Dear Sixth Grade Orchestra Students and Parents:
Welcome to the Crews Middle School Orchestra! This handbook contains very valuable information and will prove to be a helpful guide for defining the expectations that will help keep the Crews Orchestra a quality musical organization. Keep it handy and refer to it often!
Orchestra is a Co-Curricular activity. Students are in an academic class during the school day and they will also have a limited number of rehearsals and concerts after the school day. In order for your child to receive the best possible musical experience, attendance at rehearsals and concerts is mandatory.
The success of our program depends on responsibility, dependability, dedication, and working toward musical improvement. It is the goal of the directors to produce an outstanding orchestra, and with each person working together and doing his or her part, we can achieve this goal. We look forward to meeting all families and working with each of you to make this a great year for our Orchestra program.
This handbook explains what is expected of a member of the Crews Middle School Orchestra. Please return the colored pages of this handbook to the directors by Friday, September 30. This will indicate to us the receipt of this handbook and an understanding of the Orchestra expectations.
We are looking forward to a great year in Orchestra!!
Sincerely,
Kinsey Edwards Ashley Yoo
Orchestra Director Orchestra Director
FORMS TO BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO ORCHESTRA DIRECTORS BY FRIDAY, September 30, 2016: Please go to MYPAYMENTPLUS to make payments.
· All - “I have read this Handbook” Form (Yellow)
· All – “Shirt Order Form and Orchestra Donation Form (Pink)
· All Cello and Bass players – sign and return Instrument Maintenance Agreement Form (Blue)
· Those who are interested and willing – Parent Volunteer Information Sheet (Green)
COURSE INFORMATION
TEACHERS: Mrs. Kinsey Edwards and Mrs. Ashley Yoo
MATERIALS: Core Text: Essential Elements for Strings Book I, supplemental materials, orchestral literature, and teacher made materials.
COURSE OUTLINE
Many skills and concepts will be introduced and/or developed by means of orchestral and chamber literature appropriate to the needs and abilities of the students. Orchestra will cover the GCPS AKS as well as additional skills and concepts as outlined in the Indicators of Achievement. The Orchestra AKS and Indicators of Achievement can be found on your child’s Orchestra e-class page.
GRADES
Grading will be based on the directors’ evaluation of student work in class and during performances, with emphasis on daily participation, preparation for performances, and progress in playing skills. Required out-of-class activities, as stipulated by the teacher, will determine a portion of the student's grade. Grades will be determined as follows:
· 40% Classroom Assessments (ex. rehearsal competencies, daily work, homework, etc.)
· 50% Summative Assessments (ex. tests, projects)
· 10% Comprehensive Final Exams (ex: concerts)
CONDUCT
As a member of the Orchestra, students are a visible reflection of themselves, the orchestra, the school, and our community. Exemplary behavior is expected from all orchestra members. Inappropriate behavior in this connections class can result in personal injury, damage to expensive instruments, and can delay the development and progress of our ensemble.
EXPECTATIONS FOR CONDUCT
1. Enter class quietly and be seated as quickly as possible.
2. Bring materials to class everyday – instrument, music binder, pencil, agenda book
3. Respect self, others, and others’ property.
4. Follow all directions of faculty and staff the first time they are given.
5. Observe all rules in the student handbook.
INTERVENTIONS FOR INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT
The Crews Middle School discipline policy as outlined in the student handbook and agenda book will be followed in orchestra class.
INCENTIVES FOR APPROPRIATE CONDUCT
1. Performance opportunities in the school and in the community.
2. Social events outside of the school day, such as the YMCA Lock-In.
3. Field trips to perform at Festival and other possible field trips.
PRACTICE
Students are required to practice to improve individual skills and to be a contributing member of this Orchestra. Practice may be defined as "achieving the greatest amount of technical and musical improvement in the least amount of time.” Difficult measures, lines, or passages must be carefully analyzed. Play each passage slowly at first, drilling it until it is learned. Playing entire pieces through without practicing them carefully is a waste of time. You will play as well as you practice, and the better you practice, the better our Orchestra will be. Here are some practice strategies:
· Find a quiet place.
· Check your assignment.
· Use a metronome to practice slowly and steadily.
· Strive for playing the measures correctly 5 times in a row.
· Play the entire section including the difficult passage. Use the metronome to help keep you steady.
EXTRA HELP TIME: The directors will be available to help individual students in the mornings before school. Please get a pass from the orchestra teachers the day before you want to come in for extra help.
MATERIALS – please have in class every day and at concerts!!!
· Instrument and horsehair bow (not synthetic hair) in good playing condition.
· A properly fitted shoulder rest is REQUIRED for all violinists and violists.
· Orchestra Folder and pencil to be kept in book bag.
· Accessories: Soft cloth for cleaning instrument after each use
Extra strings - don’t get caught without them!
Cellists and Bassists: rockstop or other endpin rest
Rosin
MAINTENANCE OF INSTRUMENTS
It is imperative that instruments be maintained in what is called "playing condition". This includes the instrument having four strings at all times. You should always have a spare set of strings in your case so that there is no loss of practice time or class participation. Your teachers are available before homeroom begins to replace a broken string on your instrument. Bows should be re-haired at least annually. From time to time other repairs may be necessary. If you are renting the instrument, it is best to contact the store from which the instrument is being rented. Be sure to enroll in the damage insurance policy when you rent an instrument. Exposing an instrument to extremes of heat and cold can cause the instrument to crack. Leaving an instrument in a hot car can damage the varnish. Leaving an instrument in a cold trunk overnight can cause it to come apart at the seams. Good judgment is very important in preventing damage and costly repairs. Please let Mrs. Edwards or Mrs. Yoo see your instrument before taking it in for repairs. We might be able to save you time and money!!!
SCHOOL-OWNED CELLO/BASS MAINTENANCE DONATION
A $60.00 donation ($30.00 per semester) is requested by the Gwinnett County Board of Education (preferably at the beginning of the school year) to help cover normal maintenance and repair of county-owned cellos and basses played during the school day. This donation to the Orchestra program will help keep the instrument that your child is using during the school day in "excellent playing condition” - a prerequisite for success while learning to play an instrument. Repairs due to damage or neglect will be the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian of the student. Further information and the agreement form are attached (Blue Sheet).
PARENT SUPPORT
The Alton C. Crews Orchestra is in need of parent support to facilitate various functions of the orchestra. Volunteers are welcomed throughout the year. Parents are needed to aid with fundraising, chaperoning, uniform fittings, hospitality, concert set-up, and concert clean up. If you are interested in volunteering throughout the year, please complete and return the volunteer information sheet included in the handbook (Green Sheet). All families are encouraged to donate $20.00 per school year to the Orchestra Program. This contribution is used to provide equipment, music, and supplies and can be made on mypaymentsplus.com. Please sign up to help your child’s orchestra on the pink Monies collected checklist at the end of this handbook. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!!
YMCA LOCK-IN
The CMS Orchestra program will have its all night Lock-in Party at the YMCA on Sugarloaf Parkway. Students look forward to this Orchestra social event. Parents, please consider serving as a chaperone for this event. More information about this event will be sent home at a later date.
FUNDRAISER
In October, the Orchestra sponsors our annual fund raiser. Students sell various candy/food and gift items to earn money for their orchestra program. We encourage all to support their Orchestra Program!!!!
PERFORMANCES
Performances permit the students to share what they have learned with the public. Concerts have two major purposes. The first purpose is for the student to learn to interpret music for public performance while demonstrating technical growth and the expression of the musical language. The second purpose is for the student to experience music with an educated ear. Listening with full comprehension is as important as the playing of music. Most of us are listeners and a goal of music education is to develop better, more complete listening skills in our students. A student who hears with a trained ear listens with more depth. Remember, listen to learn; learn to listen.
ATTENDANCE
An Orchestra performs at optimum with all members present. Every member’s attendance is important for the success of the Orchestra. Students are expected to be at all performances and after school rehearsals. Attendance at concerts is required and a grade is given for each performance. If your child must miss his/her concert performance, please send a note in advance. If a family emergency arises the day of the concert, a written note from the parent or guardian is required upon the student’s return to school. If a student has a concert emergency an alternate assignment will be given. It will be the student’s responsibility to turn this assignment in by the due date. Please refer to the Orchestra calendar in this handbook for concert dates!!
CONCERT DRESS
How the orchestra and its members appear to the audience at a live performance is a demonstration of appropriate concert etiquette. Students are required to wear uniforms for all orchestra concerts and performances during the 2016-2017 school year. 6th grade students are to wear their maroon orchestra shirt (order form is attached), black dress pants and closed toe black dress shoes. Please go to MYPAYMENTSPLUS to make payment.
RESPONSIBILTIES
Student responsibilities
Each student is expected to do the following:
· Be at the right place at the right time with the right equipment and the right attitude.
· Pay attention in class and be considerate of the rights of others to learn.
· Have a positive attitude and patience when success is not immediate.
· Approach the instrument in a serious manner.
· Remember that everything you do affects everyone else in the class.
· Write down assignments and practice.
· Read and take home all written communications.
· Keep fingernails trimmed so they are not beyond the tip of the finger. This will help to ensure an overall full and exemplary tone when playing your instrument.
Parent Responsibilities
Parents should do the following:
· Provide an instrument of recommended size and specifications, as well as music properly fitted shoulder rest and accessories (stand, metronome, etc.), to maximize success.
· Provide encouragement for student effort - let him/her give a concert for you.
· Provide private study and opportunities for professional concert attendance.
· Provide a quiet, private place and a set time for the student to practice assignments.
· Communicate with the teacher as soon as a problem develops.
· Help the student in his efforts to fulfill the responsibilities listed in the previous section and elsewhere in this handbook.
· Communicate to teachers as soon as possible any conflicts with concert schedule.
Teacher Responsibilities
The teacher will make every effort to do the following:
· Provide accurate technical information.
· Provide a learning environment filled with encouragement and excitement.
· Monitor the progress of each student and report it to the parents.
· Communicate to parents all necessary information concerning performances, rehearsals, etc., well in advance.
· Communicate to parents by phone as soon as possible in the event of any problem such as misbehavior in rehearsal, lack of practice, lack of effort, or loss of interest.
· Communicate to parents any concerns regarding the instrument or
other equipment or accessories.
CMS ORCHESTRA CALENDAR
October 14 Annual Orchestra Fund Raiser
all 6th / 7th / and 8th grade students
December 9 6A Winter Concert
8:00 PM
Wear Orchestra shirt, black dress pants, black socks, and black
dress shoes to school
all 6A students are required to attend
December 12 6B Winter Concert
8:00 PM
Wear Orchestra shirt, black dress pants, black socks, and black
dress shoes to school
all 6B students are required to attend
March 25 Violapaloosa
interested 6th / 7th / 8th grade viola students
Bay Creek MS
info will be sent home later in the year
April 29 GCPS Sixth Grade Honor Orchestra
selected 6th grade students
info will be sent home later in the year
May 15 6A Spring Concerts
8:00 PM
Wear Orchestra shirt, black dress pants, black socks, and black
dress shoes to school
all 6A students are required to attend
May 16 6A Spring Concerts
8:00 PM
Wear Orchestra shirt, black dress pants, black socks, and black
dress shoes to school
all 6B students are required to attend
****Detailed concert information will be sent home and will be posted on eClass prior to each concert.