McMath Orchestra Handbook 2017-2018 School Year Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. Plato Gina Segapeli Orchestra Director (940)369-3335 gsegapeli@dentonisd.org http://www.dentonisd.org/mmsorchestra
Dear McMath Orchestra Parents, Welcome to a new school year full of wonderful possibilities. I am looking forward to this year! I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with your children, and I look forward to having fun making music together! I have put together an orchestra handbook in hopes that you can have all of the information for the school year at your fingertips. It will be available on the website all year long should you need to refer to it. As new information comes up during the year, I will send out emails, update the orchestra website, and send flyers home. All parents and students are expected to read the orchestra handbook. It is important that both you and your child understand what is required and expected of a McMath orchestra student. I believe this handbook addresses most of the common questions and concerns regarding participation in orchestra. At the beginning of the school year I encourage you to pay careful attention to the list of required materials, calendar, required performance dress, and the list of orchestra fees. During the first week of school each student will be given the following hand-outs: 2017-2018 Orchestra Calendar This calendar is also kept up-to-date on the orchestra website, as dates do sometimes change, and events are added. I will also keep you informed with a newsletter, which will be e-mailed to you monthly.
CHARMS Office Instructions Everyone must update their contact information in our online office management program called CHARMS rather than turning in a printed information form. The information on how to access and log in to this system is provided in the handbook. Private Lesson Enrollment We have a wonderful faculty of private instructors who can give individual lessons during the school day. Denton ISD Instrument Usage Policy Applies to Cello and Bass players who are using school instruments. Handbook Signature with Medical Release Form Due August 23 via google doc. (located on website and at the end of the handbook) ***Everyone is also required to turn in their activity fee by September 13th, unless you have made other payment arrangements in advance. I welcome your family to our program. We are a community, and I want you to feel welcome to be a part of our program. Your assistance is welcome! Sincerely, Gina Segapeli Orchestra Director gsegapeli@dentonisd.org (940) 369-3335
Objectives of the McMath Orchestra Program To train students to master performance skills on their instrument To develop appreciation for music as a method of creative self-expression and nonverbal communication To enhance analytical and problem solving skills through music To promote self-esteem, self-respect, and self-discipline To promote teamwork, a sense of community, and respect of others To enhance the understanding of other cultures through music To learn to intellectually evaluate and respond to music and musical performances To enhance skills required in the state testing Objectives for Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies through classroom activities. 6th Grade Orchestra Class Descriptions 6th grade orchestra consists of 6th grade students who have participated in 5th grade orchestra, beginning bass students, or new students who have been studying privately. Objectives: Development of instrumental techniques such as posture, hand position, and tone production. Successful music reading and performance of basic notes and rhythms. Development of ability to self-tune. Understanding of music vocabulary words and music history. Demonstration a basic knowledge of the history of string
instruments. Demonstration of appropriate performance and concert etiquette. Evaluation of music and musical performances in verbal and written form. Demonstration of self-discipline and rehearsal etiquette during all classes. Requirements: Attend all school concerts and String Fling. Have all required materials in class daily. Acquire and maintain an instrument. Denton ISD Solo/Ensemble Contest Optional Activities: Private Lessons Spring reward field trip All-Region Orchestra Auditions: If a student wishes to audition for Region Orchestra, they are encouraged to receive help from their private instructors, and come to after-school help sessions. More information on cost and sign-up will be provided after the school year starts. NRH20 Contest Parental Responsibilities: There is nothing that will assure your child's success at learning to play an instrument more than your sincere interest and participation. Here are some of the things that will help. 1. Set aside a regular time and suitable place for your child to practice. 2. Help your child to keep a daily record of his/her practice. 3. Make certain your child is on time for all school performances and rehearsals. 4. Email or call your child's teacher, Mrs. Segapeli, with any
questions or concerns regarding your child s performance in orchestra class. 5. Attend all concerts and show your enthusiasm for your child s accomplishments. If financially possible, obtain private lessons with a qualified instructor. Mrs. Segapeli strives to give every student as much individual attention and instruction as is possible to fit into the day. However, additional one-to-one teaching with a qualified teacher gives students even more help and can speed their progress more than anything else. Concert Orchestra Concert Orchestra, or non-varsity orchestra, consists of 7th and 8th grade students. Objectives: Mastery of instrumental techniques such as posture, hand position, and tone production. Introductory of advanced techniques such as vibrato and shifting. Successful music reading and performance of basic notes and rhythms. Understanding of music vocabulary words and music history. Self-adjusting of intonation. Demonstration of appropriate performance and concert etiquette. Evaluation of music and musical performances in verbal and written form. Demonstration of self-discipline and rehearsal etiquette during all classes.
