KINGWOOD MIDDLE ORCHESTRA BEGINNING ORCHESTRA HANDBOOK 2012-2013 Kingwood Middle School Bob Atteberry, Principal Karie Norman, Orchestra Director 2407 Pine Terrace Kingwood, TX 77339 Phone: 281-641-4313
WELCOME TO THE KMS ORCHESTRA! Dear KMS Beginning Orchestra Parents and Students: August 2012 Welcome new KMS orchestra members! Learning to play a stringed instrument and participating in orchestra opens up a whole new world of possibilities! You are about to be part of a musical organization whose music and traditions encompass the past five centuries and continue to reflect the musical trends of today. KMS Orchestra Goals: The KMS Orchestra Program will challenge beginning students on many levels. Responsibility and respect will be emphasized in all aspects of practice and performance as well as instrument position and posture, proper left and right hand technique, note and rhythm reading skills and proper rehearsal and concert etiquette. The most important goal and activity of the KMS Orchestra is providing students with a wholesome, active, fun organization to which they can belong and take pride in. I am extremely excited about getting to know all of the new orchestra students as well as their parents this year! This is going to be a great year, and as always, I appreciate your help and support. Please do not hesitate to contact the orchestra office at any time with your questions or concerns. I have an open door policy. Email is best way to reach me as you will get a faster response. The following pages contain important information that both parents and students need to know to make their first year of orchestra a success. Please read the information carefully and mark all calendar dates (calendar is included in this packet) that apply on your family calendar-today. This handbook contains vital information and will give everyone a full understanding of what is expected this year in orchestra. Parents please read through this handbook and go over it with your child. I hope this handbook will make my expectations easy to understand and clear to everyone involved. Welcome! Karie Norman KMS Orchestra Director - 2 -
TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome Letter..... page 2 Director Contact & Schedule...page 4 Orchestra Website....page 4 Course Description & Commitments..page 5 Required Supplies. page 5 Student Expectations & Responsibilities...page 6 Orchestra Code of Conduct. page 8 Orchestra Calendar Policy...page 8 Grading Policy...page 9 Practice Chart Policy....page 10 Orchestra Attendance Policy...page 11 Approved Instrument Vendor...page 11 Instrument Repair Policy..page 12 Concert Policy.... page 12 Uniform Policy...page 12 HISD Solo & Ensemble Contest....page 13 Spring Reward Trip.. page 13 Academic Eligibility...page 14-3 -
DIRECTOR CONTACT Kar ie N or m an, D irec t or Email: karie.norman@humble.k12.tx.us Office Phone: 281-641-4313 Orchestra Room Number: 906 (located outside on patio) Conference times are available by appointment. If you need to reach Ms. Norman you may call the orchestra office and leave a message, or email. For a quicker response email is the best option. O R C HEST R A WEBSITE The KMS Orchestra has its own website! The website is updated regularly. To access the website, go to the KMS home page. Click on Activities and a drop down menu will appear. In the drop down menu, click on Orchestra and it will take you to the KMS Orchestra Website. KMS Orchestra Website: Ms. Norman s Page: http://www.humble.k12.tx.us/page/14772 http://www.humble.k12.tx.us/page/14484 The KMS Orchestra Website is the BEST and MOST RECOMMENDED way to stay up to date on what is happening in orchestra. Parents and students have access to all orchestra handouts, including all PRACTICE CHARTS, the orchestra calendar, rehearsal schedule, etc. Please take advantage of the resources available on the KMS Orchestra Website!! - 4 -
COURSE DESCRIPTION & REQUIREMENTS The Kingwood Middle School Beginning Orchestra consists of students who have had no previous experience playing the stringed instruments of the orchestra: violin, viola, cello and bass. These students consist mainly of sixth graders, however, there are some exceptions. This orchestra is divided up into three separate classes of equal level. Students will learn proper instrument position and posture, note and rhythm reading skills, proper right and left hand technique, and proper rehearsal and concert etiquette. All three class periods are combined into four extra rehearsals before school in preparation for concerts. BEGINNING ORCHESTRA ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS 1. Spaghetti Dinner Concert (October) 2. Winter Concert (December) 3. Solo & Ensemble Festival $ (April) 4. Spring Concert (May) 5. All combined rehearsals (a calendar will be passed out well in advance) R EQUIRED SUPPLIES Students are required to bring all supplies to class everyday (with the exception of stools and folding stands). Failure to do so will result in a deduction from their orchestra grade of at least 20 points per item. Beginning Orchestra Supply List 1. Instrument 2. Black Orchestra Binder* 3. Rosin* 4. Shoulder Rest (violin/viola students only) 5. Rock Stop (cello/bass students only) 6. Cleaning Cloth 7. Stool (for use at home-bass students) 8. Folding Stand (for home use) 9. Electronic Tuner & Microphone Clip: KORG CA30 or CA40 Chromatic Tuner & KORG CM 100 L Contact Microphone 10. Essential Elements Book 1 for your instrument *Binder is provided by the KMS Orchestra. This binder is required in addition to the KMS Schoolwide Binder. The KMS Schoolwide Binder is too big and heavy to be placed on a music stand. *Bass players should order the Nyman-Hartz Bass Rosin from the supply vendors listed on page 11. Bass players are issued a school bass to take home. - 5 -
