Campbell High School Orchestra 5265 Ward Street Smyrna, GA 30080 ORCHESTRA HANDBOOK 2017-2018 Mark Pulley, Director mark.pulley@cobbk12.org http://campbellhighorchestra.webs.com/ (Orchestra Office) 678/842-6850 x262
CLASSROOM POLICIES & PROCEDURES Students should arrive to class on time. Everyone should be in their seat with their materials and instruments, rosined and ready to go 3 minutes after the bell. After packing up, students should not leave the room until they are dismissed by Mr. P Restroom passes are not permitted during warm-ups/opening. Each student will have 10 restroom/clinic passes each semester, so plan accordingly. Additional passes will result in penalties off the rehearsal etiquette grade. There is to be no food, drinks, or candy in the orchestra room or the locker room with the exception of water bottles. Students will keep their instruments in their case in their assigned locker. Lockers must remain locked, even during the class period. The school and the orchestra will not be held responsible for the loss or damage of your instrument. Back rooms are off limits unless directed by the director. Respect others and their property. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be put away unless directed by the director. We have to remember that the reason we are here is to make music. Rehearsal etiquette will be strictly enforced, and if consistent problems arise, our purpose should be reexamined. If a student chooses not to meet these expectations, the following consequences will occur: FIRST OFFENSE: SECOND OFFENSE: THIRD OFFENSE: Teacher/student conference Telephone conference with parent, loss of daily participation points. Detention, telephone conference with parent, loss of daily points. Administrative referral.
GRADING SYSTEM Students will be assessed through (1) written samples to verbally demonstrate mastery of music reading, understanding, and comprehension, (2) individual performance on their orchestra instrument to aurally demonstrate comprehension of musical concepts and physical mastery to perform skills required of those concepts, (3) small and large group performance to demonstrate understanding, mastery, and comprehension of ensemble skills such as tone, balance, intonation, and interpretation. Please check Synergy for grades online. Grading will be as follows: 60% Unit Quizzes (written or performance) 20% Rehearsal Etiquette 10% Final Exam 10% - Pre- and Post-tests (SLO) REHEARSAL ETIQUETTE GRADING The following infractions will result in 5 points off the etiquette grade: Excessive talking during instruction Tardy Cell phone use Out of seat Food/drink during rehearsal Horseplay Music/equipment left out Not following directions Not on task The following will result in 10 points off etiquette grade: *Left class before the director dismisses the class *Disrespect to anyone in the class *Profanity *Fighting
CONCERT & REHEARSAL POLICIES Excused absences are cleared with the instructor BEFORE the actual event. In case of an emergency, students will bring in a written explanation explaining the emergency or set up a parent teacher conference. Unexcused absences from a dress rehearsal may keep a student from performing. This may result in a student reassigned to sit in the back of the section. If a student misses a concert, they will be required to play their concert music for Mr. Pulley the following day. ORCHESTRA DUES Being part of the orchestra does involve a monetary commitment. School funds only cover music and supplies. Please contact Mr. Pulley to make payment options if needed. Some of the items that dues cover include: the fall and spring retreats, clinicians, school instrument repairs, LGPE fees, LGPE, music, and other miscellaneous items. Cash and money orders can be placed in the safe in the orchestra room and the CHOP Treasurer will pick it up and deposit the money. Receipts can be found on the Charms website. FIELDTRIPS We are planning fieldtrips this year that will expand our musical and ensemble skills as well as encourage teamwork and camaraderie amongst each other. Some trips options include: Rock City Festival of Lights New York City Many of these field trips can be counted as community service, which is important to have on a student s college applications. EQUIPMENT USE All students should have their own instrument to use. I have information on where you may buy or rent an instrument. Many stores are having "back to school" sales for as little as $25-35/month. Plus, that money usually goes towards the purchase. Please remember when purchasing an
instrument that you get what you pay for. When picking a store it is a good idea to use a store that will be able to fix your instrument if the instrument should happen to break. There are a limited number of school instruments. A school instrument check-out form must be signed and returned before any school instrument is to be used. School expenses incurred due to student carelessness will be the responsibility of the individual student and his or her parents. You break it, you pay to fix it. This includes broken strings. If a student fails to replace broken strings or pay for damages they will be placed on the fines and fees list. A student will not graduate or receive books until all fines are paid in full. UNIFORMS The standard uniform for all students in each orchestra will be as follows: Black collared button up shirt (full or ¾ sleeves, length) Solid black dress pants OR black skirt NO jeans Black, closed-toe dress shoes NO sandals or sneakers. Black socks (NO skin can show from the knee down) Black belt Please note the uniforms will be checked on September 6. More information will be given closer to the event. Students not in dress code for the concerts will not be allowed to perform. Please see me if you have any questions. VARSITY LETTER Should your child choose to qualify for an orchestra letter, I have included a points tracking form to do so. Letter points will be due to Mr. Pulley at the beginning of April and letters will be awarded at the spring concert.
GRADUATION CORD Seniors who would like to have a Fine Arts cord for graduation will need to complete the following requirements: 7 semesters of active participation in CHS Orchestras Attend all concerts and LGPE Do one community engagement activity each semester (tuning at middle school before a concert, tutoring at middle school or underclassmen, help clearing the stage after a concert, etc.)