Hamburg Central School District

Hamburg Central School District HAMBURG HIGH SCHOOL

ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS

Mr. Nathan Keagle, Director of Orchestras [email protected]

1 HAMBURG HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Dear Parents and Orchestra Students:

Welcome to the Hamburg High School Music Department! In this handbook you will find policies, procedures, and other important information regarding the Hamburg High School Orchestra program. Please take the time to read this material carefully, as the success of our orchestra depends upon each individual working toward common goals. Then, please sign the acknowledgment form on the last page of the handbook and have your child return it by Thursday, Sept. 4 th , 2014.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at school. I look forward to meeting you and working with your child this year.

Sincerely, Nathan Keagle

2 The Hamburg High School Orchestra Program works towards the advancement of the individual and his or her ability to function in large and small ensemble settings. Music offers a unique opportunity to challenge each student cognitively, affectively, and physically. It provides a basis for emotional expression, intrinsic worth, and has a positive impact on individuals, families, communities, and cultures. Through the use of the national and state standards for music education, each student will be given a comprehensive orchestral education that will prepare them for further musical study. The orchestra experience helps your child develop important life skills including: cooperation, discipline, responsibility, determination, and commitment.

COMMITMENT

The success of any performing group is dependent on the commitment of its members. Students who sign up for participation in the Orchestra program are asked to make every effort to stay with the program for the entire school year. See your child’s agenda for more information regarding our school drop/add policy for music courses.

PRIVATE LESSONS Each student is encouraged to take private lessons outside of school. A list of private teachers is available by request. Individual help may be received from Mr. Keagle after school. Here is a list of highly qualified teachers:

Private String Teachers

Violin:

Antoine Lefebvre. Principal 2nd Violin, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Buffalo, NY (716)380-6382

Emily Gervase. Orchestra Director, Pioneer CSD Boston, NY (716)207-5672

Alan Ross. Section 1st violin, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Amherst, NY (716)479-7355

Jeff Jones. Section 2nd Violin, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Lakeview, NY. (716)649-4023

Viola:

Matt Phillips. Section Viola, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Kenmore, NY (716)877-0349

Zak Collins. Section Viola, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Buffalo, NY (513)479-4681

3 Val Heywood. Principal violist, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Hamburg, NY (716)316-2366

Cello:

Patti Kaminski. Orchestra Director, Frontier CSD Lakeview, NY (716)868-7870

Roman Mekinulov. Principal Cellist, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Amherst, NY (716)870-9591

Feng Hew. Assistant Principal Cellist, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Williamsville, NY (716)903-6136

Nancy Anderson. Section Cellist, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Buffalo, NY (716)833-3569

Katie Weissman. Freelance Cellist Williamsville, NY (716)861-6952

Dave Meyer, Freelance Cellist Orchard Park, NY (716) 662-5129

Bill Staebell. Orchestra Director, Iroquois CSD Orchard Park, NY (716)207-9752

Brett Shurtliffe. Assistant Principal Bass, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Boston, NY (716)941-6234

ORCHESTRA REHEARSALS

The success of the Orchestra is dependent upon each individual working together, to the best of his or her ability, to reach common goals. Listed are the classroom expectations for every rehearsal. CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to be polite and courteous during rehearsals and obey class rules. Students are expected to show care and respect for themselves, their peers, their teachers and the rehearsal facilities.

1. Be Prompt  Arrive to class on time. If you’re late, you need to bring a late pass. You will be marked tardy if late.  Use the restroom facilities before or after class.  Be in your seat, instrument unpacked, tuned, and ready to play at the ringing of the bell. 2. Be Prepared  Have your instrument, music and a pencil.  Practice your assigned music daily. Success of the ensemble as a whole depends on the preparation of each individual student. 3. Be Productive  Practice at home so you are prepared for class.  When the conductor steps on the podium sit quietly and in attention position. 4  Work every day to the best of your ability. 4. Be Polite  Play only your instrument.  No gum, food, or drink allowed in class.  Follow directions of all adults.  Keep your hands, feet, and any objects to yourself.  Use appropriate language and gestures.  Raise a hand and wait to be recognized before speaking.  Play your instrument only when asked. Failure to obey these class rules will result in disciplinary action.

GRADING POLICY

Grading will be determined by the following method:

Group Lesson Grade: 60%

Rehearsal Grade: 20%

Concert Grade: 20%

“First we form habits, then they form us”. - R. Gilbert

INSTRUMENTS, MUSIC & SUPPLIES

Each student is responsible for providing his or her own instrument, solo music book, and supplies. Many of our local music stores offer rental and lease programs. Students who have been renting and are now interested in purchasing a “step-up” instrument should speak with their Orchestra Director for recommendations.