Requirements: Attend all school concerts and String Fling. Have all required materials in class daily. Acquire and maintain an instrument. Maintain passing grades in every class at every grading period. UIL Concert & Sight-reading or alternate contest Spring invitational contest Attend assigned sectional rehearsals (schedule to be announced once the school year has begun). Optional Activities: Private Lessons Spring reward field trip All-Region Orchestra Auditions: If a student wishes to audition for Region Orchestra, they are encouraged to receive help from their private instructors, and come to after-school help sessions. More information on cost and sign-up will be provided after the school year starts. Denton ISD Solo/Ensemble Contest Sinfonia Orchestra Sinfonia Orchestra, or varsity orchestra, consists of 7th and 8th grade students. Sinfonia is required to participate in several extra activities throughout the school year. Objectives: Successful use of advanced techniques such as vibrato, shifting, and advanced bow strokes. Successful music reading and performance of advanced rhythms and key signatures. Successful application of music vocabulary words and music history.
Few intonation errors and quick self-adjustment. Demonstration of exceptional performance and concert etiquette. Evaluation and analysis of music and musical performances in verbal and written form. Demonstration of self-discipline and rehearsal etiquette during all classes. Expectations and Requirements: Attend all school concerts and String Fling. Have all required materials in class daily. Acquire and maintain an instrument Attend Pre-UIL concert, UIL Clinic/Rehearsal, and UIL Concert & Sight-reading Contest. Attend all required sectionals and rehearsals for your orchestra. Perform at least one event for Solo/Ensemble. Maintain passing grades in every class at every grading period. Optional Activities: Private Lessons Region Orchestra CONCERT AND SINFONIA MEMBERS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO AUDITION FOR REGION. SINFONIA MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO LEARN THE AUDITION MUSIC FOR REGION AND WILL BE TESTED ON THAT MATERIAL. We will focus on learning the Region music during class the 1st nine weeks. Students are encouraged to also receive help from their private instructors.
Required Supplies: 1. Instrument and Bow, extra strings 2. Black Binder with see-through plastic overlay 3. Shoulder rest for Violin and Viola 4. Pencil (at your stand each day) 5. Package of dividers (5) 6. Rosin 7. Soft cloth 8. Combination lock for violin/viola lockers 9. Rock stop for cello/bass 10. Copy of your Method Book(s): Note each class requires different books. Can be found online as little as $6 at amazon.com Beginner 6 th Grade: 1. Essential Elements for Strings Book 1 6th Grade: 1. Essential Elements for Strings Book 1, 2. Essential Elements for Strings Book 2 3. Essential Technique for Strings By M. Allen, R. Gillespie, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes (see below) YES NO
Concert Orchestra: 1. Essential Elements for Strings Book 1, 2. Essential Elements for Strings Book 2 3. Essential Technique for Strings By M. Allen, R. Gillespie, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes (see below) YES NO Sinfonia:1. Essential Technique for Strings By Michael Allen, Robert Gillespie, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes (see below) YES NO 11. Music stand for at-home practice 12. Metronome and clip on tuner for at-home practice. (Korg, KILQ, Fender, Snark) Grading Policy: Major Summative-60% Concerts End of Unit Tests (performance or written) Objectives Minor Summantives-40% Practice records
Fundamentals Weekly Playing Quizzes Technique Exercises Scales Section/Rehearsal Performance Practice Records: Are due to Mrs. Segapeli every Friday In order to succeed as a musician, you must practice! I will provide records for you to keep so you can document your practice throughout the 9 weeks. Consistent practice is a direct reflection of the success you will have in orchestra. School-Owned Instruments (cellos and basses only) Please see the Lease Fee Schedule form at the back of this packet. The fee to use a school-owned instrument at school is $125 per year. You will still need to have an instrument at home, but this eliminates the need to bring the instrument to and from school each day. All checks for instrument usage must be made out to Denton ISD and must be paid before winter break. Phone and Computer Use You may use the orchestra phone to arrange for rides after rehearsals, but always ask permission. Students are not allowed behind the teacher s desk under any circumstances. Students may never use a computer in the classroom without Mrs. Segapeli s permission and must meet the district AUP guidelines. Behavior All policies outlined in the DISD Student Code of Conduct apply to the orchestra classroom. Disruptive behavior in rehearsal will not be tolerated. All students are expected to follow appropriate classroom procedures and rehearsal etiquette. You are also expected to represent the highest level of leadership and good behavior in all your classes, as you are representatives of our
