Classroom Expectations & Daily Rehearsal Procedures The following guidelines are given to ensure a successful, productive rehearsal and should be followed at all times: 1. Enter the orchestra room quietly, courteously and on time. 2. Check the daily rehearsal agenda, in an effort to get daily materials in order. 3. Please be seated in your chair, ready to rehearse when class begins. 4. The following materials are necessary every day: instrument, all music, and a pencil. 5. Concert attention should be observed when the director is on the podium; therefore, during our rehearsal time, students should not play their instruments or talk without permission to do so. 6. Speak politely to everyone and use only appropriate language. 7. Participate appropriately and actively during class. 8. Practice on a regular basis and try your best to be prepared for class. 9. Be respectful of the property of other students; do not play other orchestra students instruments. 10. Gum-chewing is absolutely not allowed in the orchestra room. In addition, no food or drinks are allowed in the orchestra room during class or rehearsal sessions. 11. School binders and other materials which are not needed for orchestra class should be kept under chairs during class. 12. Music stands are for music and should not be leaned on or abused in any way. 13. Respect your rehearsal space. Pick up after yourself, put your music away, and leave the orchestra room neater than you found it. 14. Be respectful and considerate of your fellow classmates and teacher. BE PROUD OF LOPEZ ORCHESTRA! Page 1
Classroom Discipline Plan Rules: The Lopez Orchestra rules include the previously-mentioned daily classroom procedures along with the following additions: 1. Respect the rights, safety and property of others. 2. Keep hands, feet and other objects to yourself. 3. Stay in your seat unless you have permission to get up. 4. Accept responsibility for yourself and for your learning. 5. Be honest with yourself and with others. 6. As a responsible citizen, obey all school rules. Consequences/Step Process: Following is the step process for minor classroom infractions, such as off-task behavior or not following our class rules and rehearsal procedures as listed above and on the previous page: 1. Verbal warning, re-direct behavior. a. Student/teacher conference. b. Parent contact 3. 60 minute after-school detention 4. Parent/student/teacher meeting. 5. Office referral. Severe Clause: Immediate office referral. The following behaviors would result in implementation of our severe clause: * Behavior physically harmful to another student; * Behavior which would damage or destroy property; * Open defiance or blatant disrespect of the teacher. Student Code of Conduct - Extra-Curricular Activities: The opportunity to participate in orchestra and orchestra-related extracurricular activities is a privilege. As representatives of this organization, students are held to a higher standard of conduct. As is stated in the NEISD Student-Parent Handbook: Participation in extracurricular activities represents a position of recognition and often bestows the position of role model upon the student participants. For that reason, high standards of behavior are expected from students participating in extracurricular activities. Please refer to the NEISD Fine Arts Student Code of Conduct link for more specific information regarding extracurricular policies and procedures. Page 2
Grading Policy Lopez Orchestra members will be graded using the following criteria: 1. Daily Participation: Orchestra students are expected to come to class on time and prepared every day, with their instrument, music and a pencil. In addition, students are expected to behave appropriately, and actively participate in our daily rehearsals. Weekly participation grades will be given based on student s daily participation and preparation. 2. Practice Records: The importance of regular, daily practice cannot be overemphasized. Every Lopez orchestra student will be given practice sheets for each grading period. Please refer to the next section, Practice Records, for more specific information. 3. Performances, Playing, Written Exams, Sectionals, Other Assignments: Students will receive a numerical score on all exams, playing or written. All students should be prepared to play individually or in small groups every day. An unexcused absence from a performance or a mandatory rehearsal will result in a grade of 0. Grades will be weighted with the following percentages: Participation 20% Practice Records 20% Tests and Quizzes 30% Concerts, Performances, Rehearsals for Concerts 30% Practice Records Practice sheets are to be turned in on a weekly basis, with a parent signature, at the beginning of orchestra class every Monday. At the end of each grading period, practice record grades will be averaged to make up 20% of a student s overall grade in orchestra. Practice Minutes/Grades: Philharmonic and Honors Orchestra students will receive a grade based upon the number of minutes he/she practices each week: Minutes practiced = Grade 120+ = 100 110 119 = 95 90 109 = 90 89 and below = # of minutes=actual grade Page 3
Sixth Grade Practice Records: Sixth Grade Orchestra members will fill out weekly home practice organizers and be graded on the following: completed practice sessions, completed assignment section and getting their parent s signature. Late Practice Records (Philharmonic & Honors): Practice sheets will be considered late when turned in after the Wednesday of the week it was due, and will not be given full credit. The district s policy for late work will apply to late practice sheets, i.e., 20% will be deducted from the final grade. Practice Makes Perfect : Most everyone has heard this expression and it is certainly true. Maybe you ve heard this saying Only practice on the days that you eat! In other words, make your home practice a routine. To be successful with at-home practice, students should... Try to be consistent and schedule practicing for a certain time (for example, after you get home from school and have a snack, or right after dinner). Find a quiet place/space to practice, free from distractions (like the TV or a younger sibling). Count carefully and keep a steady beat when practicing. Isolate problems and master them: practice harder passages slowly and several times. Perhaps share what you have prepared with others (like members of your family). Practice involves learning and reinforcing areas that are difficult for the student. Practice, therefore, is not always fun because you must play music that you have not yet mastered. Try to end each practice session with something that is fun to play and that has already been mastered! Parents, you can help with practicing, too! Spend some time listening to your child practice and offer constructive criticisms. You don t need to be a musician to be able to hear improvement. Encourage your child to play their assignments and tests for you. Page 4
