Bartlett High School Orchestra Handbook 2017 2018 Mr. Neal MNeal@bartlettschools.org Mr.neal.orchestra@gmail.com Updated July 19, 2017
Orchestra Rules* 1. Be on time to class and early to every rehearsal and performance. 2. Bring only the materials that you need for class instrument, music, pencil to your seat. Bows should be rosined prior to the start of class or rehearsal. 3. Follow instructions the first time given, and mark your music without being asked. 4. Speak or play your instrument only when you've been instructed to do so. 5. Cell phones are not to be out or used in the orchestra classroom. Failure to follow this rule will result in consequences as stated in the student handbook. Cell phones may not be charged in the orchestra room. 6. No food (including gum) or drink is allowed in class. Water may be allowed with Mr. Neal's permission. *Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook. Possible Corrective Consequences Verbal Warning Phone Call or E-mail to Parent Reflection Time Pack up and forfeit participation grade for the day Student Teacher Conference Parent Teacher Conference Office Referral Orchestra Supplies 1. Instrument, bow, rosin, sponge (violin/viola) or rockstop (cello/bass). 2. Pencil with eraser 3. Lined paper and staff paper. May be stored in a binder or folder at the student's discretion. 4. Music and Expressive Techniques for Orchestra. Strings class students will require Essential Elements for Strings Nos.1 & 2. 5. Folder (will be provided) Finger nails must be kept short to play these instruments correctly. Procuring an Instrument In order to participate in orchestra, students will need to procure an instrument. Any student that plans to play the violin or viola must rent or purchase his or her own instrument. The high school owns a limited number of cellos and basses, please see Mr. Neal if you are interested in using one. It is very important that students use a high quality instrument in order to ensure that they will have the opportunity to be successful. If you wish to purchase an instrument, please contact Mr. Neal first. Instruments can be rented or purchased locally from Amro Music or Bartlett Music Academy. Amro Music Bartlett Music Academy (901) 323-8888 (901) 213-4262 2981 Poplar Ave. 7505 Stage Rd.
Orchestra Events The following events are required by the orchestra curriculum. - Solo and Ensemble Individual and Small Group Assessments - Concert Festival Large Group Assessment The following event is NOT required, but strongly encouraged. This event is not covered by the orchestra fee. - All West Auditions (and subsequently All West/All State if students qualify) Orchestra Fees In order for the orchestra to perform and participate in local events, it is necessary to maintain an operating budget. As a result, each student must pay this fee to fully participate in this class. The breakdown of this fee is below. Orchestra Strings Music $50 $40 Solo & Ensemble $10 $10 Concert Festival $10 -------- Substitutes $50 $50 Program Maintenance $40 $25 Smart Music $40 $40 T Shirt $20 $20 Total $220 $185 Payment Options Option A: $220 (orchestra)/$185 (strings) amount due before the end of August. Option B: $110/$95 due before the end of August. $110/$90 due before the end of January. Option C: $80/$65 due before the end of August. $70/$60 due before the end of October. $70/$60 due before the end of January.
Orchestra After School Tutoring: Mr. Neal will be available for tutoring on Monday through Wednesday from 2:00 4:00 by appointment. At least two students must be in attendance for a tutoring session to be offered. Contact Mr. Neal by email to request a tutoring session. Tutoring will be held in M211 at Bartlett High School. Freshmen may ride the activity bus. Rehearsals After school rehearsals will be on Thursdays from 2:00 4:00. After school rehearsals count toward concert grades. If you are unable to attend a rehearsal, please contact Mr. Neal to see if your absence is approved. Mr. Neal will provide notification regarding the starting date of these rehearsals. Rehearsals will be held in M211 at Bartlett High School. Freshmen may ride the activity bus. After School Schedule Monday 2-4: Tutoring Tuesday 2-4: Tutoring Wednesday 2-4: Tutoring Thursday 2-4: Rehearsal (Tutoring possible if no rehearsal scheduled) Blood, Sweat, and Strings Students in 10 th 12 th grade have the option to join our rock/jazz combo named Blood, Sweat, and Strings. In the event that interest exceeds the number of spaces within the group, additional combos can be formed. BS&S will have weekly rehearsals. Rehearsal day will be on Friday from 2:00 4:00. If you would like to play jazz, rock, blues, bossa nova, swing, or any other non-traditional style of music, this group is for you! Please contact Mr. Neal if you re interested. This ensemble satisfies the small ensemble requirement of the honors curriculum. Concert and Dress Rehearsal Dates (As of 5/22/16) 12/11 @ 2-4 Fall Semester Concert Dress Rehearsal 12/12 @ 7PM Fall Semester Concert 4/17 @ 7PM Chamber Ensemble Concert 4/18 @ 2 4 Spring Semester Concert Dress Rehearsal 4/19 @ 7PM Spring Semester Concert 5/14 @ 2 4 Blood, Sweat, and Strings Dress Rehearsal 5/15 @ 7PM Blood, Sweat, and Strings Concert 5/16 @ 3 5 Rock Concert Dress Rehearsal TBD (probably 5/17) @ 7PM Rock Concert I 5/18 @ 7PM Rock Concert II
