North Gwinnett High School

Orchestra Program

Handbook

Policies and Guidelines

2013-2014

North Gwinnett High School Orchestra Program

Dear Orchestra Students and Parents,

Welcome to the Orchestra Program at North Gwinnett High School!

The following pages will outline the basic requirements for the North Gwinnett High School Orchestra Program. Please read this handbook carefully. You may also find this document on our website.

This handbook contains essential information for a successful year. It will serve as a helpful guide to define our goals and expectations as we continue to strive to be a quality musical organization. Keep it handy and refer to it often!

ALL PARENTS: The first parent meeting is important to attend.

Our first General Orchestra Parent Meeting of the year will be held Tuesday August 13, 2013 at 7:00pm. We will be discussing the changes in uniform requirements, Orchestra fees, general needs of our program and fundraising options for the year and the upcoming symphony and opera trips.

We are looking forward to working with you this year. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us personally. Office phone 678-482-1090 or Christine_Lansou@gwinnett.k12.ga.us or Lauren_McCombe@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

Orchestra Class Offerings

North Gwinnett High School currently offers 5 different levels of orchestra classes. Students registered last spring with a number of considerations: ability level, spring auditions, grade level, director’s schedule, experience and other course conflicts. With many ability levels, our goals of providing the best possible musical experience, it is important to remember the team concept. Ensemble is often defined as “together.” As the orchestra grows, the directors and administration will continue to evaluate individual student needs and class structure to meet the needs of the students and program. Re-assessment is a vital part of growth and excellence.

Course Outline

The following musical skills and concepts are just a few of the elements being introduced and/or developed through orchestral literature, chamber music literature, etudes, and technical studies appropriate to the needs of the student:

Critical and Creative Thinking

Tone production and vibrato

Rhythm, Dynamics, Tempo and Pitch accuracy

Major and minor scales and arpeggios

Rehearsal techniques and etiquette

Bowing style and techniques

Listening skills blending and balance

Musical interpretation and expression, Musical phrasing

Music History

Music theory and Composition

Orchestra is a CO-Curricular subject within the academic school day. Students will have a limited number of rehearsals and concerts after the school day. Since performance is an integral part of the total orchestra experience and a required A.K.S., attendance at these events is essential to receive the greatest musical success. As per Gwinnett County Board Policy (P.IDEA), attendance at these rehearsals and concerts is mandatory. These are graded events. Students will be notified well in advance of required attendance dates. Please refer to the calendar of performances and events included on this web site.

Grading System

The student’s grade will be based on the director’s evaluation of daily classwork, after school rehearsals and performances, with emphasis on rehearsal competencies, performance preparation, and personal practice, continuing improvement in skill level, written tests and playing tests.

Class Assessments …………35%

A partial list (but not limited to) of class assessments:

Daily class work and homework

Daily Written and Playing quizzes

Daily rehearsal technique and etiquette

Following all classroom and school rules

Having all materials: instrument/bow in playing condition, music, pencil, rosin, mute, extra strings, rock stop

Keeping nails to the appropriate length

Summative Assessments ………40%

1.	Required concerts (see calendar for dates)

2.	Unit Written and Playing quizzes

3.	Small group performances

4.	District generated assessment provided by the Assessment Office

5.	Research projects and papers

Interim Assessment…….5%

District generated assessment

Performance Final Exam ………..10%

Written Final Exam …………..…10%

Responsibilities

Student Responsibilities

Each student is expected to do the following:

Be at the right place at the right time with the right equipment and right attitude.

Pay attention in class and be considerate of the rights of others to learn

Have a positive attitude and patience when success is not immediate.

Approach the instrument in a serious manner.

Remember that everything you do affects everyone in the class.

Practice daily

Read and take home all written communications.

Maintain Short fingernails. Short means not beyond the end of the finger. Short enough to curve the fingers properly and to ensure the best vibrato.

Abide by guidelines as set forth in the North Gwinnett H.S. Student handbook and Orchestra handbook.

Materials

Instrument and bow in good playing condition

Music currently being studied

Student’s name clearly labeled on ALL equipment ********

Essential Elements Advanced Techniques (Hal Leonard)

A pencil on the stand

A Black loose-leaf notebook with pockets to hold handbook, class notes and handouts. You will need some regular notebook paper.