Performance Policy Orchestra is a performance-oriented course. Work done in the classroom is specifically planned to culminate in the performance of orchestra music, either in a concert or contest. The Texas Education Agency lists the public performance of music learned in the classroom as an Essential Knowledge (part of the TEKS) for Orchestra. Lopez Orchestra members are expected to participate in all of our concerts which are not specified as contests, because these concerts are considered to be co-curricular; that is, an extension of our classroom learning. All students are encouraged to participate in any extracurricular musical activities, such as Region Orchestra and Solo/Ensemble Contest; however, these activities are subject to the no pass/no play rule (please see explanation at the bottom of this page). At Lopez Middle School, orchestra students receive a grade for each performance in which they are expected to participate. It is assumed that each student will be present for all special rehearsals and all performances as listed on the orchestra calendar which is sent home at the beginning of the school year. In addition, important orchestra events are listed on the back of student practice records and reminders about each concert/performance are always sent home a week or more prior to the event. Orchestra is a cooperative music activity which fosters personal and group responsibility. Parents are requested to help their student develop this sense of responsibility by making sure that he/she attends every rehearsal and concert on this year s orchestra calendar. Serious illness and family emergencies will result in an excused absence only if the student brings a written note signed by a parent, within two days of the event. NO PASS, NO PLAY House Bill 72, Section 1, subchapter z, Chapter 21, Education Code reads: Section 21.920 (b) A student enrolled in a school district in this state shall be suspended from participation in an extracurricular activity sponsored or sanctioned by the school district during the grade reporting period after a grade reporting period in which the student received a grade lower than the equivalent of 70 on a scale of 100 in any academic class. Orchestra extracurricular activities include the following: Region Orchestra (auditions, rehearsals and concert), NEISD Solo and Ensemble Contest, and UIL Orchestra Concert and Sight-reading Contest, as well as any Festival the orchestra participates in during the spring. All students are eligible to play in the remainder of the concerts given throughout the school year. Page 5
Extra-Curricular & Other Musical Activities Following are some extra-curricular musical opportunities available to our orchestra students. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these additional opportunities but should realize there is extra commitment and hard work required for involvement in these activities. Region Orchestra The Texas Music Educators Association sponsors an activity to honor outstanding middle school and high school orchestra students from all of Region 12, which includes NEISD, San Antonio ISD and Alamo Heights ISD. Members of the Region Orchestras are selected based on an audition of prepared music. The Region auditions take place in November. Those students selected for one of the orchestras will be involved in a clinic and concert which takes place in December. There is an entry fee of $10.00 required to participate in the audition. Region Orchestra is an excellent performance opportunity, as well as an honor, for those students who successfully audition to be members. There are three different Region Orchestras for middle school students: Bravo Orchestra sixth graders; Con Brio Orchestra seventh graders; Concertino Orchestra eighth graders. North East Solo and Ensemble Invitational for Strings The North East School District sponsors a solo and ensemble contest for string students through grade 8 each year. This contest is open to all students who are academically eligible. Students at this contest perform solos and/or ensembles for a judge and have the opportunity to earn medals for their performances. The entry fee for this event is $5.00 per solo and $5.00 per ensemble. Students may only enter one solo but may enter up to two events. Those students performing a solo must have a piano accompanist. UIL Orchestra Concert and Sight-reading Contest All schools in Region 12 are eligible to enter up to three orchestras in the UIL Orchestra Concert and Sight-reading contest. Participation in UIL is not an optional activity for certain orchestra members. Students in Honors and Philharmonic Orchestra are required to go to UIL unless they are academically ineligible. Honors Orchestra will also participate as a full orchestra at UIL with the top members of Honors Band. There are extra rehearsals outside class time and additional performances in preparation for this event. A more detailed calendar of UIL activities will be sent home in late December or early January. Lopez Symphony Orchestra As mentioned previously, Honors Orchestra will combine with the top members of Honors Band to perform as the Lopez Symphony Orchestra. The Lopez Symphony Orchestra will have performances in December, at UIL Contest, and at our spring festival. Playing in a full orchestra at the middle school level is a unique and rewarding experience and we are very excited to be able to give our students this opportunity. Symphony Orchestra will require extra rehearsals outside regular class time. Page 6
