Rochelle School of the Arts

Rochelle School of the Arts Orchestra 2010-2011

Sarah Morrison Orchestra Teacher [email protected] Phone: (863)499-2810 Welcome back!

Orchestra Parents, My goal is to work with you to achieve a superior music education for your child, setting up a nurturing yet challenging environment in which each child grows as both a musician and an individual. Each child will experience the sense of achievement and the heightened self esteem that come with successfully building music skills as a vehicle to self-expression, as well as experiencing the satisfaction of performing as part of a team. If I can answer any questions, please email or call: [email protected] (863)499-2810. Our music department will periodically send home newsletters and reminders to keep you informed. Please watch for these in your child's agenda and orchestra binder. I look forward to working with you this year! Yours in music,

1 *Parents: Please sign & return two Parent Return Forms by Friday, 8/27: Concert Contract (p. 4) and Handbook form (p. 8). Required Materials as part of your Daily Grade: 1. Your instrument and bow in good working order as defined below: MIDDLE SCHOOL: BASIC INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS  If you have not had your bow rehaired in the last year, please have it rehaired by the end of the first six weeks of school (Carlton’s music provides this service; see Ms. M for other recommendations). Bow hair wears out over time, making it impossible to play with a characteristic string tone. When playing daily, bows must be rehaired once a year to be in good working order. This is basic instrument maintenance.  If you have not changed your strings in the last year, please purchase replacement strings and change your strings by the end of the first six weeks of school (cello/bass students: Ms. M will check your instruments individually to determine which strings, if any, need replacement). Recommended: Dominant Brand Strings or ProArte Brand Strings (see Rochelle Supply List). Violin, viola, and cello strings must be replaced approximately once a year to be in good working order, as they wear out over time, making it impossible to play in tune with a good tone. This is also basic instrument maintenance.  Please email Ms. Morrison with questions or concerns. 2. Rosin. If you have lost your rosin, you must purchase replacement rosin by the end of the third week of school. 7th/8th grade Advanced students: Bernardel Rosin or Hill Rosin recommended (see Rochelle Supply List). 3. REQUIRED BOOKS, available at Carlton’s: 4th, 5th Grade: Essential Elements 2000 Book One 6th Grade: 1.) Essential Elements 2000 Book One (no new book required for returning students) 7th -8th Grade: Essential Techniques 2000 (Book 3) 4. Violin/viola: Kun brand shoulder rest or other approved shoulder rest. The Kun brand is the most comfortable, durable, and best designed. 5. Cello/ Bass: Rock stop required for all concerts. This is part of your concert grade. If you have lost your rock stop, you need to buy a new one by October and bring it to the concert. 6. Violin/Viola: Pencil Pouch with a zipper (nylon, 3-ring, Office Depot Item 429-282 or similar); and a 2-inch Loose-Leaf Binder Ring (Office Depot Item 429-282 or similar). This will be used to carry your shoulder rest. If you have a shoulder rest bag or compartment in your case, you do not need to purchase these items. 7. 6th-8th GradeViolin/Viola and Private Rental Cello/Bass: Combination lock (traditional dial- style). Master Lock or similar model preferred. No key locks, please. 8. 4th, 5th Grade: Three-ring binder w/ pockets & view-finder cover (hard-cover, medium sized). 9. 200 sheets of loose-leaf notebook paper . 10. 2-3 pencils, one in your instrument case and one in your orchestra binder. 11. Wire music stand (for home practice, All County, and Solo and Ensemble; not required at school) 12. Cleaning cloth to wipe your instrument (a washcloth or bandana will do!) 13. Middle School Students: One extra set of strings for your instrument is recommended but not required. If you break a string, you have one week to purchase a replacement string. After this time, daily participation points are lost. Recommended: Dominant Brand Strings or ProArte Brand Strings (see Rochelle Supply List). Ms. M can put these on your instrument for you when you purchase them if you need help. These will immediately improve the sound of your instrument. You may keep your old strings as extras. Shar Music and Southwest Strings carry this brand for a discounted price (see Supply List). A set of strings may be an excellent back-to-school, birthday or holiday gift for students.

