Earl Warren High School Orchestra Handbook 2018-2019
The EARL WARREN ORCHESTRA The Earl Warren High School BEGINNING, PRELUDE, ALLEGRETTO, and SYMPHONY orchestra students have orchestra every day during the school day, and after school rehearsals and sectionals as needed. All orchestra students are expected to attend all after school rehearsals. If you miss the rehearsal you have missed the experience and there is no way to recreate that experience. Each person adds to the rehearsal-you being there will make the performance better for all of us. The student is responsible for all information given in class. If you miss a day find out what you missed before the next class meeting, so you can move forward with the group. The orchestra rehearsal is an opportunity for students to practice as a group. It is essential that students are on time and prepared with the following items: 1. A Quality Instrument 2. Music Folder (Provided) 3. Pencil 4. Combination lock 5. All of his/her music. INSTRUMENTS A good quality instrument is essential to student learning. It will enable the student to learn more efficiently by producing a good tone. It is also necessary for the student to have the following items in their instrument case: 1. Rosin-light or dark 2. A cloth to clean your instrument. 3. A shoulder pad for the violin and viola players. I recommend purchasing a good quality shoulder rest instead of the sponge used in elementary school. Please purchase a shoulder rest that is made for your instrument size. Ex. 4/4 size violin uses a 4/4 size shoulder rest. Shoulder rests are crucial to maintain proper posture. Here are some recommendations: Kun, Resonans, Wolfe, Viva, and Everest
4. All cello and bass students must purchase a rock stop or chair belt. Earl Warren HS Orchestra Structure and routine Daily Practice RULES: 1. If You are late, GO TO TARDY ROUND UP. 2. You have 5 minutes after the tardy bell to be in your seat warming up, if you are not, You will be marked tardy. 3. No hanging out in the orchestra room if it is not your class time, it disrupts class, also no one hanging out in the orchestra room if they are not in orchestra, if they want to hang out, they can join orchestra. 4. No eating in the orchestra room except for students taking orchestra instead of lunch. 5. Everyone plays and participates everyday, no exceptions, no homework, projects, etc. 6. If you are injured, and can t play, you must have a note from the Dr., nurse or parent. 7. When we are tuning, no noodling around. Section leaders walk around and check section. 8. Warm ups will be daily look at the board for warm ups for that day. 9. Look at the board for Daily assignments. 10. There will be a playing test every week, and it will be graded. This will ensure that you are practicing on your own time and learning the music. 11. Sectionals will be required and graded, times and days TBA depends on the group. 12. Varsity sectionals will be Violas - Wednesdays, Violins Thursdays, Cello and Bass Fridays, all beginning at 8am. 13. No one removes anything from the orchestra room without the Directors permission. 14. If you see trash, Pick it up and throw it away. 15. Respect all others and their property. 16. Maintain your instrument and all performing equipment. 17. During rehearsals, do not play when you are not supposed to. 18. Use the restroom pass when you need to go, if the pass is not there wait for it to return. 19. Nobody goes in the practice room without permission, no food in the practice room as well. 20. Stay put of the library, only librarian and librarian designee are allowed. 21. If an instrument needs to be repaired, let the Director know immediately.
22. DO NOT DESTROY ORCHESTRA/NISD EQUIPMENT. 23. Put everything back the way you found it, DISCIPLINE All discipline problems will be handled on an individual basis; however, the following school guidelines will be adhered to: 1. First offense: Student will receive a verbal warning from the director. 2. Second offense: The director will contact the student s parent or guardian. 3. Third offense: Student will be referred to the Warren administration for disciplinary action. 4. For repeated violations and classroom disruptions, a student may be removed from the orchestra program. PERFORMANCE DATES 2018-2019: Fall Concert --- Oct. 30 th, 2018 (Warren Auditorium @ 7:00pm) Winter Concert --- Dec. 19 th, 2018 (Warren Auditorium @ 7:00pm) Solo and Ensemble --- March 27 th 2019 (Warren HS @ 4:30 pm) HS UIL ----Feb 28 th, and March 1 st, 2019 @ Clark HS. Spring Concert ---- May 22nd, 2019 (Warren Auditorium @ 7:00pm) Region 29 orchestra Auditions-----Oct. 22nd, 2018 @ Taft HS 5pm to 9pm HS Region clinic and concert Dec 7 th, and 8 th @ Brennan HS GRADING POLICY Students will be graded on the following criteria: Class participation (50%) consists of a student s preparation and effort in class. Students must have their instrument, music and pencil in class everyday. Failure to do so will result in an automatic zero for the day. If the student is prepared for class on a daily basis, they will progress quickly and therefore enjoy orchestra much more.