Grading Policy Performances (900 pts per concert) Performances are the largest grade that we have in orchestra. This is a performance based class, and, in order to satisfy the requirements for the class, students must participate in ALL performances. Students must sign out after a concert to verify attendance at the performance. The attendance policy will follow all BCS guidelines. Please note that work, car trouble, and lack of transportation are not considered an excused absence. Students must notify Mr. Neal in writing no later than 2 weeks in advance if they expect to miss a performance. Approved absences will require a make up assignment. After school rehearsal attendance will comprise 300 points of this grade. Correct concert attire will comprise 100 points of this grade. Approved Concert Dress: Ladies: Formal long black. Full length, long sleeve tops with school appropriate neckline. Bottoms must be full length with no slits, cuts, etc. Cellists must wear pants. Black closed toe shoes required and must be paired with black stockings/hose/socks. Heels should be no taller than 3. Gentlemen: Long sleeve black button up shirt. Long black slacks with a black belt. Black socks. Black dress shoes. Solid white long tie. Tests and Concert Reviews (100 pts per test) Playing tests will consist of a recording being submitted through SmartMusic or email by a particular date and time specified by Mr. Neal. Students will be informed of material to be tested prior to test day unless the nature of the test requires otherwise. Quarterly concert reviews for the honors class fall under this category. See honors requirements for additional information. Participation (50 pts weekly) Participation grades will be based on student preparedness (practice, materials, instrument) and participation. Failure to have all materials or choosing not to actively participate will result in a lowered participation grade. Exceptions will be made for instruments undergoing repair and any other circumstances approved by Mr. Neal. Practice Logs (50 pts weekly) Students will be expected to turn in a practice log every week. Any practice log that has not been turned in by Friday will become a 0. Practice logs will be submitted through a Google form. Students and parents will receive a link to the form. To get full credit, students must practice a minimum of 210 minutes per week. This breaks down into 30 minutes per day. In order to accommodate busy schedules, students may move up to 20 minutes from one day to any other. This results in a daily minimum of 10 minutes practiced. Honors orchestra students have increased time requirements. See honors requirements for additional information. Written Work (75 pts per assignment) This includes all written work in the class. Examples include reflections on performances, music theory assignments, and listening exercises.
Bartlett Honors Orchestra 2, 3, 4 Course Description Honors students will be expected to complete rigorous extra work to distinguish themselves as musicians and student leaders. This extra work will be required in order to receive the honors credit and grade. Maximum grade possible each term is 103. Quarter 1 Requirements All twelve major scales in 2 octaves and chromatic scale beginning on the lowest string @ MM120. Submit a video recording of the student performing the required scales with a metronome. (State Standard 2.7 performance indicator 4). Take 4 hours of private lessons from an approved private studio teacher. OR Give 4 hours of lessons to another student in orchestra (peer tutoring). Hours must be documented. (State Standards 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 5.1 performance indicator 2-4). 105 extra minutes per week of practice time. This is time spent on the student s instrument over and above the regular requirements and rehearsals for orchestra. (State Standard 2.5, 2.6, 5.1 performance indicator 2-4). Participate in an approved small ensemble. Submit a recording of the ensemble performing their new music. The recording requirement shall be suspended during the quarter that includes the chamber music concert. (State Standard 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 performance indicator 2.1 4, 3.1 4, 4.2 3, 5.2 3) Attend a concert presented by a performer or performers that are collegiate age or older. Afterwards, provide a copy of the program, and type a one-page review. Include discussion of the musical selections and critique the quality of the performance. Use of correct music vocabulary is required. This is meant to be a scholarly paper, spelling and grammar counts. (State Standard 7.1, 7.2 performance indicator 2). Quarter 2 All twelve Melodic minor scales in 2 octaves and chromatic scale starting on the lowest string @ MM120. Submit a video recording of the student performing the required scales with a metronome. (State Standard 2.7 performance indicator 4). Take 4 hours of private lessons from an approved private studio teacher OR Give 4 hours of lessons to another student in orchestra (peer tutoring). Hours must be documented. (State Standards 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 5.1 performance indicator 2-4). 