Rahway High School
2016-2017 Orchestra Handbook
Mr. Sergei Panov – Orchestra Director(aka Maestro)
Welcome to the Rahway High School Orchestra program. This year promises to be a happy, successful and extremely musical school year!!
Membership
The instrumental music education program is available to all students in Grades 9 through 12 enrolled at Rahway High School and includes both comprehensive band and orchestra programs. The High School Orchestra classes are made up of two parts: one weekly small group instrument lesson and a full ensemble orchestra rehearsal every day during 9th period. Beginners to the program will take weekly small group lessons until they are ready to be added to the full ensemble.
Must sign up for Remind Orchestra Class
Smartphone: go to this link rmd.at/cba67c and follow promtps
Via Text: text @cba67c to 81010
Materials
➢Instrument – with optional shoulder rest (see attached sheet)
➢Pencil (NO PENS)
➢Lesson Books/Sheet Music
Lessons
Lessons play a significant part in the overall music-making educational process at school. This is where the students gain mastery over their specific instrument. This fundamental instruction allows them to make the music that they so enjoy and later showcase for all who will listen. Lessons are mandatory requirement in order to be in Orchestra and are part of your grade.
Lesson Schedule(TBA):
Mondays-lessons
Tuesdays - Short lessons, until 3PM only.
Wednesdays - lessons + Evening Rehearsal (in choir room) from 6-8pm
Thursdays - no lessons (Academy after school rehearsal)
Fridays - lessons
Orchestra
All High School string players will participate in orchestra (separate from lessons). This time together is more than just preparing for performances! The experience within music education is an invaluable, ongoing process, with or without a performance. Most of the best music we make will be made during our rehearsals. We will work & play our way through an incredible assortment of Orchestra literature this year, spotlighting as much of it in out in public as possible! Here, the majority of music making & memory-making is explored & discovered.
Orchestra is a scheduled class during the school day and will take place during 9th period.
HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL MUSICIAN
- HAVE FUN!
- Be a better musician by the end of this school year.
- Mutually respect each other & the fine art of music.
- Be practiced, prepared and on time at concerts, rehearsals and lessons.
- Conduct yourself accordingly, using the established rehearsal & performance etiquette at all times with a positive attitude.
- Be responsible for your own personal and assigned property, including: instrument, music, folder, pencil, and supplies.
- Start and stop rehearsals/lessons on time.
- Listen & learn while someone else is talking & teaching.
- Do not abuse instruments, equipment, music, furniture, or people.
- Explore & appreciate the OTHER ways of being a musician – composing/arranging, improvising, listening, analyzing, critiquing, researching…etc.
Practicing
For pride in our program and themselves, each student is expected to prepare for all lessons, rehearsals, and performances as thoughtful as an academic assignment.
My homework policy is to practice weekly assignments along with the remaining orchestra music at home. I ask that students practice as much as necessary to complete the assignment they are given. In a math class, students would not set an amount of time to complete a certain number of homework problems but would merely complete it in whatever amount of time it took. It should be the same when playing your instrument.
**The general guideline of an ideal practice session at this stage of music development is at least a ½ hour five days a week**
Students will write each week's homework assignment in their agenda.
In order for you to have the most gratifying and worthwhile strings experience, please read over the following suggestions:
1)Keep the instrument in a safe place, away from siblings, friends, pets, heaters and air conditioners. Do not leave the instrument in the car for long periods of times, especially overnight, as the heat or cold may damage it (cracks in the wood etc.)
2) Find a quiet practice space, with good lighting, along with no distractions from siblings, friends, pets. etc.
3) Arrange a daily practice schedule that does not conflict with outdoor play, a favorite TV program, etc. Establish a regular time for daily practice so that you consistently play according to that time and it becomes a scheduled routine.
4) Start with a warm-up for a good concept of tone quality – a steady and strong sound.
5) Continue to warm-up a little more with a light technical exercise or scale.
6) Select a piece to practice (an assigned etude, solo, or Orchestra part)
7) Decide on a priority or goal for your practice session (tuning rhythmic accuracy, articulations etc. or a specific section of your piece of music)
8) Try working on trouble spots first. Concentrate on small groups (phrases) of notes or one measure at a time. Try larger sections of music after working out the small spots. Put the pieces of the puzzle together.
9) Use a metronome, and play the music at a slower temp: gradually increase the tempo as the section improves.
10) Look at the “stuff around the notes” – Dynamics, articulations, style, correct tempo, shaping of phrases, etc.
11) Mark your music IN PENCIL with reminders!
12) If you feel frustrated or know that you are not improving, start fresh and try something new, take a break, then try it again later!
13) After working hard on something challenging, reward yourself with something you enjoy playing!
14) Evaluate your session when you are done. Is anything better? Did you improve? What still needs improvement? Did you have fun practicing?
Grading
A student’s instrumental grade is multi-faceted. Lessons, rehearsal & performances are all graded in terms of practice (meaningful musical preparation), attendance, participation, etiquette, preparedness & musicianship. Periodic performance & music theory quizzes will be provided, culminating at a “midterm” in December and a final exam in June.
Students will be graded using the following items:
- Class Participation (students participation during class activities and rehearsals. Talking during class, not paying attention to the task at hand, and overall attitude will affect students class participation grade) – 40%
- HW Assignments (will include worksheets that test and improve content knowledge, such as musical terms and concepts– 20%
- Personal Practice (manifests itself in students ability to play their parts individually. Lack of personal practice will be evident by student not being able to play their part and thus not be able to participate during rehearsals) – 20%
- Playing Tests (will be graded on students ability for perform their individual parts for an assigned section) – 20%
Participation includes students bringing their instrument and materials to school for lessons and orchestra along with behavior during class time and attendance.
