FL. Kendra also performed with the Imperial Symphony Orchestra in Lakeland, FL. Kendra received her Bachelor s Degree in Violin Performance and her Master s Degree in Music Education from The University of Akron. She also spent nine summers in residence at the prestigious Meadowmount School of Music in NY where she studied violin and viola with Amy Barlowe and Alan Bodman.
Equipment and Supplies: (See also String Supply List) 1. An instrument in good playing condition (no colored instruments) 2. A sharp pencil with an eraser (no pens are allowed in class) 3. A clean soft cloth or towel (an old t-shirt will do) 4. A medium cake of rosin 5. A method book (Essential Elements for Strings 2000 Book 1, 2, and/or 3 for your instrument) (See Strings Supply List for the 2016-2017 school year) 6. An agenda or notebook for keeping worksheets and writing down assignments 7. Music stands are provided at school. However, it might be a good idea to get one for home to help create the ideal practice environment. 8. Extra set of strings (See Recommendations for Strings/Pegs) 9. Suzuki Book 1, 2, 3, or 4 and Piano Accompaniment Book for your instrument (MS/HS Solo and Ensemble participants only) Instrument Rental: Students will need to rent/buy their instrument from one of the recommended music stores. Music store information can be found on my teacher website. If you already own or rent an instrument, your child is allowed to play that instrument in class as long as it is in good working condition and it is the correct size for the student. Students should have their instruments by August 29, 2016. All cello/bass students will play school-owned instruments at school. However, it is recommended that cello/bass students also rent an instrument to keep at home. Therefore, students do not have to transport the large instruments on the bus. Specific Instrument Needs: (See also Orchestra Supply List) Violin/Viola: instrument, bow, case, rosin, cloth, pencil, method book(s), shoulder pad, extra set of strings Cello Bass: instrument, bow, case, rosin, cloth, pencil, method book(s), rock stop/cello strap/endpin holder *Please consult Mrs. Karriker before purchasing an instrument from anywhere besides a music store. Usually, instruments from e-bay are in poor working condition and they need a lot of repair. This can result in more money spent than the instrument is actually worth. Instruments from Wal-Mart and/or Department stores are unacceptable. Please contact me with further questions.*
Instrument Repairs: PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO REPAIR THE INSTRUMENT YOURSELF! I AM ABLE TO FIX MINOR REPAIRS BEFORE, DURING, OR AFTER CLASS. HERE ARE SOME MINOR PROBLEMS. 1. A string is loose: I will tune it before class. 2. The bridge has fallen: I will stand it back up. 3. There is a broken string: I will put on a new one. 4. A peg or fine tuner is too loose or too tight: I will fix it. 5. Others: I will send home a letter if your instrument needs professional repairs. Broken String/Bridge Replacements: Strings break due to a number of reasons. If a string breaks the student must replace the string. Strings and bridges can be purchased at a local music store or over the approved Internet sites. Before Bringing the Instrument to School: Please label all materials with the student s name. All cases should have a nametag on the outside of the case. Mrs. Karriker can provide nametags if the case did not come with one from the music store. Students are responsible for their own instrument throughout the school day. They must come to my classroom at the end of the day to get their instrument to take home with them. Practice makes perfect! Transporting Instruments: All students are responsible for transporting their instrument to and from school each day. If you are using a school owned cello or bass, it is recommended that you rent another one from a local music store to keep at home. Therefore, the student will not have to transport the large instrument. If a student loses/damages an instrument, the parent/guardian is responsible for replacing the instrument and/or providing payment to the Chagrin Falls Orchestra Program to buy another instrument. Class Expectations/Rehearsal Etiquette: (See Orchestra Grading Policy) 1. Students will arrive to class on time. 2. Students will bring their instrument and any necessary supplies to each class. (If the instrument is being repaired, please bring a signed note from your parent/guardian.) 3. Bring your own music/method book/folder to each class. 4. Bring your own pencil to each class. 5. Students will maintain correct body posture and left/right hand playing position during rehearsals. 6. Students will positively communicate with the conductor and the rest of the ensemble.
7. Students will demonstrate appropriate ensemble skills and be musically engaged throughout the entire rehearsal. 8. It is ok to talk: -during packing up time, organized discussions, designated free time. 9. It is not ok to talk: -during tuning procedures, during lessons/activities, rehearsals, while the teacher is talking or when a classmate is asking the teacher a question. Please raise your hand and wait to be called on if you have something to say during class time! 10. Be respectful of the equipment in the room. 11. Respect each other Please use behavior that is appropriate and kind to all of your classmates so that as a class we can have a safe and positive environment for everyone. 12. Please get a drink of water and/or use the bathroom before coming to class. Bathroom passes will be given out in emergency situations only! An orchestra is a team and we need everyone present to have a successful rehearsal. 13. Students must have short fingernails on both hands! Students MAY NOT have fake fingernails during the school year unless it is during a vacation. 14. Students will remain in the MS strings room until they are dismissed or the bell rings. 15. HAVE FUN! MS/HS Orchestra Seating Auditions: Seating in orchestra is determined by audition. Students will audition for their seat at the beginning of the school year and again after holiday break. All auditions will be in front of Mrs. Karriker and another Chagrin Falls Teacher. Music is selected by the instructor and given to the students one week before the audition. All seats in orchestra will be rotated at the discretion of the director. Seating audition results are final and non-negotiable. Please remember that orchestra requires teamwork. There are no unimportant seats in orchestra. Daily Routine: 1. Place your book bags against the wall or near the edge of the classroom. 2. Bring only your needed materials to your seat (instrument, music, instrument accessories, pencil, method book, music folder) 3. Check the board for instructions. 4. Unpack instrument for Mrs. Karriker to tune. Don t forget to rosin your bow! Place your music and pencil on the stand. 5. Instrument tuning 6. Review old material 7. Tonal and Rhythm patterns/scales/warm up 8. Method Book (old and new songs) 9. Concert pieces 10. Go over assignment 11. Pack up when instructed to do so by the teacher. 12. Help clean up your chair and stand and make sure that there are not any supplies or trash left in your area. 13. Wait for Mrs. Karriker to dismiss the class.