105 extra minutes per week of practice time. This is time spent on the student s instrument over and above the regular requirements and rehearsals for orchestra. (State Standard 2.5, 2.6, 5.1 performance indicator 2-4). Participate in an approved small ensemble. Submit a recording of the ensemble performing their new music. (State Standard 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 performance indicator 2.1 4, 3.1 4, 4.2 3, 5.2 3) Attend a concert presented by a performer or performers that are collegiate age or older. Afterwards, provide a copy of the program, and type a one-page review. Include discussion of the musical selec-
tions and critique the quality of the performance. Use of correct music vocabulary is required. This is meant to be a scholarly paper, spelling and grammar counts. (State Standard 7.1, 7.2 performance indicator 2). Quarter 3 All twelve Mixolydian modes in 2 octaves and chromatic scale starting on the lowest string @ MM120 (State Standard 2.7 performance indicator 4). Take 4 hours of private lessons from an approved private studio teacher. OR Give 4 hours of lessons to another student in orchestra (peer tutoring). Hours must be documented. (State Standards 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 5.1 performance indicator 2-4). 105 extra minutes per week of practice time. This is time spent on the student s instrument over and above the regular requirements and rehearsals for orchestra. (State Standard 2.5, 2.6, 5.1 performance indicator 2-4). Participate in an approved small ensemble. Perform prepared small ensemble music in a concert. (State Standard 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 performance indicator 2.1 4, 3.1 4, 4.2 3, 5.2 3) Attend a concert presented by a performer or performers that are collegiate age or older. Afterwards, provide a copy of the program, and type a one-page review. Include discussion of the musical selections and critique the quality of the performance. Use of correct music vocabulary is required. This is meant to be a scholarly paper, spelling and grammar counts. (State Standard 7.1, 7.2 performance indicator 2). Quarter 4 All twelve Blues scales in 2 octaves and chromatic scale starting on the lowest string @ MM120 (State Standard 2.7 performance indicator 4). Take 4 hours of private lessons from an approved private studio teacher. OR Give 4 hours of lessons to another student in orchestra (peer tutoring). Hours must be documented. (State Standards 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 5.1 performance indicator 2-4). 105 extra minutes per week of practice time. This is time spent on the student s instrument over and above the regular requirements and rehearsals for orchestra. (State Standard 2.5, 2.6, 5.1 performance indicator 2-4). Participate in an approved small ensemble. Submit a recording of the ensemble performing their new music. (State Standard 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 performance indicator 2.1 4, 3.1 4, 4.2 3, 5.2 3) Attend a concert presented by a performer or performers that are collegiate age or older. Afterwards, provide a copy of the program, and type a one-page review. Include discussion of the musical selections and critique the quality of the performance. Use of correct music vocabulary is required. This is meant to be a scholarly paper, spelling and grammar counts. (State Standard 7.1, 7.2 performance indicator 2).
Please sign and return this page to Mr. Neal by August 11, 2017. I have received and read the entire BHS Orchestra Handbook. I understand the rules, required orchestra events, rehearsal requirements, and honors requirements (honors only). I understand that Strings/Orchestra is a yearlong commitment. I understand that Strings/Orchestra is a performance-based class and will have graded commitments outside of the school day. I will make arrangements for travel in advance. I understand what constitutes an excused absence, and will give 2 weeks notice whenever I am able. I acknowledge that there is a class fee that covers the cost of a T-shirt, music, substitutes, program maintenance, and orchestra event fees for the duration of the school year. We will do our part to support the BHS Orchestra program. Student Name: Student Signature: Date: Student Email (optional): Parent/Guardian Name: Parent/Guardian Daytime Phone: Parent/Guardian E-mail Address: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: Selected Payment Option: Any cello or bass student who wishes to check out a school instrument will receive a separate BCS Instrument Loan Agreement form. Extremely limited quantities are available and will be issued on a first come, first served basis.