Riverwood Middle School Orchestra

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to the new school year and an exciting year with the Riverwood Middle School Orchestra. The Riverwood Orchestra program has established a tradition of excellence that is due to the hard work of the students and the wonderful support of the parents. It is our earnest hope that your children will develop not only the skills and understanding necessary to performing a string instrument but that they will come to value the joy of music and learn to appreciate and enjoy their “Orchestral Experience.”

Orchestra offers much more than just the concerts that you will hear as a parent. The students are challenged both physically and mentally in ways which are unique to a musical experience and in a manner which has been recognized as stimulating the student’s intellectual and social capabilities to their utmost potential.

Finally, we would like to ask you to get behind your child and encourage, encourage, ENCOURAGE! It makes a big difference to the students and the class if they get that encouragement at home. If you have any questions throughout the school year, please feel free to call us at (281)641-4934.

Evan Farmer and Desiree Sanchez RMS Orchestra Directors

The Goals of the Orchestra Program

 Develop a sense of the importance of music in the life of each student.

 Develop self-confidence and self-discipline in each student through positive interaction with teachers and peers.

 Develop the musical potential of each student to the fullest.

 Develop student understanding of stylistic traits of different periods of music.

 Students will exhibit self-expression through practice and performance.

 Students will learn proper care of their instrument.

 Students will learn proper concert etiquette through participation in and attendance of live performances. Dear Parents,

Being in Orchestra means being part of a team. In addition to learning music attending rehearsals and concerts, it is very important that each and every Orchestra member conduct themselves within the classroom and at all Orchestra functions in a manner which reflects common courtesy, consideration for others, and Riverwood Middle School and Riverwood Orchestra Rules.

Class Rules

 Bring instrument and supplies to school every day and be ready to rehearse when the bell rings.

 Raise hand for permission to talk or leave seat.

 Respect the rights of other students and adults by being polite, patient, and courteous.

 Listen to and follow directions the first time they are given.

 The teacher dismisses the class not the bell! Please remain seated until dismissed.

Your son or daughter’s conduct grade will be based on the following criteria:

E = few warnings if any for disruptive behavior S = occasional warnings for disruptive behavior N = frequent warnings for disruptive behavior U = severe disruption; repeated removals from the room

Daily Procedures

 Enter quietly and on time

 Get instrument and Music

 Students will have 2 minutes after the bell to tune, get rosin, use the restrooms, warm-up, practice, etc. Students will not be allowed out of there seat for the remainder of class, unless they are asked to do so, or there is an emergency.

 Check tuning as a class

 Class Scale

 BORED? Use the rehearsal time wisely and considerately; shadow bow, finger through your part or your region music, practice vibrato, Strive to use all of the rehearsal time as effectively as possible.

 Write nightly assignment in Planner before leaving class Attendance Attendance at Orchestra functions is considered Co-Curricular and required for all students. Only Individual Contests and Competitions are classified as extra- curricular by the State of Texas and cannot have attendance requirements placed on the students.

As Parents and Educators, we are keenly aware of the numerous demands placed upon the student's schedules with the many activities - church, athletics, social etc... - which involve our students. We sincerely support the broad range of activities that our students participate in, as ultimately success in one area positively influences another. Knowing of the busy schedule of students and parents, we try to get our complete calendar of events out to each family at the beginning of the year. While changes may occur, this calendar is a fairly accurate indicator of what activities the Orchestra will be participating in throughout the year.

We are requesting that whenever possible that the student submit a written notice two weeks prior to the event with a parent signature in case of conflict. Written notices are not automatic approved excuses, but they do allow for proper notification and time for a dialogue to resolve any problems that might arise. Orchestra is a “team” event and all students are important and necessary to the success of the group. Please be assured that we will work with student and parent as closely as possible to help resolve any situations in the student’s best interest. *A note signed by either a parent, a doctor or the school nurse will be the only excuse accepted for not playing on any day.

RMS ORCHESTRA WEBSITE The best source of current information about the RMS orchestra is our web page on the Humble ISD website. Calendar dates, practice cards and handouts will be posted there. On occasion, we will post pictures of the orchestra students. If names are listed, it will be first initial only with last name. Please send us an e-mail by 8-31-16 if you do not wish to have your child’s name or picture on our web page.