Accessories:

Rosin (high quality please)

Shoulder rest for violin and viola

Cleaning cloth for instrument and bow

Mute

Extra set of strings

Rock stop or other endpin rest for cello and bass

8. Folding wire music stand for home use and possible outdoor or trip concerts.

*****Individual Practice*****

Because this is an ensemble class, the lack of practice by one student affects all the other students in class. Practice may be defined as “achieving the greatest amount of technical and musical improvement in the least amount of time.” Difficult measures, lines or passages must be carefully analyzed. Slow, patient, accurate practice is the most productive. Playing each passage slowly at first, drilling it until it is learned. Playing entire pieces through without practicing is a waste of time. You will play as well as you practice.

Remember: Practice SMARTER…. Not HARDER!!!!

Maintenance of Instruments

It is imperative that instruments be maintained in what is called “playing condition.” This includes the instrument having four strings at all times. If a string breaks, make sure that you always have a spare that matches the set, which is currently on the instrument. This set should be carried in your case so that there will be no loss of practice time or class participation/rehearsal competency grade points.

Strings should be changed and bows re-haired at least annually. From time to time other repairs may be necessary. If you are renting an instrument, it is best to contact the music store from which the instrument is rented. If you own your instrument and need help, please ask your directors or other students for a recommended VIOLIN SHOP.

Exposing an instrument to extremes of heat and cold can cause the instrument to crack, possibly requiring expensive repairs. Prevention is the key here. Leaving an instrument in a hot car or sun can damage the varnish. An instrument left in a cold car can cause the seams to separate. Using good judgment and common sense is very important in preventing damage and costly repair.

School Instrument Rental Plan

Bass and cello players are encouraged to rent an instrument from a local music store for home practice if at all possible. The school supplied instruments may be rented out at the beginning of the year. This option is not available for violin and viola. Inventory will be checked every 9 weeks. Students will be required to fill out the Gwinnett County School’s instrument Maintenance Fee Agreement form and return to your teachers before the instrument may be taken by the assigned student.

A non-refundable fee of $50.00 ($25.00 per semester) is requested to help defray the cost of maintaining the instruments per Gwinnett County Board Policy. This includes repairs due to normal wear and tear and the yearly change of strings and bow re-hair. A set of quality strings and a bow re-hair for cello or bass typically will cost between $100.00 and $150.00. Gwinnett County does provide us with a budget line for repairs but will not cover the maintenance of string replacement and bow re-hair required for every instrument.

Repairs due to damage or neglect will be the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian of the student. Please make checks payable to North Gwinnett Orchestra. Thank you in advance for your contribution.

Personal Equipment

Put your name on ALL equipment!

The Gwinnett County School System is not responsible for stolen or damaged instruments that are owned, rented or borrowed by students. Although schools have storage areas, these exist primarily for school owned instruments and are provided for student convenience during the school day. Instrument storage rooms are not 100% secure. Schools cannot be responsible for any items left in the orchestra room or anywhere else on campus, either during the school day or overnight. Students who leave their instruments in storage rooms are strongly urged to lock their cases in some manner and take them home every night to practice. Students should never leave their instruments in practice rooms, classrooms, buses, hallways, etc., during the school day, evenings, weekends or holidays.

Students are NEVER allowed to touch other students’ instruments or allow their instruments to be used by others. The school and directors are not responsible for instruments, which are damaged as a result of a student loaning his or her instrument to another student. They are not responsible for students using another student’s instrument without the other student’s permission. Each person should take care not to leave an instrument unattended or in a precarious position. Instrument cases must not be used as foot rests or a stool, this can damage the instrument. Unfortunately, some damage is the result of vandalism. Wise students will be careful with the handling and storage of their instruments.

