MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
ORCHESTRA
HANDBOOK
2013-14
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA POLICIES
1. Enter room quietly
2. Be on time to your seat.
3. No talking while director is on the podium.
4. No books or notebooks at your seat.
5. Bring instrument, tuner, music and a pencil every day.
6. No food, gum or drink in the rehearsal room.
7. Be respectful to others and their property.
8. Keep room tidy.
CONSEQUENCES
Warning –Points taken off daily grade
Demerit/Parent Contact
Referral
GRADING
A large portion of your grade in orchestra will be based on your daily grade. A portion of your grade will be based on playing tests. Playing skills will be evaluated with the use of playing tests, either in class or recorded. Here is the breakdown of your grade in orchestra:
Grading periods with concerts
Daily Grade – Participation, behavior, bringing pencil, music, instrument, & tuner to class.
Concerts
Playing and written tests
Grading periods without concerts
Daily Grade – Participation, behavior, bringing bringing pencil, music, instrument, & tuner to class.
Playing and written tests
DAILY PROCEDURES
Students receive 20 points daily based on the following criteria: promptness to seat, having your pencil/music/instrument/tuner, and good posture/participation/behavior. Students will lose points for failure to comply with the requirements listed above. Attendance will be taken three minutes after the second bell rings. If you are late to your seat, points will be deducted from your daily points. If a student forgets their instrument and there is not a spare on that day, they will lose all 20 points for the day. Students will be excused from class for medical reasons with a note from their doctor.
CONCERT ATTENDANCE AND APPAREL
APPAREL
Girls: White dress top, black skirt (past knees when sitting) or black dress pants, black shoes and socks. Girls wearing skirts should wear black nylons or tights.
Guys: White dress shirt, black dress pants, black shoes, black socks, black belt, tie optional.
FLIP FLOPS, JEANS, AND T-SHIRTS ARE NOT PERMITTED. Students who do not meet this dress code may be removed from the performance at the director’s or administrator’s discretion. Students not performing due to dress code violations will be unexcused.
CONCERT ATTENDANCE
· Concert attendance is mandatory for all orchestra students.
· Concert attendance, participation, and behavior are all graded.
· We rely on each and every student to contribute to our success. Unexcused absences will result in a 0.
· Absences due to a family emergency, such as hospitalization or a death in the family, are excused.
· If a student is home ill the day of a concert, they will be excused if the student brings a note upon returning to school.
· If a student should fall ill the day or into the evening of a concert, they will be excused if the director is notified by phone or via a note from home upon the student returning to school.
· Please note that outside of school activities and social events are not excused.
· School conflicts should be discussed with the director(s) beforehand so that we may make arrangements with all involved parties.
Students who miss a concert (excused) will be required to complete a make -up assignment. The make-up assignment choices are listed below. All assignments must be turned in by the end of the grading period in which the missed performance took place in order to receive credit.
Make a recording of yourself playing a concert selection we performed at the concert, to be determined by both the director and the student. The recording may be on CD, submitted digitally or performed on SmartMusic. The recording will be evaluated for the following: Correct notes, phrasing, intonation, and rhythm.
A calendar of events is attached. You are required to attend all concerts. Concerts are a big part of the grade for the quarter.
Unexcused absences will result in a grade of zero.
INSTRUMENT CARE
Each student is responsible for the care and upkeep of their instrument. Each orchestra member will be expected to keep his/her instrument in excellent condition. String players should have the following equipment:
1. Instrument and bow in excellent working order.
2. Rosin – A new cake of rosin should be purchased each year for freshness.
3. Shoulder rest for violin and viola players (This is a must!) – Rock stops for cello and basses.
4. A clip on tuner. This will assist the student in tuning their instrument daily.
Students should be very careful when handling their instrument and bow. They are fragile and will break easily. Here are some things to remember:
1. When carrying your instrument, hold it by the neck.
2. The bow should be held by the frog.
3. Make sure not to touch the hair of the bow.
4. Tighten and loosen your bow hair daily, using the bow screw.
5. Check your bridge often to make sure it is straight. Please see Mrs. Wesoloski if you need a bridge adjustment.
6. Always place your instrument back in its case when not playing it
SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS
The school owns some instruments that are available for student use. The orchestra director will issue these instruments. Students using school-owned instruments will be given an instrument loan contract form. Students should report any problems with these instruments immediately to Mrs. Wesoloski. Cello players may use a school cello for class and keep their cello at home for practicing and concerts. Each student should own or be renting an instrument.
INSTRUMENT STORAGE
Violin and viola players will store their instruments in the orchestra storage room. Instruments should be in their designated spot when not being used. All cases should be clearly marked with the student’s name, and phone number inside. Cello and bass players will be using a school owned instrument during class, and should treat it as their own. Storage space is designated for each instrument and bow. Please remember to put in the end pin, loosen the bow hair, and return it to its proper spot.
Music Patron Drive
September 23– October 4
Wednesday, December 4th
Holiday Concert – 7th and 8th Grade Bands, 7th Grade Orchestra 7:00 PM
Tuesday, December 10th
Holiday Concert – 9th Grade Band, 8th and 9th Grade Orchestras 7:00 PM
Tuesday, December 17th
Holiday Choir Concert 7:00 PM
Friday, December 20th (Tentative)
Holiday Assembly 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Saturday, February 1st
OMEA District Iv High School Solo & Ensemble (9th grade conflict date)
Location TBA
Friday & Saturday, March 7 & 8
OMEA High School Large Group Contest-9th Grade Band
Location/Date TBA
Thursday, March 13th
Winter Choir Concert 7:00 PM
Thursday, March 20th
7/8 Winter Band Concert 7:00 PM
Thursday, April 3rd
Berea City Schools Orchestra Festival Concert 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 12th
OMEA District IV Junior High Solo & Ensemble Contest
Location TBA
Thursday, May 8th
Spring Band Concert 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 15th
Spring Orchestra Concert 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 22nd
Spring Choral Concert 7:00 PM
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA
CONTRACT OF AGREEMENT 2013-14
I have read the Orchestra Handbook and agree to support the policies and procedures found within.
Student’s Name (please print)
______
Parent’s Name (Please Print)
______
Class 7th 8th 9th
Student’s Signature______
Parent’s Signature______
Parent’s Phone #______
Parent’s E-Mail (Please Print) ______