As for Homework, students will be graded on a scale of 1 to 5 each week on how well they achieved the previous week’s practice assignment. If a student is not present at their lesson and were excused, they will be responsible for the assignment the following week.
Attendance Policy
Rehearsal Procedures
As you earn 40% of your grade for class participation and attendance, you must be in your seat with your instrument by the time the bell rings. Late comers and easy goers will not only have a lower class participation grade, but also will receive tardy for each class that you are late to. Please be prepared and on time.
Lesson Attendance
Following days have been set for lessons during period 10 in the Band Room’s practice room. If you have a conflict with a regular activity, you must communicate that conflict with your other activities director and explain that once a week you need a music lesson during period 10. If there is a problem, please let Mr. Panov know at your earliest convenience. Lessons are mandatory and are part of your grade.
Rehearsal/Concert/Performance Attendance
Since Orchestra rehearsals are during the school day, the only acceptable excuses from a rehearsal is an absence from school or being called to the office or guidance.
Any student who is in school but misses orchestra without a valid excuse will have their name submitted as a “cut class” and receive the same consequence as a “cut” from any other class.
Concerts are every ensemble’s culminating experience and primary reason for the enjoyable yet rigorous routine. For any concert or live performance throughout our school district and community that a student does not participate in, it is strongly suggested that they still attend as an audience appreciator in order to show support for their fellow musicians.
It is my expectation that, as the parents/guardians, you will ensure your child is available for all mandatory performances, securing them with timely transportation to & from the event.
The following are EXCUSED missed concerts/performances:
➢When the student is absent from that particular day of school (includes shortened days)
➢Religious observances, whether or not the student attends school that day
➢Family Emergency
➢Serious illness or injury – i.e. fever, vomiting, or broken bone that prevents the student from playing their instrument
The student will be determined as EXCUSED for that particular missed concert/performance once communication from the parent/guardian is received. This communication is REQUIRED prior to, or immediately after, the missed concert/performance. This may be via phone, email, or a signed handwritten note.
In lieu of participation in a required concert/performance scheduled for the Orchestra program, the student must complete a typed essay, the topic of which will be provided for the student. The essay content will be relevant to the performance. This essay is required to serve as a replacement educational experience otherwise missed by not participating in the performance; it is not a punishment. If the essay is not completed, then the student will receive a grade of zero for that performance.
Concerts
The Rahway High School Orchestra will be performing on winter, mid-winter and spring concerts. If you are in the ensemble, the concerts are mandatory for the following reasons:
➢The Orchestra is a performance-based group. Playing together is what we do!
➢Concerts provide an experience that cannot be reproduced in the classroom.
➢Performances are the means by which we demonstrate all of the skills we have learned.
➢Ensemble playing is a group effort. Every missing player weakens the performance. We rehearse together and we perform together.
Here are the concert dates on which the orchestras will be performing:
➢Winter Kaleidoscope Dress Rehearsal – Dec. 6 at 6:00PM(Please check time later)
➢Winter Kaleidoscope Concert - Dec. 8 at 6PM
➢Student Showcase - Feb. 1, 2017 at 7:30 PM
➢Winter Concert - Feb. 8 at 7PM (time will be confirmed)
➢Pit Orch RHS Musical - March 24-26, 2017
➢Celebration of the Arts - April 12, 2017 at 7PM
➢Faculty Recital - April 26, 2017 at 7:00PM (time will be confirmed)
➢Spring Concert - May 24, 2017 at 7PM (time will be confirmed)
Please mark these dates down in your calendar!
*Events will be added throughout the year – stay tuned for details sent home!
Concerts and all types of performances are special events and require smart attire. We strive to instill professionalism and artistic values early on for all young musicians. In order to instill these values, the following formal concert attire is REQUIRED at performances unless otherwise indicated:
Females – White blouse and black slacks or skirt at least knee-length along with dress shoes. A black dress at-least knee length is also allowed. NO sleeveless tops are allowed
Males – White collared dress shirt with tie, and black dress slacks along with black dress shoes and black socks.
NO JEANS, TEE-SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRTS, BOOTS, SNEAKERS AND/OR SANDALS!
*If at any point during any marking period, you would like to know how your son or daughter is doing, or have a question, please do not hesitate to contact me.
The best way to contact me is via email at .
Sincerely,
Mr. Sergei Panov
Orchestra Director & Strings Teacher
Rahway High School & Rahway Academy
Email:
Shoulder Rests
A Shoulder Rest is an important accessory for violinists and violists. Shoulder Rests are used to add support under the violin so that players can easily hold the instrument without the use of their left hand. Proper playing technique requires the left hand to be free to move around the instrument.
**Students are not REQUIRED to purchase a shoulder rest but it is highly suggested since it will substantially help playing posture.
For Violins ¾ - 4/4 sizes and Viola 13” and 14” sizes:
Everest Collapsible Shoulder Rest for 3/4 & 4/4 Violin
For Violas 15” - 16.5”:
Everest EZ-VA Viola Shoulder Rest for 15"-16.5" Violas
Pricing is from $12.99 for violin and $21.99 for full size viola(15+16”)
This can be purchased at:
**You may also purchase a shoulder rest at the store from which you are renting your instrument from.
Orchestra Student/Teacher Agreement
The syllabus will be posted on my teacher site. By participating in the class, you agree to the above mentioned procedures and rules