It is expected that orchestra students take responsibility seriously. Since the conduct of an orchestra student reflects not only on himself/herself, but also on all orchestra students, the school and the community, each student is required to follow all expectations listed below:

Performances

Performances permit the students to share what they have learned with the public. Concerts have two major purposes. One purpose is for the students to express themselves by learning how to interpret music and communicate their expression to an audience. The other purpose is for the student to experience music with an educated ear. Listening is as important as the playing of music and in fact cannot be separated. The goal of music education is to develop listening skills so that full comprehension and knowledge of the myriad of sounds can be expressed intelligently through the medium of music. This process is ongoing. It is important, therefore, for students to stay for entire concerts and behave attentively. Attendance and proper audience etiquette are considered in a student’s grade.

An orchestra rehearses and performs at its optimum with all members present. Every member is important for the success of the orchestra. All after or before school rehearsals and concerts are required components of the course and attendance is MANDATORY and GRADED. Absenteeism and tardiness not only hurts you, but impair the effectiveness if the entire ensemble. Musicians are always on time and on time means arriving early. Ample time is required to tune and warm up before the rehearsal or concert begins.

Absence Policy

WRITTEN NOTICES FROM PARENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL ABSENCES. VERBAL OR WRITTEN EXCUSES FROM STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ADVANCED notice is required for all absences. Students are given a calendar of rehearsals and concert dates at least two or three weeks prior to the event. Once a rehearsal or concert is scheduled and a conflict arises, please notify a director immediately. Students are given ample notification in order to make proper arrangements. Students are required to request any work schedules be arranged to accommodate all after or before school rehearsals and concerts. Your employer will help you to work around required school events. These requests take priority over extra-curricular, sporting events and social events.

In the case of illness and/or family medical emergency, parents should send a written notice to a director as soon as they are aware that such a situation exists. If it is an emergency, e.g. something that happens 30 minutes before the rehearsal is to begin; it may be impossible to get in touch with a director. Therefore, please provide a written note to the director as soon as possible after the fact. THIS IS THE ONLY CATEGORY WHERE ABSENCES WILL BE EXCUSED ON THE SAME DAY OF, OR AFTER THE EVENT.

Religious holidays or conflicts with individual religious beliefs are considered excused. Please notify the director as soon as you are aware that a conflict exists.

To receive a grade for an EXCUSED absence from a rehearsal or concert, it is the student’s responsibility to see the director for a make-up assignment. This assignment may be (but not limited to) a personal recording of the current music, a written report, project or performance for the class depending upon the weight of the grade. NO RECORDINGS OR ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER TWO WEEKS FROM THE DATE OF THE MISSED REHEARSAL OR CONCERT. The student will not receive credit for the grade if it is late.

To receive a passing grade (70%) for an UNEXCUSED absence, the same assignment parameters will apply. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Fund Raisers

There are many basic needs that the orchestra has that are not provided for with county or local school funds. In order for the orchestra to achieve its potential, it is necessary to meet those needs through fundraising. As the orchestra grows, we have decided to recommend an orchestra fee in addition to fundraisers. Successful top quality programs require financial support. Below is a partial list of needs for which monies raised will be used.

Music

Quality CD recordings

LGPE registration fees

Audio – Video equipment

Guest clinicians

Repairs and replacement string

Extra high quality instruments for student use

We do very few fundraisers, so it is important for everyone to participate. Just a side note… if we all contributed to the orchestra fund, we would have only one fund raiser a year. Please give what you can.

NGHS Orchestra Uniform

The goal of the uniform concert dress is to enable a performing organization to look as good as it sounds. There are really no good sounding groups that look poorly from the audience. Quality performances demand a uniform, professional look by all members of the orchestra. We are even graded at festival on group appearance.

The Formal Uniform

Gentlemen:	Basic black tuxedo pants with black satin stripe down the pant leg. Black collared shirt. Black tie. Black socks and shoes.

We will size the pants, shirt and tie from a professional Concert Apparel Company.

Women:	Black full length formal dress “Classic” (ordered from Stage Accents Apparel) Black closed toe, low heel dress shoes. If women ware any accessories, a director must approve them.

Informal Shirt: We will be ordering an orchestra embroidered long sleeved shirt for spirit wear for informal concerts and trips. This is a required part of the uniform.

Please Note:	Uniforms must be ordered before mid-September to insure arrival before the first concert.

Ordering information will be provided in the first week of school.