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES All orchestra students will: Come Prepared to Orchestra Class & Performances 1. Bring all materials every day. This includes all items listed in the section Required Supplies. All items needed must stay under your chair during class. If you are using your stand partner s orchestra binder, have yours under your chair so you can make necessary markings. 2. Be in your seat when the tardy bell rings ready to begin rehearsal with all the supplies listed above. 3. Work silently and efficiently during class. Shadow bowing of your part is expected while Ms. Norman works with other sections. Do not talk or distract others at any time. 4. Use the restroom before and after class. Unless there is an extreme emergency, students will not be permitted to leave the orchestra room. 5. If it is not yours, do not touch it!! This applies to music, all instruments EVERYTHING! 6. Be on your best behavior at all times. This includes every function and setting. 7. Play with correct instrument position and posture at all times. 8. Keep short fingernails in order to maintain correct left-hand technique. 9. Take your instrument home each night to practice and bring it back to school the next morning. 10. Be respectful of others, our facilities and all directors. 11. At the end of class/rehearsal leave the orchestra room cleaner than you found it. Be Responsible for your Orchestra Binder The following items will go inside your black orchestra binder: 1. Pencil and highlighter. Pens are NEVER to be used to mark music, even photocopied music. We often change our musical decisions and thus our markings, and ink destroys the music for future use. There will be regular pencil checks to make sure pencils are being used. Students who mark on music with pens, draw/write on music in a distracting way, or deface music (theirs or another s) by tearing it will be expected to pay for its replacement. 2. One copy of each piece we are playing. In the case that sheet music is lost, additional copies will be provided at a replacement charge of $.25 per page. This is to encourage student responsibility and help cut down on excessive costs to the orchestra. 3. A copy of this Orchestra Handbook including the Orchestra Calendar 4. Current Practice Chart Be Responsible for your Individual Practice 1. Students are responsible for keeping up with their orchestra homework (practicing!) each day. 2. Each week s practice chart contains the assignment checklist for that particular week. All items on the assignment checklist have been taught and/or reviewed during class (in some cases more than just one time) in order to make the goals of practice time clear and easy to follow. 3. Students who don t practice daily to reinforce skills learned in class will fall behind quickly and find it very hard to catch up to their peers in orchestra class. 4. Students must turn in a signed practice chart each week. Failure to turn in a practice chart will result in a grade of zero. Be Respectful of all Orchestra Equipment 1. All students must sign an equipment contract. 2. Students are only allowed to use the Korg tuners. The tuners are not toys. Use it and pass it to the next person. 3. Students must use their OWN instrument, their OWN Essential Elements Book and their OWN orchestra binder at all times. Remember: if it doesn t belong to you, then don t touch it! 4. Students must report any problems with their instrument or music to Ms. Norman ASAP. 5. Students must treat their instrument like another human being with the utmost care and respect. Students must be responsible for their own instrument: - 6 -
