Orchestra Handbook Drum Intermediate School 2017-2018 Student Name: Please take time to read through this handbook and sign and turn in the agreement by Friday, September 8 th.
Orchestra Handbook Director: Aundrea Schmidt Voice Mail: (253) 566-5660 ex. 5028 Email: aschmidt@upsd.wednet.edu Grading Policy: A grading procedure has been established to best evaluate your personal musical growth and contribution to the group. The grading procedure is designed to ensure that each member of the group fulfills his or her responsibilities as an orchestra member. I. In class obligations 40% II. Tests 20% III. Practice Charts 15% IV. Concert Grade 25% a. Dress b. Behavior In Class Obligations: A student s participation in class is a major portion of their grade. This includes day to day playing ability, behavior, and contribution to the class. Classroom Behavior ---In order for a group to progress, individual members must be individually prepared, both to contribute to the class and to avoid distracting other learners. DO: DON T: Be on time with all materials. o Students who are unprepared three times will serve detention. Respect all people and instruments. Keep instrument in working condition. Have a sharpened pencil on your stand during EVERY rehearsal. Have your music with you every day. Do not rely on your stand partner! Bring food, candy, drink, gum*, or study materials to the rehearsal site. (*Drum is a no gum school. This applies during regular school hours and non school hours. There is to be no gum at school concerts). Do not talk while the director is talking, or while any part of the group is playing. Please note: To count as prepared for class, students need to bring everything they need to play their instrument and read their music. If they are unable to play their instrument (for example, if the instrument needs repair), parents must send a note or email from home which explains the situation. Otherwise, the student will be counted as unprepared for class.
Tests The goal of playing tests is to see what is improving and what needs more attention. Playing tests may also be used to determine seating. Playing tests are done in front of the class (the student taking the test remains seated in their chair to perform the test). It is up to the student to prepare for a playing test by practicing at home. Lack of practice, preparation, or desire to play a test will not excuse a student from the performance of a test on the specified test day they will still perform it. Playing tests can be retaken as often as needed until the end of the semester. Students can make an appointment for before or after school to re-take a test. Practice Charts: Students are responsible for practicing at home and recording their minutes in a practice chart. Practice charts are due each Tuesday and are required to have a parent or guardian signature to be accepted. All students are required to turn in a practice chart, no matter how many minutes they practiced during the week. Practice charts will be accepted up to one week; after that, no points will be given. Extra credit will be awarded to students who practice over school breaks. I suggest keeping your practice chart in your case or music folder. Daily practice for an A: The best type of practice is consistent and daily. It starts slowly and corrects mistakes right away instead of continuing to make them. Examples of daily minutes needed for an A are: 5 days a week for 20 minutes a day = A 6 days a week for 16 minutes a day = A Students are not required to practice daily, but should practice 4 6 days a week. Please help your student find a practice location with light, and a good chair or place to stand that is also free from distraction. Students who take private lessons may count their private lessons for twice the amount of normal practice minutes. A half hour lesson would count for an hour of practicing. Please write L on the practice chart where the student has a private lesson.
Concert Grade Throughout the school year, students play in performances during the school day and in the evening (see Concert Schedule ). Participation in these performances is required as an orchestra member at Drum Intermediate. Orchestra is a team effort, and every player counts. You will always be given adequate notice with regards to the performance obligations, so you are expected and required to make arrangements so that you can attend. An unexcused absence from a performance will result in a drop in your semester grade. Remember: If you miss a concert because of an emergency, you must notify Ms. Schmidt at your earliest convenience, either by email or written note. Please, do not just say ( please excuse ) without any explanation. Some things that are not excused are: birthdays, lack of transportation, previous commitments, etc. When you are involved in a performance, you are expected to adhere to the following guidelines: Be ready to play at the time of the call. Take pride in your appearance. Check that all of your equipment is in working order BEFORE the performance. Demonstrate proper concert etiquette by quietly listening to all other groups. Keep in mind that you are onstage throughout the entire program. Concert Attire All concert attire items need to follow the written guidelines as well as the school dress code. In some cases, the guideline is more strict than the school dress code. That is because performing in a concert has greater responsibilities than everyday school attire. If you have any questions, please contact me. 6 th and 7 th Winter Concerts: Boys: Plain white shirt (dress shirt), black trousers, black shoes, and socks. Girls: Plain white shirt (blouse), black dress pants or black knee-length or longer skirt, black shoes, and black or flesh tone stockings. This clothing need not be new or expensive. In case of financial hardship, the school has a limited supply of clothing for students to borrow. It is the student s responsibility to contact the teacher in a timely manner. Fiddle Fest (All Grades): Concert dress code will be black bottoms and special Fiddle Fest shirt (color to be determined).
