Kalispell Middle School Orchestra Information 2017-18 Purpose We study music to enrich our lives, to discover our potential, to expand our appreciation of beauty, to gain unique tools for expression and communication, and to better understand our world. We study music because it brings us joy! Kalispell Middle School Orchestra students develop performing skills on their instruments, serve the school and community through quality concert performances, and enhance school involvement. Through disciplined work, we also sharpen skills such as teamwork and leadership and character traits such as perseverance and grit. Expectations 1. Respectful- Respect school staff and their right to teach. Respect fellow students and their right to learn. Respect your property, school property, and the property of others. No Food, Drinks (other than water), or Gum in our classroom. 2. Responsible- Come to class on time and mentally and physically prepared to work and learn. Follow all directions the first time they are given. Ask a teacher, parent, or classmate for help when you need it. 3. Safe- Handle your instrument and all classroom equipment carefully and use it for its intended purpose. No running or horseplay in our classroom. Consequences Students will lose at least one daily point if they are not seated with instruments and music set up by two minutes after the bell. Students will lose one daily point for chewing gum and will be asked to spit it out. Students who come to class without an instrument will be assigned a 10 minute lunch detention unless they provide a note from a parent stating that their instrument is in the repair shop. If there is a blatant or persistent disregard for these and other school/classroom rules and expectations, students can expect one or more of the consequences listed in the KMS student handbook and in the orchestra classroom (leveled-behavior chart.) Grading Scale 4- Advanced 3- Proficient 2- Nearing Proficient 1- Novice 0- No Evidence Grading Standards 1. Work Ethic- KMS feels that the work ethic grade earned in each class reflects how your child is doing overall and should be the focus of attention. A proficient grade (3) in work ethic is a combination of timeliness, preparedness, professional rehearsal skills, and student practice at home. Daily points are earned for positive participation in rehearsal. Practice records will be collected on the last school day of each month. An average of 120 minutes of practice is required outside of class time each week. A grading rubric can be found on the practice sheet. 2. Knowledge and Skills- This includes demonstrating music literacy by reading and notating music, playing with correct posture and instrument position, being able to perform the assignment for the day at an acceptable level, and showing improvement on skills and techniques that we are working on in class. Student progress is assessed daily, and formal playing assessments will take place every 2-3 weeks in class. 3. Performing- To earn the highest grade, students must be at every concert on time, and prepared with proper concert-dress and all equipment. They must present themselves professionally both on and off stage. Students are sometimes required to help with set up and clean up for our concerts. Please try to avoid scheduling vacations and appointments on the days of our concerts (we often have dress rehearsals during the day and we need everyone present!) Written notice from a parent is expected at least 2 weeks in advance if a student must miss a performance. If there is an emergency, please send written notice from a parent as soon as the student returns to school. Students who are excused from a concert are responsible for arranging to make up the grade by playing the concert music for me and any family and friends they choose to invite. This must be done before the end of the trimester.
4. Writing - analyzing, describing, and evaluating music and/or performances in writing. KMS Music students will be asked to complete one written Enrichment assignment by the end of each grading period. Enrichment assignments consist of a CEAL frame (6th grade) or a CEAL paragraph (7/8 grades) written about a concert the student attended, a home concert performance, or several other options. Enrichment will take place in class during trimester 1, but the assignment will need to be completed outside of class time for trimesters 2 and 3. Enrichment forms can be found on the Iams teacher page on our school website. 5. Speaking and Listening- includes post-performance and other classroom discussions. WORK ETHIC GUIDELINES Orchestra is graded on a 4-3-2-1-0 scale. Students will be assessed daily on the quality of their participation and performance in class. Here is the breakdown for understanding overall grades A 4 student in Orchestra: Participates fully in class and exhibits a positive attitude about music and orchestra. Practices regularly at home and performs well on playing tests Knows the skills well enough to teach them to others Participates in all required concerts and exhibits professional behavior on and off stage. Turns in one written Enrichment assignment for each grading period. A 3 student in Orchestra: Participates fully in class and does not interfere with others abilities to do the same. Practices at home occasionally and performs satisfactorily on playing tests Participates in all required concerts Turns in one written Enrichment assignment for each grading period A 2 student in Orchestra: Participates in class, sometimes allowing him/herself or others to become a distraction. Misses one or more required concerts, is not prepared for the concert, and/or exhibits poor behavior Does not turn in required practice records and performs at an unsatisfactory level on assessments Does make up missed playing tests nor many missed days Does not turn in a written Enrichment assignment for each grading period Make Up Work To make-up an excused absence from class, students need to pick up a make-up contract or print one from our website to be completed by the student and signed by a parent. Contracts are due within one week of absence. Concert Dress All new orchestra students will need to purchase a KMS music T shirt (same as last year) to be worn for select performances and orchestra photos for the yearbook. 6th Grade- KMS music t shirt, blue or black pants/jeans with no holes, school-appropriate shoes. 7th/8th Grades- White short or long-sleeved dress shirt, long solid black dress pants, black socks or nylons, black dress shoes. Please no T-shirts, leggings, slipper shoes, or flip-flops. Remember that a professional, uniform appearance adds polish to our performances (this is not the time to stand out or make a fashion statement.) All concert clothes must be tasteful and school-appropriate, which means stomach, chest, and all undergarments covered. Avoid bulky jewelry and perfumes/colognes. When in doubt, show me the clothes well in advance of the concert day. We appreciate donations of outgrown concert clothes for students who need assistance! Required equipment (see separate checklist that was sent home) All Orchestras- Instrument, bow, and case in good working order; a soft cloth for daily instrument cleaning; a luggage tag attached to the instrument case with student s name, school, and phone number; a pencil with eraser; rosin; replacement strings as needed; a shoulder rest or rock stop, and an electronic chromatic tuner. Also recommended- a folding music stand for practice at home and extra strings (not necessary for bass players). The main office has KMS music tags available for $2.00 if you would like to purchase one. 6th Grade Orchestras- Essential Elements Book 1 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra- Essential Elements Book 2.
