Dear Orchestra Member and Parents

2016-2017

Dear Orchestra Member and Parents,

Welcome to the Brinckerhoff 5th Grade Orchestra. I am looking forward to working with you and having a fantastic year. What follows is a description of the policies and expectations for the orchestra and each individual participant. Please read through this packet.

♫  Why are the Arts important? (from NAfME)

1.  They are languages that all people speak—that cut across racial, cultural, social, educational, and economic barriers and enhance cultural appreciation and awareness.

2.  They are symbol systems as important as letters and numbers.

3.  They integrate mind, body, and spirit.

4.  They provide opportunities for self-expression, bringing the inner world into the outer world of concrete reality.

5.  They offer the avenue to “flow states” and peak experiences.

6.  They create a seamless connection between motivation, instruction, assessment, and practical application—leading to “deep understanding.”

7.  They make it possible to experience processes from beginning to end.

8.  They develop both independence and collaboration.

9.  They provide immediate feedback and opportunities for reflection

10.  They make it possible to use personal strengths in meaningful ways and to bridge into understanding sometimes difficult abstractions through these strengths.

11.  They merge the learning of process and content.

12.  They improve academic achievement—enhancing test scores, attitudes, social skills, critical and creative thinking.

13.  They exercise and develop higher order thinking skills including analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and “problem-finding.”

14.  They are essential components of any alternative assessment program.

15.  They provide the means for every student to learn.

♫  Orchestra – Orchestra will meet every Day 1from 2:00-2:40.

♫  Lessons – Viola, Cello and Bass lessons are on Day 1. Violin lessons are on day 2. (*violinists will need to bring their instruments on both day 1 and day 2) Please see the attached schedule. Lessons rotate so that students are not missing the same class every week. With the rotations students will miss the same subject once a month. The rotation might rotate through part of your lunch period. Please try to bring your lunch when this occurs. You should still have enough time to eat and come to lessons. If you do not have enough time to eat on a day lessons rotate through lunch you may come to one of the other 5th grade lessons that week.

♫  Expectations – It is expected that each student will show up to class, come prepared, and try their personal best. I understand that each student learns at a different rate and in different ways. All I am looking for is that every student try their personal best. If they do that everything else will fall into place. Also, by signing up for an instrument you have made a commitment to learn. I know that learning an instrument for the first time can be difficult at times. Please give things a chance and have patience. I ask that you wait until the Winter Concert before making any serious decisions about playing your instrument or deciding to leave the program.

♫  Attendance- Attendance in Orchestra, Lessons and our Concerts are extremely important. It is expected that you will attend each rehearsal, class and concert.

♫  Concerts- Our Winter Performance information will be announced in the near future. The Winter informance will be in January. The Spring Concert will be on Tuesday, May 17th at 7:00 PM at JJHS. Please put the concert dates in your calendar. We all work very hard throughout the year and our concerts are an opportunity to perform as a group and display what we have accomplished. All concerts are mandatory.

♫  Concert Dress – Please wear something nice. Please try to avoid wearing jeans and sneakers. The only thing that I ask is that the girls do not wear skirts above the knee. Since we will be performing up on a stage any skirts should be past the knee, or please wear pants.

♫  Prepared – Please come to every lesson and rehearsal prepared. Every lesson and orchestra you should have:

1.  your instrument

2.  your music/folder

3.  a pencil

4.  for violin/viola a shoulder rest

5.  for cello/bass a rockstop or cello strap

♫  Practice Chart – Every student is expected to fill out a practice chart. Every week day they will fill out how much time the practiced. The night before your lesson the chart should be signed by a parent, and then handed in at their lesson. The students should be practicing a minimum of 100 minutes a week. That is 20 minutes a day, for five days. It is also possible to practice more one day and less another, but it is much more efficient and effective to practice each day.

♫  Private Lessons – Students are not required to take private lessons. However, students receiving private instruction will tend to be better players. I highly recommend private lessons to any student who has an interest in excelling on their own instrument. Please see me for suggestions regarding private instruction.

♫  Purchasing an Instrument – Purchasing an instrument is a big decision. It is a commitment to playing for an extended period of time. Since buying an instrument is not a cheap endeavor it deserves a good deal of thought. There are many instruments out there that “look” great, but are not worth purchasing. Many times these instruments are difficult to play, break constantly, and are sometimes impossible to repair. I am happy to help in pointing you in the right direction regarding this big decision. Please let me know if and when this becomes a part of your interests.

♫  Supplies

o  instrument

o  shoulder rest/pad for violin and viola

o  rockstop or cello strap for cello and bass

o  an extra set of strings (just in case one breaks)

o  rosin (for the bow)

o  Essential Elements Book I

o  A folding music stand (to practice music with at home)

♫  Places to get supplies

o  Amadeus Strings

845-486-7617

o  Barcones Music

(845) 331-6089

o  Joseph Regh Violins

§  36 Sherwood Heights, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

§  phone # 297-2521

o  Stamell Strings

§  7 Garden St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

§  Phone # 845-337-3030

o  D&M

§  1367 Route 44, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569

§  phone # 635-1120

o  www.sharmusic.com (*highly recommended)

o  www.swstrings.com (*highly recommended)

I am always available and willing to talk about any issues you feel need discussing. If you have any questions about anything please feel free to contact me. J

Email: (fastest way to reach me)

Phone: John Jay HS – 897-6700 ext. 30066(best phone # to reach me at)

Brinckerhoff- 897-6800 ** Since I am only at Brinckerhoff on day 1, 2 and 5 in the afternoon, if you leave me a message at Brinckerhoff I will not get it right away. If you have an urgent matter and you need to get in touch with me please call at JJHS or email.

Thanks,

Mrs. Cupano J

Please detach and return)

I have read the orchestra course outline. I agree to come prepared and follow the set rules and guidelines stated in the syllabus.

______

(print student name) (print parent/guardian name)

______

(student signature) (parent/guardian signature)

______

(date signed) (date signed)

______

(parent phone number) (alt. phone number)

(parent email) please print

Do you currently take private string lessons?______

If yes, what is the name and number of your private teacher?

______

How long have you been taking lessons?

Do you play any other instruments? If yes what? ______

What are your favorite music/artists on your playlist right now?

What are your favorite activities?

What are your least favorite activities?

I learn most when the teacher…

I learn most when I…

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