ORCHESTRA

HANDBOOK

ORCHESTRA

HANDBOOK

ORCHESTRA

HANDBOOK

Winton Woods Intermediate School

2014 - 2015

Felipe Morales-Torres Director !

Lois Bell Assistant

CONTENTS

Ensembles & Extracurriculars 3.............................................................................................Instruments 4..........................................................................................................................Expectations and Grading 5...................................................................................................Daily Procedures 7.................................................................................................................Personal Practice 8.................................................................................................................Concert Procedures 9.............................................................................................................Performing Arts Boosters 11...................................................................................................Required Learning Materials 12..............................................................................................

WWIS ORCHESTRA HANDBOOK

SO YOU WANT TO PLAY IN ORCHESTRA... Awesome! I am so excited that you will. !!Dear Students and Parents,! Welcome to the Winton Woods Orchestra Program! This is the start of a very fun and exciting journey towards becoming an all-star musician and scholar. Like any voyage, learning to play an instrument will allow you to participate in many colorful and sometimes challenging experiences. The hardest part, however, is signing up, so congratulations to you for making that brave decision!! Participating in orchestra will allow you to acquire remarkable skills. Not only will you become an excellent instrumentalist, but you will also grow into a model citizen and accomplished scholar. The orchestra ensemble will help you develop individual responsibility, group awareness, effective communication, and leadership. All of this happens while exercising your creativity and working with friends to put on spectacular performances.! There is a reason we call it playing instruments, but, in order to have fun, we need to work hard too. This handbook contains information essential to a successful and enjoyable year. Please read it thoroughly as some procedures and expectations have changed. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions! And parents, guardians, please do stop by Open House on August 26th at 6:00 pm. It will be a great opportunity for you to see all your student will accomplish this year!!Here’s to a fun-filled year of learning and accomplishment! !!!!!!Felipe Morales-TorresDirector of Orchestras morales.felipe@wintonwoods.org (513) 619-2466 !!!

Once you are finished reviewing this booklet, complete and return the appropriate Agreements with necessary signatures

no later than August 29th.

Students in grades 5-6 receive string instrument instruction once per week during the school day. !!BEGINNING STRINGS Fifth-grade musicians participate in very small, group lessons once each week. Students are divided by instrument type so that they can receive the most efficient instruction and develop maximum confidence. Come concert time, classes will combine for full orchestra rehearsals during the school day.!!INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA Returning musicians participate in small group classes of mixed instrumentation. This offers string players the opportunity to perform progressively challenging music that will expose students to various styles, forms, and techniques.!!!EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES !WINTON WOODS FIDDLERS Fiddlers is the meeting place of fast fingers and world cultures. An after-school group meeting Mondays, this ensemble allows students to explore folk music styles while building up their technique and excitement.!

Sign-up information will be available from Mr. Morales in the second week of school.

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL ENSEMBLES

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ALL students are required to obtain a quality string instrument for class. Instruments must be kept in good playing condition, including the bow and case. You will be instructed in proper instrument care, so it is expected that all instruments be maintained in top performance condition to ensure success and daily class participation.!!Violin & VIOLA Currently, we do not have enough instruments for every player in our ensembles. Instruments can be rented or purchased at Baroque Violin Shop or Antonio Violins. Both vendors have excellent rental programs and even provide necessary accessories at no additional cost. !WARNING: Avoid purchasing instruments online through discount sites like E-Bay or Craigslist. The quality of these instruments is often questionable and there is no support should a problem arise. Never purchase an instrument without consulting your director first!!We do have a small stock of more affordable instruments available to families with financial needs. Details are available upon request.!!CELLO & BASS There is a selection of school-owned instruments available to cello and bass students for a rental fee of $25.00, which covers any repairs and replacements attributed to normal wear and tear. These instruments will be for use in school but may be taken home with director permission. !A second, stay-at-home instrument may be available to rent for an additional rental fee. You are responsible for transporting and storing these instruments safely, so please note that damages due to mishandling are not covered under our repair policy. !!! !

