Strings Handbook

2015 - 2016 OGMS Strings Handbook Artists in Training!!!

You have chosen to give yourself a wonderful gift - the gift of music. Did you know research shows that playing an instrument actually increases brain activity and improves academic test scores? It also provides a lifetime of enjoyment, relaxation, and fun. Take time to review these materials together with your family. Please feel free to contact your director at any time for additional information or if you have any questions.

Mission & Vision of Music Education in Bloomington Public Schools Vision To Awaken, Inspire, and Refine Musical Potential

Mission The mission of the K-12 music education program in Bloomington Public Schools is to provide a high quality, sequential and comprehensive music education for all students.

“For art establishes the basic human truths which serve as the touchstones of our judgments.” - John F. Kennedy Oak Grove Middle School Strings:

Orchestras perform a variety of styles over the course of three years including classical, pop, ethnic, and holiday music. The rehearsal is divided into two main sections. The first portion of the rehearsal is devoted to learning theory and rhythm, while also discussing bow technique, posture, and intonation. It is during this portion of the rehearsal that we will perform from method books. The last section of the rehearsal is devoted to performing concert orchestra music. When nearing concerts, the entire rehearsal will focus towards polishing concert repertoire.

Music & Textbooks: Orchestra music will be provided and you will receive a folder from your teacher at the first day of rehearsal. It is each student’s responsibility to bring the music to every rehearsal. Lost music may be replaced but it needs to be replaced without interrupting the rehearsal. A file cabinet at the front of the room will contain extra copies. 6th graders will play out of Essential Elements 2000 for Strings (Book One). 7th and 8th graders will play out of Essential Elements 2000 for Strings (Book Two).

Course Expectations

1) Follow classroom rules and procedures.

2) Attend rehearsals with your instrument and music.

3) Practice your instrument at home at least 20 minutes each day.

4) Attend concert performances with your music learned.

RULES (You are expected to be a positive and active contributor to your group) RESPECT... Your Teacher…………………….. Listen when the teacher is teaching Your Classmates………………… Be respectful (nice) to yourself and others...Do not be cruel Your Instrument………………….. Treat it with care...Only handle and play your own Your Environment………………... Keep our room clean...Do not leave trash in our classroom Gum chewing is prohibited in the music department.

Room Procedures When I enter the orchestra room, what should I do?

* Take out your instrument and use a tuner to tune your instrument. ONLY USE YOUR FINE TUNERS. Please bring instruments that need large adjustments to your teacher. * As soon as your instrument is tuned, begin practicing. * Upon dismissal, loosen your bows and put instrument on shelf. * If you have a problem with your instrument please see Ms. Schultz or Mr. Biggs in the morning. They will try to have it ready for you before rehearsal begins.

Supplies Come to the rehearsal prepared! Every day bring the following items with you: 1) Instrument- label your instrument case with your name. 2) Music- Don’t lose it. All music must be in a binder or folder! 3) Pencil- Have one at every rehearsal.

All students must bring their instruments home each night. We do not provide overnight storage. The danger of theft increases after hours and students are unable to practice if they leave their instruments at school. When students come to school with their instruments, they should lock them in their lockers or bring them to the storage shelves in the orchestra room. Instruments may not be left in hallways or classrooms for security reasons. Each year instruments are permanently lost or stolen. Don’t let it happen to you!

Remember to bring your instrument Every member of the orchestra is important to the success of the group. Forgetting your instrument prevents you from contributing to this success. Rehearsal points are deducted when students are present without their instrument. A signed make-up form is available to earn back lost points. Students can make up the points by practicing 60 minutes at home. Return the make up sheet with a parent’s signature at the beginning of the next rehearsal.

Students will attend a rehearsal every other day throughout the school year. By registering for orchestra, you have made a yearlong commitment to the program. Because schedule changes are difficult to manage, it can be very difficult to make exceptions.

Grading - Grades are posted online. They are updated weekly.

