Orchestra Class Will Be Every Day 1 and Day 5 from 2:25-3:05Pm

2017-2018

Welcome to the 6th Grade Orchestra. What follows is a description of expectations, policies, and outcomes for the orchestra and each individual participant. Please read through this packet, sign and return the final page. I am looking forward to working with you and having another great year.

Orchestra Class will be every Day 1 and Day 5 from 2:25-3:05pm.

Lessons are on day 2 and 5 (see attached schedule)

Ë It is important that you understand your role in this ensemble. Your actions, or lack of action (i.e. practicing, attending rehearsals, lessons and concerts) affect the entire ensemble, not just yourself.

To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.

-Aaron Copland

Be Prepared

Every student is expected to be prepared for each rehearsal and lesson. EACH STUDENT must bring their instrument, binder, music, method book and a pencil to every rehearsal and lesson. Please get a 3 ring binder (preferably black with some paper) to use only for orchestra. We will be using these binders to hold our music for rehearsals and concerts and also for all lesson material. You may use a folder, but the binders work better and students don’t loose their papers with a binder. You will also need to get a tuner since we will be working on tuning all year in class and at home. You can get snark and korg tuners online at www.amazon.com for around $10. All students will be using Essential Elements Book I from last year and Essential Elements Book II. If you have not already purchased book II please do so ASAP along with getting a tuner.

Cello/Bass students will need their instruments and bows on both days. If I have any school owned instruments available I will let you know and you will be able to borrow a school instrument during the day. Students who borrow a school instrument during the day must bring their own bow to use at school. The district will not be supplying bows to use with instruments.

Please come to class prepared. Do not rely on your stand partner to bring in their music and books. It is important to mark things that happen each rehearsal into your own parts. Please be on time and ready to play. Please act professionally and respectfully to others. As fellow members of the musical community we should show respect by acting in a professional manner toward one another, the classroom and equipment. I understand that each person learns at their own rate. Come prepared and try your best. It’s very simple.

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent.

-Victor Hugo

Attendance

All students are expected to attend all rehearsals and lessons. The only excuses for a missed lesson are 1) absence from school 2) TESTS/LABS. Review and taking notes is NOT AN EXCUSED LESSON. If you have a test or a lab during your lesson please notify me ahead of time. *If there is something special going on in class that you do not want to miss please speak with me to reschedule your lesson.

Ë Concert Attendance

Concerts are an important part of our program. It is the culmination of all our hard work and dedication as musicians. Each person plays an important role in our ensemble. If someone is missing it affects the entire ensemble. SCHOOL CONCERTS ARE MANDATORY!! In the event of an emergency where it is impossible for the student to attend the concert you must notify me immediately via phone or email. In order to make-up a missed concert for ANY reason you must play all of your concert music for me and do a written assignment that will have to do with the music from that concert.

Please post the concert dates at home and add them to your calendars. Often the conflicts that arise in our schedules we know about ahead of time, with the exception of circumstances such as medical emergencies. Please make your plans accordingly so that a conflict does not arise right before a concert.

Concert Dates:

Winter Concert- Monday, December 18th, 7:00PM @ JJHS

(snowdate: Tuesday, December 19th, 7:00pm@JJHS)

Orchestra South Pyramid Concert- Tuesday, March 20st, 7:00 PM @ JJHS

Spring Concert – Thursday, May 17th, 7:00PM @ JJHS

Lesson Schedule

Please refer to the lesson schedule. Lessons will begin by Tuesday, September 15th. Every student is required to attend all lessons. Every lesson students will receive a lesson grade for that day. The grade will be on a 4 point scale based on the report card descriptors including preparedness of homework from the previous week, effort, technique, and progress. Lesson grades for the quarter will be averaged together and count as 50% of your final grade. Failure to attend a lesson will result in a grade of zero for that lesson unless you were absent from school.

Tests and Quizzes

There will be playing tests and quizzes throughout the school year during lessons and orchestra. Some will be announced and some will not. Tests and quizzes will be graded using rubrics and Leichert-type scales (similar to NYSSMA).

If you feel you need extra help please ask.

A painter paints pictures on canvas. But, musicians paint their pictures on silence.

-Leopold Stokowski

Concert Dress

Ladies:

Ë Black pants or a long black skirt. Skirts/dresses should be floor length or halfway past your knee. If you cannot find a skirt or dress that is mid-way down the calf or floor length, then please wear pants.

Ë White shirt, black stockings or black socks and black shoes.

Ë Spaghetti straps and strapless shirts or dresses are not permitted. If your dress is strapless or has no sleeves then get a white sweater to wear with it.

Gentlemen:

Ë Black Pants, black socks, black shoes, white button down shirt, and a long tie(any color).

You all know what is considered appropriate attire. How we look as an ensemble affects our concert performance and is a reflection of our efforts. I know that we are going to have a great year and wonderful concerts. Please take the pride in our ensemble, which is deserved. You have plenty of time to acquire the needed clothing either by looking in your closet, going to the store, or borrowing clothes from family or friends. If there are any questions or problems with the concert dress, please contact me before the concert date.

If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music.

-Gustav Mahler

Where to get supplies/repairs

Ë www.sharmusic.com

Ë www.swstrings.com

Ë Amadeus Strings

845-486-7617

Ë Barcones

845-331-6089

Ë Joe Regh Violins

845-297-2521

Ë Stamell Strings

7 Garden St.

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

845-337-3030

Ë Alto Music

287-0011

Ë D&M

845-635-1120

Instruments

It is expected that each violinist and violist provide their own instrument for class each day. Violin and Viola players should also have a shoulder rest. Cellos and basses will be supplied by the school on a first come first serve basis (depending on supply.) Cello and bass players must bring their own bow and rockstop to school. If you are using a school owned instrument you must complete and sign a loan agreement form accepting responsibility for the safekeeping of he instrument. It is expected that ALL students will have an instrument at home for practice. (This means that many students will have to take their instrument back and forth to school.) Please contact me if this is an issue. Please make sure to have your shoulder rest or rockstop.

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. 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. If you are interested in purchasing an instrument please see me first.

Private Lessons

Students are not required to take private lessons. However, students receiving private instruction will tend to be better players, and better prepared for tests and quizzes. 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.

I am always available to talk about any issues you feel need discussing. If you have any questions about anything please feel free to contact me. In an effort to stay in contact with parents I am asking that you fill out a phone number and email address I can reach parents at. Confidential student information will not go to any other student or parent.

Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music.

-Sergei Rachmaninov

The best way to reach me is via email or at JJHS.

Email:

Phone: John Jay HS 897-6700 ext. 30066

Thanks,

Mrs. Cupano

*please use the attached piece of paper to join my remind group. This will allow me to send you messages via text message and/or email about your child. I will be using this program throughout the year to notify you of upcoming events, lesson progress and many other things. Please make sure to sign up for my remind class. I will not have your personal phone number and you will not have mine, but we will both be able to communicate with one another. If your child has a question in between lessons this is also a great way to ask me a question. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask J

REMIND: Please text the number 81010 with the message@br6orch

(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)

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(student signature) (parent/guardian signature)

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(date signed) (date signed)

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(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 know how to shift and if so to what positions? ______

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

Is there anything specific you would like to work on this year? (ex. shifting, a technique, a specific piece, ...)