Batavia High School Orchestra Handbook

Orchestra Teacher: Mrs. Allison Liska

  • Voice Mail: (630) 937-8664
  • E-mail:
  • BHS Music department website: bataviamusic.org+ Google Classroom

Essential Learnings

  1. To accurately perform music from notation and/or by ear.
  2. To recognize and identify elements of music from sound and/or notation.
  3. To critically analyze music.
  4. To positively contribute to a musical ensemble.

Course Description & Content

In the Batavia High School Orchestras, students will focus on developing technical skills in bowing and left hand facility, as well as in music literacy, and sight-reading. Emphasis is placed on the development of musicianship through progressive technical studies and advanced modern and classical orchestra literature. Musical skills as well as aesthetic critique are assessed each quarter. In orchestra, students will grow in their performance abilities on their individual instruments as well as improve their aural skills, musical terminology, and music symbol identification.

Required Materials

  • Personal or school instrument; school instruments are available for a $100 yearly fee (checks must be made payable to Batavia High School or paid through PowerSchool)
  • All necessary accessories: rosin, shoulder rest, rock stops (at concerts), mutes, back-up strings (recommended)
  • Folder or binder for transporting music
  • Pencils
  • Music will be distributed in class
  • Donation of pencils or tissues would be greatly appreciated!

Music Lockers
Music lockers and locks are provided for students free of charge. Lockers should be locked at all times, including during class. In situations where students share an instrument, some students may share a locker. Additional lockers for personal belongings can be made available upon request. The Music Department and Directors are not responsible for lost instruments or personal belongings.

Orchestra Calendar

See table with complete list of orchestra dates. All BHS Orchestra after school rehearsals, events, and performances will be posted and updated on the Batavia High School Music Department website, found at bataviamusic.org. This is the best resource for staying updated on concerts, rehearsals, and other events for the music program.

Concert UniformsUnless otherwise discussed, concert attire is as follows. Be advised that a dress code infraction will result in a 5% semester grade reduction.

  • Concert Orchestra:solid black dress pants or long skirt, black dress shirt (long or short sleeves, no tank tops), black socks or tights, solid black dress shoes
  • Sinfonietta and Philharmonic Orchestra:
    Women – Black concert dress (provided by BHS), black stockings/ tights, solid black dress shoes
    Men – Tuxedo jacket and pants (provided by BHS), tuxedo shirt, bow tie, cummerbund, black socks, solid black dress shoes

Grade Breakdown

  • Final Exam20%
  • The Final Exam will include a performance assessment and/or a written exam on concepts studied in class.
  • Grade Level Expectancies (GLE’s)20%
  • Each semester is divided into four curricularunitsthat must be completed at 85% accuracy.
  • For four passed units a student will receive 100% in the GLE grade category, 75% for three passedunits, 50% for two, 25% for one.
  • Late work will be accepted until the end of the semester; however, a 30% per GLE Unit penalty will beassessed if the late unit is not completed by the time the next GLE Unit is due.
  • Common Assessments10%
  • Quizzes and tests in aural skills, musical terms, and musical symbols are given each semester. A student must receive an 85% or higher on each assessment and may take them as many times as necessary to demonstrate mastery.
  • Written Class Assignments20%
  • Students will be assigned personal or group concert reviews.
  • Other miscellaneous writing prompts will arise during the year.
  • Playing Assessments 30%
  • Assessments will include excerpts from class music. This may include formal and informal assessments.

CONCERT UNIFORM INFRACTIONS WILL LOWER A SEMESTER GRADE BY 5%

Course Organization

The 90-minute orchestra period is structured into different activities per each session. Typically the first portion of the period will consist of warm-up technique study, as well as music concept instruction. The second portion of each class period will involve concert music rehearsal.

The GLE unit schedule is based on the school calendar, the concert schedule, and other school functions. A unit schedule is posted in each ensemble room, the department website, and charms at the beginning of each year. Students are given Individualized GLE Plans (IGPs) at the beginning of the school year detailing what units must be completed on certain dates. Assessment is taken on Smart Music software.

Replacement Strings for Student-Owned or Rented Instruments

In emergency situations, replacement strings may be provided for student-owned or rented instruments. If a student is given a replacement string from the BHS Orchestra string inventory, he or she must replace the string by paying the following fees by cash or check made out to BHS:

ViolinViolaCello

E: $9.00A: $9.50A: $16.00

A: $12.75D: $11.00D: $17.00

D: $18.00G: $12.00G: $35.00

G: $19.25C: $14.50C: $44.75

In December and May, all unpaid string fees will be reported to the BHS financial office and the student’s name will be placed on the BHS student fine list. The student’s grades will be held until all fees are paid.

