Robertsville 7th / 8th Grade Orchestra Handbook

Ms. Abigail Hoerner (formerly Wilmore)

Orchestra Director

– you will be notified when this email changes

(865) 425-9201 ext. 2184

GRADING POLICY & PROCEDURE

Orchestra Grading:

30% Daily Participation

10% Folder Check

40% Playing Quizzes

20% Performances

1.Daily Participation

  1. The student should fully participate in each orchestra rehearsal. This means no unnecessary talking and no reading or doing homework from other subject areas during rehearsal.
  2. Students should play with good posture. If you have a problem with your playing posture, I will offer help and suggestions to improve. If there is no improvement, you will receive a lower grade.
  3. Students should work toward mastering the techniques set forth in the Essential Elements book. I will offer help to those students who are struggling with these concepts, but you need to practice these techniques at home until they are mastered.

2. Folder Check

At the end of each Term we will have a book and folder check. You will be given a folder to keep music in. When music is handed out you need to put your copy in your folder. If concert pieces are missing from your folder your grade will be lowered. You also need to have your own copy of the Essential Elements book with your name on it.

3. Playing Quizzes

I do not ask students to perform passages alone in front of the group. However, I do watch for your fingering while you are playing with others to assess your ability to play the music. You need to practice at home and be able to play the music well by the time it is performed.

4.Performances

Students need to be in attendance at every concert on their best behavior with all materials. Please see attendance policy for absences.

ASSIGNED SEATING

Students will be seated for daily classes in an order that reflects musical experience and leadership skills. The orchestra director has final say on concert seating assignments as she moves students around based on the musical needs of the ensemble. Students may be reseated for disruptive behavior, missing materials, lack of preparation, and unexcused tardiness or absences from class.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

Student Expectations:

1. To treat the orchestra director and your peers with respect.

2. To arrive on time and prepared with the necessary materials.

3. To raise your hand before voicing questions or concerns.

4. To listen and follow all instructions the first time they are given.

5. To give your best effort from the first day of school to the last.

6. To practice and master the skills you will need to become a superior orchestra student

Consequences if expectations are not met:

1st Time: Student/Teacher Conference

2nd Time: Parent Contacted

3rd Time: Referral to Administrator and Parent Contacted

TARDY POLICY – according to school discipline handbook

Tardies #1-3: Points off Grade

Tardies #4-5: Lunch Detention and Parent Contact

Tardies #6 and beyond: Referral to Office and Parent Contact – this means progressively more severe consequences via the Office.

GUM POLICY

No gum in the orchestra room.

1st time: points off grade

2nd time: lunch detention and writing assignment to be completed and signed by student, also signed by parent.

3rd and beyond: 1 hour after-school detention with parent contact.

INSTRUMENT & MATERIALS

Here are phone numbers for local string shops:

1

The String Workshop

Jonathan Goldstein

225 Jackson Square

Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Phone: 483-8075

Wilhite Strings

Bruce Wilhite

2105 Keller Bend Road

Knoxville, TN 37922

Phone: 670-1888

Baroque Violin Shop

Erin Archer

South East Sales and Service

(865) 322-9875

1

Book:

Essential Technique Book 3

CONCERTS

  • Fall Concert – October 8
  • Holiday Concert – December 3
  • Winter Concert – March 4
  • Spring Concert – May 13

All Concerts are at the ORHS Auditorium at 7pm.

Concert Dress

It is important for the group to both sound and look professional. Boys are expected to wear black dress pants, white dress shirt, black socks, and dress shoes. Girls are expected to wear black slacks or black knee-length skirt, white blouse, black stockings or tights, and dress shoes.

*CONCERT ATTENDANCE POLICY*

If your child has an unavoidable conflict, please write a note at least 2 weeks before the performance explaining the circumstances. I will give the student an alternative assignment. If the student is ill or there is a family emergency the day of the performance, leave a message on my voice mail (865) 425-9201 ext. 2184 or have your child bring a note immediately upon their return to school. I will then give them an alternative assignment.

Failure to follow this procedure will result in the absence being unexcused. Unexcused absences will not be given an alternative assignment.If a student has an unexcused absence from a performance, their overall grade may drop up to 2 letter grades (for example, drop from A to C)

JUNIOR ORCHESTRA CLINIC

Students in the 7th, 8th and 9th grades are eligible to participate in the regional Jr. Orchestra Clinic, which takes place each fall. Students from Oak Ridge, Knoxville and Maryville audition for seats in one of two orchestras. The date for the audition will be Saturday morning, November 3, and will take place at Cedar Bluff Middle School. I will send a note home for students to sign up for auditions at a later date. The clinic itself will take place on November 16 and 17 at Hardin Valley Academy. A college level orchestral clinician will rehearse with the students for 2 days, and present a concert at the end of that time. This is always a musically very rewarding experience, and prepares the students for auditioning for and participating in the Sr. Clinic for students in 10th - 12th grades, which involves a 3 day stay at the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg, and possible eligibility for the All State Orchestra in Nashville.

  • Auditions for Junior Orchestra Clinic – Saturday, November 3 @ Cedar Bluff Middle School
  • Junior Orchestra Clinic – Fri & Sat, November 16 and 17 @ Hardin Valley High School Academy

______

SPRING TRIP

Our spring trip this year is TBD,but will most likely take place on May 10-11 at King’s Island in Cincinnati, Ohio. We will be competing in a Music Festival on Friday afternoon, stay overnight in a nice hotel, and spend Saturday at the theme park. This trip is not graded. I hope most of you will be able to participate, as these trips have always been a great deal of fun, and a musically rewarding experience.

1