Uniforms

The Uniform for the Riverwood Middle School Chamber, Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras shall consist of the following items:

Boys: Black slacks, white tuxedo shirt, black dress shoes, calf- length black socks, black bow tie and cummerbund

Girls: Black ankle length skirt or black slacks, white tuxedo shirt, black dress shoes

All Orchestra Girls will wear gold sashes. These will be handed out before each concert and collected afterwards. The appearance of the Riverwood Orchestra students is a source of great pride and an important “first step,” to any successful concert performance. Thank you for your help with our formal Intermediate and Advanced concert uniforms.

We will have Al’s Formalwear measure the students for the tuxedo shirts in September. Shirts will be delivered at school. Please include $20 in the KOB check if ordering a shirt. The bow tie and cummerbund set for the boys is an additional $10.00.

Uniforms

The Uniform for the Riverwood Middle School Beginning Orchestra has not changed from last year. It will consist of the following items:

Shirt: Gray Orchestra Polo Shirt with Riverwood Orchestra Logo. Please include $20 in your KOB.

Pants: Black pants (or ankle length skirts).

Shoes: Black dress shoes (boys need calf length black dress socks)

The appearance of the Riverwood Orchestra students is a source of great pride and an important “first step,” to any successful concert performance. Thank you for your help with our Beginning Orchestra concert uniforms.

Students will be measured for their shirts in September and the shirts will be delivered at school.

Remember to include $20 in your KOB check for purchasing a shirt. Grading Philharmonic, Symphony, and Chamber Orchestras

Summative Grades account for 60% of a student’s orchestra grade. These grades include playing tests, full orchestra rehearsals, concerts, and written tests.

Formative Grades account for 40% of a student’s orchestra grade. These can include, but are not limited to: sectionals, written assignments, participation in class, turned in forms, etc.

The RMS late work policy will apply to all grades except sectionals and test grades. These may be made up without penalty within the same week.

Sectional rehearsals are scheduled one day per week: Sectionals must be made up on another day of the week if you cannot attend on your day. This includes school sponsored events (games, Science Olympiad, and tutoring). In extenuating circumstances we will work out a make-up plan. See Schedule Below.

Riverwood Orchestra Sectional Schedule

Sectional rehearsals will be a new experience for our 7th Grade Orchestra Students. As much as possible, students need to attend on the day for their instrument. An occasional makeup on another day is permitted. Please make arrangements in advance. The true quality of performance of the RMS orchestras is developed during this very important rehearsal time. It is the closest thing to private lessons we can give your student. Students are graded on attendance, promptness, and performance.

Chamber/Symphony Orchestras Monday Violas 7:30-8:15 AM Tuesday Cellos 7:30-8:15 AM Wednesday Violins 7:30-8:15 AM Thursday Make-Up/Fretless 9:30-10:05 AM Friday BASSES 7:30-8:15 AM

Philharmonic Orchestra Monday Basses 4:10 – 4:45 PM Tuesday Violas 4:10 - 4:45 PM Wednesday Cello 4:10 - 4:45 PM Thursday Violin 4:10 - 4:45 PM Friday NONE

Sectionals will begin Monday, August 29th for all Chamber, Symphony, and Philharmonic Orchestra members. THERE ARE NO SECTIONALS FOR BEGINNING ORCHESTRA STUDENTS!!!!

Grading

Beginning Orchestras

Summative Grades account for 60% of a student’s orchestra grade. These grades include weekly playing tests, full orchestra rehearsals, concerts, and written tests.

Formative Grades account for 40% of a student’s orchestra grade. These can include, but are not limited to: written assignments, participation in class, turned in forms, and practice cards  Practice Card Grade: 1 minute = 1 point

Minutes Grade Practiced

110 110 Based on an 100 100 average of 30 minutes practice 90 90 per day 80 80

THERE ARE NO SECTIONALS FOR BEGINNING ORCHESTRA STUDENTS!!!!

