Orchestra Handbook, 2017-2018

Liberty Middle/High School Orchestra

2017-2018 Handbook

 

Ms. Sarah Weber

Orchestra Teacher

145 Buckley Street, Liberty, NY  12754

School Phone: (845) 292-5400 ext. 5118  

Email:  sweber@libertyk12.org

 

September 11, 2017

 

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,

 

Welcome to orchestra at LMS and LHS! The 2017-2018 school year is full of opportunities for your child to improve on his or her instrument, learn great music, and participate in many fun and challenging activities with his or her peers. This packet summarizes the class and what is expected of your child, provides the dates of upcoming concerts, and introduces ways for you to stay informed about lessons, concert dates, and your child’s day-to-day progress. Please read this packet carefully with your child. Only the last page (second page of Orchestra Contract) needs to be returned to Ms. Weber, signed by both student and parent/guardian. This page will be due by Friday, September 22, 2017. Please feel free to get in touch with me at any point during the year with any questions or concerns. My school phone number and email address are at the top of this page. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to working with you and your child this year!

Grading

The following areas make up your quarter grade:

 

    LESSONS (Attendance, Practice, Playing Exams)……...40%

****(If scheduled performances occur, lessons are worth 30%. )****

    DAILY GRADES……………………….60%

****(If scheduled performances occur, daily grades are worth 30%. )**** PERFORMANCE(S)…………………………..40%

 

Lessons

Each student is required to attend regular lessons. A rotating schedule will be distributed to students, posted in the orchestra classroom, and distributed to each teacher in the school. Lesson times are rotated so that students do not have to miss the same class every more than once every few weeks. ***Your attendance at each lesson is mandatory.*** Come in having practiced your music and be ready to demonstrate the assignment on your instrument.

 

Daily Grades

This is your level of achievement while you are in the classroom for orchestra (2 to 3 times per week), including being on time, respectfulness, attitude, cooperation, and being prepared for class (having your instrument, music, pencil, etc).

 

Performances

Your child must attend all performances scheduled for their orchestra. Please see the calendar of events for 2017-2018 on the next page.    

 

**STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL PERFORMANCES!!! A MISSED PERFORMANCE CAN ONLY BE MADE UP AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR.  THE DIRECTOR WILL DETERMINE WHAT, IF ANY PROJECTS WILL NEED TO BE COMPLETED FOR THAT PERFORMANCE CREDIT.**

  

Concert Dress: Students in both middle school and high school will wear all black, including dress shirts, dress pants, skirts, and dresses. Skirts/dresses must fall below the knee. Please wear black socks or hose, and black dress shoes. Leggings, jeans, athletic wear, sneakers, and flip-flops are NOT ACCEPTABLE. Please plan ahead!!!

 

Rules and Discipline

STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS AT ALL TIMES!  You are expected to follow the rules in this ORCHESTRA HANDBOOK, Middle School/High School STUDENT HANDBOOK, the PBIS EXPECTATIONS and to follow the instructions of the orchestra director. Failure to comply will result in a series of steps designed to remedy the situation. Failure to comply with these steps could result in removal from the orchestra.

 

Seating

Seating will be assigned and rotated at the director’s discretion. It is important for students to play in all parts of the section to understand the differences in sound and their role in the group.

 

Required Materials for Class: Due Friday, September 22, 2017

  • Instrument and bow in good condition. Case should be marked with your name.

  • 1-inch binder with 3 rings to hold sheet music. Please do not use a bigger binder.

  • Lesson book (provided if needed).

  • Rosin. (One piece provided per year. Additional rosin is $1.00)

  • Shoulder rest (violin/viola) or endpin rest (cello). (provided if needed)

  • Cleaning cloth for your instrument (this can be any piece of fabric – a piece of an old shirt or small dishcloth works well).

 

Liberty Central Schools Orchestra Calendar 2017-2018 (required events).

 

  • December 6, 2017, 7 pm – 5th- and 6th-Grade Winter Concert (Snow date December 7)

  • December 11, 2017, 7 pm – 7th- and 8th-Grade Winter Concert (Snow date December 14)

  • December 13, 2017, 7 pm – High School Honors Winter Concert (Snow date December 14)

  • December  18, 2017, 7 pm – High School Winter Concert (Snow date December 19)

  • December 21, 2017, 2 pm – High School Concert Assembly – Ensembles TBA

  • February 28, 2018, 7 pm – High School Pops Concert (Snow date March 1)

  • May 8, 2018, 7 pm – 7th- and 8th-Grade Spring Concert

  • May 10, 2018, 7 pm – High School Honors Spring Concert

  • May 15, 2018, 7 pm – 5th- and 6th-Grade Spring Concert

  • May 16, 2018, 7 pm – High School Spring Concert

  • May 24, 2018, time TBD – Middle School Music Assembly (in-school)

 

Additional Performance Dates (depending on participation and/or selection)

  •