Playing tests (15%) will be given throughout the grading period. The playing tests will be given during class or taped. If the student misses a playing test with an excused absence, then the test can be made up at a later date. Individual Practice (15%) is required and mandatory for all students. It is essential that all students practice on a daily basis. Individual practice should focus on music and repertoire introduced and performed in the classroom as well as, method book assignments, solos, chamber music etc. Remember perfect practice makes perfect. Practice sheets must be turned in on a weekly basis. You should only practice on the days you Eat!! Performances (20%) are the culmination of many weeks of careful individual preparation, intense rehearsal and hard work. They are considered the ultimate learning experience. Attendance at a performances is mandatory!!. Only emergency situations constitute a viable excuse for missing a performance and will require a parent phone call to discuss the matter. Students may receive a zero for missing a concert. CONCERT MASTER and SECTION LEADER POSITIONS: Concert Master: 1. The concertmaster is the principal first violinist in an orchestra. He or She is responsible for coordinating the bowing and articulations of all the strings. 2. The concertmaster also communicates with the other section leaders about bowing changes that may occur during the course of a rehearsal. 3. The concertmaster may be asked by the conductor to demonstrate a specific bowing or articulation for others to play also. 4. The concertmaster is responsible for tuning the orchestra prior to rehearsals and performances. 5. The concertmaster plays any solos required by his or her music. 6. The concertmaster is responsible for setting a good example of musicianship and leadership. He or she serves both the conductor and the orchestra. Principal Section Leaders: Principal section leaders are a critical part of a performing orchestra. In addition to sitting in the first chairs of each section he/she must supervise his/her section, this includes 100% student participation in each rehearsal, making sure all bowings, fingerings, and music selections are being performed correctly. The section leader is the one who plays any solo for that instrument when they occur in the repertoire. One of the most important aspects of being a section leader is communication, both physical and verbal. When we play the rehearsals and performances, the members of the section watch the section leader
as well as the conductor. The principal player leads with his or her body language to enable all the musicians in the section to play together and with the right expression or intensity. AUDITIONS: Auditions for the concert master and section leader positions will include a chair test, and participation in other groups such as YOSA, HS Region, Solo/ensemble, volunteer performances, and sectional rehearsal participation will be considered. CONCERT ETIQUETE Since performance is one of the major objectives of any orchestra, concert etiquette must be learned and practiced. 1. While in the audience, one should remain seated upright until the end of the performance. Having people walk around is very distracting to the performers and to other members of the audience. 2. While a group is performing, there should be no talking in order to allow other people to enjoy the concert. 3. At the end of each selection, the audience should applaud. Shouting or whistling is not acceptable. Hopefully, all students will appreciate the opportunity to hear other groups perform. Should there be a problem with any student during a concert, that person may not be allowed to perform on the next concert. ALL STUDENTS SHOULD REMAIN FOR THE ENTIRE CONCERT PRIVATE LESSONS The director will always work to give individual attention to each student, as that is necessary to have a quality program, but because of the size of the orchestra program, the director cannot reach the individual as often as needed. Students and parents are encouraged to consider private lessons as a means of extending the proficiency of the instrumentalist. The director will supply a list of available private instructors.
UNIFORMS Ladies Orchestra uniform, black shoes, stockings Gentlemen Orchestra uniform, Black shoes and socks Uniform Policy: All orchestra tuxedos and dresses will be assigned to each student. Each student is responsible for the care of his or her orchestra tuxedo or dress. All uniforms must remain at the school after every performance. All dresses and tuxedos will have an assigned number. Any damage to a uniform will result in payment to the orchestra for the value of the uniform. Dresses are $90.00 dollars and Tuxedos are $125.00. Girls- The hem of your dress needs to be tacked up without cutting the dress. Any cut alternations will require the student to automatically reimburse the school for the cost of the dress. No dress should drag on the floor. Closed-toe black dress shoes, and black knee high hose or black panty hose should be worn with the dress. Boys- All tuxedos and accessories (bow-tie, cumber bund, shirt) are required to remain together at all times. DO NOT lose these items. Black dress shoes and socks are required to be worn with your tuxedos. A plain white t-shirt should be worn under your tuxedo shirt. If you wear your shirt for an extended period of time (all day), please wash your shirt as needed. Do Not wait until the end of the year to do so. Note- all students are to have proper grooming from head to toe. Presentation is important. INFORMATION to PARENTS: We will be using Charms this year to send out information so we need a valid e-mail from parents. Input at the end of this handbook.