All school-owned instruments are subject to a $25.00 rental fee.Parents/Guardians must also commit to at least one PAB Boosters volunteer opportunity.

Students using school instruments must complete the Rental Agreement provided in class.

INSTRUMENTS

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!BE SAFE

Store your instrument in its case.Stay in your seat during rehearsal.

Handle equipment with care.!!BE RESPECTFUL

Listen when adults are speaking.Show support for your peers.

Follow all rehearsal procedures.!!BE RESPONSIBLE

Come to class on time.Complete all assignments.Practice, practice, practice.!!!!

Excellence is a choice that begins with an attitude of success. Choose wisely.!!!!

Consequences 1. Verbal warning2. Point deduction3. Parent conference (by phone, email, or in person)4. Office referral and Parent conference5. Suspension from orchestra activities and Parent conference6. Removal from orchestra program

EXPECTATIONS IN ORCHESTRA

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Your grade in orchestra is a reflection of musical achievement, technical skill, class participation, and overall effort. There are five components to your grade each quarter:!PERFORMANCE (50%) The majority of a student’s grade will be based on performance ability and progress on the instrument. This will be measured via weekly recording assignments on Essential Elements Interactive (EEi).!!Assignments (20%) You will be expected to complete various worksheets and small projects each grading period. It is important that you complete all assignments so that you can prepare for and participate in class. Realize that your rehearsal grade could suffer if you are unable to participate because of missed homework.!!CONCERTS (20%) Participation in concerts will determine up to 20% of your grade. Every performance is mandatory and attendance for the entire concert is required in the event of a joint performance with other ensembles. Consult our Concert Policies on pages 9-10 to learn more about your concert grade in orchestra.!!CLASSES (10%) Each class you will begin with an “A” for preparation, participation, and attendance in sectional and orchestra. Points will be awarded or deducted according to the following scale:! 20 - Instrument present 10 - Attentiveness 5 - Shoulder rest, rock stop, rosin, etc. 20 - Music folder, book on stand 10 - Participation 5 - Pencil on stand 20 - Playing well (evidence of practice) 10 - Punctuality

GRADING POLICY

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We recommend at least one hour of practice each week. Try four 15-minute sessions!!!ASSESSMENT Practice habits will be evaluated via weekly recording assignments on EEi. (See next page.) No formal logs will be required, but students and parents/guardians can use the EEI Practice Log tool to help stay on track.!!!Practice Tips 1. Take your instrument home and set aside a consistent time for all four sessions. 2. Begin each practice by playing at least one scale.3. Focus on your assigned goals. Work to improve on small chunks at a time. 4. Make it fun! Challenge yourself. Can you beat your top speed? Can you play it backwards? Get creative.5. End each practice by playing something you enjoy!!!!PRACTICE TOOLS An assortment of review tools is available on our website’s homepage, www.warriorstrings.org. Check the resources section for additional app recommendations, supplemental materials, and helpful links. The practice studio in EEi is also an invaluable resource for productive practicing!!!!BONUS PRACTICE POINTS You can earn extra credit just by practicing! Occasionally, personal practice challenges will be announced in class, during which students can participate for extra credit.

PERSONAL PRACTICE

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We will be using this FREE, web-based resource for all recording and practice assignments. www.EEistrings.com!!HOW TO REGISTER 1. Go to www.eeistrings.com and click on the Student or Parent/Guardian log-in button.2. Enter our School ID and your Student ID. (See below.)3. Enter your Essential Elements 2000 activation code from the first page of your book.4. Complete your profile and provide contact information.! SCHOOL ID: warriorstrings STUDENT ID: first initial + last name (e.g. jsmith for John Smith) ! !!RECORDING Students will be required to record their playing once each week. Please be sure your computer or preferred device meets the system requirements for EEi. Recordings will be submitted via the practice studio. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If internet access is an issue, students will be able to submit weekly assignments by other means. Possible options are in-person performance, CD or MP3, or voicemail recording. These are only available to students who genuinely cannot use the EEi platform.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS INTERACTIVE