1 Returning students will be asked to bring instruments and combination locks (middle school only) to school beginning Tuesday, 8/24. Rochelle Orchestra Supply List  This list is just a reference for you to use when you need to purchase supplies.  You may telephone or order supplies online from Shar Music or Southwest Strings, listed at the bottom. Prices listed below are from the 2006 catalogues.  Carlton Music Center in Lakeland/Winter Haven also provides supplies, rentals, repairs, and weekly service calls to RSA. Contact Carlton for prices. Contact info listed at the bottom.

The brand names listed below are recommended for all students. Product Catalog # Price (2006 ) Store Set of Dominant Violin Strings D129S $23.10 Shar Set of Dominant Violin Strings D129S $21.95 Southwest Set of Dominant Viola Strings D141S $43.45 Shar Set of Dominant Viola Strings D141SP $39.45 Southwest Peg Compound 1172 $5.40 Shar Peg Compound 1172 $4.95 Southwest Seiko Quartz Metronome M380 $27.99 Shar Quartz “Card” Metronome M225 $9.99 Shar Quartz “Card” Metronome QT500 $9.95 Southwest Quartz Metronome M725 $15.95 Shar Quartz Metronome QT100 $13.95 Southwest Bernardel Rosin 1197 $6.99 Shar Bernardel Rosin 14006 $7.35 Southwest Bass Mute 1228 $5.95 Shar Violin/Viola Mute 1305 $1.00 Shar Cello Mute 1306 $3.75 Shar Pops’ Bass Rosin 1184 $7.75 Shar Pops’ Bass Rosin 1399 $5.75 Southwest Shar Cleaning Cloth 1233U $3.95 Shar Hamilton Wire Music Stand 400N $11.95 Shar Hamilton Wire Music Stand 400N $9.95 Southwest Kun Violin (4/4-3/4) Shoulder Rest 1313 $20.15 Shar Kun Violin (4/4-3/4) Shoulder Rest 187 $21.60 Southwest Kun Viola (15-17”) Shoulder Rest 1314 $20.50 Shar Kun Viola (15-17”) Shoulder Rest 189V $22.70 Southwest Violin Fine Tuner 1241 $1.75 Shar Viola Fine Tuner 1244 $2.10 Shar

Shar Music Products Southwest Strings http://www.sharmusic.com http://www.swstrings.com Phone: 800-248-7427 Phone: 800-528-3470 Fax: 800-997-8723 Fax: 800-528-3470

Carlton Music Center, 1902 Harden Blvd., Lakeland www.carltonmusic.com (863) 686-3179 or 1-800-951-7277

1 2009-2010 RSA Concert Contract for Orchestra Students

Great orchestra players behave like professionals the moment they walk in the door.

Your Concert Grade is worth 200 pts., weighted double (400 points total).

Your concert grade will be based on you personally demonstrating a high level of professionalism. These are the skills a professional demonstrates: Concert Attendance and Punctuality: 50 points Seated onstage, ready to go by 35 minutes prior to concert start time (6:25 p.m.) Seated in the audience until the end of the last song on the concert if not in the final ensemble performing

Concert Materials: 50 points Instrument, shoulder rest, rock stop, all music with you on stage

Concert Stage Presence: Posture, Position, and Uniform 50 points Feet flat while on stage, edge of seat Good playing position Eyes on the conductor: Instruments go up and down together as rehearsed Correct uniform, including correct color and style shoes and socks

Concert Etiquette: 50 points  Seated at all times you are in the auditorium, in your assigned seat.  If you are not seated in your seat at any given time and any music teacher is aware of this, you will lose points.  Use the restroom at home before you arrive and/ or use it as you first enter the auditorium at 6:15. If you do have a serious bathroom emergency, you may ask a music teacher if you may use it one at a time. You may only leave your seat with permission from a teacher.  If a parent needs to speak with you while in the auditorium, he/she must come to you at your seat, except in cases of extreme emergency. You will lose points if you are out of your seat after 6:25, even if you are with a parent. This is for your safety.  In the audience and back stage, professionals do the following (before and during the concert): 1. talk quietly at appropriate times (never during the music!) 2. face forward & behave with dignity—keep hands to yourself 3. refrain from shrieking, laughing loudly, etc. 4. refrain from clowning around; don’t put on a performance in the audience ______Please detach and return by Friday, August 27: I have read and understand the Concert Expectations. As a professional musician, I agree to abide by them at all concerts and orchestra functions this year. I understand that interventions for breaking these expectations may include:

