CHURCHILL
5th GRADE ORCHESTRA
Student and Parent Handbook
2017 – 2018
Sara White, director
Classroom Expectations:
Respect Responsibility Routine Reputation
- Respect everyone and their property. The positive behavior and efforts from the ensemble will show when representing the school and entire city of Homewood.
- No gum, candy, food, or drinks in the classroom.
- Be prepared for class. Bring your homework, pencil, music, instruments, and accessories.
- Students are expected to practice individual parts at home. School rehearsal is the time for the higher aspects of music, such as balance, blend, dynamics, and fine-tuning.
- Instruments should go home on a daily basis. Daily practice is essential!
- Students who miss lessons or rehearsals will miss learning. If children are not present, they are not learning what is needed for their success.
- Ask Mrs. White questions at any time to clarify any of the expectations or other orchestra-related items.
Performance Expectations:
Students are expected to be present for all concerts and other playing opportunities listed with the important dates. If a student is unable to attend an event, it must be excused by Mrs. White at least TWO WEEKS ahead of time and an alternate assignment may be required. Student’s concert dress is as follows:
Concert Attire
· Churchill music polo, PLAIN black dress pants (no designs, stripes, sequence, lace of any kind is acceptable), PLAIN knee-length black socks, and PLAIN black dress shoes (no athletic shoes, high heels, or sandals).
* This attire is expected from all students. If you are unable to provide these items for the concerts, please inform Mrs. White THREE WEEKS before the first concert.
* Students need to arrive to the concert approximately 45 to 60 minutes before performance time for tuning and warm-up Information will be sent home before each concert. Please respect this time expectation since there are many students involved in the concert performing. Grades may be affected if students are late.
Attendance Expectations:
All students are expected to attend all lessons and rehearsals. Failure to do so will result in the following:
1st - Email communication to parents and loss of points
2nd - Phone conference with parents and loss of points
3rd - Conference in person with parents and child to develop student improvement plan and loss of points
TARDY = no more than 20 minutes late (partial loss of points)
ABSENT = more than 20 minutes late
EXCUSED = according to school definition for attendance or approved by the director
Orchestra Grades :
Grades within the orchestra classroom will work as in any other curricular classroom. Grades are handed out every 12 weeks. On the third, sixth, and ninth week, Mrs. White will send home a student summary report which must be signed and returned for a homework grade. Students have the right, at any time, to inquire about their grades. Please allow 24 hours for grades to be up-dated. Parents may call at anytime to inquire about their student’s grades with the same respect of a 24-hour up-date period. There are six categories in which students will earn their grades. Each area is outlined below with the percentage included.
- Performance 20% - this area is designed to reward the students that participate in the concerts at a 100% level. This grade includes dress, arriving on time, behavior, participation during the performance, and prepared with supplies.
- Homework 10% - there will be homework assigned occasionally. Students should be prepared to have a small notebook and pencil daily for in-class work and to write down assignments.
- Lesson Attendance 15% - a student’s participation in their weekly lessons is essential to their music education. When children are absent, they are excused from school, including their lessons. Students should inform Mrs. White in the morning if they have a test during their lesson time and arrange a make-up lesson for that same day. Lessons cannot be made up after the day of their scheduled lesson.
- Practice Reports 15% - Practicing is a vital part of your student’s music instruction and we continue to expect daily practicing at home so students are prepared musically for rehearsal. Children have to turn in their practice reports weekly AT LESSONS. Failure to do so will result in a change of grades.
- Tests and Quizzes 20% - students will be required to perform written and playing tests. Playing tests, just as it sounds, are a request by the teacher to check a section of music during lesson time, especially within a couple of weeks of a performance. The students will be informed of these sections the day before or sooner. Quizzes are unannounced brief tests (playing or written) during class time or lessons.
- Attitude and Effort 20% - this is the single most important aspect of the grades for the students. Every 2 – 3 weeks, the students will be evaluated on their everyday attendance, attitude, and effort. Students who do not attend lessons or rehearsals will receive loss of points.
* Any and all late work will not accepted after one week.
Class Grading Scale:
100% - 90% = A
89% - 80% = B
79% - 70% = C
69% - 60% = D
59% - 0% = F
Private Lesson Instructors
We FULLY encourage all students to seek private instruction.
Below is a list of teachers available in the area.
Violin
- Tai Fraction -
- Ann Koranda – 206-0586
- Al Joseph 207-5643
- Suzanne Rickman 799-7095
- Marcia Alban 748-6950
- Megan Gehardstein 815-469-6074
- Margaret Caraher 219-838-2943 (Munster, Ind)
Viola
- Tai Fraction -
- Ann Koranda – 206-0586
- Marcia Alban 748-6950
- Margaret Caraher 219-838-2943 (Munster, Ind)
Cello
- Bob Hauser (Flossmoor Community Church) 895-0458
- Ryan Koranda () 528-4612
- Ingrid Krizan 206-0697
Bass
- Ruth Archer 957-5117
- Pat Romane 206-0697
Harp
- Claire Happel – see Mrs. White for contact information
Churchill Orchestra
Schedule of Events:
Sep. 18 – PMA meeting 6:30pm
Oct. 16 – 6:30 PMA meeting
*Oct. 24 – 5th – 8th grade Orchestra Yearbook Pictures 6 pm @ James Hart
*Oct. 24 – 5th – 8th grade Fall Orchestra Concert 7:00 pm @ James Hart (student arrive by 6:00)
Nov. 13 – PMA meeting 6:30pm
Jan. 29 – PMA meeting 6:30pm
Feb. 12 – PMA meeting 6:30pm
Mar. 19 – PMA meeting 6:30pm
Apr. 16 – PMA meeting 6:30pm
*May 3 – 4th - 8th Grade Spring Orchestra Concert 7:00 pm @ Hart (student arrive at 6:15)
May 21 – PMA meeting 6:30pm
* = REQUIRED
(Cut bottom portion and return to Mrs. White)
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I have read the handbook and schedule of events. I will support and will follow the expectations for Orchestra members. In addition, I understand the commitments for the above dates.
Parent Signature ______Email: ______
Most emails are via the parent portal
Student Signature ______
*This is the first homework assignment, students. Complete and return to Mrs. White by Friday, September 22, 2017.