LOST/DAMAGED MUSIC

Every student will be assigned his or her own set of music parts for orchestra. He or she is responsible for taking care of them and having the correct music at every rehearsal. Music must be kept in a folder because it is expensive and can be difficult to replace. A copy of each piece will also be given to each student. Students are expected to take this copy home to practice, and leave the rehearsal music in the orchestra room AT ALL TIMES!

5 Required Instrument Supplies for Rehearsals/Concerts

VIOLIN VIOLA CELLO Shoulder Rest Shoulder Rest Rock Stop Rosin Rosin Rosin Cleaning Cloth Cleaning Cloth Cleaning Cloth Mute Mute Mute

BASS HARP Rosin Tuning Key Cleaning Cloth Mute

SCHOOL INSTRUMENTS

Hamburg High School provides instruments to any orchestra member in need. Please let Mr. Keagle know if you will be requiring a school instrument. .

INSTRUMENT CARE & REPAIR

All instrument cases are to be labeled with the student’s name clearly visible. A luggage tag works best. This will assist in avoiding confusion of ownership of like instruments and will also help locating lost or misplaced instruments. Instrument storage is provided during the school day. Students should take their instruments home every day and every weekend (except cellos and basses) to practice and for security/safety. Students are responsible for the care of their instruments. School orchestra instruments requiring repairs should be reported to the teacher. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR DAMAGED INSTRUMENTS YOURSELF.

**INSTRUMENT PURCHASING CAUTION**

In recent years, many very poor quality musical instruments have become easily available to parents and students. These unbelievably affordable instruments demonstrate a clear example of the phrase "you get what you pay for.” These off-brand instruments are not made by reputable music companies and are not built using quality materials or design specifications. They do not play well in tune, and do not produce good quality sound. Many music repair shops will not even work on them, as replacement parts are not available and the materials used to build the instruments cannot withstand normal repair procedures without further breakdown. Obviously, these problems put the student performer at a severe disadvantage. In order to avoid such unfortunate situations, please consult with your child's orchestra teacher before purchasing an instrument. Also, please do not purchase instruments that are painted! They may not be used for concerts and are always a very poor quality instrument.

6 CONCERTS

1. Thursday, December 11th, 2014. 7:30 Winter Concert

2. Thursday, February 26th, 2015. 7:00 Fiddle Fest

3. Tuesday, May 19th 2014. Spring Concert

CONCERT PARTICIPATION VERY IMPORTANT, READ CAREFULLY!! All performance dates are announced at the beginning of the school year. They can be found on the district calendar as well. Should any additional performances be scheduled, students will be given as much advance notice as possible. SAVE THESE DATES IMMEDIATELY!

In order to gain the highest quality performance and the best experience for each student it is mandatory that there is 100% attendance at all performances. Since concerts are a graded part of this course, concert attendance is mandatory. Students not attending a concert run the risk of failing the course and being dropped from orchestra. If a child must miss a performance for any reason, Mr. Keagle must be notified prior to the concert. A rigorous makeup assignment will be offered to regain credit for the concert grade to students who notified Mr. Keagle in advance with good cause for missing.

GROUP LESSONS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, READ CAREFULLY!! Group lessons will make up 60% of a students lesson grade. The lesson schedule will be handed out to each student the first week of school. Any unexcused unattended lesson will result in a grade of zero, unless made up. Make-ups of unexcused lessons will still be deducted and partial credit will be received. Excused group lesson absences are only counted if the student is absent from school, or the student notifies Mr. Keagle by the end of the prior school day. Email notification is acceptable, along with an explanation of why the lessons cannot be attended and the name of the teacher who is making the decision that you cannot attend your group lesson. You also must notify your teacher at least 24 hours in advance that you have a lesson the following day. In short, if you don’t attend your group lessons, you will fail orchestra. If you have unexcused absences, you will not receive a high grade in orchestra.

7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER

After you have read through this handbook, return this page to Mr. Keagle in orchestra by Thursday, September 4th. Please store this handbook in a convenient place so you will be able to refer to it should a question arise. As always, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Keagle with any questions or concerns.

We have read the Orchestra Handbook and understand Orchestra class responsibilities including class work, attendance, and performance attendance, and policies.

Student Name (Please Print)

Student Signature Date

Parent Signature Date