BISD Orchestra Handbook
2016-2017
North Belton Middle School
Lake Belton Middle School
South Belton Middle School
Directors
Ann Woodard
Lake Belton & North Belton Middle Schools
Lydia Christensen
South Belton Middle School
John Fairlie
Assistant, all BISD Middle Schools
BISD Orchestra Handbook
2016-2017
This handbook is designed to be a standard for organization and operational procedures for the expanding orchestra program in Belton schools. Students and Directors must exhibit the highest professional standards at all times for the orchestra program to continue the successful growth we are now experiencing in BISD.
The mission of the BISD Orchestra program is to teach values such as respect, class, work ethic, teamwork, while providing students with positive life experiences and leadership through the pursuit of excellence in Fine Arts.
Students and Parents should read this handbook, as it is a valuable tool to ensure the continued success of the orchestra program.
John Fairlie, Orchestra Director (BHS)
Assistant Director, all BISD Middle Schools
254.215.2828
Ann Woodard, Orchestra Director (LBMS & NBMS)
254.215.2926
Lydia Christensen, Orchestra Director (SBMS & BHS)
254.215.3076
Table of Contents
Orchestra Calendar ……………………..5
Supply Checklist………………………. .6
Instruments……………………………. .6
Instrument Storage ……………………..7
Orchestra Room & Practice Room …..…7
Expectations…………………………… 7
Consequences………………………….. 7
Grading Policies……………………….. 8
Tips for Success……………………….. 8
Practice …………………………………8
Practice Records………………………...9
Concert Dress Code ………...…………..9
Attendance Policy.…………………….10
Eligibility………………………………10
UIL Concert & SR Contest…………... 11
Parent Drop-Off & Pick-Up…....……...11
Spring Trip………………………..…. 11
Communication……………………… 12
FORMS TO RETURN TO DIRECTOR
Orchestra Handbook Agreement Form …………13
Orchestra Polo Shirt Order Form………………..14
Contact Information Form………………………..15
Rental Agreement……………………………….....16
2016-2017 Orchestra Calendar
August 2016
24th Wednesday- All Supplies due in class (see supply list)
September 2016
13th Tuesday – High School Performances @ Open House in the
BHS 9 Cafeteria 5:30 p.m. (tentative – subject to change)
14th Wednesday - First $50 payment due (if renting BISD instrument)
October 2016
8th Saturday- High School Region orchestra auditions @ Temple HS
12th Wednesday- Second $50 payment due (if renting BISD instrument)
20th Thursday- NBMS/SBMS Fall Concert @ NBMS 7 p.m.
22nd Saturday- Middle School Region orchestra auditions @ Harker Hts. HS
24th Monday- BHS/LBMS Fall Concert @ PAC 7 p.m.
29th Saturday- High School All-State orchestra recording auditions @ AMCHS
December 2016
6th Tuesday- LBMS/SBMS Holiday Concert @ SBMS 7 p.m.
8th Thursday- BHS/NBMS Holiday Concert @ PAC 7 p.m.
10th Saturday- HS/MS All Region Clinic/Concert @ Baylor
January 2017
28th Saturday- HS UIL Solo & Ensemble Competition @ Harker Hts. HS
February 2017
6th Monday- MS/HS Pre-UIL Benchmark Concert @ PAC 7 p.m.
24th Friday- MS/HS UIL @ Temple High School
April 2017
7th Friday MS/HS Solo and Ensemble Competition @ SBMS
May 2017
2nd Tuesday- NBMS/LBMS Spring Concert @ NBMS 7 p.m.
4th Thursday- BHS/SBMS Spring Concert @ PAC 7 p.m.
June 2017
1st Thursday- Graduation (BHS orchestras perform) @ Expo Ctr. 2 p.m.
NOTE: Event times/locations subject to change!
Supply Checklist
All supplies are due by Wednesday, August 24
1. Instrument
2. Pencil
3. Composition book
4. Method Books – note which book(s) are required for each class:
Beginning Orchestra: Essential Elements for Strings by Allen,
Gillespie and Hayes (Book 1 in the Fall, Book 2 in Spring)
Intermediate Orchestra: Essential Elements for Strings Book 2 AND
Essential Technique for Strings by Allen, Gillespie and Hayes
Advanced Orchestra: Essential Technique for Strings by Allen, Gillespie
and Hayes
5. 1” Black Binder
6. Spare Strings (suggested)
7. Music Stand (for home practice)
8. Clean Cloth (piece of an old, clean t-shirt, washcloth, or handkerchief)
9. Shoulder Rest (violin and viola only – SUMI recommended)
10. Rock Stop (cello and bass only)
11. Rosin (to be kept in instrument case)
Instruments
All students are encouraged to rent or purchase their own instruments. Listed below are stores we highly recommend and have approved as our instrument vendors.
