Dear Orchestra Students, August, 2013

Welcome back to a new school year! I am honored to be your teacher. I look forward to knowing each of you and helping you to realize your full musical and personal potential. We are going to have an exceptional year!

Just as you have expectations of me as your orchestra teacher, I have expectations of you. No, I promise I will not expect you to be perfect. My expectations will only guide you so that we can make the most of our time together. Please read them with your parent(s) or guardian(s) and sign the form at the end of the handbook.

Since you are enrolled in a class in which playing your instrument is a large focus, I would not be a good teacher if I did not insist that you get to perform in a few concerts! Therefore, it is important that you have the chance to “show off” your new performance skills several times throughout the school year. Please read the concert schedule and attendance policy with your parent(s) or guardian(s).

It is important that you know how I will grade you in orchestra and that you know your practicing expectations. Please read my grading policy with your parent(s) or guardian(s).

All orchestra students will need to rent or purchase an instrument for the school year. School instruments are available for use in orchestra class, but all students will need an instrument at home for individual practice. Please see me privately if you have any questions or special instrument needs. I will do everything I can to see that you have an instrument at home! Please read the rental/purchase information. Students should strongly consider bringing their home instrument to school for me to check and put on any finger tapes if needed. All students should have a home instrument by Tuesday, August 20th.

That’s all there is to it! Please sign and return the back page of the handbook to me by Friday, August 16th. I know we are going to have an exciting year in orchestra! We are off to a great start!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Jacquie Sheehan Orchestra Director E-Mail: [email protected] Dear Orchestra Parents/Guardians, August, 2013

Welcome to the orchestra program at Southwest Middle School! I am honored to be your student’s teacher. I look forward to knowing your students and helping them to realize their full musical and personal potential. This is going to be an exciting year complete with concerts and great musical repertoire.

Please allow me to introduce myself. This will be my sixth year teaching in Parkway, but I am no stranger to this school district. I am a Parkway South graduate! I feel extremely lucky to come back and contribute to the district that helped mold me as a person. Outside of school, one of my favorite pastimes is performing as a violist with the St. Louis Philharmonic. My experience as a performer is invaluable to my work in the classroom with your students.

This handbook serves as a comprehensive guide to performance opportunities, classroom expectations, grading policy, and instrument rental/purchase information. If you desire, read the letter to students on the previous page for further information.

I believe that parents should be involved with their student’s education. You are able to play an important part in your student’s learning by helping them to establish a practice routine at home. Help your students find a place and a time to practice their instrument every day. Encouragement and rewards also work wonders.

I urge interested students to study privately for deeper exploration of their instrument and to improve their individual performance skills. A list of some recommended private instructors is available upon request.

It is imperative to your student’s success in orchestra that you are aware of what I expect from them, how I will grade them, and what the consequences will be if students choose not to act in accordance with the expectations. Please discuss these items with your student after reading the handbook and sign the main form at the end. Your student will have until Friday, August 16th to return the form.

Please be sure to note all performance opportunities on your family calendar.

Orchestra students are required to have an instrument at home for individual practice. Students may use school instruments during orchestra class (they do not need to bring their instruments from home). Instrument rental/purchase information can be found in the handbook. Please contact me if you have any questions or special needs.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions (see contact information).

Sincerely,

Mrs. Jacquie Sheehan Orchestra Director ORCHESTRA TEACHER CONTACT INFORMATION

Orchestra Teacher: Jacquie Sheehan Phone: (314) 415-5357 E-mail: [email protected] Planning Period: 6th hour, 1:00-1:43

SOUTHWEST ORCHESTRA COURSE DESCRIPTION

6th Grade Orchestra, 7th Grade Orchestra, and 8th Grade Orchestra continues to develop personal technical and performance skills for continuing string students within the ensemble. Emphasis is placed on the development of listening skills, improved intonation, balance and blend, and tone quality. Proficiency is increased in music reading, analysis, and interpretation. A wide variety of orchestral repertoire is presented from many styles. Instruments are required for daily practice and all performances. Attendance is required at rehearsals and concerts.

ORCHESTRA CLASS EXPECTATIONS

Appropriate behavior is expected at all times.  Enter and leave the classroom in an orderly manner.  Respect school property.  Respect other students and their property.  Respect the learning environment in our classroom.

Pay attention and participate in class activities.  Follow procedures for class start and end.  Take care of your home and school instrument (loosen bow, pull in endpin, wipe off rosin, etc.)  Come to class with all music, pencil, and books as needed.

Practice at home Daily practice is strongly recommended. See practice expectations for more information.

Fine Arts Discipline Plan

First Offense-Verbal warning and/or loss of participation points

Second Offense- Removal from classroom and student/teacher conference

Third Offense- Parent notification and lunch detention

Fourth Offense-Parent notification and after-school detention

Fifth Offense-Referral to Administrator MATERIALS NEEDED BY AUGUST 23rd

6th Grade: A one inch Three Ring Binder and clear plastic sheet protectors (15-20) in the binder (for music). If the binder does not have a pocket to hold papers, you will need a separate pocket folder for other assignments.

7th/8th Grade: One pocket folder specifically for orchestra handouts and practice charts.

TECHNIQUE BOOKS: These books will be available in the school store by September. Please do not purchase them until instructed to do so.

6th Grade: Concert Favorites 7th/8th Grade: Essentials for Strings

PERFORMANCE POLOS All students are required to wear a Southwest Middle Performance Polo for each concert. Polos will be used all three years in orchestra at Southwest Middle. 6th Grade students may wish to order a size shirt they can grow into. All students will need to purchase a performance polo for our first concert. Shirts will be available for purchase in the school store in October . Students in need of a performance polo should indicate their shirt size on the handbook agreement form at the back of this packet.