Extra Opportunities Private Lessons Private lessons are a great way for students to learn more about their instruments. While we do concentrate on technique for each instrument in orchestra, we also spend much of our time working as a group to prepare for performances. In private lessons, students can work one-on-one with the teacher and receive specialized information about their instrument. They can work on music written specifically for their instruments. I strongly encourage private lessons for any student. There are a number of fine instructors in the greater Tacoma area, but many of their students fill up quickly during the school year. If you need assistance in this matter, please contact Ms. Schmidt. After School Enrichment Class We have an additional music class available for students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:20-4:05. Bus transportation is available. More information will be sent separately for interested students. The class meets as follows: 1 st and 2 nd Quarter: Open to 6 th and 7 th graders. A beginner class for students new to orchestra or switching to a new instrument in orchestra. 3 rd Quarter: Open to 6 th and 7 th graders. Small Chamber Ensembles focusing on duets, trio and quartet music for string instruments. 4 th Quarter: Open to all 7 th graders. Open to 6 th graders as needed and by audition. Advanced orchestra and combined band/orchestra. Solo and Ensemble Festival Every year, local school districts participate in the Solo and Ensemble Festival. At this event, small ensembles (usually duets or trios at our level) perform for an adjudicator and earn a rating. This year s festival will be on Saturday, March 10 th. This event is entirely voluntary for students who are interested in additional performance opportunities. It is a great way for students to perform with friends. Additional information will be sent home in January. Extra Credit Exposure to a wide variety of musical experiences including concerts and recitals is a great way to encourage musical growth. If a student attends a concert or recital outside the school day, they may receive extra credit. To receive credit, they need to turn in the concert program with his/her parent signature, confirming their child s attendance. Please note we strongly encourage parents to attend the concerts with his/her child.
How You Can Be A Great Orchestra Parent Your decision to provide your child with a quality musical education is an investment in his/her future. You are assisting with his/her self-expression, creativity, and achievement. Numerous studies suggest that students who have experience in the arts have increased brain development, higher test scores, higher academic development, and work better as a team. These suggestions are to assist you in giving your child the best support possible for his/her musical growth. What to do Remind your child to bring his/her instrument and music book/folder to class every day. Make sure your child has an instrument of high quality. Rent now buy later. Inspect the instrument, case and accessories periodically to see that they are being properly stored, cleaned and in good repair. Keep the instrument away from small children. Encourage students to perform for family and friends. Offer compliments and encouragement regularly. Consider musical accessories such as CD recordings featuring your child's instrument as gifts for birthdays, holidays, etc. or as rewards for accomplishments in music. Listen to your child practice and acknowledge improvement. Encourage your child to make a commitment to their music studies. Attend every concert with enthusiasm! Encourage quality practicing Provide a music stand in a quiet place free from distraction for your child to practice. Remain nearby during practice times as often as possible. Assist with scheduling a consistent practice time each day. For example, always practice after dinner, immediately after school, etc... Praise your child's efforts and achievements. What to avoid Using practice as a punishment. Insisting your child perform for others if he/she doesn't feel comfortable. Ridiculing or making fun of mistakes.
2017-2018 Concert Schedules Almost all evening concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. at Drum Intermediate School, unless otherwise noted, such as Fiddle Fest. Students should arrive at their assigned call-time and designated area for tuning, with music and in concert dress. 5 th Grade Orchestra May 22, 2018, Fiddle Fest (Grades 5 and 7) 7:30 p.m. 6 th Grade Orchestra February 6, 2018, 6 th Grade Band and Orchestra Concert 7 p.m. May 22, 2018, Fiddle Fest (Grades 4 and 6) 6:30 p.m. June 13, 2018, Peer Assembly for students in AME. 7 th Grade Orchestra November 9, 2017, Veteran s Day Assembly December 6, 2017, 7 th Grade Winter Concert 7 p.m. February 8, 2018, District Orchestra Festival at CJH 7 p.m. May 18, 2018, 7th Grade Primary Tour from 8:45-10:15 a.m. May 22, 2018, Fiddle Fest (Grades 5 and 7) 7:30 p.m. June 13, 2018, Peer Assembly for students in AME.
Orchestra Contract and Information Page Please return this page by Friday, September 8 th. Returning this page is part of your grade. Information: Please fill out and return. Please print neatly. About You: Your Name Your Homeroom teacher Parent or guardian name (the best person to call if I have a question) DAYTIME phone number PARENT email address Something you would like me to know about you, or something interesting about you: Your Instrument: (please circle) Violin Viola Cello Bass Brand Model and Serial Number (on label inside instrument) Both student and parent/guardian please sign and return. Student: I have read the orchestra handbook. I understand how I will be graded, and I will follow the rules and procedures in orchestra. Signed: date Parent/Guardian: I have read and discussed the orchestra handbook with my child, and I know the concert dates. I will support my child s efforts to be successful in orchestra. Signed: date
Orchestra Progress Report Family Access Form Why wait to see your student s grades? Parents can sign up for Family Access and view grades for any class online. To sign up, see the main office for a password. Orchestra progress reports are sent home once a quarter. If you are already signed up for Family Access, you may not need paper progress reports sent home. Please sign below if you already check grades online and do not need progress reports sent home for orchestra. Please choose an option below: I already check grades online through Family Access and will not need any paper progress reports for orchestra. Or Continue to send home paper copies of orchestra progress reports. Student name Parent Signature (please print) Date