CONTENTS Reynolds and Rogers MS ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS AND HANDBOOK... 3 COURSE DETAILS... 3 TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)... 3 Minor Grades, 40%... 3 Major Grades, 60%... 3 Concert Performance Grade (1 major grade)... 4 Make Up and Late Work... 4 Home Practice and Daily Rehearsal Grades... 4 Class Rules... 4 Consequences... 4 No Pass No Play... 4 Chairs/Seating Order... 5 Casual Uniform... 5 6 th Beginners Uniform... 5 7 th /8 th Orchestra Uniform... 5 Grooming Standards (ALL)... 5 Prosper Orchestra Booster Club... 5 2
REYNOLDS AND ROGERS MS ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS AND HANDBOOK Mrs. Dawn Oyedipe, Reynolds & Rogers MS droyedipe@prosper-isd.net (469) 219-2165 x72295 Mr. Ron Planks, Prosper HS & Rogers MS rlplanks@prosper-isd.net (469) 219-2180 X80461 COURSE DETAILS Beginning Orchestras 6 th, 7 th, and 8th grade students with no prior string playing experience. Students that have some music experience, such as: piano or children s chorus, etc., are also welcome. Intermediate Orchestra (Concert Orchestra) 7 th and 8 th grade students with at least one year of prior string playing experience. This course is not open to beginners. OBJECTIVES 1. Orchestra students will be able to read, rehearse, and publicly perform appropriate musical literature for their level of ability and ensemble instrumentation 2. Orchestra students will develop proper right and left hand playing technique and apply it during both rehearsals and performances. 3. Orchestra students will develop musicianship skills, such as pitch accuracy, rhythmic accuracy, and sight-reading, creative expression, music theory, and more. 4. Orchestra students will develop life skills such as respect, professionalism, teamwork, self-discipline, personal responsibility, focus, taking initiative, and much more. 5. Orchestra students will learn professional performance etiquette as both a performer and an audience member. TEKS (TEXAS ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS) Musical perception Creative expression & performance Cultural & historical understanding Critical thinking and evaluation MINOR GRADES, 40% Smartmusic assignments Playing quiz Weekly Rehearsal Grade Theory assignments Written quiz (terms, notes, theory) Orchestra binder Practice reports MAJOR GRADES, 60% Playing tests Written tests (theory, history etc.) Projects Concert performances 3
CONCERT PERFORMANCE GRADE (1 MAJOR GRADE) 10 points visible Orchestra T-shirt day of performance at school 10 points 100% in dress code on concert night 10 points having required supplies 50 points stage performance, concert etiquette (includes sitting with the orchestras for the duration of the concert) 20 points written concert evaluation Dress rehearsal and concert attendance is MANDATORY. Missing a dress rehearsal or concert will result in a zero for test grade. Make up assignments will only be given if the absence cannot be avoided and is submitted to the directors in writing at least two weeks prior to the concert. MAKE UP AND LATE WORK Students will follow regular school guidelines regarding make-up and late work. HOME PRACTICE AND DAILY REHEARSAL GRADES Home practice is crucial for each student to keep up with orchestra class. Rehearsal time is for coordinating our style, dynamics and overall effect but it cannot take the place of students individually learning the notes, rhythms and bowings. 100 Minute Challenge: Middle school students should strive to practice a minimum of 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week on the assigned class material. This includes scales, rhythm charts, exercises and concert music. Students will be assessed on their home practice through Smartmusic, pass-offs, playing tests and quizzes. Expect to practice more if there is a special contest or audition approaching. CLASS RULES 1. Be in your seat, unpacked, and ready to play when the tardy bell rings. 2. Don t play instruments or talk while the teacher is talking. 3. Cell phones and ipad turned off and in backpacks until permission to use. 4. Stay on task. 5. Bring needed supplies every day, and have them at your seat. This includes pencil and binders. 6. NO GUM, CANDY, DRINKS, OR FOOD ALLOWED in the orchestra room, practice rooms or fine arts hallway. CONSEQUENCES Step 1 Orchestra weekly rehearsal grades will be lowered if basic class rules are not followed. (maximum of -20 points per day) Step 2 Parents will be contacted. Step 3 Student will be referred to assistant principal for additional disciplinary actions. Step 4 Removal from orchestra and or further disciplinary actions from campus administration. NO PASS NO PLAY Students must be eligible (PASSING ALL CLASSES) to compete in all contests off-campus and attend spring trip competition. 4
CHAIRS/SEATING ORDER Students will rotate class seating order. All students are expected to work ahead in the music, become strong players, and learn to assume responsibility for leadership. All students must keep accurate fingerings and bowings marked in the music. Those who are absent must copy the markings from the stand partner. Concert seating will be assigned on the basis of playing test performances and challenge test may take place at the discretion of the directors. Students chosen to be a section leader for a performance are expected to demonstrate maturity and proper rehearsal etiquette. Failure to do so can result in losing one s chair. CASUAL UNIFORM Visible orchestra shirt, jeans (no tears or holes), and sneakers. Students dress out in casual uniform at school on performance days. 6 TH BEGINNERS UNIFORM Girls: dressy black blouse, black dress pants or tea-length/mid-calf black skirt. Black closed toe shoes, no heels (ballet flat style). Boys: black dress shirt and pants, black socks, black dress shoes. 7 TH /8 TH ORCHESTRA UNIFORM All students: white tux shirt (order from orchestra boosters), school-issued bow tie and cummerbund. Boys: black dress pants, black socks, black dress shoes. Girls: black dress pants or tea-length/mid-calf black skirt. Black closed toe shoes, no heels (ballet flat style). GROOMING STANDARDS (ALL) All students must have nails cut short, no nail polish while onstage. Stud earrings only. Remove watches, rings, necklaces and bracelets. Hair should be pulled away from the face and should not cause a distraction for performing. Students will not be permitted to take the stage out of uniform. PROSPER ORCHESTRA BOOSTER CLUB All middle school parents are invited to join the Prosper Orchestra Booster club. Volunteers are needed for uniform fitting, field trip chaperones, orchestra office help, etc. Chaperones and volunteers must submit a Volunteer Background Check at www.prosper-isd.net >PARENTS>VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECK. HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, Please visit the RMS Orchestra website, www.rmsorchestras.org to sign the handbook and other start of year documents. Thank you. LET S HAVE A GREAT YEAR!!! 5