WELCOME TO THE WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA

Beginner Parent Meeting 2014

Introduction

Mrs. Gauthier (pronounced Goth-ier)

Mrs. Stevenson

Why Music is Important

Middle School campuses with a higher percentage of student enrollments in fine arts courses achieved higher academic ratings.

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006

Exemplary 0.83 0.73 0.76 0.72 0.8 0.76

Recognized 0.79 0.75 0.69 0.67 0.69 0.7

Acceptable 0.77 0.73 0.66 0.66 0.64 0.66

Low Per-forming

0.79 0.6 0.65 0.58 0.56 0.63

53%63%73%83%

Middle Schools (6-8)

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Research Conclusion:Students in Music Study Score Higher

Students in high-quality school music programs score higher on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient music education programs, regardless of the socioeconomic level of the school or school district.

SAT Average Scores

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1462 15001825

2119

State of the Orchestra

Currently, there are almost 200 students enrolled in the Truett Wilson Orchestra

Four Orchestras Beginner Orchestra Concert Orchestra Symphonic Orchestra Chamber Orchestra

AMPED – the district’s only electric string ensemble

What will my child be doing in class?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAVR1s3MbSs&feature=BFa&list=ULcn_eOMqrIQ0

Year at a Glance

1st Six Weeks: Learning fundamentals of posture and position Left and right hands are learned separately, D and A string only Becoming comfortable with music reading, specific verbiage

and procedures 2nd Six Weeks:

Combining left and right hands Building on foundations started earler Fall Concert

3rd Six Weeks: Learning “real” piece of music outside of the book Begin learning to tune their own instruments Winter Concert

Year at a Glance

4th Six Weeks All 4 strings, adding different finger patterns, bowing techniques Starting to work on Solos and Ensembles for contest in April Mid Winter Concert

5th Six Weeks Participate in Solo and Ensemble Contest More advanced right and left hand Begin working on “real” music (5 different parts)

6th Six Weeks Audition for next school year Participate in Spring Competition Spring Concert Introduction of advanced concepts necessary for 7th grade

orchestra, thinking about orchestra camp in the summer, summer lessons.

What do they need to do at home? Practice…but only 15-20 minutes at a

time!

Where and what they need for effective practice Chair/stool, music stand, metronome, CD

player

What they do NOT need for effective practice TV, siblings, distractions, pressure to

perform

Note Reading Practice

Music reading is KEY to success – it’s like learning a new language.

Practicing notereading counts as practice time in the 1st 6 weeks.

Note reading games available online http://

www.nisdtx.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=14&DomainID=4281&PageID=39984&ModuleInstanceID=40637&ViewID=9d7780dc-000e-458b-ba39-cfc84059b040&IsMoreExpandedView=True

Apps that Help

Note reading Apps Note Squish Staff Wars Treble Cat, Bass Cat (no Alto Cat – lame!) Flash Note

Rhythm Apps Rhythm Cat

Practice Cards

Due every Friday, SIGNED BY A PARENT 100 minutes a week are required for a

weekly formative grade of 100. 83 minutes practiced = grade of 83 143 minutes practiced = grade of 143

(makes up for forgotten week, busy week, etc.)

Extra Practice Cards available on netschool and the orchestra website.

Practicing

“Good practice will PERFECT something. Bad practice will only make you an expert at playing something BADLY.”

Supplies Needed Every Day

Instrument and supplies necessary to play instrument Violin/viola: shoulder rest

Beginner Method Book/Music Folder Pencil

A participation grade is taken every week. 20 points a day are earned by having supplies in order to

participate

You can help us by encouraging personal responsibility!

Care and Storage of the Instrument They should treat their instrument like

it’s their baby! Instrument should always be in a case if

you are taking it anyplace. NO HOT CARS. NO MOISTURE.

Every instrument has a specific place in the orchestra room.

Can drop off instrument as early as 8am.

School Owned Instruments vs. Rentals

Rental instruments are through independent music stores (Bell’s Music Shop, Music and Arts, etc.) For cellos and basses, the rental is kept at home to

practice and the student is issued a school owned instrument for use at school.

School district owns instruments that are available for students to take home in the event that they cannot afford a rental. $100 a year IF THE INSTRUMENT IS TAKEN HOME Not an ideal situation, but certainly can work

What to Do if Something Breaks No DIY attempts to fix it please Just put everything back in the case,

and bring it to us.Some common issues that WE can

fix: Broken string Bridge pops off (not broken) Chin rest comes off End pin comes out

Pass Off Ribbons

Reinforces fundamental skills while allowing for child’s personal learning potential/speed. Emphasis on effort + attitude = success Allows for weekly specific and individual

feedback to student

Pass Offs happen on Fridays during class. Pass Offs can also be done in the mornings

if they are ready to move ahead (just for ribbon, not for a grade).

Private Lessons

For extra enrichment, not remediation Take place during the orchestra class,

once a week $20 per lesson Private Teachers are screened,

background checked, and interviewed To sign up your child, return the form

tonight.

Concerts

A celebration of their work! 4 concerts a year:

October – Concert in the Courtyard December – Holiday Concert February – Mid Winter Concert May – Spring Concert/Recognition Night

Attendance is Mandatory (for the students)

Attire for Concerts

Orchestra Shirt Nice ALL black pants/capris/long skirt

No shorts, short skirts, or black jeans. Nice shoes

No tennis shoes, flip flops, sneakers

October Concert is outside in the Courtyard – jeans for this concert instead of black pants.

Fee for Orchestra

$35 total for the year PAYS FOR:

$15 orchestra t-shirt $10 solo and ensemble contest entry fees $10 spring festival

Cash or make checks payable to Wilson Orchestra

Can do a payment plan if necessary Communicate with the directors

Social Events

Part of the “family” atmosphere Handful of events throughout the year:

“Family Picnic” and cookout – September Trip to the Ft. Worth Symphony Trip – November Trampoline Park – February Water Park – Spring

Look for specific details about each event as they come up.

They are optional

Charms

www.charmsoffice.com Click Student/Parent

login Type: TWMSOrch for

access Password is your

child’s ID number.

You can check fee balances, if money was turned in, etc.

Volunteers

Make sure you have filled out the NISD Volunteer Background Check (available online). You CANNOT assist us in any capacity

without being “on the list” Concession stand help: Volunteers

needed to work the concession stand at the home volleyball/basketball games.

Social events/Chaperones Concert in the Courtyard Bake Sale

Stay in the Loop

Email: mgauthier@nisdtx.org and sstevenson@nisdtx.org

Office Phone: 817.698.7920 Facebook – Wilson MS Orchestra #wilsonorch in all social media

Reminder Text Messages

Taking Instruments Home

VIOLINS AND VIOLAS Instruments can go home tonight, but MUST

come back tomorrow for class!

CELLOS AND BASSES Instruments can go home tonight, please DO

NOT bring them back to school!

MUSIC STANDS – in the green box. DO NOT bring them back to school.

THANK YOU

A program of this size is not possible without the support of our amazing parents.

Thank you for being here tonight, for renting the instrument, being excited for where their musical journey will take them, and keeping them accountable!