a. This means dropping off their instrument every morning and putting it in its proper place. b. NEVER leave your instrument outside the orchestra room for ANY reason. c. Do not ask a friend to drop off/pick up your instrument for you! c. This also means putting their instrument away in the proper place each day after class, packed in its case properly. d. Students should not let others play on their instrument. e. Students should never leave their instrument unattended anywhere for any reason. Be Respectful of the KMS Facilities KMS is blessed to have one of the biggest and nicest middle school orchestra rooms in the district! Let s keep it that way! 1. Before school, while sectionals or rehearsals are going on you may NOT hang out in the orchestra room. If you would like to practice, you must receive permission from Ms. Norman in advance. 2. No one is allowed to drop off their instrument before 8 am. If you have tutoring then you will need to take your instrument with you and bring it back. No exceptions. 3. At ALL times, ONLY orchestra students are allowed in the orchestra room for the safety of your property and our equipment. Please ask friends to wait outside. 4. Practice Rooms a. Are for practicing only b. Are not hang out spots c. If you would like to use one, get permission from Ms. Norman FIRST d. When you are done please turn out the light and close the door 5. Keep the orchestra room neat and clean! Do not write/graffiti anywhere (on furniture, walls, other people s belongings, etc.) in our facility. Pick up your trash and supplies at the end of each class. Always leave the orchestra room cleaner than you found it. 6. NO GUM, NO FOOD OR DRINKS ARE ALLOWED AT ANY TIME. Phone Use: Orchestra members may use the phone located in the orchestra office before or after school concerning a ride, etc. if needed. 1. Ask permission to use orchestra phone. 2. After you have permission, and if there is more than one person who needs to use the phone, please form a line starting outside the orchestra office door. 3. Dial 9, then the area code and phone number. 4. If no one answers when you call, leave a message. This will prevent unnecessary phone calls to the orchestra phone after you leave. All orchestra students will follow and abide by all policies and guidelines described in this handbook. - 7 -
K M S ORCHESTRA CODE O F CONDUCT In order for the orchestra to be successful, proper student behavior is expected at all times. 1. One student s poor conduct affects the entire class, and will not be tolerated. No conduct will be permitted that is not ordinarily permitted in a traditional classroom. 2. HISD Discipline Management Code, all KMS school rules, dress code and bus rules apply on all trips and orchestra functions. KMS Orchestra members will be respectful of bus drivers, other directors, peers and chaperones. 3. Poor conduct by a KMS Orchestra member during any orchestra function will result in suspension of that individual from extra-curricular orchestra activities for the remainder of the year and/or a change in orchestra class level. The director reserves the right to make these decisions. Participating in orchestra is like being part of a sports team. In addition to learning music, attending rehearsals and concerts, it is extremely important that each and every KMS Orchestra member conduct themselves within the classroom and at all orchestra functions in a manner which reflects common courtesy, discipline, consideration for others, as well as following the rules of Kingwood Middle School. Discipline issues will affect the student s participation grade and in result, reflect on the student s report card grade poorly. Conduct Grades are based on the following: E = few warnings, if any, for disruptive behavior S = occasional warnings for disruptive behavior N or U = frequent warnings, phone call/email home or office referral for disruptive behavior Consequences 1. First Offense: Student will receive a warning, deduction from daily participation grade and a seating change away from any distraction 2. Second Offense: Student will receive a deduction from daily participation grade, permanent seating change away from distraction and parent contact 3. Third Offense: Student will receive an additional deduction from daily participation grade, an office referral, parent contact and parent conference 4. Fourth Offense: Student will receive a schedule change to another orchestra class or another elective choice O R C HESTRA CALENDAR POLICY The YEARLY KMS ORCHESTRA CALENDAR of events for the entire year is included in this packet. Some event dates and times are yet to be determined. Calendar Guidelines 1. Please check all the dates on the orchestra calendar for the entire school year against all the dates on your family calendar for the school year TODAY. Check for any conflicts and take care of them now. 2. If you know in advance of an upcoming problem/conflict, COMMUNICATE with Ms. Norman AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Early communication is best. The earlier the better! Ms. Norman has been known to be flexible when the communication level is good. 3. Students are responsible for listening in class when the calendar is reviewed. Dates and times are subject to change. If and when this does happen, parents will be notified well in advance via email, handouts and the orchestra website. 4. It is advised that the orchestra calendar be placed on the refrigerator at home, or in another prominent place where it will be seen and will serve as a reminder. - 8 -
