Orchestra Handbook

Humble Middle School

Orchestra

2010-2011

STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK

Dear Families and Students:

Welcome back to all returning students, and congratulations for choosing orchestra to all new students! Orchestra is one of the most rewarding and exciting educational opportunities offered by our schools. The time you invest will reap fabulous benefits for you in years to come. Music education promotes teamwork, dedication, self-discipline and responsibility. These skills will prepare a child for a successful future in any profession he or she may choose. Studies have shown that participating in music learning will help your child develop his/her spatial reasoning skills, thereby improving his/her IQ. By continuing in orchestra through high school, your child will have opportunities to earn college scholarships. During the admissions process, many universities, including medical and law schools, look for participation in music activities as well.

I am very excited to get the year rolling. The beginning stages of playing may seem very difficult, but stick with it. Both the director and your families are with you every step of the way for support and encouragement. Everyone learns at their own rate. Even small steps are a step forward! Remember that practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect!

In this packet is information that explains to you and your child his/her responsibilities and opportunities as an HMS Orchestra Member. Please read over this material so that you are aware of these responsibilities, keeping in mind that many of them require a certain amount of time and effort on your part. At the bottom of the last page for signatures, you will find a place to put your information if you are available to assist with any activities. Orchestra is a performing art. According to the state required Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), students are required to perform as part of the orchestra curriculum.

The school has a limited supply of low strings (cello & bass) for use during school hours. These instruments will be assigned to you and signed for by a parent/guardian. Any damage becomes the sole responsibility of the student/parent. Due to the sizes of cellos and basses they are not allowed on the school bus, but violins and violas are fine for bringing onto school buses. I encourage all parents to check their home owner’s policy for coverage of instruments. If it does not cover musical instruments, you may purchase insurance through the following agency:

Music Agency, Inc.

P.O. Box 868

Arlington, TX76004-0868

1-800-421-1283

For violins and violas, you may obtain an instrument through any music store you choose, however Lisle Violin Shop of Houston and Music & ArtsCentercan provide you with the recommended supplies. In cases of extreme hardship, or with students on free and reduced lunch, please ask forinformation on obtaining an instrument through the school. Student instruments are not the responsibility of the director. Families will be responsible for returning, making payments, and buying supplies for student owned instruments.

Again, welcome back, and I hope you will feel free to contact me by phone at 281-641-4038 whenever necessary. You may also email your questions to me at . To the families, thank you for allowing your child to participate in one of the most universal forms of communication out there and a driving force for so many. Please sign the pending parent/student contract informing me of your commitment. Your child will receive a daily participation grade of 100 for returning the signed contract and medical information/travel form by Friday, September 10th.

Sincerely,

Raymiah Jackson, Director

Humble Middle School Orchestra

Office: 281-641-4038

Classroom Rules and Code of Conduct

Proper conduct and behavior in the classroom is essential to the musical success of the HMS orchestra. The success of all orchestra classes is determined by individual and group efforts. The discipline required to achieve this success must be of the highest standard. HMS orchestra class is conducted in a way that all students have the opportunity for success. Proper student behavior is expected at all times. HISD, HumbleMiddle School, and bus rules apply to all trips—HMS Orchestra members are expected to be respectful of bus drivers and sponsors. Poor conduct by an HMS Orchestra member during rehearsals, functions, or trips may result in the suspension of that individual from extra-curricular orchestra activities for the remainder of the year. The director reserves the right to make these decisions.

A student’s six-week’s conduct grade will be indicated by the following letters:

E = Excellent S = SatisfactoryN = Needs ImprovementU = Unsatisfactory

Each student will begin each marking period with an “E.” As the grading period continues, misconduct will be documented. Consequences will be based on the frequency, seriousness, and amount of misconduct. Less serious infractions will be discussed between the student and teacher in a private conference. If behavior does not improve, parents will be notified and we will work together on a solution. If inappropriate behaviors continue, these problems will be discussed with the principal. Infractions such as fighting, destruction of property, obscenities, and constant disrespect will be dealt with directly by the principals. If a student’s behavior is so inappropriate that he/she must be removed from class/rehearsal, parent will be notified and conference can be called with house principal.

The following rules are designed to promote a positive learning environment for all students and prevent distractions that hinder the learning process.