1  Loss of points, Writing Assignment, and Parent Contact  Earning an assigned seat next to a teacher or parent at all orchestra functions for the remainder of the year I understand that following these guidelines will make the concert experience a great one for everyone! Student Signature______Parent Signature______Date______

Accent Assignment Form: Please copy and use as needed. Each student will complete one of the following each 9 weeks (4 per year, 100 points each). This may be turned in at any time (due by the last day of the grading period). _____ a. Take private lessons from an approved instructor. This list must be signed by the private instructor. _____ b. Participate on your orchestra instrument in a non-school-related musical group (church orchestra, perform in a retirement home, community orchestra, etc.). Bring in a signed note from a parent. _____ c. Attend a concert and write a brief review of it. All concerts must be approved by your director. ______d. Write a 500 word, grammatically correct essay on the history of your instrument. This may only be done once. ______e. Write a 500 word grammatically correct essay on a virtuoso performer on your instrument. ______h. Listen to a complete disk (must be approved by director) and write a review, including summary on each tune . ______i. Audition for and/ or participate in All County Orchestra or All State Orchestra. ______j. Perform three Living Room Concerts for your family or friends on three separate days. At least one adult must be present. Perform 2-3 songs you know well at each concert. Turn in three completed Living Room Concert forms. ------Accent Assignment Form: Please copy and use as needed. Each student will complete one of the following each 9 weeks (4 per year, 100 points each). This may be turned in at any time (due by the last day of the grading period). _____ a. Take private lessons from an approved instructor. This list must be signed by the private instructor. _____ b. Participate on your orchestra instrument in a non-school-related musical group (church orchestra, perform in a retirement home, community orchestra, etc.). Bring in a signed note from a parent. _____ c. Attend a concert and write a brief review of it. All concerts must be approved by your director. ______d. Write a 500 word, grammatically correct essay on the history of your instrument. This may only be done once. ______e. Write a 500 word grammatically correct essay on a virtuoso performer on your instrument.

1 ______h. Listen to a complete disk (must be approved by director) and write a review, including summary on each tune . ______i. Audition for and/ or participate in All County Orchestra or All State Orchestra. ______j. Perform three Living Room Concerts for your family or friends on three separate days. At least one adult must be present. Perform 2-3 songs you know well at each concert. Turn in three completed Living Room Concert forms.

RSA Orchestra Living Room Concert Form Please make additional copies as needed!

Performer (student first and last name)______

Concert Date:______NOTE: Three (3) Living Room Concert forms are due in order to fulfill the Accent Assignment Requirement. NOTE: Only one Living Room Concert per day is allowed for credit. Pieces Performed: Name of Piece Last name of Composer 1.)______2.______3.)______

Signatures of Audience Members in attendance (at least one adult must be present) Comments: 1.)______2.)______3.)______4.)______5.)______Additional Comments:______

------

RSA Orchestra Living Room Concert Form Please make additional copies as needed!

Performer (student first and last name)______

Concert Date:______NOTE: Three (3) Living Room Concert forms are due in order to fulfill the Accent Assignment Requirement. NOTE: Only one Living Room Concert per day is allowed for credit. Pieces Performed: Name of Piece Last name of Composer 1.)______2.______

1 3.)______

Signatures of Audience Members in attendance (at least one adult must be present) Comments: 1.)______2.)______3.)______4.)______5.)______Additional Comments:______Put this pass in the front pocket of your agenda. RSA Orchestra Instrument Pick-Up Pass 2010-2011

Students are required to take home their instruments daily for practice.

Please allow this student to come to the orchestra room at these times:  before school between 7:25-7:50 for instrument drop-off  after school between 2:34 and 2:50, or at regular release time, for instrument pick-up. Students are expected to use the most direct route to and from the orchestra room at all times (no loitering). Please notify Ms. Morrison in the case that this privilege is abused.

THANK YOU!

Name:______Grade:______

Teacher Signature:______

1 1 Please detach and return by Friday, August 27.

------Orchestra Handbook Acknowledgement Form

We have read and understand the RSA Orchestra Handbook. By signing this form we are stating that we acknowledge and agree with the policies outlined in this book.

Student Name______

Student signature______Date______

Parent name______

Parent signature______Date______