2015/2016 School Grading Policy is based on the following percentages: 70% of your grade is based on Summative Assessments Essential Standards, concerts, listening assignments, playing exams, written exams, and solo performances. 30% of your grade is based on Formative Assessments. Class Participation = 2 points per rehearsal = fully participate in all rehearsals. Attending rehearsal without your instrument is a loss of 2 points per rehearsal

The Essential Standards we will cover are: 1st Trimester = Rhythm & Counting Test 2nd Trimester = Ensemble Etiquette Standards & Music Theory Test 3rd Trimester = Graded Solo Performance

CONCERT DATES

Winter Concert Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 7:00 PM OGM auditorium. Please arrive 20 minutes early for tuning

Orchestra Festival Monday, March 14th, 2016 6:30 PM Kennedy High School. Details to be announced

Spring Concert Tuesday, May 10th, 2016 7:00 PM OGM auditorium. Please arrive 20 minutes early for tuning

Concert clothing Students are to participate in concerts and field trips wearing a black shirt with black bottoms. Black shoes are preferred. Do not wear blue jeans, shorts, or T-shirts with logos. Dress code for school applies at our concerts.

Note on Concert Attendance

It is imperative that every student be present at all performances. Except for special instances with extenuating circumstances, students will be expected to present their director with an excuse signed by their parent or guardian at least one week prior to any concert they intend to miss. Instrumental music groups are organizations that depend on a complete instrumentation, and it is essential that all participating students be present for the performance of their group. Students need to be committed to attending all concert dates.

If a concert is missed (excused), an alternative assignment is available in order to earn the points missed. Please notify coaches, activity directors, etc... of the concert dates to avoid conflicts.

Private lessons Private lessons are strongly recommended for students who wish to pursue excellence. Many private teachers are available after school at Oak Grove Middle School. Many other teachers offer their services in and around the Bloomington area. Contact Ms. Schultz, Mr. Biggs, or see our class website for recommendations.

Smart Music

This year we will also be using challenging, fun, and familiar songs which can be used with SmartMusic (SM), an interactive, computer-based, accompaniment/assessment system. SM can play all the accompaniments for songs in the book, solo literature, and the new version of SM contains many of our orchestra pieces that we will be performing on our concerts. With SM at home, your child can actually be practicing band music at home. Not only will they learn music more quickly, they will have more fun doing it. We want to give assignments in SM which will include the ability for students to make recordings. SM has the capability of assessing the student's performance and posting the results in the teacher’s grade book. Students with home subscriptions can record over and over until they get the final performance they desire. Students who do not have Smart Music will have opportunities at school. Look for more information soon!

Instrument Care and Maintenance

Keep string instruments from experiencing extreme temperature changes. Do not leave them in a car during extreme temperatures. Stable humidity should also be maintained. You may want to purchase an inexpensive humidifier that stays inside the instrument case. Bows may be more valuable than the instrument! Make sure the hair is loose when you are done using it. Keep a set of extra strings in your case if possible. Keep your brothers and sisters from playing your instrument!

Repair of Instruments

When an instrument is not working properly, it should be examined and adjusted or repaired as quickly as possible. Your director may be able to make minor adjustments, but may require a trip to the repair shop. Student-owned instruments can be repaired through most music stores and you may wish to go back to the store where you rented/purchased the instrument. We have included a list of music shops that may be able to fix your instrument. If you need to replace a string, purchase a new string and Mr. Biggs will put the string on for you. School-owned instruments should be brought immediately to the director when problems occur. Do not take a school-owned instrument to the repair shop. The director will arrange for repairs and your family will be billed if appropriate.

Summary To ensure that each student will thrive within the learning environment at Oak Grove Middle School, please do not hesitate to communicate with your teacher. We will send home information through school newspapers, informational flyers, and Mr. Biggs's web site. We look forward to a successful and meaningful year with all of our students.