  • Respect all persons and property both in the classroom and out. This involves raising hands when requesting to speak, being quiet when the director is giving instructions, and caring for the instruments used for the class.
  • Please bring all materials to class. These include pencils, instrument, music, and any additional supplies needed at any designated moment in class.
  • Be seated in a timely manner. After the tardy bell rings, students are expected to be in their seats and ready to play. ALL ACTIVITY MUST STOP SO TUNING CAN COMMENCE.
  • Please keep ALL FOOD AND DRINK outside of the orchestra room. We do not want crumbs and eventual pests in the orchestra room. There will also be no gum.
  • Personal grooming is not permitted during class. It is inappropriate, disrespectful, and distracts others from the task at hand.
  • NEVER ATTEMPT HOME REPAIRS ON THE INSTRUMENT! Leave those duties to a trained professional or the director.

Orchestra moves at a pace that does not allow for excessive disruptions. However, with these rules in place the students will have the appropriate environment needed to advance their training.

Be sure to be prepared before entering the classroom. Students will be responsible for marking your music in class and at home for the following day.

Instrument Storage Room

Every student is checked out a space in the instrument storage room. Your instrument and suppliesare the only items allowed in that slot. Individuals will be charged for damage due to: rotten food, bending/warping due to too much weight from other materials and other damage. Please be aware that there is a camera in the instrument storage room to help protect instruments and students. It is not possible to supervise the back room 24 hours a day. All cases should be clearly marked for your protection.

Please store personal items in your locker or under your chairs. HMS is not responsible for stolen items left at school. I would encourage girls to keep purses in their locker.

Items left in the orchestra room and/or storage room for an extended period of time will be donated to HAAM.

Attendance and Grading Policy

Concerts and rehearsals outside of the normal school day are considered an extension of daily classroom learning, therefore, students receive a grade for these activities. After school rehearsals are Monday through Thursday from 4-5 pm. You will receive a calendar of HMS rehearsal dates outlining what day your child should attend. I will also be posting these calendar dates on the orchestra website. Students are responsible for listening in class while we go over the calendar. If there are changes, they will be posted in the orchestra room and a new calendar will be given out. All rehearsals are mandatory. You can/will fail orchestra if you choose not to attend. This is the same as “mandatory tutorial” time. If you miss rehearsal and it is unexcused, you must attend 2 consecutive make-ups duringCAP4th period immediately following for makeup or students will not receive a passing grade for material covered. The other alternative is to stay after school another afternoon. Students who are excused from a concert are required to perform pieces of the concert alone using the playing test rubric.

Missing rehearsals and concerts affect the entire orchestra. If a student is unable to attend, please let me know in a parent note or by parent phone call at least 24 hours before the absence. Verbal or written excuses from students are NOT acceptable. If the reason is valid the student will be excused. Once an absence has occurred without notification, it is unexcused. Students absent from school are excused from all other after school rehearsals. Excused absences include: Family emergency/death, illness of a student, school function which takes precedents over a rehearsal (games or competition), and a director approved excuse upon explanation. Religious holidays or conflicts with individual religious beliefs will be excused if the director is notified by a parent in advance.

As part of the class, students are also expected to be present at concerts and other performances in proper attire. All performances under HISD policy are considered summative and are graded.

The grading policy for middle school orchestra in the district is 60% summative, 40% formative, plus summative link. Students will be graded on their work in the following areas:

Formative-40% / Summative-60%
-Weekly Memory Tests / -All Concerts (Etiquette and Participation)
-Care(Max 10 pt. deduction per day) / -Projects and Contests
-Daily assignments / -Playing Tests (2 per 6 weeks)
-Supplies (20 points per 5 items) / -After School Rehearsals

Assessment Rubric

For playing tests, students will receive a 5 point reduction for fundamental element, and a 1 point deduction for every missed note. This will be subtracted from 100. Memory tests will be a completion grade for students. Projects will be graded with 5 key elements in mind, each topic worth 20 points. All other assignments are credit/no credit work.

Tips: Try to keep fingernails trim. This will help you out so much in your technique when it comes to finger mobility and intonation.

-Private lessons are also a great way to become a better musician and leader in the orchestra. Please contact the director for a list of private lesson teachers in the area.

Eligibility: NO PASS/NO PLAY

Orchestra is curricular as well as extra-curricular. Extra-curricular performances are defined as those which involved competition or charge an admission fee. These include region orchestra or festival activities. Students who have failed any class during the previous 6 weeks are ineligible to participate in orchestra activities that are extra-curricular. Curricular activities, such as sectionals and concerts, are not affected by ineligibility and students will attend these activities, even if they are ineligible for extra-curricular activities.

CONFERENCE PERIODS

I will be available for conferences during at the following times:

4thPeriod – 11:21-12:17 (12:07-12:45 Friday)

7th Period – 2:09-3:04 (10:17-10:53 Friday)

I am in the White House with Asst. Principal Damico Bartley

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 7th-Orchestra Parent Meeting @ 7 pm in Rm. 903

Region Workshop TBA

Mid-October/November-Orchestra Outing (Super Happy Fun Time!)