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Performances constitute up to 20% of your grade. Our concerts are the culmination of your work throughout the quarter both in and out of class, which is why ALL ORCHESTRA CONCERTS ARE MANDATORY. They are your chance to show parents, friends, and community members everything you have accomplished!!!Attendance There are two types of absences for orchestra concerts and classes: excused or unexcused. Excused Absences constitute documented illness, death in the family, or emergency situations. Please contact one of your teachers as soon as possible in order for us to consider an emergency. Absences are considered unexcused if neither teacher receives notice. Excuses such as “I forgot” or “I couldn’t find a ride” are not satisfactory. It will also count as an unexcused absence if you leave a concert before its conclusion. !!Make-Up Performances In the event of an absence, points can be redeemed by completing a make-up assignment as follows:! Option 1: Perform an extra playing quiz featuring repertoire from the missed concert. Option 2: Attend another Winton Woods Orchestra performance (MS or HS) and write a review.!You will receive full credit for a make-up assignment if your absence was excused. Up to 85% of the concert grade can be redeemed if your absence was unexcused. In both cases, it is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to approach the director for make-up work. Otherwise, you will receive zero credit.!!!Dress Rehearsals You must attend the dress rehearsal in order to perform in a concert. Dress rehearsals will usually be held during school the day of the concert unless otherwise noted. Failure to attend dress rehearsal will result in an unexcused absence from the concert. Emergency absences from these rehearsals will be considered individually.

CONCERT PROCEDURES

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Concert Etiquette We will review proper concert behavior and procedure in class. It is up to you to behave appropriately when you are on and off the stage. Please remember that we lead the entire audience by example. If you behave inappropriately during a performance, you may be asked to leave and marked down for an unexcused absence. You will be expected to complete one of the make-up assignments described previously.!!!Concert Attire All members of orchestra ensembles are required to dress in formal wear for concerts. ! Boys options: Collared shirt Dress pants or Khakis Black or brown dress shoes Dress socks Suit jacket Necktie Girls options: Collared shirt or blouse Dress pants or knee-length skirt Dress shoes Dress socks or hose!Inappropriate or informal attire will constitute a loss of points from the concert grade. Performance etiquette, including dress code, are all part of learning to be a musician.!!!Other Activities The same attendance procedures apply to any required activities laid out in our season calendar. District calendars have already been checked for school conflicts, so any dates listed take precedence over activities scheduled later in the year. Please review all dates now for possible personal conflicts. Should there be any, please contact one of your teachers before returning the Student-Parent Agreement.

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a LARGER, STRONGER boosters group... In past years, the performing arts departments each had their own parent support organization. There is now a unified support organization called the Winton Woods Performing Arts Boosters. Participation is free and open to all parents of students involved in music, theatre, or both! !!Get involved – we can’t do this without you! Parent support is critical for a student to succeed at anything, but especially in the performing arts. Supporting your child’s teachers also ensures that they have the resources and the manpower to give your student the very best education possible.!As teachers, we know that everyone has gifts and talents, including you. Please consider whether you might be able to contribute to one of these efforts: !

CommunicatingFundraising

Event PlanningChaperoningConcessions

Sewing/TailoringRecruiting!

You are invited to attend regular booster meetings, which occur every other Monday as outlined below. These meetings are typically an enjoyable and relaxed setting in which you can meet other parents and keep informed. Please visit the booster webpage at http://arts.wintonwoodsboosters.org/ for more information.!! General Meeting Monday, September 08 at 7:00pm General Meeting Monday, November 03 at 7:00pm General Meeting Monday, January 05 at 7:00pm General Meeting Monday, March 02 at 7:00pm Music Awards Night Monday, May 11 at 7:00pm ! All booster meetings take place at the WWHS Cafeteria

PERFORMING ARTS BOOSTERS

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The most important materials for orchestra class are your instrument and a pencil, but there are a few other necessities that will help you succeed:!For Class 1. Instrument2. Method Book

5th Grade: Essential Elements for Strings, Book 1 6th Grade: Essential Elements for Strings, Book 2

3. Cleaning cloth4. Pencil(s)3. Three-prong folder with spare paper!!For Personal Practice 1. Instrument2. Pencil(s)3. Metronome4. Tuner!You will have FREE access to several metronomes and tuners via EEI and our website, www.warriorstrings.org.

