Welcome to Orchestra 2, 4th period

Each year we have the opportunity to create a new Orchestra... a new living, breathing, playing entity that we create through group and individual practice, cooperation, and mutual support. Working together as a team is our goal, and this allows beautiful music, and individual skill development to happen.

DONATE TO THE ORCHESTRA

Our program could use some financial help that would be used for everything from music, scores, and folders, to the cost of framing and displaying Orchestra awards and pictures. Bus transportation to events, and payment for the stage crew for our orchestra concerts are also necessary expenditures. Any donation would be helpful, used wisely, and appreciated by myself and the orchestra students.

HERE IS THE LINK TO DONATE https://dsdgive.net/event/1937

Unfortunately, students will have to pay for the bus we will need to go on our Elementary Tour, and to our District Festival. I will keep this as low as possible.

HELP :)

There are a couple of things that I just can't clone myself to take care of... hahah... so if you can help with any of the following tasks, please email me back and let me know.

Taking donations before the concert, or sitting with the orchestra class for crowd control during the concerts.

Substitute teach Orchestra: If you have ANY training at all, and could help, let me know.

Driving the Cellos and Bass to District Orchestra Festival, and around to the Elementary School Performances (Dates Below)

CONCERTS

We will have concerts during the course of the year, which are VERY important, as are the Dress Rehearsals before the concerts. It's our BIG game, so to speak, and performance is a skill that we need to practice as well. Concert Dress for this Orchestra is White top, and Black pants, or skirt, and black shoes. No jeans.

2022-23 ORCHESTRA CONCERT SCHEDULE

Oct. 27th 7:00pm Northridge High auditorium Dress Rehearsal 6:15pm on stage.

Nov. 30th at Clearfield High, combined Orchestra/Choir number. More details to come.

Dec. 14th, 7:00pm Northridge High auditorium. Dress Rehearsal, 5:45pm on stage.

Feb. 15th 7:00pm Sunset Jr High Gym. Dress Rehearsal 6:30 in the Gym.

Feb. 21st Elementary performance South Weber at 1:00pm. Bus will leave Sunset Jr. at 12:30pm

Feb. 22nd Elementary performances. Bus will leave at 9am Performance schedule is 9:15am Parkside 10am Clinton, 11Am Fremont, 1pm Sunset. Students will need money for a fast food lunch, or bring your own. Parents are invited to any and all performances.

District Orchestra Festival will be 23rd.. the location, hasn't been set yet.

Elementary performance tour will take place during the school day of Feb. 21 at Woods Cross High

May 17th 7:00 pm Northridge High auditorium. Dress Rehearsal 5:45 on stage.

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED IN CLASS on a daily basis:

Instrument (violin and viola will need a shoulder pad)

Pencil

All Music and Method Books (Habits of a Successful Middle School String Musician, available to use, or you can purchase one.)

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED FOR HOME PRACTICE:

A quiet place to practice so you can focus. Setting, and keeping to a consistent practice time and schedule is really helpful also.

Music stand

Metronome. A phone app is fine if you don't want to purchase one, but students will need to pass off all music with a metronome, so it is really important.

Tuner: This phone app can really help you play in tune... make sure your finger placement is correct.

PRACTICE TIME

Everyone give a cheer, because this is how we achieve personal and group progress. Progress just doesn't happen without individual practice time... I just don't see you enough during class for playing skills to be learned effectively.

This is how practice time works:

Ideally, for optimum results, you will practice at least 30 min. daily. It's the "doing it daily" that makes for the progress.

5 practice cards are due during the course of the term, and should have 150 min. (that is 30 for each weeknight) on each practice card for full credit. There are 9 weeks in the term, so there is some flexibility as to how you want to structure your practice time.

The practice card has 2 components, and both must be passed off to get credit.

Part 1 is the practice card itself. The list of assignments to write on the practice card, and instructions will be posted with the practice card assignment. You will fill out the practice card as directed, complete with goals, then fill it out on a daily basis during your practice sessions. Manually writing things down helps you improve faster... all the research says so :) A short reflection section will need to be completed before attaching a picture of the completed practice record to the posted assignment. Again, all the research shows that reflection optimizes learning.

Part 2 is the video submission. Each practice card assignment will have a section of music that will need to be played (with a metronome) and attached to the assignment. This is the equivalent to showing your work with a math problem. In this video submission, I can check playing position, which is critical to progress, and correct finger placement, which is also critical to move forward. If these are being practiced incorrectly... the damage takes some time and patience to undo. The video submission must be correct to get credit for the practice time. Practice time spent with incorrect playing position, or finger placement is detrimental. Taking the time to do it correctly is critical.

5 PLAYING TESTS will be given during the course of the term. Typically they will test new finger patterns, or a new bowing or rhythmic skill. Time spent working on these is counted on your practice card, and need to be passed off for playing test credit. Reading the instructions, watching the video tutorial, and paying attention in class will really help you get the exercise passed off as quickly as possible. Practicing it correctly is the key.

Written theory and Rhythm Tests will be given in class, and may be taken until they are correct.

TERM PROJECT : The Successful Musicianship Evening , Sept. 14th, more details to come) and the accompanying worksheet is the 1st Term's Term Project. Term 2, 3, and 4 is a composition that the student will pair with a poem, complete, and play it for the class.

CITIZENSHIP

Students will earn, or lose "Honor Slips", and these are used for their citizenship grade.

Earning 4 honor slips is an H, 2 Honor Slips is a G, 0 or 1 Honor Slip is an S. Losing an Honor Slip is an N, and losing 4 Honor slips is a U.

How to earn an Honor Slip

There will be tasks during the course of the term that I'll announce that I'll give an honor slip for completing, as well as coming to help set up for a concert, taking private lessons, performing for an event, and I'm open to others, just ask :)

How to lose an Honor Slip

Being unprepared in class, leaving your instrument in the wrong place in the classroom, disrupting class.... those kinds of things that really slow down our progress as a group.

Questions? Email me at edempsey@dsdmail.net,

2022/23 Orchestra Class Disclosure

Eileen Dempsey, Director

Group excellence, through individual integrity

MATERIALS NEEDED IN ORCHESTRA DAILY

Instrument and rosin
Shoulder pad (violin and viola)
Pencil
Music

MATERIALS FOR HOME PRACTICE

Folding stand
Metronome and tuner (available online and as an ap for your phone)

Rock stop (cello and bass)
School owned instruments (viola, cello, bass) may be rented for $95.00 per year.

TEACHER EXPECTATIONS

Students will be ready and willing to learn, work during class, and practice at home.

Encourage and support each other.

Practice at home and make sure individual orchestra parts are learned.
Attend all rehearsals and concerts on time.
Do everything possible to pay attention and limit class disruptions.
Enable the class to move forward together as quickly as possible.
Follow school and district dress codes

TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES As a student in my class you can expect me to respect you, to be honest with you, to answer your questions and help you, and to show you that mistakes are OK, and are a part of learning. I will provide positive musical and learning experiences for you, and to maintain a rehearsal environment in which you can learn and feel safe. I will encourage you to try harder, work harder, listen intensely, and promote the highest performance levels on an individual and orchestra level.

A FEW ITEMS UNIQUE TO ORCHESTRA

DAILY AT HOME PRACTICE is needed and critical for student progress. Playing in class only is NOT enough for progress on your instrument.

Placing the TIP of the finger on the string is critical for tone production as well as correct pitch. False nails, tips, or just long fingernails impede correct playing techniques. Short left hand fingernails are critical for successful playing.

CONCERTS, REHEARSALS, AND FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES (20 % of grade) will require the student to obtain transportation to and from these events. If this is a problem, please notify Ms. Dempsey so that a ride can be arranged.

PRACTICE RECORDS, PLAYING TESTS, AND ASSIGNMENTS:

Practice records (30% of grade) have a written, and a video component. The written practice record should be filled out by the student while they are practicing, and turned in weekly. This can be done in class, or by submitting a picture of it to the Canvas assignment. 150 minutes of practice per week, plus the video is full credit. That works out to be a half hour every week night. 5 practice records are due during the course of the term.

There will be specific items to work on each week for the student to list on the practice record. This information will be posted in the Practice Record Canvas assignment. Scores will be recorded on a weekly basis, and 5 practice records will be due during the course of the term.

The practice record provided will require the student to list items to practice, make goals, record the time spent practicing each entry, then complete some written reflections. Thoughtful practice time will greatly improve playing performance, as well as improve thinking and writing skills. All the research backs this up. The practice record can be picked up in class, or printed from Canvas pages.

The video component of the practice card is the equivalent of “showing your work” in a math problem. The student will need to record the assigned music measures, played with a metronome, and played correctly (with good playing position and posture) and post it to the Canvas assignment. This must be done to receive credit for the practice card minutes. NOTE: You can set the metronome as slow as you need to to play it correctly.

For the best results, plan a consistent practice time and place.

Playing Tests: (30 % of grade) New playing skills are tested by having the student submit a video of themselves playing the test with a metronome, or passing it off to me in person at an arranged time. The test can be played as many times as needed to master the new skill. If the playing test receives an M score (Missing), this means the skill is not passed off yet. Check Canvas for comments I may make about things that may need to be corrected before resubmitting.

Class Assignments (10 % of grade) will include rhythm and playing position tests, and if not passed off, can be made up over the course of the term.

TERM PROJECT 10% of grade

The term project, first term, will be attending the Successful Musicianship Evening Sept. 14^th at Sunset Jr. The term project for the remaining terms will be a composition that needs to be paired with a poem, (the poem can be original, or not) and played for the class, usually the last week of the term.

CONCERT AND DRESS REHEARSALS (20 % of grade)

Attendance on time is essential. Students must play every required concert, be properly dressed, and on time with their instrument, music etc. We do the most important thing first… tune. If a student is late, rehearsal time is wasted, and the rest of the class has to wait while that student tunes. 800 points are given to students who are on stage, ready to tune for the dress rehearsal. Students may be excused from the concert by submitting a written parental excuse at least 24 hours prior to the concert, and will be able to make up the concert with a compensatory project. I reserve the right to accept or reject excuses.

Dress Rehearsal time is very precious. We start on time and need everyone there. We tune first, and this is critical. For this reason, 800 points are given to students who are ready to tune when the dress rehearsal begins.

Concert Dress
Orchestra 1 (3rd period) - Best Dress. No jeans, no prom or cocktail dress type clothing. No jeans.

Orchestra 2 (4th period) White top, black pants or skirt, Black shoes, No jeans.
Students wearing inappropriate clothing (against the school dress code) will not be able to play in the concert, and will lose the accompanying grade points.

NOTE Students who do not attend, with instrument, at least 65% of the orchestra classes before the concert, will not be able to play the concert, and will need to do a compensatory project to make up the grade loss.

TRUANCY:

Students who are truant will lose 4 honor slips, resulting in a U citizenship grade. (Citizenship section to follow) Students will not be able to make up any tests given on the day of the truancy, will not be able to make up the missing class time, and will not be able to attend any class trips taken during the school day for the term in which the truancy was issued.

GRADING PERAMETERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

A 90-100

A- 85-89

B+ 80-84

B 75-79

B- 70-74

C + 65-69

C 60-64

C- 55-59

D+ 50-54

D 45-49

D- 40-44

F 0-39

GUIDELINES FOR MAKE UP WORK

The assignments and playing tests with a “M” grade may be made up at any time. If the test is made up in a later term, I will go back and change the grade to reflect the made up work.

The Term Project may not be made up.

Practice hours may be made up, even in a later term and I will go back and change the grade to reflect the completed practice time.

Concerts, dress rehearsals, may not be made up except in the circumstances listed above.

CITIZENSHIP POLICY

Every student begins with an S Earn 2 honor slips for a G. Earn 4 honor slips for an H Lose 1 honor slip for an N Lose 4 honor slips for a U.

HOW TO EARN HONOR SLIPS: Take private lessons Write the class schedule and concert dates in your day planner Help Ms. Dempsey set up for, or clean up after, a concert. Attend a concert, write down 5 things you learned, hand it in. Tutor a beginning string student Perform in public Attend parent/teacher conference Try out perform at, Solo and Ensemble Festival Watch a concert on TV, write down 5 things you learned, hand it in. I'm open to other ideas you may suggest.

HOW TO LOSE HONOR SLIPS:

Talk, or play during class instruction.
Playing something else while the class is tuning.
Leaving music, papers etc. out in the classroom.
Behavior disruptive enough to send the student to In School Suspension will result in a loss of 4 Honor Slips
Failure to be on the bus on time when participating in activities away the school will result in a loss of
4 honor slips.
Inappropriate concert behavior, both in the audience and on stage.

COMMUNICATION Please feel free to contact me for any questions or concerns you have. Keeping me informed of your point of view, concerns, and frustrations, etc. helps us work as a team to give your student the best orchestra experience possible. My email is edempsey@dsdmail.net , this is the best way to reach me.

PS Thank you for reading this whole long thing! ( ed)