October 16-MS Region Auditions, Beverly Hills Intermediate @ 6 am

October 28-Fall Concert, HMS auditorium @ 7 pm (6 pm call)

November 17-Orchestra Pictures

December 9-Winter Concert, HMS auditorium @ 6:30 pm

January 21/22-Region Orchestra Clinic and Concert, KingwoodParkHigh School

February 26-Solo and Ensemble, AtascocitaMiddle School (no bus)

February 17-HMS Chamber Concert, HMS auditorium @ 7 (6 pm call)

March 5-Pre-UIL,Varsity Only

March 31-UIL Concert/Sight-Reading @ Summer Creek HS (2-way bus)

May 12-Spring Concert

End of May-Super Happy Fun Time!

Please mark these dates on your calendar. Be aware that all current dates are subject to change due to conflicts. Check online and announcements as new dates may be added. Fundraisers and pictures will be announced as soon as they are finalized.

UNIFORMS

THE DRESS CODE WILL BE ENFORCED. UNIFORMS ARE TO BE WORN PROPERLY. Failure to do so will result in the student being prevented from being able to participate in the performance. Formal uniforms will be checked out and signed by parents and students. I will also collect $5 from each student to cover all cleaning/storing expenses. At the end of the year, students will check their uniforms back in. Grades will be withheld until account is cleared. The performance attire for the groups is outlined as follows:

Varsity Girls require the formal black dress, which is property of the school, but you may check them out to personally clean them if you wish. Females should also have black hosiery and black dress shoes. Non-varsity girls will wear a similar black skirt (school property) with a white or black formal top (not provided).

Non-varsityBoys require a black or white shirt with a collar, black pants, black socks, and black dress shoes. Varsity boys will wear black tuxedo pants (provide by HMS) with a bun and bow tie. The bun and bow ties are school property and will be provided.

Beginner orchestras will wear purple polo shirts. The purple shirts will be tucked into black bottoms (ankle length) and dress shoes. The cost of the polo shirt is $25.

On occasion, HMS Orchestra will be part of an informal performance in which students will wear their orchestra spirit shirt ($20), jeans/shorts, socks, and tennis shoes.

EQUIPMENT/SUPPLES

The supply list for Orchestra is:

  1. Beginning Orchestra – “Essential Elements 2000” Book 1
  2. A shoulder rest for violin/viola players. KUN is a good brand.
  3. Folding music stand for home and off campus facilities without stands.
  4. Cello and Bass players will need a roc-stop. The belt type works well also.
  5. Rosin. Make sure it is the right kind for your instrument.
  6. A pencil to mark your music.
  7. Paper for note taking along with a folder/binder to hold music and assignments.

Approved Vender Phone Numbers

Lisle Violin Shop281-487-7303

Shar Products Company 1-800-248-7427

Southwest Strings 1-800-528-3430

Fishburn Violin Shop281-290-4580

Il Maestro281-890-6363

Lisle Violin Shopis based in the greater Houston area. They have a rent to own plan, sell new and used instruments AND will come to the school every week for service. If an instrument breaks they will replace it at no cost if you are still making payments. The money paid in follows your child NOT the instrument. This means you can trade up to a bigger size and the money previously paid in will be put towards the next instrument. These instruments are professionally set-up and repaired locally. This is very important due to the unique weather conditions in our area and the nature of fine wood instruments.

Shar and Southwest Strings are out of state mail order companies. I have played and approved each of their instruments on this list. Keep in mind, they do not service, trade-up, insure or repair.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

All-Region Orchestra is comprised of the best students from all over the region. The tryout is an individual competition in which students in the Houston Area compete for “chairs.” By learning the audition material for the competition, students gain experience and advanced musical skills. Students will be asked to sign a statement of intent before being entered in the contest.

Solo and Ensemble is a very important part of the student’s musical education. This gives students the opportunity to do individual work on a solo and an ensemble group with 3 or more students. All 7th/8th grade students will be required to learn a solo and an ensemble piece, which will be taught in class as part of the curriculum. Soloists are required to perform with a piano accompaniment. For a $10 fee, an accompanist will be provided for the student. Others may arrange for your own accompanist if preferred.

SIGNATURES

I have read the HMS 2010-2011 Orchestra Handbook and I agree to the policies stated and implied therein. I understand the importance of supporting the orchestra program through my attendance of events, fostering and engaging in appropriate practice, and presenting a positive attitude throughout the year. Members of the family also agree to arrange transportation to and from events that Humble Middle School Orchestra may be involved in when school transportation is not provided.