2013-2014 CONCERT DATES

December 12th, 2013 6th/7th /8th Grade Orchestra Concert 7 pm SWM

February 7th, 2014 Fine Arts Night (all orchestra students) TBD

March 11th, 2014 All District Orchestra – 8th Grade Only 7:30 pm Queeny Park

May 8th, 2014 6th/7th/8th Grade Orchestra Concert 7 pm SWM

PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS

The times listed below are a suggested minimum amount of time practicing outside of orchestra class. 6th Grade: 100 minutes per week 7th Grade: 110 minutes per week 8th Grade: 140 minutes per week

Practice goal charts are required in orchestra class. Students will create weekly practice goals in class. As students practice throughout the week, they will reflect and self-assess their practice sessions. These assessment forms will be due once a week on Fridays. TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE  Shorter more frequent practice sessions are more successful then cramming one long practice session per week. Try to practice everyday.  Set a specific time for practicing into your schedule.  Find a quiet space, far from distractions for practicing.  Keep your goal in mind when practicing.  Mark in fingerings/bowings as needed in pencil in your music.  Be your own teacher! Check your posture, instrument position, fingering, intonation, and tone as you practice.

ORCHESTRA GRADING POLICY

10% Practice Goal Charts and other assignments: weekly reports due on home practice objectives, goals, and accomplishments, plus other assigned material.

20% Rehearsal Skills Grade: the teacher will assess student readiness for rehearsal on a daily basis.

50% Playing Tests and quizzes: will be performed in orchestra class four times per trimester.

20% Concerts: students are required to attend all concerts. Students must remember to bring their home instrument and music, and be in appropriate concert attire. If there is an unavoidable conflict, please inform me as soon as possible so that appropriate make up work can be assigned. Absence from a concert will result in the loss of all concert points unless the appropriate make up work is completed.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITES

Sponsor: Mrs. Sheehan Location: Room 705 (Orchestra Room)

Chamber Orchestra is open, by audition, to students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade orchestra. This select group will provide additional performance opportunities throughout the school year. Rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays from 3:15-4:25. They will begin once auditions are completed. Details regarding auditions will be coming soon.

Practice Club is open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade orchestra students. Practice club is designed to give students an opportunity to practice in small groups or individually after school in a structured environment. Students can also receive additional assistance as needed. Practice club is scheduled to meet Mondays from 3:15-4:25. These days and times may vary due to staff meetings and other conflicts. OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

-Any orchestra student in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade has the opportunity to perform in the St. Louis All Suburban Music Educator’s (SLSMEA) Solo and Ensemble Festival.

-Any orchestra student in 7th or 8th grade has the opportunity to audition for the SLSMEA 7th/8th Grade Honors Orchestra.

-The 7th and 8th Grade Orchestras potentially will participate in the SLSMEA Large Ensemble Festival. SLSMEA 2013-2014 Calendar October 28th, 2013 Middle School Honor Orchestra Auditions January 11th, 2014 Middle School Honor Orchestra Concert March 10th & 11th, 2014 Middle School Orchestra Festival April 12th, 2014 Middle School Solo and Ensemble Festival

INSTRUMENT RENTAL/PURCHASE INFORMATION

Students will need a home instrument to practice with in the evenings, on weekends, and over vacations/holidays. I recommend that all students rent instruments during middle school. Students may change instrument sizes more than once and may want an upgraded instrument in high school. If you choose to purchase a set-up (instrument, bow, and case), make sure the vendor from whom you purchase it has a program in which students may trade-in their purchase for a different size or an upgrade in the future. Always ask me if you have any questions. Please think twice before purchasing an instrument online. You really need to play the instrument first before you are stuck with it. If any price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stringed instruments are rarely sold as bargains. An instrument that looks good in a picture may actually need hundreds of dollars in work before it is playable! It may also be the wrong size for you. Numerous vendors in the St. Louis area rent and sell instruments. Here are a few leads to get you started.

Mozingo Music St. Louis Strings Shop Nottleman Music Company 100 Clarkson Rd. 6331 Clayton Ave. 1590 Lemay Ferry Rd. Ellisville, MO Saint Louis, MO Saint Louis, MO (636) 227-5722 (314) 644-6999 (314) 631-1486

City Music and Education Center Fazio’s First String Violin 9299 Watson Road 15440 Manchester Rd 3107 Brown Road Crestwood, MO Ellisville, MO Overland, MO (314) 961-8700 (636)-227-3573 (314)-426-1192

Music & Arts - West County (636)527-7354 1236 Town and Country Crossing Drive Town and Country, MO 63017-0605

Note: Usually, an upgrade for high school requires a more specialized string shop such as First String Violin Shop, Clemens, Bearden, or Seitz. Please consult me or another professional musician when purchasing an upgrade; second opinions help! HANDBOOK AGREEMENT FORM

Due Friday, August 16th – please detach and return this page only

We have read the Southwest Middle School Orchestra Handbook. By signing below, we indicate that we understand this document.

As a parent/guardian, I will record the concert/rehearsal dates and times on my calendar and will arrange for my student to perform at the concerts. If my student has a previous commitment, I will notify the teacher as soon as possible, and understand that makeup work during orchestra class will be required.

As a student, I will record the dates and times of the concerts in my planning book and will perform in them.

Parent signature______Date______

Student signature______Date______

STUDENT INFORMATION

______Name (last) (first)

______Team Advisory Teacher

All 6th grade students will need to purchase a blue, performance polo.

7th and 8th grade students DO NOT need to purchase a new shirt.

6th Grade Performance Shirt Order Form (Circle one size). *** Students can go to the school store to check the size they need. Please keep in mind that these shirts will be used all three years at Southwest (you may want to size up to ensure room to grow).

Youth Large Adult S Adult M Adult L Adult XL Adult XXL

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS ______