MJS
Orchestra HANDBOOK
2017-2018
Mrs. McCormick
MJS Orchestra: Your Questions Answered (hopefully!)
When is orchestra?
6th Grade: A Days – Monday, Wednesday, Thursday during 8th period.
7th Grade: B Days –Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday during 4th period.
8th Grade: A Days – Monday, Wednesday, Thursday during 4th period.
What if I’m in orchestra and chorus/band?
You will attend your other ensembles on opposite days and alternate on Wednesdays. If you are still unsure we will work out a schedule with band or chorus. Don’t Worry!
How many concerts will I have?
There are 3mandatory school concerts during the year. Our first concert is Wednesday, December 13th our second one is Wednesday May 2nd (District String festival) and our final concert is Wednesday, May 16th. Please note: YOU MUST ATTEND ALL CONCERTS!!!!
Select 6thand 7thgraders will have the opportunity to participate in the All-City Orchestra concert on March 28that MJS.7th and 8th grade orchestra students have traditionally participated in an adjudicated music festival in the spring.
What is the concert dress?
Girls: Knee length black skirt or black pants, black stockings, black shoes and a white blouse.
Boys: Black pants, black socks, black shoes and a white button down shirt with a long tie.
All concert attire should be dress code appropriate.
What about lessons?
You will have lessons once a week on a rotating basis. Schedules will be posted on the music bulletin board as well as outside the orchestra room door. I will also be giving you an individual copy.
What if I can’t come to my lesson?
The only reasons for missing a lesson are for a full period test or a lab and you need to let me know ahead of time or bring a note from your teacher. Quizzes should be made up at lunch, before or after school. If you simply fail to show up for your lesson it will hurt your lesson grade.
Do I still have to fill out a practice sheet?
YES!For 6th and 7th graders I will check your practice sheets at your lesson and it WILL be a part of your grade. 8th graders WILL NOT have to fill out a practice sheet but will complete practice challenges during their lesson to receive a grade.
How much do you recommend I practice?
6th grade: 100 minutes a week over 6 days (a little over 16 minutes a day)
7th grade: 120 minutes a week over 6 days (20 minutes a day)
How am I graded?
You will receive a letter grade for being in orchestra. Your grade is determined by:
Practicing 10%
Lesson Performance/Attendance 20%
Orchestra Performance and Concert Attendance 40%
Tests (playing and written) 20%
Behavior/Effort/Attitude 10%
Please note that if you have an unexcused absence from a concert (determined by the teacher and/or administration), 20 points will be deducted from your overall grade. You can choose to do a make-up assignment to regain 10 of those points. If you have an excused absence from a concert, you will need to do a make-up assignment and points will NOT be deducted from your grade.
You also may receive extra credit by attending a live musical performance of any kind. You must bring me a program (or ticket stub) as well as a performance attendance form which I will supply. You will receive 1 point added on to your overall grade (up to 3 per marking period) for each live musical performance you attend.
Where do I sit for concerts?
Your concert seat/and solo opportunities will be determined by a combination of your marking period performance test 70%, practice record 10%, lessons 10% and behavior/effort/attitude 10%.
Are there any honors groups?
Yes. There are 2 groups which you have the opportunity to participate in. The first is the Morris Union Jointure Commission Orchestra which is open to 6-8 graders and acceptance is based on teacher recommendation. The second is Region orchestra which is for 7-9 graders. Acceptance is based upon audition only. Region orchestra for music is like All-State for sports.
Where do I keep my instrument?
All instruments should be kept in the orchestra room or your school locker during the day. Violins and violas will be assigned a numbered spot on the instrument racks. Cellos and basses will most likely be able to use school instruments and will be assigned a number as well. All personal instruments MUST be labeled with your first and last name!
Where do I keep my orchestra music?
You will have an assigned orchestra folder which you will share with your stand partner. These folders will be kept in the orchestra room and should never be brought home as they will contain only the original copies of your concert music. You will also receive an individual lesson folder which you should take home for practice and bring back to school whenever you have your lesson. Your lesson folder should contain copies of your orchestra music, your lesson book and your practice calendar.
Where can I fix my instrument or buy supplies?
Elefante MusicThe Music Shop Music and Arts Center (Victor’s)
1790 Springfield Ave.56 Fanny Road 762 N. State Rt. 17
Springfield, NJ 07974Boonton, NJ 07005 Paramus, NJ 07652
908-464-5928973-334-8484 201-444-9800
The 3 B’s to Getting an “A” in Orchestra
e On Time, e Prepared, ehave
Be On Time – Arrive at orchestra no later than 3 minutes after you leave your last period. Once I close the door anybody still in the hallways without a pass from another teacher OR not sitting in their appropriate seat ready to begin when I step up to conduct will have a detention with me after school the same day until 3:00.
Be Prepared – You need to come to rehearsal with your instrument, music and a pencil. There is no excuse for not having your music as your orchestra folder should never be taken home. If you come to orchestra unprepared without a valid, written excuse from a parent points will be deducted from your grade and you may be sent to TOR depending if you are a chronic offender.
Behave Appropriately – I will not tolerate excessive talking, playing, bad attitudes or any other kind of misconduct in my class. I expect you to give your best effort 100% of the time. We cannot have effective rehearsals when I constantly have to monitor disruptive behavior.
Below is a rundown of how various offenses affect your grade:
Being Late =Detention and 5 points deducted from your “orchestra” grade
Forgetting your lesson (within a marking period)
(1st time) = reminder
(2nd, 3rd, 4th etc.) = 5 points deducted from your lesson grade each time
Being Unprepared (points deducted within a marking period)
(1st offense) = warning
(2nd offense and on) = 1 point for pencil, 3 for music, 5 for instrument (points accumulate)
Behavior (points deducted within a marking period)
(1st offense) = Verbal warning and name on board
(2nd offense) = 3 points deducted from BOTH your “orchestra” and “behavior/effort/attitude” grade
(3rd offense) = Detention and 5 points deducted from BOTH your “orchestra” and “behavior/effort/attitude” grade
(4th offense) = TOR and 10 points deducted from BOTH your “orchestra” grade and “behavior/effort/attitude” grade, a phone call will be made home
***Point deductions double if you forget your lesson the day of a test or during any orchestra rehearsal deemed a “dress rehearsal”.
Please note: If your orchestra grade drops to a 70 or below and/or you have 3 or more TOR’s you may not be able to play in the concert which could result in a failing grade.
Remember….EVERYONE begins each marking period with an A!!!!!!
Keep it that way!
As a student, I have read and understand the information, rules and expectations in the MJS OrchestraHandbook and will promise to give my best effort as a musician.
Student______
Date______
As a parent, I have read and understand the information, rules and expectations of my child as a member of the MJS Orchestra and will do my best to encourage my child in their musical studies.
Parent______
Date______