GRADING POLICY Summative or Major Grades 50% Performance Tests Students will perform portions of their assigned music, orchestra procedures, scales, solos, etc. for a test grade. Written Tests At times there may be a written test on pre-assigned material. Concerts All performances are considered a test grade. For details on how concerts are graded please see the section titled Concert Policy. HISD Grading Scale 90-100 = A 80-89 = B 75-79 = C 70-74 = D 0-69 = F (failing) Formative or Daily Grades 50% Weekly Practice Charts Practice Charts are due each week. All practice charts turned in must be signed by a parent/guardian. For more information, please see the section Practice Chart Policy. Failure to turn in practice charts during a six week grading period will result in a dramatic lowering of the student s grade even if the student receives A s on all other orchestra assignments. Likewise, students who turn in only one or two practice charts will also have a lower average. Daily Participation Grade Students who are on time to class with all the required supplies, follow directions and participate in a respectable manner will receive full credit. Rehearsal/Sectional Attendance Students who show up on time with all materials will receive full credit. Points will be deducted for arriving late, disruptive behavior, missing supplies or not putting forth a satisfactory effort. Please see Sectional Policy and Attendance Policy for details. Written Assignments All worksheets or assignments given out to do during class or as homework. Binder and/or Pencil Checks Binder and pencil checks take place periodically and may occur unannounced. Students who have their orchestra binder containing the current music, a pencil bag with three pencils and a highlighter will receive full credit. Instrument Checks take place periodically before or after school. Students that take home their instrument and orchestra binder receive full credit. Students who leave their instrument and/or orchestra binder at school overnight receive a zero. HINT: Ms. Norman especially likes to do instrument checks on Monday mornings before school!! Semester Test Each semester students will be required to take a written final in orchestra as well as in their other classes. This grade counts as a major grade. EARN EXTRA CREDIT ANYTIME!! Forget to turn in a practice chart?? Earn an extra daily grade of 100! Requirements: Attend a concert performed by other organizations in the KMS or KPHS music departments (band or choir), or performed by professionals such as the Houston Symphony. Students must bring in a ticket stub or concert program in order to receive credit. This can be done at any time during the school year. Spring Auditions Each spring semester all students returning to orchestra for the next school year will perform an audition to determine placement for that year. Several items will be taken into consideration: Current level of performance Overall behavior for the school year. This includes all classes, office referrals, ISS, detention, etc. Six weeks averages for all classes for the entire school year. Dependability-communication level in the case of a conflict, turning in practice charts and other assignments, being in attendance and arriving on time or early for rehearsals, concerts, etc. Commitment-regular practice and desire. - 9 -
PRACTICE CHART POLICY This section is extremely important. If a student earns a grade lower than an A in orchestra, it is usually because they are not turning in their practice charts! All KMS Orchestra members are expected to practice every day and to record their practice on the weekly Practice Charts. This is not optional. Why practice charts are required: 1. Makes the process of practicing visible through a tangible record 2. Shows the student exactly what to do at home 3. Teaches the responsibility of taking home the instrument daily, setting aside daily practice time, recording that practice time, getting a parent/guardian signature, then turning in the practice chart on time. Practice Chart Procedures 1. Practice Charts are passed out every Monday during orchestra class. 2. Extra practice charts from the current and previous weeks are always located on the front table in the orchestra room (next to the instrument cubbies) as well as being posted on the KMS Orchestra website, so there is no excuse for anyone who says they didn t get one! If a student is absent on a Monday or Ms. Norman forgets to hand them out during class, there will always be extras on the table by the instrument cubbies. 3. Practice Charts are accepted on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. They are accepted at the beginning and end of each class, before school and after school. 4. The ONLY day practice charts are NOT accepted is FRIDAY. 5. Late practice charts will not be accepted. Either you practice or you don t. If your practice chart is not turned into the basket by Thursday after school you will receive a zero for that grade. 6. All practice charts turned in must have a parent/guardian s signature or it will not be accepted. 