Ryan Dudder, Director of Orchestras

Liberty High School

Milana Winter, Principal

Ryan Dudder, Director of Orchestras

Beginning Orchestra

Handbook

2013-2014

The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint the music student and his or her parents with the expectations, policies and procedures of the orchestra program. The following guidelines have been designed to promote a constructive teaching and learning environment which will result in a successful experience. All orchestra members and parents must read this handbook. The appropriate forms in the back must be signed and returned to the director indicating an understanding of the guidelines and a commitment to fulfill all responsibilities.

GRADING POLICY

QUARTER GRADE DETERMINATION:

SKILLS PRACTICE: 30% of grade

The student must demonstrate the following:

A positive attitude, willingness to cooperate, respect for others, honesty, a high level of integrity, good attendance, punctuality, responsibility for materials (instrument, pencil, music, etc.), a motivation to work and learn, and the discipline to refrain from class disturbances.

Class Rules:

1. Follow directions
2. Be in class when the bell rings
3. Tuned and ready to play 3 min after bell
4. Avoid excess noise
5. Raise your hand to speak

Class Disruptions:

A total of 10 points a day will be awarded for class work. Since learning can only take place when students are actively participating, each disturbance will result in the loss of between 1 and 10 points. The school model for progressive discipline will be followed. In most cases, students will be notified verbally of their unacceptable behavior. However, students may not always be notified of their point loss. If students are in question of point loss due to their behavior, they may inquire at the end of class. If cell phones or other electronic devices are being used during class for something other than teacher directed use, they will be confiscated and turned in to the dean’s office.

Required Materials:

1. Pencil

2. Instrument, bow, case, rosin, and cleaning cloth

3. Music

4. Planner or some type of scheduling device

5 Shoulder rest (violin/viola), end-pin anchor (cello), rock stop (bass)

Beginning Orchestra Books:

Suzuki book 1 (revised edition), String Basics bks. 1 & 2

Students not having the required materials will lose 5 skills practice points. If the problem is not solved at the start of class, all skills practice points will be deducted for the day.

Tardiness:

Students are expected to be in the room when the bell rings. They must be seated with their instrument tuned, and ready to rehearse three minutes after the bell rings. If they are not, they will be marked tardy. Tardiness will be dealt with in accordance to school policy, and will result in the loss of 5 participation points for the day.

MAKE-UP PROCEDURES:

If students wish to make up skills practice points due to absences, they may do so at any time during the quarter. At the student’s request, a list of make-up assignments will be provided, and all work must be submitted before the end of the quarter. If the instructor has excused a student from a concert they will have two weeks from the date of the concert, or end of the quarter to turn in make-up work. Students must meet with the instructor upon their return to school with a parental note explaining why they were absent from the concert.

HOMEWORK POLICY:

Students are expected to practice their instrument a minimum of five days a week for 20 minutes a day. Since orchestra is a group activity, students must come with their music prepared every day.

Private Lessons:

One of the most important ways to improve as a musician is through private lessons. There is no substitute for weekly sessions of individualized instruction by an instrument specialist. Private lesson instructors serve as an ideal model and mentor to assist students in improvement in the areas of tone, technique and general musicianship. The helpful hints or minor adjustments suggested by the instructor can greatly improve a student’s playing ability. A list of private instructors is available upon request.

Absences:

The Board of School Trustees requires that students enrolled in schools of the Clark County School District attend school regularly in accordance with the Nevada Revised Statutes. It is the position of the board that if a student is absent, no learning can take place. The educational experiences lost during an absence are irretrievable as the interaction in the classroom setting can seldom be duplicated through make-up work. Being absent from school will have a negative impact on your learning and may affect your grade. Students absent from rehearsal for any reason will receive no points. Excused absences may be made up on an individual basis.