RMSO Orchestra Supply List Beginning Orchestra Philharmonic Orchestra 6th Grade  Essential Elements 2000 Bk. 2 Instrument Each book is $10.00. We have pre- Essential Elements 2000 Bk. 1 ordered the books for you. Please Suzuki Book 1 include the amount for your books in Sponge Shoulder Rest for ¼ & ½ Sized your check to the Kingwood Orchestra Instruments Boosters. You do not need to make out Wolf Shoulder rest for ¾ and Full Size at separate check. Books will be given Instruments to the student when payment is Rock Stop (for cello and bass) received. 24” Stool for bass players* Cleaning Cloth Folding Music Stand Symphony and Chamber Orchestra *Inexpensive wooden stools for our bass players can be purchased at Essential Technique Book 3 Walmart or Target for around $18 Please include the amount for your books in your check to the Kingwood If your child should require a string for Orchestra Boosters. You do not need his or her instrument or other supplies to make out at separate check. Books during the school year, please your will be given to the student when instrument provider. payment is received.

Fishburn Violin Shop – (281) 290-4580 Replacement strings: Please call your Lisle Violin Shop - (281) 487-7303 instrument provider.

ALL ORCHESTRA STUDENTS NEED A PENCIL BAG WITH 2 PENCILS AND HIGHLIGHTER FOR THEIR ORCHESTRA BINDERS. THANKS! Word about Kingwood Orchestra Boosters. . . We strongly encourage each family to join our unique Booster Club. Few middle schools are privileged to have this kind of financial and service support. Half of the membership fees that you pay (we keep $10) stay on our campus and go directly to the benefit of our orchestra students. Here is a list of just a few ways KOB helps the Riverwood Orchestra Program:

 Purchase of binders and dividers for each orchestra student  New electric violins, viola and cello with amplifiers for RMS  Transportation to elementary schools  Sponsored our Electrify Your Strings Inferno and Fire ‘N’ Ice, and TURBOW Concerts!!!  Postage for mail- outs to parents  Partially underwrites the cost of our Spring Trip to keep student fees at the lowest possible level

When joining the Kingwood Orchestra Booster club for the 2016-2017 school year, please include the $20 amount in your KOB check.

KOB Fundraiser Each fall, our Booster Club sponsors its main fundraising event. We will again be offering our annual Landscape Bag Sale. Our landscape bags are both durable and economical. They can be used all year round, but are especially good for that fall yard clean-up. This product has a proven customer base and we keep about 50% of the sales price for our profit. Once you try them, you will anticipate stocking up at our yearly sales event!!!!! Our main goal with this activity is to enable us to pay part of the expenses of the spring trips for the students so that their cost will be as affordable as possible.

Spring Trip

Near the end of each school year, the hard work and dedication of our orchestra students is rewarded by the opportunity to take part in our Spring Trip. All students attending the trip, must bring the orange spirit t-shirt.

Sixth grade students compete in the Spring HS “SplashTown” Festival and spend a day at the water park. This event will take place on Friday, May 19th, 2017.

The Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras will be performing on Friday, April 21st. Chamber Orchestra will perform on Friday, April 28th. Locations will be announced later. We will be traveling to Fiesta, TX in San Antonio on Saturday, April 22nd. We will send out information towards the end of the first semester.

We encourage students and parents to use the Landscape Bag sales as a way to help the orchestra program offer these opportunities to our students. The trip cost per student actually exceeds the amount that we charge each person. We also have to meet deadlines in making payments for the trip to our Festival Company. For that reason, trip fees are non-refundable.

Students will be receiving a trip enrollment form and a fee payment schedule during the fall. Please return this to us promptly so that your child’s place can be reserved for this trip. Region Orchestra

Region Orchestra is an activity sponsored by the Texas Music Educator’s Association (TMEA). It is designed to challenge and select the most proficient musicians from the orchestra programs in the New Caney, Sheldon and Humble ISDs. Students are selected for the Region 33 Orchestra in an audition process which takes place in mid-October. It is a very high honor to be chosen for the region orchestras which then perform a concert in Mid- November. Riverwood has always had a very high percentage of students represented in the region orchestras.

We will be working with our orchestra students to teach them the audition music. The music was handed out last May. Our time in sectional rehearsals will focus on this music, as will some of our regular class time. The audition music will require students to use higher level skills such as playing in advanced positions and vibrato.

