Table of Contents
Introduction ------page 3
Contract Rules ------page 4
Practice ------page 5
Equipment / Security------page 5
Instrument care ------page 5
Grading ------page 6
Performance Test and Seating ------page 6
Rehearsal and Concert Attendance ------page 7
Camerata ------page 7
Calendar ------page 8
Concert Dress ------page 9
Fundraising ------page 9
Honor Orchestras ------page 9
Private Lessons ------page 10
Students/ Parent Contract ------page 11-12
Introduction
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to the Berkmar Middle School Orchestra! We are excited that you have decided to be part of our growing organization and look forward to working with you. Like many of you, we are new to the Berkmar community and know that there will be many new experiences and changes over the coming year. Though we may not do everything the same way as our predecessors, we are expecting great things as we work together to learn through music. Once again, we extend a warm welcome all of our students and parents and ask that you feel free to contact us if we can be of any assistance.
Musically Yours,
Laurie Duke, Director of Orchestras
Adam Kelley, Director of Orchestras
Course Description:
Orchestra is a year-long connections class in which students will have the opportunity to grow and learn as musicians while developing skills as outlined in the Gwinnett County Academic Knowledge and Skills. Orchestra is a unique course which develops character traits such as independence, discipline, self-esteem, and teamwork while supporting academic knowledge development studies in core classes. In time, students may also earn opportunities to receive scholarships and pursue a future career in music.
Objectives/ Goals:
1. To teach music skills in line with the Academic Knowledge and Skills.
2. To incorporate reading, writing, math, history, and science skills into the Orchestra classroom.
3. To provide performance opportunities beyond the regular school day.
4. To prepare students for advanced music and academic study.
5. To involve parents and the Berkmar community in these experiences.
Orchestra Contract
1. Respect your neighbors, teacher, and equipment. You and your classmates have a right to learn and the teacher must be allowed to teach. Disruptive behavior of any kind prevents learning and teaching. Therefore, we must all work together to make a positive and productive learning environment.
2. All bathroom and drinks are to be taken care of before you enter the classroom.
3. Be sure to check the board for the day's activities/pieces to be rehearsed. Have them ready in order on your stand.
4. Entry into the classroom late must be done quietly, giving the teacher your pass.
5. The teacher will dismiss the class when the period is over, NOT the bell.
6. Orchestra is a group effort. Everyone is important to the group. When you are not playing, you will either be listening for directions or studying your music while Mrs. Duke and Mr. Kelley work with another section. Talking is NOT an option. You must stay actively involved in the music at all times during class.
7. NO GUM, NO FOOD, and NO DRINKS!!! It is not possible to chew and play your instrument at the same time.
8. Fingernails must be kept short on the left hand. It is not possible to play with the proper left-hand position if the nails extend beyond the tip of the finger.
9. Daily start up procedures include; having all books and materials not needed for orchestra stored out of the way. Cases are to be stored beside your chair and closed. Folders with your music, a pencil, and other materials belong on the stand. This must be done within the first 2 minutes of class. Our rehearsal time is important and precious. Let us not waste any of it!
10. All county and School rules apply.
Practice
As part of an ensemble it is the responsibility of each student to prepare music outside of class. Consider at home practice a standing homework assignment. For everyday that your instrument is left at school you will lose one point on your weekly test (tests are out of 20 points). If you are consistently not prepared, you will be required to complete a weekly practice chart as part of your test grades. The amount of time and effort you put into your private practice will affect the sound and attitude of the whole class. Do you and your ensemble a big favor . . . PRACTICE!
Equipment
The following list of items are required daily for class.
1. Instrument and bow in good condition (local music stores can assist you in the rental of an instrument. All Violins, Violas, and Cellos are asked to rent an instrument. Basses may rent a school instrument for $30/ semester. Additional information will be provided).
2. Shoulder-rest or pad (violins and violas)
3. Cleaning Cloth (a soft rag or T-shirt works)
4. Rosin
5. One set of extras strings
6. Loose leaf notebook (with orchestra handbook) and paper.
7. Sheet protectors
8. A pencil (never a pen) EVERYDAY!
9. Essential Elements 2000 Method Book (6th – Book 1; 7th – Book 2)
10. Essential Techniques 2000 Method Book (8th – Book 3)
Security – Violinists and Violists are STRONGLY encouraged to purchase a bike lock with which to secure their instrument while at school. Mrs. Duke and Mr. Kelley will do everything possible to ensure the safety of your instrument; however, the responsibility for securing it belongs to the student.