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT: 30% of grade

Orchestra is considered a co-curricular elective. Meaning, there are both school day requirements and after school requirements, such as performances. In order for the group to be complete and function as a cohesive unit, all members must be prepared for, and attend every performance. Only one performance assessment grade will be given within a grading period. Any point loss due to not having the required materials, being late, being inappropriately dressed, or exhibiting poor behavior during the performance will be deducted from that grade. All absences must be prearranged in order for the student to have an opportunity to complete a make-up assignment, except for unforeseen circumstances. Having to baby-sit, attending a non-school related event, or not having a ride are considered unexcused. Several make-up options will be provided for excused absences. All make-up assignments are at teacher’s discretion. Students that are tardy to the performance will lose 5% for every 5 minutes they are late up to 25%. Students out of uniform will lose 5% – 50 % of their performance grade, depending on the severity of violation. If the uniform violation is severe enough, the student may not be allowed to perform and will lose all of their performance assessment points. Students leaving early from a performance will lose 50% of the performance grade. Students are expected to show up at the specified call time, usually 60 minutes prior to the performance start time and sign in on the attendance sheet. The call time is crucial in order for students to get settled and tuned so the concert can start on time.

Concert Dates:

Fall Concert LHS Theatre Wednesday, 10/23/13 6:30 Beg. Attend

Winter Concert LHS Theatre Wednesday, 12/11/13 6:30 All Orchestras

Violafest NSA Saturday, 1/18/14 Viola Students

Bass Workshop Liberty HS Saturday, 2/1/14 Bass Students

Solo & Ensemble Clark HS Saturday, 2/8/14 Select Students

Cello Day Basic HS Saturday, 3/15/14 Cello Students

Quarter 3 Concert LHS Theatre Tuesday, 3/18/14 6:30 Beg, Int. Students

Spring Concert LHS Theatre Wednesday, 5/21/14 6:30 All Orchestras

Other performances may be scheduled throughout the year.

Concert Attire:

Men: Black long sleeve button down dress shirt; tie; black dress pants; polished black dress shoes; long black socks.

Women: Black long sleeve dress blouse; black dress pants; black closed-toe dress shoes; black hosiery. Jewelry and hair ornaments shall be modest.

SKILLS ASSESSMENT: 20% of grade

Skill assessments will be graded on correct rhythm, intonation, tone, phrasing, and technique. Two assessments will be given per grading period.

Music Check:

The music check will determine how well a student is preparing their concert music, and assign their seating for the upcoming concert. Music checks will take place during class. Students wanting to improve their score may retake the assessment within the specified amount of time, but the retake will not change seating, only their assessment grade. If a student does not score a letter grade of C or higher on the assessment, they will not be allowed to perform on the concert and an alternate assignment will be provided.

Solo Assessment:

In an effort to increase musicianship, students will be assigned a solo to be performed along with piano accompaniment from SmartMusic. Students will have the opportunity to take the assessment at a time of their choosing for a pass/fail grade. If a student passes, they will receive 100% credit for that grade. If they fail, they may retake the test until the pass/fail deadline. After the pass/fail deadline students will have one week to take the assessment for points. Once students have entered the points period no retakes will be allowed.

Assessment Dates:

Quarter 1

Dates TBA

Quarter 2

Solo Assessment Pass/Fail 11/8/13 Points 11/15/13

Music Check Week of 11/18/13 Retake by 12/6/13

Quarter 3

Solo Assessment Pass/Fail 2/21/14 Points 2/28/14

Music Check Week of 3/3/14 Retake by 3/14/14

Quarter 4

Solo Assessment Pass/Fail 4/4/14 Points 4/11/14

Music Check Week of 5/5/14 Retake by 5/16/14

MUSICIANSHIP ASSESMENT: 20% of grade

Assignments may be written, group performance, or individual performance, and may or may not be announced in advance.

EXTRA CREDIT:

Students should attend as many live performances outside of school as possible. In order for the student to receive credit he/she will need to type a half page summary of the concert. Typically 30 participation points will be offered for a live performance of a professional orchestra such as the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Limit of two per quarter.

SEMESTER GRADE DETERMINATION:

Final semester grades will reflect assignments and assessments completed throughout the semester and the final exam grade.