Lindsay Schultz Oak Grove Middle School Orchestra Director Ph# (952) 681-6781 Email [email protected]

Area Music Stores

All Strings Attached 8224 Olson Memorial Hwy., Golden Valley 763-542-9542 Ekroth Music 5812 W. 36th Street, St. Louis Park 952-920-8822 Groth Music 8056 Nicollet Ave. S, Bloomington 952-884-4772 Schmitt Music (located in the Edina Galleria) 952-920-5080 House of Note 7210 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park 952-929-0026

Why Learn About Music Not because we expect you to major in music Not because we expect you to play or sing all your life Not so you can relax Not so you can have fun BUT - so you will be human so you will recognize beauty so you will be sensitive so you will be closer to an infinite beyond this world so you will have something to cling to so you will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness, more good - in short, more life. Of what value will it be to make a prosperous living unless you know how to live?

Music is a science It is exact, specific and it demands exact acoustics. A conductor’s full score is a chart, a graph which indicates frequencies, volume changes, melody, and harmony all at once and with the most exact control of time.

Music is mathematical It is rhythmically based on the subdivisions of time into fractions, which must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper.

Music is a world language Most of the terms are in Italian, German, or French; and the notation is certainly not English - but a highly developed kind of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. The semantics of music is the most complete and universal language.

Music is history Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation, as well as the ethnic and sociological disciplines of the era.

Music is physical education It requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lip, cheek, and facial muscles, in addition to extraordinary control of the diaphragmatic, back, stomach, and chest muscles, which respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the mind interprets.

Music is all these things, but most of all, Music is art It allows a human being to take science, math, language, history and physical education, and use them to create and express emotion. That is one thing science cannot duplicate: humanism; feeling, emotion, call it what you will.

Practice Tips for Students

Why would you want to practice your instrument? So you can enjoy performing the music correctly! Investing time and effort into your practicing can result in a big pay-off. Do it right!

1. Practice often and regularly & complete practice goal charts. ● It is not possible to achieve an A without turning in practice goals! ● Students should be practicing at least 20 minutes 6 days per week or 25 minutes on the days they do not have rehearsal at school. ● Many students choose to practice the same time every day: before school, after school, or after the dinner dishes are finished. ● Find the time that’s best for you and your family.

2. Find a suitable place in your home to practice. ● Look for some place where you will not interrupt others, or be interrupted by the television, the phone, or other family activities.

3. Insist on practicing with a music stand. ● This small detail can speed progress, as it encourages proper posture and correct breathing.

4. Sit up straight (straight-back, solid chair) or stand erect. ● This will assure proper breathing and allow your fingers to work freely.

5. Hold your instrument correctly.

6. Strive for a pleasing sound. ● Never make fun of strange sounds that others may make, as unusual sounds are a natural part of the development process.

7. Stop and work out difficult passages slowly and carefully. ● Practice them over and over before you play the whole song again.

8. Don’t be discouraged by a slump in progress or a dislike for practice once the “newness” has worn off. ● Experience has shown that, with continued effort, this cycle is short-lived Tips for Parents/Guardians

Your child will need your encouragement and support in order to succeed.

1. Be patient!!!

2. Show an interest in your child’s instrumental music experience. ● Be supportive through frustrations, and enjoy progress together. ● Give your child feedback and sign and check practice goal form. ● Give your child authentic praise for their efforts.

3. Encourage good practice habits. ● Assist your student in setting up a regular time and quiet place for practice. ● Encourage your student to practice in front of a mirror. ● Provide a music stand and necessary supplies, like reeds and valve oil.

4. Assist in the care of the instrument. ● An instrument works well only when it is maintained in the best possible condition. ● It should be cleaned after each use, and immediately returned to its case and stored in a safe place. ● Only your student musician should play the instrument, no one else.

5. Instrumental music is both an individual and a group endeavor. ● Reinforce skills needed participate as part of a group, including responsibility, dependability, ownership, and attention. ● Stress the importance of being punctual for rehearsals. ● Encourage faithful attendance at school and community music activities and other cultural events.

6. Get acquainted with your child’s director. ● Call whenever you have questions or concerns. If you don’t know, ASK!