orchestra. The consequences of the student not following these responsibilities will be: 1. You will receive a warning to correct the behavior. 2. If the behavior or rule infraction is repeated, I will conference with you and/or your parent. You may also be asked to sit out for a cooling off period, and you may be moved to a different seat. 3. If the behavior or rule infraction is repeated again, you will receive a lunch detention, or an after-school detention. After this occurs, any repeated behavior problems will result in office referrals. 4. Serious disruptions or rule infractions will result in immediate office referral. Attendance and Participation Read through the calendar together and transfer dates onto your family calendar. Some dates may change, but in most cases, they will not. You are responsible to keep up with the schedule. Orchestra performances are test grades. You will receive a grade for the performance, and grade for concert etiquette. If you know you are going to have a conflict in advance, let Ms. Segapeli know immediately so that we can try to come up with a solution. If it is determined that you will be excused from the event, a written note from the parent or guardian must be turned in. You will still need to submit a make-up assignment so that you can receive a grade. If an orchestra event conflicts with another school-sponsored event, the sponsoring teachers will decide what the best solution will be. The student will be fully excused from an event only in the case of illness or emergency situation. Any other type of absence will be considered unexcused. The student will receive two 0 s for the event. Depending on the
situation, the student may be allowed to do a make-up assignment. Concert Behavior and Etiquette At concerts, students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature manner and act as professionals would on and off the stage. Audience members are expected to be quiet and remain seated during a performance. At times orchestra students will be in the audience listening to each other. You are expected to set the example in the audience by exhibiting proper behavior. Attire for Concert Orchestra and 6th Grade Groups Concert Black- Black Blouse/top Black Pants/Long Skirt (must touch knees when seated) Black socks, tights, or hose and dressy black shoes Concert attire will be worn at all concerts and UIL competitions unless otherwise informed. Orchestra t-shirts will be worn for String Fling and NRH20. Sinfonia Concert Attire-Boys and Girls Concert Black- Black Blouse/top Black Pants/Long Skirt (must touch knees when seated) Black socks, tights, or hose and dressy black shoes Concert attire will be worn at all concerts and UIL competitions unless otherwise informed. Orchestra t-shirts will be worn for String Fling and NRH20. Fee Structure ACTIVITY FEE $45.00 Activity fee (check written to MMS Orchestra) Your $45 Activity fee covers: Orchestra t-shirt, Theory worksheets, 1 Solo-Ensemble entry fee (student will be
responsible for paying accompanists and multiple entries). Each student is given one copy of music each time a new piece of music is assigned throughout the year. Additional copies are not provided! Activity fees are due by September 13th unless payment arrangements have been made with the director. Instrument Usage Fee (for students who are not renting from a company) Checks made out to: DISD $125 all students who play a school owned instrument but do not qualify for free or reduced lunch- reserved for cello and bass $50 all students qualifying for reduced lunch status (District approval letter must be given to Mrs. Segapeli in order to receive reduced lunch fee) $25 all students qualifying for free lunch status (District approval letter must be given to Mrs. Segapeli in order to receive free lunch fee) Payment plan options will be available for Instrument Usage Fees as follows: Parents may opt to pay the fee for the entire year at the beginning of the school or choose one of the options below. Option I Option II Option III $45.00 in August; $40.00 in September; $40.00 in October. $35.00 in August; $30.00 in September; $30.00 in October; $30.00 in November $20.00 in August; $20.00 in September; $30.00 in October; $30.00 in November
Option IV Special arrangements made with the campus director Orchestra T-Shirt Your orchestra T-shirt is paid for by your activity fee. Shirts will be available during the fall semester. Eligibility In order to participate in UIL and off-campus activities (Region, Solo and Ensemble, Spring Trip, UIL, etc.), students must not receive a grade lower than 70 in any class. In other words, students must be passing all courses (70 or above) each six weeks in order to play. Ineligible students will be given alternate assignments during contest preparation time. Fundraising The orchestra will conduct 1 fundraiser per year. Profit from the fundraiser will go directly into the activity fund. This money is used for field trips, contests, music supplies, bus fees, clinicians, and instrument repairs. Students are not required to participate in fundraisers, but encouraged to, since the money benefits all of the students in orchestra. Procedures Rehearsal Etiquette Enter the orchestra room quietly. Take out your instrument, be seated. Have all necessary materials. Check the board for the rehearsal plan; make sure you have all music on your stand. Begin individual warm-up or assignment. When the director or tuning leader stands on the podium and raises his/her hand, you must immediately stop playing and focus your attention quietly to the front of the room. During rehearsal, you must immediately stop playing your instrument when the director stops the orchestra.
There is no talking during a rehearsal without permission. You are not to chew gum in any rehearsal or concert. Keep hands away from other people s property or instruments. The Orchestra Room Morning procedures You will be allowed to drop your instrument off at a designated time each morning, usually 5 minutes before the bell. For the safety of your property and our equipment, only orchestra students are allowed in the room. Please ask your friends to wait outside the door. Do not linger in the room; you must drop off your instrument and immediately leave. Failure to follow these procedures can result in loss of morning drop-off privileges for everyone. Afternoon procedures It is expected that you take your instrument home on the days you plan to practice. Instruments may NOT be left over extended holidays. The building may get hot or cold while we re not here, and may cause damage to them. If you are in athletics, make arrangements to get your instrument home. Ask your coaches for a safe place to store your instrument during practice, as the room will be locked when you are done. No food, gum, or drink is to be consumed during an orchestra rehearsal or event other than a water bottle. We don t chew gum while playing our instruments! Lockers You must provide your own lock for your assigned locker. The school cannot furnish locks and your instrument will not be safe
without one. Please leave valuable personal items at home. The director and the school are not responsible for lost property. You should only keep your instrument, shoulder rest, rosin, cloth, tape, bottled water, and anything related to the orchestra rehearsal in your orchestra locker. Personal items of any kind are not to be left lying around the room. It is your responsibility to see that your music supplies are labeled with your name and properly put away each day. Your instrument should be going home for practice each day and when it is at school it should always be locked in your instrument locker. Website You may find contact information, and calendar information at the McMath Orchestra website and Charms Office. Please see last page for Charms information. http://www.dentonisd.org/mmsorchestra. http://www.charmsoffice.com Charms Office Navigate to www.charmsoffice.com 1. Locate the PARENT/STUDENT LOGIN section of the web page. 2. Login to your child s program account using the following login: McMathMSOrch 3. This will bring up the main parent page. This will allow you to look at your child s program s public calendar, event list, handouts and other files. Clicking on an event on the calendar brings up the details for that event, such as times, attendance requirements and equipment/uniform necessities. Clicking on event list puts all of the calendar information in a list form for easy printing. When you enter your child s ID NUMBER, another more detailed screen appears with even more options to view your financial records, and forms. Enter your child s ID FIRST then you may create your own, unique password by clicking on the keys icon Two areas in which you can help the director maintain her records: Student information
form you may help make changes to your child s student information page (such as updating phone numbers and email addresses if they change) to help the teacher communicate with you more effectively. Most importantly, the parent page assists both you and the teacher to communicate with each other. Handbook Acknowledgment Form: Click Here! To turn in Medical Release Information: Click Here!