Each quarter: worth 45% of semester grade

Exam: worth 10% of semester grade

Example: (45% = 9 weeks) + (45% = 9 weeks) + (10% = sem. exam) = Sem. Grade

FEES:

Each student will be required to pay a $40 course fee. The fee goes to supporting the orchestra program through repertoire acquisition, supplies, staffing concerns, and other financial needs. If the fee is a financial hardship, please do not hesitate to contact the director and a solution will be worked out.

INSTRUMENTAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENT:

Each member is required to have his or her own instrument and equipment. The instrument may be purchased or rented at any music store. Each member is also required to maintain his or her instrument and have all the necessary supplies to participate. Strings should be changed a minimum of once per year. The instructor will inspect instruments periodically and any repairs needed will be documented and sent home for immediate attention. If no effort is made to repair the instrument within the above mentioned guidelines, the student may receive 0 skills practice points until the instrument is brought back to class in proper working condition.

If renting or purchasing an instrument presents a severe economic hardship, there is a limited supply of school instruments. In order to replace the strings on the instruments a $25.00 violin, $35.00 viola, and $50.00 (cello/bass) string replacement fee must be paid in order to use a school instrument. Once the fee is paid, an instrument will be checked out to the student after the required paperwork is filled out and submitted. It will then be the student’s responsibility to maintain the instrument. If a string breaks, or any other problems arise, it is the student/parent’s job to restore the instrument to the condition in which it was checked out. Lockers will be issued to violin and viola students. Students are expected to keep their instruments in the locker throughout the day except for class and to take it home for nightly practice. If the lock is misplaced there will be a $10.00 fee to replace the lock.

Item Recommended Brand Approximate price

Violin Strings (set) Corelli Crystal $25.00

Viola Strings (set) Corelli Crystal $35.00

Cello Strings (set) D’Addario Helicore $100.00

Bass Strings (set) D’Addario Helicore $110.00

Violin/Viola Rosin Hill Dark $6.00

Cello Rosin Kolstein $10.00

Bass Rosin Pops $10.00

End Pin Anchor Xeros cello strap $10.00

Shoulder Rest Kun, Everest $20.00

Bow Codabow $260.00 – $$$

There are many other quality products available, with the above mentioned having been compared to similar products and found to be of good value for students. Bows also need to be cared for. The hair will get dirty, not hold rosin, or break. Cheaper bows are considered disposable. This means the cost of a re-hair is about as much as it is to buy a new bow. Nicer bows will need to be re-haired on an annual basis, depending on how careful the student is. The three stores listed below have repair shops to work on any maintenance issues.

Local Dealers

Musical Instruments and Supplies:

Desert Strings Violin Outlet Kessler and Sons Music

The Blokhaus 900 Karen Ave 3047 E. Charleston Blvd.

2121 E. Tropicana Ave. Las Vegas, NV (702) 385-BAND (2263)

Suite 5 (702) 703-3028 8866 S. Eastern Ave.

Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV

(702) 736-8934 (702) 492-7263

******Parents are strongly DISCOURAGED from purchasing an instrument online. These instruments are not always as they appear and any money saved will be spent in repairs. Parents are strongly ENCOURAGED to obtain an instrument from specialized music vendors that have repair personnel on staff. Instruments purchased from non-specialized vendors typically do not offer the ease of playing or quality of sound as a higher quality instrument does. In addition, they break more frequently and any success will be hindered. Again, any money saved on the purchase WILL be spent on repairs and shipping costs, as all repairs must be done at corporate headquarters. Please be aware that you are purchasing at your own risk.

Liberty HS does not endorse any music store over the other. Most stores have competitive prices. I recommend paying the extra money per month to insure the instrument, if the music store offers that as an option. Although I will teach students the proper way to care for the instrument, minor damage may occur and instrument repair costs may get rather expensive.

After reading the course expectations and you have no additional questions or concerns, please fill-out, sign, detach and return this entire page.

Thank You!

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Students and Parents, please initial next to the statements below after you have read them:

Student Parent

______I understand that it is the responsibility of my child to obtain his/her make-

up work.