Caring for your Instrument
1. ALWAYS loosen your bow after use (cellos and basses put in end pin).
2. Wipe your instrument off to prevent accumulation of rosin.
3. NEVER leave your instrument in a car (be careful of extreme temperature changes).
4. Periodically check that the bridge is perpendicular to the deck of the instrument.
5. Strings should be changed every 6 months and bows re-haired once a year.
Grading System
Grades will be based on the students understanding of the AKS objectives at the end of the nine weeks. Please see www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us for a complete listing of all the AKS objectives.
· Concerts/ Dress Rehearsals 30%
· Tests/ Projects 30%
· Quizzes (playing/ written) 20%
· Written assignments 10%
· Participation 10%
Participation Grade – If a student is missing materials from class, his/her participation is hindered; therefore, the entire organization is affected, and the student will be unable to achieve his/her AKS objectives for the day. In the event a student lacks any materials, his/her participation grade will be adjusted accordingly.
Conduct Grade – Yearlong musical organizations such as orchestra are unique in the manner that everyone works together toward a common goal. Our objective is to strive to be an asset to the Orchestra as a whole and never to do anything that would prevent the orchestra from achieving full success.
Performance Quizzes/Tests and Seating
Performing is a very important part of this class. Each student will learn to perform as part of a group and on an individual basis. For this reason, weekly playing quizzes/ tests will be in done in class. These can be administered individually or in groups as the teachers see fit. Be prepared and you have nothing to fear (in other words PRACTICE!). A rubric of exact requirements will be handed out and explained before the first quizzes/ test takes place.
Seating will not be according to a student’s independent development. Because this is a learning experience, students of all ability levels will be mixed together. This will give the orchestra a chance to learn from within itself giving the ensemble a more balanced sound. Seating will also rotate in class while we prepare for performances giving each student an opportunity to lead the section (and Mrs. Duke and Mr. Kelley to hear you individually). Final performance seating will be determined two weeks before the concert date and will stop rotating at that time. Remember just because you are in the back of a section does not lessen your importance to the group; you are there because that is where you will do the most for your orchestra.
Rehearsals and Performances
Absence Policy: All before school dress rehearsals and concerts are class requirements for the Berkmar Middle School Orchestra and are graded activities. These events are the culmination of all your work in and out of the classroom. If an absence is necessary WRITTEN NOTICE FROM PARENTS IS REQUIRED. An Excused Absence includes: Illness/ Medical, Government Order/ GA Page, Religious Holiday, Hazardous Conditions, Death/ Serious Family Illness. Excused absences MUST be made up within FIVE days as is school policy. ALL other absences will be unexcused and be graded as zeros. If at all possible ADVANCED NOTIFICATION OF AN ABSENCE IS PREFERABLE. If advanced notification is not possible please notify the conductor at the earliest time possible. I have and will continue to do my best to inform students and parents of important dates. It is the STUDENTS RESPOSIBILITY TO INFORM PARENTS OF SUCH DATES AND ARRANGE FOR TRANSPORTATION.
Camerata – This is BMS’s top performing orchestra. Rehearsal times will be announced later. This group is more pop and jazz oriented. This group is open to all 7th and 8th graders and any sixth grader who has played before. Auditions will probably be held sometime in late September or early October and a separate uniform must be purchased.