Concert Information: (See Concert Calendar) It is essential for your child to participate in each concert. Concerts are mandatory and are a large portion of the student s grade. Being an orchestra member is like playing on a sports team. Every member is critical to the performance of a piece of music, especially since there are only a few students on each part. Performing is one of the main focuses of this class and it gives your child the opportunity to experience playing for others in a group. It is very rewarding for them and for me as their teacher. Any conflicts with concert dates must be cleared with Mrs. Karriker at least one week prior to the concert. Absence due to serious illness, accident, or family related emergency will, of course, be honored. This year there will be a number of different concerts at Chagrin and at other events. I will give you ample notice on the dates of the concerts and where they will be held. The students will also be participating in other orchestral activities such as Middle School and High School Large Group Contest, Solo and Ensemble Competition and other related field trips. Excused Absences: Personal Illness, Death/Family Emergency, Conflict with School Functions, Observation of Religious Holiday Unexcused Absences: Work Conflicts, Family Gatherings, College Visits, Vacations Uniform: 5 th & 6 th Grade Appropriate dress clothes (Concerts are in the evening.) 7 th & 8 th Grade See below Ladies: Chagrin Falls Music Polo Shirt, white undershirt, long black skirt or nice black dress pants, (no jeans/leggings in any color), black dress shoes, black nylons/socks ( no tennis shoes, inappropriate jewelry, fingernail polish, etc.) Gentlemen: Chagrin Falls Music Polo Shirt, white undershirt, black dress pants (no jeans/leggings in any color), black dress shoes, black socks (no tennis shoes or ties) High School - High school students will be fitted with concert uniforms during the first week of school. The gentlemen will be fitted with tuxedo shirts, jackets, and pants. The ladies will be fitted with a black concert dress. Black socks/nylons and black shoes are required for high school concerts. (No inappropriate jewelry, nail polish, hair accessories, socks, etc. are allowed for concerts.) When to arrive: Students are expected to arrive in the specified appropriate concert attire with their music and instruments 60 minutes before the start of the concert. Mrs. Karriker must tune all of the instruments before the concert and this process could take an extended amount of time. The group must also rehearse before each concert.
Concert Letter: Approximately 3-4 weeks before the concert, a letter will be sent home/posted on the teacher website/uploaded to google classroom concerning the upcoming concert. Students who miss concerts will lose points toward their final grade. The grading policy is located at the end of this handbook. Practicing: To learn to play a string instrument decently requires practicing. Elementary and Middle School students should practice at least 100 minutes a week. It is beneficial to the students to have a structured practice time and space at home. Be aware that the sounds that may come out of the instrument might be less than pleasant at first but things should get better as the year progresses. PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! Parent Volunteers: Any extra help is greatly appreciated. I will be asking for volunteers to help with things such as administrative help, chaperoning, refreshments, uniform fittings, concerts, etc. Please fill out the bottom portion of the Chagrin Falls String Student Information Sheet if you are willing and able to volunteer for the orchestra program. Extra help: Extra help will be provided after school. If a student would like to stay after school, I need a note from a parent/guardian and the student must confirm the date with me and bring me the note at least a few days ahead of time so that I can make sure that my schedule is free. Orchestra Grading Policy: 1. Class participation: Students have the opportunity to earn 25 points each week. (5 points per day) based on the following criteria: Being on time and bringing all materials needed to their seat (instrument, instrument accessories, method book, music, music folder, pencil, etc.) Maintaining correct body posture throughout the entire rehearsal (sitting on the edge of the chair, back straight, sitting tall) Maintaining correct left/right hand position throughout the entire rehearsal (straight left wrist, playing on tips of fingers, correct bow hand, etc.) Places instrument in playing position immediately when invited to do so by the conductor. Is musically engaged throughout the entire rehearsal and contributes to the ensemble in an appropriate manner. 2. Homework: worksheets or homework assignments will be worth 100 points. 3. Assessment: students will be formally assessed throughout the year with playing tests and quizzes as well as written tests and quizzes. Tests will be worth 200 points. 4. Concerts: concerts are mandatory and will be worth 500 points.
Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior/Rehearsal Etiquette: Loss of Class Participation Points Reflective Paper (1 page) Parent phone call/email home Discipline Referral Form Fieldtrip and/or Trip Privileges Revoked Removal from the program MS/HS Orchestra Student Fees: (The middle school and high school students will be required to pay orchestra students fees.) Please send either cash/check with your student when returning the last page of this packet. Checks are to be made out to Chagrin Falls Music Lovers. Middle School: Chagrin Falls Music Polo Shirt (for concerts) - $13.00 High School: Uniform Dry-Cleaning Fee (2x per year) = $30.00 Thank you for taking the time to review the orchestra handbook! If you have any questions regarding the student handbook please feel free to contact me at any time. Please sign and return the following page to Mrs. Karriker as soon as possible. By returning the last page of the handbook, your student will receive their first 100 points for the year.
Orchestra Handbook Contract 2016-2017 Parents/Guardians Name: Students Name: After reading through and discussing the Orchestra Handbook, both student and parent/guardian understand the guidelines and expectations for the class and will strictly adhere to the policies and procedures. Student Signature: Date: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: