VMS ORCHESTRA CONTRACT Mrs. Susan Heinz Director of Orchestra Venice Middle School Email: Susan.Heinz@sarasotacountyschools.net Website: www.venicemiddleschoolorchestra.weebly.com 24/7 Expectations at Venice Middle School * Be physically & verbally appropriate * Be on time to class EVERY TIME * Listen & follow directions from ALL staff * Show proper care & use of school property * Follow dress code at all school-related functions * Use electronic devices appropriately Daily Consequences for Inappropriate Behaviors: There is a no-nonsense policy in the orchestra room. This means that students who do not follow expectations will be dealt with quickly and appropriately. You will first be given a warning, or a chance to correct undesired behavior. If the behavior continues, you will be asked to pack up and quietly complete a written assignment. Parents will also be contacted and informed of behavioral issues. Any behavior that disrupts classroom function will be referred to the administration. Continued behavioral issues WILL result in removal from the Venice Middle School Orchestra Program. A letter will be placed in your permanent record if this occurs. It should be the goal of every student to be a leader in Orchestra. Student conduct is crucial to the success of the orchestra. Students that make the choice to misbehave in any form or fashion will receive swift and appropriate consequences for their actions. Superior orchestras demonstrate superior behaviors AT ALL TIMES!
Grading Policy 1) Musicianship (40% of Overall Grade) Musicianship includes having your instrument and music in class every day. It also includes class participation, effort, and behavior. (20 Points per day) DON T FORGET YOUR INSTRUMENT, MUSIC, PENCIL or OTHER MATERIALS. Tardiness Will Result in a Lowered Musicianship Grade for the Week, Unless Excused. * Attendance- Attend each school day to the best of your ability. Attendance is not graded, however, the more you are absent the more you have to make up. Notify the teacher if you will be absent, so that you may receive work ahead of time. Grades are posted for viewing on Crosspointe and are updated as often as possible. 2) Quizzes and Assignments (30% of Overall Grade) * Weekly Performance Quizzes (100 Points per Quiz) * Rhythm Counting, Worksheets, Class Work, Etc. Performance Quizzes will be completed over several days. Student will receive 1 chance to pass the performance quiz by playing the exercise with proper technique. If they cannot, they will not pass off. They can try again on the next performance quiz opportunity. Students that are missing numerous performance quizzes MUST seek out help from the instructor. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the Orchestra Program. 3) Performances (30% of Overall Grade) * According to the SCSB Curriculum, Orchestra is a CO-Curricular class which means that students can be graded on events outside of the school day. * Students are required to be at all outside events. Each performance is worth 500 points. * An alternate assignment may be given based on situation (death in family, illness, etc.), but will not be given for simply missing the concert (etc). Parents must speak directly to Mrs. Heinz to request the alternate assignment. Students may receive extra credit at the instructor s discretion for taking private lessons, attending special concerts, and other opportunities as determined by the instructor.
Required Class Materials - Pencil - sharpened and with eraser. - Instrument (violin, viola, cello, double bass) and Extra String Set. * Instrument should be in proper playable condition, with a carrying case, bow, shoulder rest, and rosin, and should be the appropriate size. Music stores should be able to assist you in getting the correct size instrument for your child. - Method Book/Orchestra Music - Essential Elements for Strings 2000, Book 1 or 2. Beginning Orchestra Book 1, Advanced Orchestra Book 2 - Folding Music Stand Not required for class, but recommended for home practice. * Make sure when purchasing the book, it is specific to the instrument your child is playing (violin, viola, cello, or bass). Method books can be found online (Amazon, ebay, etc), or at your local music store. More information on local stores will be discussed in the following section. Instrument Rental There are several options in acquiring an instrument: - Rent-to-Own or Purchasing Online (Please use Approved Vendors) - School-Owned Rentals - Rent-to-Own through local vendors *** Please contact Mrs. Heinz before purchasing an instrument. There are many instruments sold cheaply online that are NOT AT ALL suitable, even for a beginner. These instruments often cannot be properly tuned, have horrible tone, and sometimes have MAJOR flaws in their setup. Please contact me, and I can guide you towards good, affordable instrument purchase options. Triton Music is the VMS-approved vendor for instrument rentals and repairs. They deliver and repair instruments frequently. You can also purchase supplies from them and they will be delivered to Venice Middle School. The recommended online resources are Shar Music www.sharmusic.com and Southwest Strings www.swstrings.com. Alternate sources in the local area include The Violin Shop, North Port Music, Troll Music, and Fogt s Music. Most music stores have solid rent-to-own programs where you pay off the instrument in monthly installments.
School-Owned Instrument Rental Fee (Form Attached) $26.75 - Instrument Rental Fee for School-Owned Instruments*. This includes use of an instrument, bow, carrying case, shoulder rest, and method book for one semester. All items are to be returned at the end of the semester. Repair fees are the responsibility of the renter if repairs exceed normal use of the instrument. *This fee can be paid in monthly installments, or waived per instructor s discretion. IMPORTANT: If a student cannot take care of a school-owned instrument (i.e. excessive damage etc.) then the student will not be allowed to use a school-owned instrument. The student is responsible for renting/purchasing his own instrument if this situation occurs. Students and Parents must sign an Instrument Rental Form to check out school-owned instruments. If lost, or excessive damage is done to the instrument, then repair/replacement costs will be the responsibility of the renter. Repairs are NOT the responsibility of the school unless deemed necessary by the instructor. The instructor will do her best to work with everyone with financial need. Please do not let finances be the reason you are not in orchestra. Private Lessons It should be a goal of every student to take Private Lessons with a qualified musical instructor. Please see Mrs. Heinz for a recommended list of teachers. Private Lessons are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED for all musicians in the orchestra program. Private lessons are for students who would like to push themselves musically to be better. Most music majors in college have taken music lessons since they were young children. Get started NOW! Concert/Performance Attire Concert and Encore Orchestra students should wear: a white dress shirt, long black pants or a long black skirt, black socks or stockings, and black dress shoes. Concert Orchestra is also known as the Beginning or First-Year Orchestra. Skirts must pass the knees when sitting. Advanced Orchestra students should wear: a black dress shirt, long black pants or a long black skirt, black socks or stockings, and black dress shoes. Skirts must pass the knees when sitting. Restroom Policy Restrooms should be used before or after class or within the first three minutes after arrival. You will be excused during class only in cases of emergency.
Orchestra Room Etiquette 1) NO FOOD, DRINKS, OR GUM ALLOWED. IF caught, student will serve Lunch Detention. Bottle Water is the only item allowed. NO CANDY OR GUM EVER! 2) Do not touch any instrument unless it is your own. Students who do so will serve Lunch Detention. 3) Running and horseplay are not appropriate in the orchestra room. Vandalism and other serious behavior problems will be referred to the administration to be dealt with in accordance to the school handbook 4) ALL INSTRUMENTS MUST BE PUT AWAY IN THE CORRECT MANNER. STUDENTS WILL BE HELD FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY DUE TO A FAILURE TO FOLLOW CLASS GUIDELINES. 5) All Orchestra Members share the responsibility for the care of the orchestra room. If you see something wrong or out of place, please take care of it or notify Mrs. Heinz as soon as possible. 6) To perform on instruments during the school day is NOT a right. It is a privilege. If a student fails to follow program rules, this privilege can be taken away. 7) Before the bell rings students must remain in the classroom. If a student is found outside in the hallway they will be given consequences. If the student is found out once again, a SCSB referral will be written. Daily Classroom Itinerary: 1) Students are to enter the music room quickly and quietly. When you enter the music room, you are asked to leave your personal drama and non-music related issues outside until the end of class. The music building is a sanctuary where only the best of the best reside. Students are expected to be the best of the best as they walk in, during rehearsal, and throughout dismissal. 2) After the bell rings, they are given exactly three extra minutes to be ready with their instrument, in their seat and ready to go. If a student is not ready to go at inspection (in chairs with music and instruments out). They will be considered not prepared. Not being prepared will result in a lowered musicianship grade. 3) Students will NOT come into the orchestra room to hang out or socialize. This is a room where work is to be done at all times, not a social club. Students that do not follow this protocol will be sent out of the room to administration. 4) Students will remain silent during rehearsal unless instructed otherwise. Students are to be focused on music and nothing else. Once class has started students will not be permitted to access items in their backpacks or to move from their seats. If the student needs something or has an issue, they will raise their hand and the instructor will call on them when the time is right. 5) When rehearsal is completed, students will quickly and quietly put their instruments away in the appropriate designated place. Any instruments not put away appropriately will have the student responsible serve a lunch detention. Instruments are valuables in the orchestra room. They must be taken care of at all times! Students will return to their assigned seats until the bell rings. 6) Students will be responsible for leaving the classroom in a timely manner so they are not late to their next class period.