7. Please completely fill out your practice chart. That includes your name at the top and doing the math. Beginning Orchestra Practice Chart Grading Scale 7 s = 120 6 s = 110 5 s = 100 4 s = 80 3 s = 60 2 s = 40 and so on. The orchestra s success as well as the student s success depends on individual practice. Parental support and guidance is essential for establishing a regular schedule for home practice. Try out different times during the day in order to find the best time for practice. Some students like to practice before school while others prefer to practice during a homework break. With the help of their parents, students need to find their best time for practice. WARNING! Failure to turn in signed practice charts will result in the student s orchestra grade being lowered even if the student received A s on all other orchestra grades. Students who only turn in one to two practice charts in a grading period will most likely NOT receive an A. Many students find this as a surprise. Practice charts are assigned EVERY week, therefore one six week grading period will have six assigned practice charts. How do you make an A in orchestra?? Bring all materials and your best behavior to class everyday. Arrive early to all orchestra events. Turn in your practice chart each week! - 10 -
ORCH ESTR A ATTENDANCE POLICY Attendance is very important. EVERYONE in the orchestra is important no matter where they sit!! All students are expected to attend the orchestra events listed below. The Orchestra Attendance Policy is applies to all GRADED events: 1. Concerts: Fall, Winter and Spring Concerts, Pre-UIL Concert & Sightreading, UIL Concert & Sightreading, KMS In-school assemblies such as Winter and Recruiting Assemblies 2. Solo & Ensemble Contest takes place in the Spring Semester 3. Rehearsals any extra rehearsals scheduled by Ms. Norman. These rehearsals are done based on need. Absences Outlined below are the only exceptions made for absence: 1. Family Emergencies 2. Death in the family 3. Personal Illness In the event that any one of the above does take place please contact Ms. Norman ASAP on the day of the absence at the earliest possible opportunity. Contact can be made via email or by calling the orchestra office. Making-Up An Absence Absences for any reason other than the three listed above will be considered unexcused. If a student misses an event, they need to speak with Ms. Norman at the earliest available opportunity. Failure to make up an unexcused absence will result in a zero. Students are responsible for seeing Ms. Norman and scheduling their make-up assignment. A signed letter or email from a parent/guardian must be brought in within one week of the absence. Bringing in a note the day of or the day before a concert because you are going out of town on a planned trip is still considered unexcused as it does not constitute as a family emergency, death or personal illness. A PPROVED I N ST RUMENT VENDOR S Lisle Violin Shop and Fishburn Violin Shop are the only approved vendors for Humble ISD. Representatives from each store visit KMS once a week for service and repair. Lisle Violin Shop 4510 Burke Rd Pasadena, TX 77504 Phone: 281-487-7303 Toll Free: 1-800-545-4753 www.violins.com Fishburn Violin Shop 11435 Spring Cypress Rd Suite C Tomball, Texas 77377 281-290-4580 www.fishburnviolin.com Renting from Lisle or Fishburn is GREAT because: 1. You ll never have to drive there. They send a representative to KMS every week to drop off supplies and/or pick up repairs. 2. Their rental plans include insurance. If your child sits or steps on their instrument (which does happen!), breaks a string, needs a bow re-hair they will do this at NO COST TO YOU. 3. As your child grows, they will require a larger sized instrument. When that happens, you simply call your violin shop, and they will exchange the current instrument with a larger one at NO EXTRA COST. Any instruments not rented or purchased from the above vendors must be approved by Ms. Norman at the beginning of the school year and BEFORE you make a purchase or sign a contract! - 11 -
I N ST R UM ENT REPA I R PO LICY Broken strings and certain minor instrument repairs can be made by Ms. Norman. What you should do when something is wrong with your instrument or you need a new string: 1. BEFORE SCHOOL leave the instrument in the orchestra office with a note taped to the case stating what is broken, or better yet, bring it directly to Ms. Norman. She will fix it during her planning period. 2. Students that forget and need to have repairs done at the last minute (like at the beginning of class) will have to do an alternate assignment during class until Ms. Norman can fix the instrument. 3. Do not plan for your instrument to be repaired during class. This wastes valuable class and rehearsal time. 4. If Ms. Norman thinks the instrument needs to go to the shop, and it is a Lisle or Fishburn instrument, it will be sent there directly from KMS. If it is not a Lisle or Fishburn instrument, the student and parents must have it sent to Lisle or Fishburn, and may have to pay for the repair in advance. C O N C ERT POLICY KMS Orchestra members will attend all concerts/performances. Everyone is important in the orchestra! The orchestra needs every single person at every single performance, no matter what chair you are! At a football game the team wouldn t go out on the field without its quarterback! Concerts and performances count as a major test grade! It is EASY to earn a 100! How to earn a 100: Arrive early! Arrive wearing your complete orchestra uniform. Bring your instrument, orchestra binder and supplies (rosin, shoulder rest, rock stop, etc.) Be on your best behavior at all times. This includes while on stage and while sitting in the audience. Follow all school rules especially when we are performing as guests at another school. Points are deducted from the concert grade for: Arriving late Not arriving in full uniform/wrong uniform (wearing jeans or the wrong shoes will get points deducted) Improper concert etiquette Not bringing all supplies (this includes asking for music and/or not having your instrument) Don t think Ms. Norman will notice if you wear the wrong shoes?? Think again!! U N I FORM POLICY In an effort to create a unified and professional looking appearance, students are required to wear an orchestra uniform at all concert performances. B e g i n n i n g O r c h e s t r a U n i f o r m KMS Orchestra Black Polo Shirt* (cost is $20.00) Full-length khaki colored pants (No jeans, Capri pants or shorts!) Nice sneakers, or dress shoes (No flip flops!) *Item ordered by the KMS Orchestra. Polo shirts are usually $20.00. Pricing information may change. All students are required to purchase a KMS Orchestra Polo Shirt. WARNING! Students who do not wear the complete or proper uniform to their orchestra performance may not be allowed to perform and must do a make-up assignment. - 12 -
HUMBLE ISD SOLO & ENSEMBLE CONTEST The Humble ISD Solo & Ensemble Contest is an opportunity for students to perform for an orchestra director other than Ms. Norman for a rating. This is a significant part of each student s musical education. The experience of performing a solo or performing an individual part in an ensemble that is judged is very different than performing in orchestra class. Solo & Ensemble gives each student the opportunity to do individual work on a solo and/or ensemble work with a small group of students. Solo & Ensemble Date: Saturday; April 6, 2013 at Timberwood Middle School All KMS Orchestra members are required to perform a solo at the Solo & Ensemble Contest. Solo & Ensemble is a major test grade. This event increases the student s musical knowledge and skills, and develops self-confidence, persistence as well as teamwork! 1. Solos will be chosen based on skill level. Students will begin learning their solo and/or ensemble on their own and during class. Accompanist Requirements: 2. The contest requires that any student performing a solo must perform with a piano accompanist. This does cost a fee ($20.00). Ms. Norman will arrange for an accompanist to come to the school to practice with each orchestra student individually. Students are allowed to arrange for their own accompanist (must be a capable pianist and not another student). 3. Reason for requiring an accompanist: This is done in order to prepare the student for the state level UIL solo and ensemble contests that take place in high school. In high school, students will have an opportunity to qualify for State, in which they perform their solo in Austin, TX (at the University of Texas at Austin) in front of an additional judge for a state medal. SPRING REWARD TRIP This year we are traveling to SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS in DALLAS! Date: TBD To reward students for their efforts, the KMS Orchestra takes a trip each spring semester. Certain guidelines must be met by each student in order to attend. These guidelines will be outlined in a separate letter sent home. - 13 -
A C A D EMIC ELIGI BI L I T Y By law, The Humble Independent School District must follow the No Pass, No Play policy of the Texas Education Agency. Humble ISD defines a failing grade as any grade given to a student that is a 69 or below. Any student with a failing grade at the end of any nine week grading period may be ineligible to participate in certain performances or events for a period of three weeks following a one week grace period. If, by the next progress report, the student is passing all classes with a 70 or above his/her eligibility will be restored. If the student is not passing all of his/her classes, they will remain ineligible for three more weeks. Students will continue to practice with the orchestra in and outside of class time during an ineligibility period. A grade of incomplete or I renders a student ineligible until it is changed to a passing grade. To allow participation in an extracurricular activity, the incomplete grade(s) must be officially changed to passing in the school computerized grading system. Students who are ineligible are still able to: Participate in performances/concerts that occur on campus for which no admission is charged. Students who are ineligible will not be able to: Participate in extra-curricular events such as Region Orchestra, UIL Concert & Sightreading, Spring Trip Maintaining academic eligibility is a serious matter for all KMS Orchestra members and can become a major factor in orchestra class placement for the next school year.. - 14 -