Orchestra Calendar
Orchestra Contracts due ------Friday, August 22nd
Deadline to sign up for Kendall and GCYS ------Wednesday, August 20th
Kendall and GCYS Auditions ------Saturday, September 6th
Solo and Ensemble Fee due ------Friday, September 5th
All-State Registration Deadline ------Wednesday, September 10th
All-State District Auditions ------Saturday, October 25th
7th/8th Dress Rehearsal (8:00 – 9:00am) ------October, TBA
7th/ 8th Fall Concert 6:30pm (6:00 call) ------Tuesday, October 7th
Solo and Ensemble ------Saturday, November 15th
7th/8th Dress Rehearsal ------December, TBA
7th/8th Winter Concert 6:30pm (6:00 call) ------Tuesday, December 9th
6th Dress Rehearsal in Orch 2:30 - 4:30 ------December TBA
6th Winter Concert 6:30pm (6:00 call) ------Tuesday, December 16th
All-State State Auditions ------Saturday January 17th
7th Dress Rehearsal ------February TBA
8th Dress Rehearsal ------February TBA
Large Group Performance Evaluation------February 26th – 28th
All-State ------March 5th – 7th
7th/ 8th Dress Rehearsal ------May TBA
7th/ 8th Spring Concert and Awards ------Tuesday, May 5th
6th Dress Rehearsal ------May TBA
6th Spring Concert and Awards 6:30pm (6:00 call) - - - - Tuesday, May 12th
· All Dates and Times are subject to change. All Rehearsals and Concerts are mandatory and graded. Tardiness or Absenteeism will not be tolerated. Put these important dates on your calendar NOW!
Concert Dress: The Orchestra uniform exists to give our orchestra a great look to accompany our great sound! Students not properly dressed will NOT play and will receive a zero for the performance.
Gentleman: Orchestra Shirt (available for purchase in September for $25 ($30 with the students name embroidered on it), Black Slacks (formal looking, no jeans or corduroys), black socks, and black dress shoes (no sneakers).
Ladies: Orchestra Shirt (available for purchase in September for $25 ($30 with the students name embroidered on it), Black dress pants/skirt (must be ankle length). No jean, corduroy, or other casual material is appropriate. Black shoes and hose are also required.
Camerata Uniform –
Gentlemen: A White Tux shirt, cummerbund, black dress pants, black socks, and black dress shoes.
Ladies: A black floor length dress (or black blouse and floor length skirt), dark hose, and black dress shoes.
Fund-Raising
It is essential that all Orchestra members participate in fund-raising activities in order to raise funds for Student awards, Performance trips, Sheet Music, Equipment, Special Events, Class Parties, etc.
*Cash or Money Order is the preferred way of collecting fund raiser monies.
The entire orchestra has general needs that must be met. Please help improve the quality of our program by participating in fund-raisers. Parents may also choose to contribute $5.00.
Honor Orchestras and Activities
The below listed orchestras require student auditions for membership and have varied sponsorship. Interested students must inform Mrs. Duke or Mr. Kelley as soon as possible in order that certain deadlines are met.
1. Gwinnett County Kendall Orchestra (6th - 8th grade only)
2. Gwinnett County Youth Symphony (7th - 8th grades)
3. Governor’s Honors Program (by nomination)
4. Solo and Ensemble Evaluation
5. Violapaloosa
6. String Fling
Private Lessons
Though not required, private lessons can be a wonderful experience for a student. I strongly encourage all students to seek private lessons (30-minute instruction once a week is standard). Individual programming for each student is simply not practical in the classroom. Though every attempt will be made to serve each student’s needs in class, students who apply themselves in private instruction have a better chance for auditions in advanced and state orchestras.
Though most music stores have private teachers, a list of private instructors is available upon request.
Berkmar Middle School Orchestra
Student Name ______Grade______
Instrument______
Parent/Guardian Name______
Home Phone ______Work Phone ______Cell Phone______
E-mail Address______
There are many times during the year when the orchestra will need the support and help of parent volunteers. We will have a range of needs in many different areas. If you can assist in any manner, please indicate so on this form, and return it to Mrs. Duke or Mr. Kelley.
I am interested in assisting the orchestra with:
____Chaperoning
____Fund Raising
____Publicity
____Piano Accompaniment
____Hospitality (planning events)
____Uniforms (issuing, repairing, etc.)
____Concert set-up/break-down
____Photography/Videography
____Other______
Parent/Guardian Signature ______Date______
Berkmar Middle School Contract
This sheet should be filled out by both the parent/guardian and the student. Detach it from the other pages and return this sheet only to the Orchestra Directors by Friday, August 22, 2008. The other pages should be kept for your records.