Classroom Procedures

Passes: Restroom and hall passes are reserved for emergencies. Please take care of everything before you come to class. Do not ask until after announcements and warm-ups, as it interferes with the flow of class.

Orchestra Board

The orchestra board will consist of members of all three orchestra, and will be elected by their peers. Having dedicated officers directly contributes to the success of an orchestra program. Students who chose to participate as an orchestra officer should be model students in orchestra and at BHS as a whole. Orchestra officers should demonstrate exemplary rehearsal etiquette and practice habits.

The orchestra board will be elected at the beginning of the school year. Meetings will happen once a month during Bulldog Time.

Orchestra Board Positions:

President (must be a senior)

  • Vice President (must be a junior or senior)
  • Secretary/Electronic Media Chair (must be sophomore, junior, or senior)
  • Operations Manager (one from each orchestra)
  • Social/publicity chair (one from each orchestra)
  • Librarian (at least 4)

Section Leaders and Seating

Section leaders will be selected through auditions and playing tests. Auditions will be a combination of piece excerpts and technical studies. Seating will not be in ranked order.

On a daily basis, all section leaders should be prepared to:

  • Create or adjust bowings in music for their section in collaboration with Mrs. Liska and other section leaders
  • Provide fingerings for difficult passages to their sections
  • Keep an ongoing list of problem areas from the repertoire to rehearse in sectionals
  • Efficiently lead sectionals and keep section members focused on the task at hand
  • Conference with Mrs. Liskafollowing sectional rehearsals
  • Perform difficult parts of the repertoire as a model for the class when appropriate

Seating throughout the orchestra will be rotated at each concert cycle. Students will be placed in seating that will best benefit the needs of all members of the orchestra, and students will not be seated hierarchically. Students will be placed next to stand-partners with complementary skills, and playing ability will be mixed throughout the orchestra. Violin sections will rotate each concert.

Expectations of Orchestra Students

Bulldogs….

Are responsible: Remember your materials for class. Report important announcements home in a timely manner. Stand up for yourself as you need extra clarification. Keep your instrument, locker, case, and folder clean and organized.

Respectful: Treat each other and the music directors with respect at all times. Remember the golden rule: Treat others how you would like to be treated. Listen to classmates, sit up, speak courteously and ask good questions.

Keep it positive: Frame things in a positive way! Look for the silver lining. Cheer on your classmates and work as a team.

Have fun and get involved!: We are all in orchestra to work toward a common goal of making meaningful and memorable music performances together. I encourage students to think independently and expressively about your music, if you have an idea—share it with the group! The goal of us coming together is to create something bigger than ourselves.

IMEA District 9 and All-State Orchestra

Every year, students from schools throughout Illinois audition to participate in the IMEA Honors Orchestras at both the District and State levels. All Batavia High School orchestra students may audition for the IMEA District 9 Honors Orchestra as well as the IMEA All-State Orchestras during the same audition in early October. Thousands of students from throughout the state audition for these prestigious ensembles every year, and it is an immense honor to be chosen as a participant.

Details for the auditions will be provided to all orchestra students at the beginning of the school year.

Fox Valley Music Festival

Every year, music students from schools throughout the Fox Valley area come together in late April to form a combined orchestra to rehearse and perform major works of the orchestral repertoire.

Placement in the Fox Valley Music Festival is based on director recommendation and will be open to any interested students. In order to be considered for recommendation, students must be meeting all requirements of the curriculum and receiving an “exceeds” rating in the Learner Profile in PowerSchool.

BHS Orchestra 2016-2017

Contract of Mutual Consent

Return this form to Mrs. Liska by Friday, September 2nd

Name: ______Grade: ______

Instrument: ______Maker/Serial #: ______

Preferred Parent Contact Phone Number: ______

Preferred Parent Email Address: ______

I have reviewed the Batavia High School Orchestra Handbook and understand the expectations and policies. I will be held accountable to the guidelines set forth by these documents and understand the consequences of not following these during this school year.

I, the undersigned student, accept membership in the Batavia High School music program and understand I am responsible for all policies set forth in the Orchestra Syllabus and Handbook. I fully agree to carry out my responsibilities to the very best of my ability.

______

Student SignatureDate

I, the undersigned parent or guardian, have read and understand the policies as set forth in the Batavia High School Orchestra Handbook. I grant full permission for my child to be an active member of the Batavia High School music program. In addition, my child has full permission to attend all concert, events, field trips, and off-campus clinics/festivals. Furthermore, I understand that I must meet all financial obligations.

______

Parent SignatureDate

List any additional questions/ comments for your director here: