SGMS

ORCHESTRA

STUDENT / PARENTHANDBOOK

2015 - 2016Dear Orchestra Students and Parents,

Welcome to the Middle School Orchestra! I hope you will find this handbook helpful. Please know that if at any time you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by phone : 225-4731 or by email at grosss@sgasd.org. I look forward to working with you and your student this year!

SGMS ORCHESTRA MEMBERSHIP

The SGMS ORCHESTRA is for any string student who wishes to continue the fundamentals and techniques started at the Elementary and Intermediate levels. Students just beginning will have a lesson once a cycle and may join the SGMS ORCHESTRA once they have met the criteria needed to be successful in the large Orchestra Ensemble.

SGMS ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

The SGMS ORCHESTRA has a required, scheduled class on Day 3 and Day 5 during the last period of the daily schedule. The student will also receive a required lesson on their instrument in a group or “sectional” setting. These sectionals will be on Day 3. The sectionals will be scheduled on a rotating basis so that the student does not miss the same academic class every cycle. Make up lessons may be available if the student is not permitted by the academic teacher to leave for their lesson. The Orchestra Classes and Lesson/ Sectional are graded class.

LESSON/SECTIONAL AND ORCHESTRA CLASS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Increase the student’s technical skill on their instrument Improve student’s understanding of music notation and expression. Establish the student’s ability to play in an ensemble as a team. Encourage self-discipline through individual practice. Familiarize the student with orchestra literature from a wide variety of musical styles, cultures, and period of

history. Build the student’s teambuilding and self-esteem through participation in successful musical performances. Enjoy what the student is achieving.

SECTIONAL / ORCHESSTRA EXPECTATIONS

Report to class on time with all materials needed (instrument, pencil, music,…) Attend Lesson/Sectional and Orchestra Class Regularly. Be an active participant by striving to improve as a musician/ use pencil to make notes or corrections in music. Follow the directions of Mrs. Gross Practice at home on a regular basis – make a commitment to self and group Participate in all performances. Be respectful to all and to all instruments/ items.

PRACTICING AT HOME

In order to improve at anything takes time and work. Instruments are no different. Most people today have very busy schedules and students are sometimes involved in many different activities. Mrs. Gross feels that it is not necessary how much time you practice but how much practice you put into the time you have. For example, it may be more beneficial to practice a few measures over and over than just playing the whole piece one time. Since necessary amounts of practice vary from student to student, it is between the student and the parent how much or often they practice. Do what works best for your individual situation as long as the student is progressing.

CELLO AND BASS PLAYERS

If you play a cello or bass, you do not need to bring your home instrument to school. The school will have enough school cellos and basses to assign each cellist and bassist a school instrument that is in their size range.

GRADES

Grades are done on the school’s MMS system which you can check at any time. Grades a based on a point system:

1 Point = attending class/sectional – commitment to self and group.

1 Point = having all materials needed for a successful class.

1 Point = effort in class and home practice as evidence in the playing – can play skills independently.

1 Point = positive behavior / following directions.

1 Point = taking instrument home and work on improving.

Mrs. Gross should see the student 3 times a cycle which would be 15 points total for a cycle.

50 Points for each performance.

Students will have a playing grade/benchmark several times each marking period. The points on this may vary.

Any student failing an academic class or has repeated discipline issues in any class, may be asked not to participate in Orchestra Class or Sectionals until improvement is apparent.

PERFORMANCESPlease mark your calendars now for these upcoming performances. Inform coaches, troop leaders, instructors

of any type of these dates. (Please make copies of the concert flyer attached to this handbook to handout to other coaches, leaders…...) Concerts are a required activity and a grade is earned.

WINTER CONCERT: DECEMBER 9TH, 2015

AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL STARTING AT 7 PM. REPORT TIME 6:40 PM.

SPRING CONCERT: MAY 19TH, 2016

AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL STARTING AT 7 PM. REPORT TIME 6:40 PM.

WE MAY ALSO ATTEND AN ADJUDICATION NEAR HERSHEY ON SATURDAY, MAY 14TH 2016. THE ORCHESTRA WILL PERFORM AND BE JUDGED. AFTERWARDS, THE STUDENTS AND STAFF SPEND THE REST OF THE DAY AT

HERSHEYPARK. A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF ALL ORCHESTRA SECTIONS NEED TO ATTEND OR WE CANNOT PERFORM. STUDENTS WHO DO NOT ATTEND LESSONS/SECTIONALS & ORCHESTRA CLASS ON A REGULAR BASIS ARE THEREFORE NOT PREPARED AND MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE AS THIS IS AN ADJUDICATED EVENT.

ORCHESTRA ATTIRE

Orchestra students should always look clean and neat when representing themselves and their school. Mrs. Gross will be sending information home at a later date about Orchestra Attire.

ORCHESTRA CONCERT / PERFORMER ETIQUETTE

Performers should follow these guide lines when performing and representing themselves and their school:

Look clean and neat. Have music well prepared and instrument in good working order. NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON THE STAGE/PERFORMANCE AREA AT ANY TIME. Acknowledge applause with a nod, bow, or smile. Never shout or wave to the audience. Use proper posture/ playing position. Focus attention on your playing and the conductor. Work / play as a team member and not a soloist.

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP THEIR CHILD?

Your decision to provide your child with a quality musical experience is an investment in your child’s future. You are providing the opportunity for self-expression, creativity and achievement. Studies and research shows that playing an instrument enhances problem solving skills, reading skills, math skills, teamwork, goal setting, self-discipline, coordination, memory skills, self-confidence, concentration, higher test scores….. you get the point.

So how can the parent help even more? First, encourage your child to stick with it even if the music gets harder. Some things take a longer time to accomplish than others. Don’t let them quit too easily. Discuss it with your child and Mrs. Gross before letting go of a wonderful gift you the parent have provided. Second, develop a practice routine that fits the schedule of your lives. Try to find a place where your child can practice with minimal distractions. Make it work for you!

I hope I covered the important details! If you have and questions or concerns, please contact me at 225-4731 X5130 or grosss@sgasd.org. Also, by the end of September, my web page on the district web site should be current. This hand book and other important information, tips, games…. Will be on the site as well. I look forward to seeing you and teaching your child the joys of Orchestral playing.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gross

SGI & MS ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR

SGI CHORUS DIRECTOR

SGI GENERAL MUSIC INSTRUCTOR

HANDBOOK APPROVED BY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.

SGMSORCHESTRA

WINTER CONCERTDECEMBER 9, 2015

7PMAT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

SPRING CONCERTMAY 19TH , 2016

7PMAT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

SGMS ORCHESTRA

SCHEDULE

DAY 3 LESSONS/SECTIONALS ALL DAY

DAY 3 LAST PERIOD IS ORCHESTRA CLASS

DAY 5 LAST PERIOD IS ORCHESTRA CLASS

ORCHESTRA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

STUDENT’S NAME:__________________________________________ INSTRUMENT: VIOLIN VIOLA CELLLO BASS

HOMEROOM TEACHER:__________________________________________________ GRADE:_______

Parents and students, please review the following important information in the handbook. Please initial next to each of the items below to indicate your understanding of each item.

STUDENT INITIALS

PARENT INITIALS EXPECTATION

1. WE HAVE RECORDED MRS. GROSS’S CONTACT INFORMATION

2. STUDENT WILL ATTEND ALL LESSONS/CLASSES AND BE PREPARED

3. WE HAVE RECORDED THE CONCERTS ON OUR CALENDARS

4. STUDENT WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE CONCERTS

5. STUDENT WILL PRACTICE AT HOME

6. STUDENT WILL FOLLOW EXPECTATIONS AND GOALS OF THE CLASS

7. WE UNDERSTAND THE GRADING SYSTEM

WE HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ORCHESTRA HANDBOOK. WE ARE AWARE OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES AS A MEMBER OF THE SPRING GROVE ORCHESTRAS.

_________________________________________ ________________________________________

STUDENT’S SIGNATURE PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE

__________________________

DATE