Orchestra Uniforms HONORS/PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Formal Concert Uniforms: All 7th and 8th grade orchestra members have FORMAL dress requirements for our concerts and performances. Detailed information concerning uniforms and uniform maintenance fees will be sent home in a separate packet. It is the student s responsibility to turn in their formal uniform at the end of the year in excellent condition. In addition, uniforms will need to be dry cleaned before they are turned in. Fines will be applied for any damaged uniforms and/or items lost/misplaced. Informal Uniforms: Our informal uniform will consist of our 2016-17 spirit shirt plus jeans. In some instances, we may also wear our orchestra polo shirts and jeans. SIXTH GRADE ORCHESTRAS All sixth grade orchestra members will wear a navy blue orchestra polo shirt and khakis for our formal performances. In some instances, we may wear jeans instead of khakis. Orchestra Program Fees The Lopez Orchestra Program fee is required for all members; however, this fee is not a deciding factor on whether a student will be in the orchestra program. If there is a financial concern about the program fee, please contact the orchestra director in order to make payment arrangements and/or discuss the fee. This fee will be used to defray such expenses as clinicians, music, class binders, equipment, some contest/festival entry fees, busses, and other needs of the orchestra program. A HANDOUT CONCERNING UNIFORMS, UNIFORM MAINTENANCE FEES, AND PROGRAM FEES FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE SENT HOME WITH STU- DENTS. Page 7
Instrument Insurance & Maintenance Fees It is strongly recommended that personal instruments and school instruments be insured. Insurance is no longer available through the school district. Some homeowner s policies do cover orchestra instruments even if they are school owned, so you may want to check into this. Insurance information and forms are available from Music Agency, Inc. Phone # 1-800-421-1283. www.musicagencyinc.com Please keep a record at home of your instrument s make, model and serial number; this information is important if something should happen to the instrument. IMPORTANT: A maintenance fee of $30.00 is required of all students using district instruments, whether at home or at school. No instrument will be sent home until the maintenance fee is paid. This fee does not replace insurance; it is strongly recommended that insurance is taken out on school instruments used at home. Information concerning the maintenance fee will be given to individual students using school instruments. Music Music and music binders will be issued to students. Students will get music to take home for practice purposes, and they will also receive music to be keep in their orchestra binders. The binders are to remain in school in the folio cabinets. Any original music or music book which is the property of Lopez Orchestra and is lost or destroyed will be the financial responsibility of the student to whom the music was issued. Students should only use pencils when marking their music. Students may be required to purchase an orchestra method book; information about purchasing this book will be sent home in the first weeks of school. Lockers All orchestra students will have a designated place to leave their instrument in the orchestra room during the school day. Students will be issued lockers; because of the size of our program, some violin/viola students will need to share lockers. Students may wish to bring a combination lock for their orchestra locker, but it is not required and if they do bring one, they need to provide the combination to the director. Please bring a combination lock only. Page 8
Private Lessons The success of every outstanding orchestra program depends on the quality of the players as well as the determination of the orchestra students to give that extra effort. In the top middle school orchestra programs across the state of Texas, a large number of the students are studying privately. Directors always work to give as much individual attention to each student as is possible and necessary. However, to totally enhance the student s ability on a weekly basis, private lessons are strongly recommended. Please ask your orchestra director for private teacher recommendations if you are interested. Lopez Orchestra Council Orchestra officers will be chosen by the director at the end of the school year. Council members/representatives will be elected in every orchestra class at the beginning of the school year. Officers must be of above-average leadership ability, dependable, and responsible. Those students interested in being an orchestra officer should be loyal orchestra members, of good character, and also maintain good grades. All candidates must be willing to carry out the duties of an orchestra officer. The director reserves the right to remove an officer who is not meeting these qualifications. Orchestra Awards Appropriate awards are given at our Spring Concert to those outstanding orchestra students deserving of individual recognition. Recipients for these awards are chosen by their director. Selection is based on cooperation, leadership, grades, dependability, demonstrated ability and participation in class activities as well as extra-curricular activities. In addition to the outstanding orchestra member awards, recognition is also given to orchestra officers, UIL participants, Festival participants, NEISD Solo/Ensemble participants and outstanding soloists, and Region Orchestra participants. Page 9
Orchestra Placement Every spring, orchestra students in all classes are given the opportunity to audition for places in the Lopez advanced orchestras. Seventh grade students currently in Honors Orchestra will not need to audition again, so openings for Honors Orchestra will be limited to vacancies created by graduating eighth graders and students who move from the Lopez area. Placement in the advanced orchestras is earned by past achievement, performance and commitment. It is each student s responsibility to maintain membership in good standing in the Lopez Orchestra. Parent Volunteers I would be very grateful for any parent help! Help is usually needed in the form of chaperoning trips, measuring for and distributing uniforms, picture day, etc. You must be cleared by NEISD to help volunteer. Simply complete these steps to be cleared and receive a volunteer #: visit www.neisd.net click Volunteers/Mentors click Volunteer Criminal History Record Check and submit A separate parent volunteer page will be sent home with students, requesting parent help for several different orchestra events this year. Please fill this out if you are available to help out. Page 10