WARREN ORCHESTRA GUILD The Warren Orchestra is always in need of parental assistance at concerts, contests, fundraisers, special events, and social occasions. These events could take place during the school day as well as before The Warren Orchestra Guild is our booster club, which helps the Warren Orchestra reach their goals for the year. The Guild s goal is to provide support to the orchestra and the director with services such as chaperoning field trips, providing a reception after each concert, volunteering for various events, organizing fundraising, assist with uniforms, edit programs, and coordinate the end of year banquet. Being a member of the guild enables you to vote on various items/issues in support of the orchestra, the guild, and, of course, your student. Your voice is important, so please join. Membership is $5.00 individual per school year. Feel free to invite extended family members to join. Thank you for supporting your child s orchestra this 2018-2019 school year! WE NEED PARENT VOLUNTEERS THIS SCHOOL YEAR TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ORCHESTRA GUILD. Your participation and help is always appreciated. Orchestra Guild/Parent Meetings are scheduled every first Wed. of the month in the orchestra room. FUNDRAISING There will be several fundraisers this year. The money raised will be used to cut cost for events the orchestra attends during the school year. This money will help with bus rentals, deposits for banquet, or trips, and other related costs. The student orchestra officers and the Orchestra Guild coordinate the fundraisers. We ask that every student and parent get involved as much possible to help his or her child. The more support, the greater the result for every orchestra event. ORCHESTRA TRIP We may be going to an out of state state trip this year, Place, and dates TBA. ALL STUDENTS MUST PARTICIPATE IN THE FUNDRAISERS IN ORDER TO GO ON ANY TRIPS THIS YEAR. ORCHESTRA FEES: Orchestra Fees are REQUIRED and must be paid to the Warren High School Orchestra. Total Orchestra fees are $75.00. Returning members will pay $60 The fee breakdown is as follows: Polo shirts and T-shirts, uniform cleaning fee, and some clinicians. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at Wk.# 397-4269, Cell # 210-710-6213 or e-mail me at Darrell.jalowiec@nisd.net. Sincerely, Darrell Jalowiec Warren Orchestra Director
HOW TO PRACTICE EFFECTIVELY I. SET GOALS In class, you will be given specific goals to accomplish just like homework. It is very important that practice is done every day. Use the practice sheets as a guide to goal setting and the proper approach to practice. II. SLOW DOWN You have to walk before you can run. Playing through difficult passages is like wearing a dirty shirt. You must put some cleaner on a stain and soak it before washing it again to wear. If you don t take the time to fix the stain then it will always be there. III. BREAK DOWN THE PROBLEM Isolate problem passages and work on them. Don t just practice the passages you know concentrate on those that give you difficulty. Work on the hard parts first until you can play them right. IV. USE REPETITION Don t expect to play it perfectly the first time. The more difficult the passage, the greater amount of practice time required. Don t be discouraged if the passage you spent time working on yesterday isn t working today. Take the time to go back and fix it using these methods being discussed. V. DEVELOP A CONSISTENT PRACTICE TIME Daily practice is important. Have a specific time of day set aside to develop a routine. Like athletes, musicians are training muscles, and these muscles need frequent exercise to become strong. Each day a skill will either improve or go down-hill it never stays at the same level. Each day that practice is missed it means a step backward. Each day careful practice is done, a step forward is taken. ***Those who do not practice will not develop their talent and will be frustrated or lose interest.*** VI. DEVELOP A POSITIVE APPROACH Be sure that realistic goals are set so that at least one improvement can be recognized at the end of each session. Understand that there is always room for improvement this should not be a frustration, but a challenge. End you practice with something that makes you feel good about your progress.
STUDENT COMMITMENT FORM 2018-2019 Please return this page to the director as soon as possible. As a student and member of this orchestra, I have read this handbook and understand the membership requirements. I will abide by all of the Warren HS orchestra rules and obligations and will be the best orchestra student possible. I also give permission to have both my first and last name printed in each performances program. As a member of this orchestra, I will assume the obligations and responsibilities and do my utmost to accomplish the objectives and follow the principles, rules and regulations. I also understand that All PERFORMANCES, ORCHESTRA GUILD/PARENT MEETINGS, AND REHEARSALS ARE MANDATORY AND MY ATTENDENCE IS REQUIRED. Student Signature Student Print Your Name first and last Date As the parent of this student, I understand the rules and regulations that my son or daughter is expected to follow. Parent Signature Date I Give my child permission to Parent Signature Participate in all fundraisers sponsored by the Warren HS Orchestra and by the Warren HS Orchestra Guild. Dear Parents, if you would like to provide an e-mail address and/or Cell phone number I will create a list so I may be able to send you any and all updated information relating to the Warren HS orchestra as it pertains to your child.. E-mail address:. Cell Phone Number:
Orchestra Office: A141 Student Information Last: First: I.D# Grade: Address: Student E-mail: Home Phone: Father s Name: Work Phone: Mother s Name: Work Phone: Father s E-mail: Mother s E-mail: Instrument: Years playing current instrument Other Instrument (s) Awards/ / Accomplishments Uniform: Dress# Coat# Pants# Cummerbund/tie issued Return date