THE NATION’S #1 ORCHESTRA

CLASSROOM

Students are expected to actively participate in class every day with their own instruments, music, and supplies. If students do not feel well enough to fully participate in all orchestra activities during class, they may be sent to the office to call for someone to pick them up from school. Students participating each day with all of their supplies will earn 100% credit toward their daily grade in orchestra.  The daily grade is a percentage of the nine weeks report card grade. Required supplies include instrument, case and luggage tag to identify instrument, music book, binder (with sheet protectors) containing all concert music, solos, and exercises, shoulder rest or rock stop, rosin, cleaning cloth, pencil, and any assigned class work or homework that is due. Violins and violas should have an extra set of strings in their case, and cellos should have an extra “A” string in case a string breaks at school and there is no time for parents to get to a music store immediately.

Instruments and supplies, including music and music books may be stored in the orchestra room. Please be aware that the orchestra storage space is not 100% secure. All instrument cases should be tagged with the student’s name because many instrument cases look alike. Accessories should be labeled as well.

GRADING

Nine weeks grades will be based on a combination of daily class participation (including bringing all orchestra equipment and supplies every day), supervised practice, practice at home, after school rehearsals, playing tests, written work, and performances.  Assignments and performing requirements will vary each nine weeks. Students and parents will be notified of the requirements in advance. Daily Grades will begin immediately for all students.

AFTER-SCHOOL PRACTICES AND REHEARSALS

I am planning to have after-school practice every Wednesday and Thursday afternoons 2:15-3:30. These practice times are for individual practice, small group rehearsal, and more individualized guidance and attention from the teacher. Students are expected to be on their best behavior; wandering the halls will not be tolerated. After-school practices are not required.

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ORCHESTRA CLASSROOM RULES

1. Follow all school-wide and grade-specific policies and procedures.

2. Remain in your seat at all times. Move, speak, or play only when directed by the teacher.

3. Wait patiently for individual help. Respect the needs of others.

4. Only pick up or touch items that belong to you.

Please refer to the Snowden School Student Handbook for details about earning conduct grades. Students with continuing conduct problems will not be invited to represent the Orchestra at special events or performances outside of class time.

PERFORMANCES

All orchestra performances are required and will be a major part of the nine weeks grade in which the performance takes place. Students are expected to be present for the entire performance and dressed in the appropriate attire. (See section about uniform below.)

ABSENCES AND SCHEDULE CONFLICTS

Absences from required rehearsals, performances, and other events will not be excused unless ample advance notice is given in writing and the reason is one that the school would also excuse.  Missing an event due to not having a ride is not considered an excused absence. 

Parents are asked to consider the Orchestra schedule when making doctor and other appointments. Ample notice will be given for our activities. Students enrolled in a Germantown High School performing ensemble are expected to have the extra time available when necessary.

UNIFORM

The casual uniform will be black pants and orchestra shirt. The formal/dress uniform will be “concert black”. This means black dress, blouse and skirt or dress pants for ladies with black or dark hose and black shoes. Gentlemen will wear black tuxedo, black socks and shoes. Families are expected to shop for the required attire individually, except for the orchestra shirt.

In addition, all students must keep their fingernails short on the left hand in order to properly place the fingers on the instrument and to play in tune. Mr. Perry will keep nail clippers in the orchestra room, but students are encouraged to take care of this business outside of class time. Ladies may wear add-on nails, but they must also be kept short.

ORCHESTRA EXPENSES

Orchestra families are expected to provide students with all necessary accessories and supplies. Please see the attached equipment list for other necessary supplies for students of string instruments.

Orchestra shirt - $20.00

All-West Audition - $10.00

Solo & Ensemble - $10.00

Concert Festival - $5.00

New music - $25.00

Total orchestra dues - $70.00. Each part of the dues can be paid separately, but students who pay the entire amount by September 30, 2015 may participate in field trips and special performances. Grades will not be affected by receipt of the orchestra dues.

Field trips will have their own costs associated with them.

SCHOOL INSTRUMENTS

Students are encouraged to acquire their own instruments. SCS instruments will be available to students who need them on a first-come-first-served basis until we have no more instruments to assign. The fee for using a SCS instrument is $20.00, and the student will have use of the instrument for the entire school year. Students using school instruments will be expected to provide the instruments with proper care. The cost of repair for damage to an instrument through mishandling or negligence of any kind will be carried by the student’s family.