The Band Room Lisle Violin Shop
2805 N Loop 121 4510 Burke Rd.
Belton, TX 76513 Pasadena, TX 77504
254-939-6200 281-487-7303 or 800-545-4553
All students playing an instrument owned by Belton ISD will be required to pay a maintenance fee of $100 per year. There will be a limited number of violins/violas available under special circumstances. The fee is intended to help offset a small part of the normal repair and upkeep cost of these expensive school owned instruments.
Students are encouraged to rent or purchase their own instruments. At least one week before the last day of school the instruments MUST be checked in (returned) at the school.
Instrument usage fee can be paid in two separate installments of $50 each (Sept. 9th- first payment due, October 14th- second payment due). Checks should be made out to BISD.
All fees are non-refundable. If a student moves or is no longer part of the orchestra program, they will not receive a refund. All orchestra students that use a school-owned instrument will be responsible for paying the full fee regardless of the enrollment date.
Students will not be denied from playing an instrument because they are unable to pay this fee. Contact the orchestra director if you need assistance.
Instrument Storage (if available)
Each student will have a locker assigned (if available) to him or her for his or her instrument and orchestra supplies. Use of a lock is required. Lockers are for storage of instruments and music only. Please keep schoolbooks, coats, athletic wear, etc. in other appropriate locations.
Orchestra & Practice Room
These are your rooms to use! Show respect and pride by keeping them neat and clean.
1. No food, drinks, or gum allowed in orchestra room or ensemble/practice rooms
2. Keep orchestra locker clean and neat
3. No writing on stands, chairs, walls, lockers, etc.
4. Only orchestra students are allowed in the orchestra room at any time
Expectations
- Be on time.
- Follow directions.
- When interacting with others, check body language, voice tone and words (Be Positive)
4. Have your instrument and all supplies necessary to play your instrument. PENCIL!
- No gum, food or drink is allowed in the orchestra rehearsal room.
6. Clipped fingernails on the left hand*
*Left hand fingernails must be kept short enough for students to use the tips of their fingers when holding down the string on the fingerboard. For most people, this means that the fingernails should not extend beyond the tip of the finger. Artificial or acrylic fingernails should not be worn.
Consequences
If rules are not followed there will be consequences including:
1. Warning
2. Parent phone call
3. Office referral
4. Severe consequences might include being excluded from extracurricular activities or removal from the program
Middle School Grading Policy
60% Major Grade:
The major grades are made up of a combination of assigned written quizzes, playing exams, tests, and concerts. The Director will notify the students at least one week in advance of all quizzes or exams. Quizzes may be either a playing quiz or written quiz.
40% Minor Grade:
The minor grades are made up of daily participation in class, individual playing checks, and practice records.
Concerts:
Concerts are a major test grade. A grade will be assigned according to the student’s performance. All students are required to stay for the entire concert. No student is permitted to leave early without director’s permission or 20 points will be deducted from the concert grade.
Tips for a Successful Year in Orchestra
· Always be prepared for class
1. Instruments and parts (shoulder rest, rosin, rock stop)
2. Orchestra binder and method book
3. Pencil
4. Practice assignment sheet
· Practice
1. Set a goal when you practice
2. Pick a daily time to practice and stick to it
3. Eliminate distractions
4. Use a music stand
5. Practice with good posture, always listening for a beautiful sound, musical expression, and accurate intonation
6. Start practicing slow and work up to the actual tempo
Practice
Individual home practice is an important part of any musician’s learning process. It is very important to our orchestra that effort is being made by each student for learning individual parts outside of the classroom. Class meetings and rehearsals are not to be used as a practice session, but as time for working out ensemble concerns. Just as in any other class, if there is a problem in the music that you cannot handle, please talk to your orchestra director.