REQUIRED LEARNING MATERIALS

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Please mark these dates on your home calendar and notify us of any conflicts via the Student-Parent Agreement. District calendars have already been checked for school conflicts, so any dates listed below take precedence over activities scheduled later in the year. !!

All concerts begin at 7:00pm unless noted. Remember: you will lose points for ANY type of absence during a concert.

Full make-ups only permitted for excused absences. !!DATE EVENT LOCATION ENSEMBLE October 24 First Recital Orchestra Room 5th Graders !November 21* Art Gallery Recital TBD 6th Graders !December 15 Winter Concert IS Gymnasium 5th & 6th Grade Orchestras !February 09** ON Dress Rehearsal WW High School All Orchestras GR5-12 !February 10 Orchestra Night WW High School All Orchestras GR5-12 !April 21 Spring Concert IS Gymnasium 5th & 6th Grade Orchestras !!!!!!* Open House and Superintendent’s Art Gallery begin at 6:30pm** Orchestra Night Dress Rehearsal will take place at the end of the school day, ending at 4:00pm.

2014-2015 WWIS ORCHESTRA CALENDAR

Winton Woods Orchestras Permission Signature Sheet

To be signed and returned immediately.

!I, the parent/guardian, give my permission for my child to attend school-sponsored music field trips arranged with the prior knowledge of school administration.

I, the parent/guardian, also give permission for my child to be videotaped, photographed or broadcast in conjunction with school related performances.

Communication/Technology Disclosures:Information pertaining to the orchestra program, its activities, and my child’s performance will be communicated in one or more of the following ways:

Progress Book Essential Elements Interactive Orchestra Webpage (www.warriorstrings.org) Email as listed in WWIS Database Phone as listed in WWIS Database Social media

My child DOES has access to the following in our household:

☐ Desktop computer ☐ Laptop computer ☐ Tablet/iPad ☐ Smartphone ☐ Internet

☐ Social media ☐ Printer

!Student’s Name:

________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Signature:

________________________________________________________________________

(Date)

Preferred Telephone Number :

________________________________________________________________________

Preferred E-mail:

________________________________________________________________________

FILL OUT REVERSE SIDE, TOO!

Winton Woods Orchestras Parent Volunteer Form

!!WE NEED YOUR HELP! Several events depend on volunteer power from parents and guardians. Some of these are crucial fundraisers for the program, such as the outdoor concessions at HS athletic events. Your volunteerism directly benefits our students! !Please mark below the events for which you can volunteer. You will receive a phone call or an email from a director to confirm your commitment. A reminder call or email will also be given shortly before the event. !

CONCESSIONS VOLUNTEERS (Please report 45 minutes before the of your selected events.) !

☐ Monday, Sept. 15 – 7:00 PM – Girls Soccer (JV & V) ☐ Friday, Oct. 03 – 7:30 PM – Varsity Football !

ORCHESTRA NIGHT (Being a chaperone will not keep you from seeing your child perform!) !

☐ Monday, Feb. 09 – 2-4:00 PM – Dress rehearsal chaperones ☐ Tuesday, Feb. 10 – 6:00 PM – Concert chaperones !

OTHER EVENTS (Field trips, special events, fundraising, etc.) !

☐ I am willing to consider volunteering for misc. needs if contacted !Volunteer(s) Name(s) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ !Phone Number ____________________________________________ !Email ______________________________________________ !

Minimum ONE volunteer commitment required per school-owned instrument rental.