Orchestra Room Hours of Operation Afternoons are frequently available for students on Monday-Friday from 2:15-3:15 PM, unless there is a meeting that requires the Director s presence. Students may come in to practice, pick up instruments, and to work on challenging music. Students are expected to work the entire time. The orchestra director will revoke access to the room in the afternoons if there are ANY behavior problems. After-school rehearsals, clubs, and help may be scheduled. Other ensembles will be formed based upon the needs of the program. Instrument Switching Policy Students are not permitted to switch instruments as they please. The orchestra director approves all switches. If the student requires a larger-sized instrument throughout the year, due to his/her ongoing growth, then the orchestra director will assign a new instrument, if available. Students may learn second instruments based upon the needs of the orchestra. IMPORTANT: Do NOT ask to leave Orchestra class to go work on homework or other classwork. Orchestra is not FREE time. It is an academic class. The director will treat it as such and so should you. The only time this may be allowed is if we have just completed a concert or are having a reward day. Outside of Class Practice Policy Students are required to practice their instruments outside of class time. This can be accomplished in many ways: - Taking instruments home and practicing every day. J - Practicing in the afternoons after dismissal in the orchestra room. - Practicing at home with the music. - Going online to listen to recordings of orchestra pieces you are learning.
Orchestra Contract Acknowledgement Form By signing this form, we acknowledge the following statements: 1. We understand that students are required to attend all events during and outside of school. Failure to do this may result in a lower grade. 2. We understand that students are required to practice outside of class. Musicians will not reach their full potential unless work outside of class is done. It is the director s right to require students to take instruments home. 3. We understand that school-owned equipment is to be cared for properly. Any damage caused to school equipment is the student/parents responsibility if found to be responsible. 4. We understand the student is expected to not only be an outstanding musician but an outstanding student in all areas of my studies. In addition, we understand the student is held to a higher behavioral standard than other students. 5. We understand that being in this encore orchestra class is a semester commitment and that you are not able to schedule change out of the program without orchestra director approval, as it will affect the sound and abilitylevel/balance of the group. We certify that we have read and fully understand all contents of the handbook and this contract. We agree to abide by this contract for the current school year. We certify that we will be a full-fledged member of the Orchestra Program, giving the best in all rehearsals, performances, concerts, and events. X (Student Signature) X (Parent Signature) Date: Date: Parent Email Address:
Venice Middle School Orchestra Instrument Assignment and Rental Form STUDENT: ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP: HOME PHONE: INSTRUMENT: Rental Donation: $26.75 (covers one semester) Option 1: Pay in full, $26.75 Option 2: Two Monthly installments of $10.00 due on the 15 th of the first 2 months With a balance of $6.75 on the third month Option 3: Finances waived per Directors approval. I understand that by signing this form I am responsible for the care of this musical instrument while in my possession. I understand the instrument should be kept in its case, with the bow loosened when not in use. I understand that I should never let anyone else other than me use this instrument. I understand that I should never leave the instrument in a hot place (like a hot car) because extreme temperatures may cause this instrument to come unglued, which can be very costly to repair. Important- In case of damage under my care I understand that I may be responsible for repair costs of any damages to the instrument in my possession. STUDENT SIGNATURE DATE PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE DATE