Practice Records
Students must practice regularly to improve on their instruments and to achieve a continuing level of success. Practice marathons do not achieve the same positive results as practicing distributed over several days. Therefore, it is suggested that you try to divide your practice time over the entire week rather than crowd it into one or two days.
Students are expected to turn in a practice record on Friday of each week. Your individual practice should include time spent practicing class assignments and private lesson assignments (if applicable). Parents will need to sign the practice record to help verify that you did indeed practice the amount of time that you have recorded. You are on your honor to be truthful about the number of minutes that you write down. Academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action.
Below are the points received for the total minutes practiced in a one-week period. Practice records, signed by a parent, are due every Friday or Monday.
100 minutes=100 points, 80 minutes=90 points, 60 minutes=80 points, etc.
Ten points will be deducted if no parent signature is present.
Concert Dress Code
Middle School Boys:
Orchestra polo shirt (We will be ordering these in early September, and there will be a $20 fee for purchase.)
Black pants (no jeans or cargo pants)
Black shoes & Black Socks
Middle School Girls:
Orchestra polo shirt (We will be ordering these in early September, and there will be a $20 fee for purchase.)
Black pants (no jeans or cargo pants) or Black skirt (must be over knee when sitting down)
Black shoes
Black or skin tone stockings (optional)
Attendance Policy
Orchestra activities are planned so that the least amount of activities will conflict. All students are encouraged to participate in as many activities as they wish, but at the same time, orchestra members are required to participate in all orchestra events, rehearsals and performances - remembering that a grade is given for each event.
IMPORTANT: In the event of a conflict, the student has the responsibility of submitting a signed note, email, or phone call from a parent or the appropriate teacher or sponsor stating the reason for the conflict. Notes that have not been submitted prior to two weeks before the orchestra event may not be considered. This note does not automatically excuse an absence. Each case is considered individually and privately according to its circumstances.
Eligibility
It is very important that each student maintains passing grades in all classes in addition to orchestra. If you are having trouble passing a class, please notify your conductor. We expect each member of the Belton Orchestra to do all the work necessary to pass all his or her classes. School performances (events held on a BISD campus) are required regardless of a student’s grades. UIL Contests/Extra-Curricular activities (events not held on a BISD campus and/or UIL events) are directly affected by students’ eligibility. All grades must be passing to attend contests and school orchestra trips (events outside of BISD)
UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Competition
(Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras Only)
This year each Belton Middle School Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra will compete in the annual UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Competition. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to work towards a common goal, stretch themselves musically, and receive feedback from other professional orchestra directors around the state of Texas.
However, this wonderful opportunity takes preparation and work on behalf of both the directors and students. 7th/8th grade students will be required to attend the Pre-UIL concert in early February to be eligible to participate in the competition.
If, in case of emergency or unavoidable scheduling conflict, please refer to the attendance policy above for instructions.
Parent Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Please take note of when students are scheduled to arrive for concerts and special events. Doors will be unlocked at the time indicated on the arrival sheet. Supervision prior to this time will not be provided.
Students are expected to be picked up from field trips and special events at the time indicated on the itenerary. Please make arrangements prior to the event if you forsee a conflict. If you have not picked up your child thirty minutes after the indicated finish time, the police will be called to come wait for you.
Spring Trip
To be eligible to participate in the end of the year orchestra/band/choir trip, students must:
1. Be academically eligible during the grading period of the trip. This is an extracurricular trip; therefore, students must have passed all classes (70+) on the fifth six weeks report card.
2. Return a signed permission slip, filled out completely
3. Be present and perform at all major/formal performances. These performances are graded and participation is mandatory.
* Please remember to communicate attendance conflicts with directors immediately. One absence may not be held against the student’s trip eligibility. A second missed major/formal performance will result in the loss of the privilege of participating in the Spring Trip.
Communication
NOTE: CHARMS may not be up and running at the beginning of the year. Please refer to your Handbook for the calendar, supply list, handouts and other information.
Charms Office- www.charmsoffice.com
This is a web-based program in which parents and students may view the orchestra calendar, view handouts, communicate with the director, etc. It also allows directors to contact students AND parents through e-mail.
· Log on to www.charmsoffice.com
· Locate the “Parent/Student Login” section of the web page
· Log-in to your child’s program account using the following login: School Code: BeltonOrch
· This will bring up the main parent page. This will allow you to look at your child’s orchestra calendar, supply list, handouts and other files