Students will have check points and a preliminary audition to ensure student success throughout the audition process. Success should be determined by preparation, not results. While acceptance in Region Orchestra is the goal, there are many uncontrollable factors that can affect the audition performance. Private Lesson Policies and Agreements What are Private Lessons? Private Lessons are specific Arts instruction given to students in an Arts program by non-district employees who are approved by the district. The Private Lessons Teachers (PLT) are paid by the student in exchange for their services. Who is allowed to teach Private Lessons at a school campus? All PLTs who wish to use campus facilities to offer their lessons must be approved by the school district. This process includes initial Director Approval and a District Background Check. We also work with Kingwood High School Orchestra to identify students who are interested in music education as a possible career path. These students have weekly meetings with Mr. Farmer and Ms. Sanchez to help them be the best teacher they can be. When will Private Lessons be offered? Lessons will be offered throughout the 2016-2017 school year from 4pm-8:30pm during regular school weeks at RMS. Days will vary upon the PLT’s schedule. Can parents sit in? Of course! We actually encourage parents to observe lessons if possible. How and when are lessons paid for ? Payments are expected to be paid directly to the instructor in full on the first lesson of each month. Alternative payment plans are at the discretion of the private lesson teacher and must be discussed with the PLT ahead of time. Payment Amounts are as follows depending on instructor qualifications (per half hour): PLT in High School: $15 PLT in College: $20 PLT with Bachelor’s Degree: $23 PLT with Master’s Degree: $24 PLT with Doctorate: $25 How often do I attend lessons? We operate on a strict schedule in order to allow as many students as possible to take lessons. It is imperative that the student be organized and punctual to their WEEKLY lessons. It is difficult and unfair for PLTS to extend lesson times because of tardiness. We will not change the schedule because of late students. PLT’s will do their best to make up time, when possible. What if a lesson is missed or has to be canceled? The canceler must notify the cancelee at least 24 hours in advance for all cancelations. This works both ways for our students and PLTs. Lessons canceled 24 hours ahead of time may be rescheduled if time permits (If the PLT has to cancel, and a make-up is not possible, a refund will be reflected in the next month’s payment). We ask that the instructor be notified of any absences as soon as possible. There will be no refunds for missed or forgotten lessons. Students may also be dismissed for failure of payment, persistent absences, or misbehavior. Why should I sign my student up for lessons? Our instructors are first and foremost musicians, whose ultimate goal is to help every student reach his or her greatest potential. Private Lessons are a wonderful growth opportunity for students of all skill levels. Lessons are an integral part of competing in orchestra (Solo and Ensemble, Region, All-State, college admittance, etc.) Music is such a powerful form of expression and we encourage all students to explore its indefinite possibilities.

STUDENT AND PARENT SIGNATURE PAGE (Please print this page, sign, and return in the beginning of the year packet that is due, Wednesday, August 31st)

As a student and member of the Riverwood Middle School Orchestra, I have read the on-line orchestra handbook and understand the responsibilities of being a part of the Riverwood Orchestra Program, particularly in regard to study, practice, rehearsals, and concert attendance.

______Student Signature Date

______Parent Signature Date

______Please check here if you do NOT want your child’s name or picture to appear on the RMS Orchestra school website.

Please make sure that your email address is updated in eschool. This is how we get information out to you. ______Please make sure that all the needed forms are returned back to school in the envelope we have provided for you.

Please write one check for all items made out to KINGWOOD ORCHESTRA BOOSTER CLUB or simply KOB. Checks made out to RMS, Riverwood or Riverwood Orchestra cannot be accepted. (Exception Bass and Harp Fees) Must be Returned o Medical Information and Travel Permit o Student Information Form o Handbook Signature Page o T-Shirt Order (THE ORANGE ONE) o Concert Uniform Shirt Order/Bow Tie (NEW item for our 7/8 Boys) o Concert Polo Shirt Order – All Beginner Students o KOB Membership Form o Private Lesson Interest Form

OPTIONAL o Hoodie o Yard Sign Order o RMSO Car Decal o Orchestra Kick-Off Party