Instrument and music storage and care: It is important that we are neat, careful, and organized in order to avoid accidents and other problems. All instruments and music should be stored only in assigned areas. Music must be kept in a folder (not loose) and should never be folded. Only pencil should be used for making markings on school music. Fines will be charged for music and folders (7 th and 8 th grades) that are lost or made unusable. The orchestra room will be locked no earlier than 3:30 p.m. most days unless I am out of the room momentarily. Instruments left after school will not necessarily be secure, so storage in the room is at your own risk. District 5 and KMS are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged instruments. The best way to avoid problems is to make sure instruments go home each night! String Replacement and Instrument Repair: Students and parents are responsible for string replacements as needed during the year (even on school instruments.) Many parents have asked for the numbers of companies that sell strings and other stringed instrument supplies. In addition to our local music stores, several reputable companies to try are: SHAR Products (Ann Arbor, MI) 1-800-248-SHAR/ www.sharmusic.com Southwest Strings (Tucson, AZ) 1-800-723-6900/ www.swstrings.com Potter Violins (Bethesda, MD) 1-800-317-9452/ www.pottersviolins.com Johnson Stringed Instruments (Newton Center, MA) 1-800-359-9351/ www.johnsonstring.com If a school rental instrument needs repair during the year, please take the instrument to Flathead Woodwind and Brass (755-9201). Call Morgenroth in Missoula for bow repairs (1-800-462-0013). Non-school instrument rentals should be taken to the music store from which they are being rented. Communication Check our KMS website often as I try to post all important information and handouts in the Orchestra area (under Iams teacher page.) If you have questions or concerns about your progress, an instrument problem, or other issues, please do not hesitate to send an email or give me a call. Eileen Iams iamse@sd5.k12.mt.us 751-3881
KMS Orchestras Concert and Event Schedule 2017-18 September 7, 2017 6 th Grade Instrument Rental Night KMS Cafetorium, 3:00-5:30 p.m. September 14, 2017 Toyota Raffle Fundraiser Kickoff October 24, 2017 7 th and 8 th Grade Orchestra Concert KMS Cafetorium, 6:30 p.m. November 2, 2017 8 th Grade Elementary School Tour During the school day December 12, 2017 6 th Grade Orchestra Concert KMS Cafetorium, 6:30 p.m. December 14, 2017 8 th Grade Orch., Choir, and Band Concert KMS Old Gym, 6:30 p.m. December 18, 2017 7th Grade Holiday Performance for Parents Red Lion Hotel, 1:30 p.m. (tentative) December 21, 2017 7 th Grade Holiday Luncheon Performance KMS Cafetorium, lunch period TBA February 26, 2018 6 th -12 th Grade All-City Orchestra Concert KMS Old Gym, 7:00 p.m. April 15, 2018 8 th Grade Orchestra Trip (optional) Fox Theater, Spokane, 3:00 p.m. to see the Spokane Symphony with featured violin soloist Mateusz Wolski May 17, 2018 7 th & 8 th Grade Orchestra Concert KMS Cafetorium, 6:30 p.m. May 21, 2018 6 th Grade Orchestra Concert KMS Cafetorium, 6:30 p.m.
Kalispell Middle School Orchestra Information Sheet 2017-18 Please fill out, sign, and return by September 11, 2017 Student Name: Grade: Team: Parents Names: Home Address(es): Parents' email: Phone Numbers: Preferred method and time of contact? Instrument: Instrument Size: Is your instrument a school rental? Do you have a second, practice instrument (must be same size as school instrument) kept at home? Main Instrument Brand/Model Name: Main Instrument Serial Number: Name(s) of current private music teachers (if any): Instrument/voice? What after-school activities are you involved in? What do you most want to learn in orchestra this year? Read the following and sign below: I have read and understand the expectations and policies of the KMS Orchestras. I will do my best to meet these expectations throughout the year. I have made a note of all of this year s concert and activity dates on my home calendar. I will notify Mrs. Iams in writing as soon as I am aware of any conflict with these dates and will take responsibility for completing all necessary make-up work. Student Signature/ Date Parent Signature/ Date