ALTON HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS MRS. PLUMMER

Transcription

1 ALTON HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS MRS. PLUMMER TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS 1. Orchestra literature. 2. Essentials for Strings scale book, available at Halpin Music Co. EVALUATION 20% Homework, practice forms and other written assignments. Ten (10) points will be deducted from an assignment for each day late. Anything more than three days late will be an automatic zero. 30% Playing Tests 30% Performances 20% Semester Final Exam Two points are deducted from your concert grade each time you forget your instrument. A note from a doctor or parent is needed if you are unable to play due to illness or injury. All performances are required. Missing any single performance will result in a failing grade for that concert. The only excuses accepted for missing any single concert are family emergencies or illness, in which case I must receive a phone call or from your parents: or lplummer@altonschools.org. Your attendance at school is vital to your musical growth and academic success. If you have an unexcused absence, you will not perform or attend after school concerts or functions that same day. If your absence is excused, you will be given an alternate assignment to make up the performance grade. If you missed school and are feeling better, you may perform at the concert. GRADING SCALE A B C D F 59-0 Students who fail one semester of orchestra will be dropped from the class. For security reasons, only music students are allowed in the music area of the high school, which includes the back hallway. Please have your non-music friends wait for you in the Gym/Auditorium lobby. The phone and computers in the orchestra room are not for your personal use. Always ask permission first. Please do not set cases, books or purses on the percussion equipment or pianos. Students are not allowed to play the pianos without permission.

2 LOCKERS All violins and violas will be assigned individual lockers. You are responsible for locking your orchestra locker at all times. The Alton H.S. Music Department, Alton H.S. and the Alton School District are not responsible for items stolen or damaged from your locker. Talk to me if you need to keep a textbook or two in your locker in the orchestra room. CELL PHONES All students have the right to have their cell phones in either their pockets or their purses, but they are not to have them on or out during any rehearsal or class time. ID S All students are required to wear their own id s at all times. During rehearsal, cellists and bassist will remove their id so as not to scratch the instruments. CONCERT DRESS Women: Solid black dress blouse with sleeves. Solid black dress pants or long black skirt. Nylons or black dress socks. Black dress shoes. No jeans, leggings, jeggings and no miniskirts. No tennis shoes. Men: Dress black pants (like Dockers). Solid black dress shirt or black polo, (tie optional with dress shirt), black socks, and black dress shoes. No jeans. No tennis shoes. You may be moved within your section or not allowed to perform if you do not come dressed appropriately. AFTER SCHOOL REHEARSALS Students are required to attend rehearsals held after school for Stringsation. These rehearsals do not last very long after school. INSTRUMENT RENTAL School violas, cellos, and basses are available to rent at a cost of $40.00 per year. AHS is very limited on violins. Everyone who plays on a district instrument at school must pay this fee regardless of instruments personally owned at home. Some instruments may be shared between orchestras. You may transport instruments to and from school for home practice. Cellists and bassists will most likely share an instrument with someone in Symphonic Orchestra. Parents are responsible for all repairs to school instruments. REHEARSAL PROCEDURES Arrive on time with your instrument, your own music, and a pencil. Be seated in your appropriate chair and ready to rehearse as soon as possible. You are responsible for marking bowings, fingerings, or other changes discussed in rehearsals. If your music has been lost, you are solely responsible for replacing it. Originals are $5 per copy. Please do not bring food and beverages in the rehearsal and performance areas. Water is fine. No gum. Chewing gum is an obsequious bovine habit. Talking will be kept to a minimum during rehearsals.

3 APPROPRIATE ORCHESTRAL BEHAVIOR Students are expected to present themselves in a mature manner at all rehearsals and concerts, on and off school property. The orchestral experience not only develops musical talents, but also helps the student to acquire performance etiquette. The following behaviors will not be tolerated: disrespect towards the teacher and students, foul or inappropriate language; loud and disruptive behavior, and lack of self-control. The following disciplinary actions will be taken to resolve any problems: 1. verbal reprimand 2. phone call to parent 3. referral to assistant principal 4. conference with parent 5. removal from the orchestra program SEATING AND PLAYING TESTS Seating will be determined from the average of two playing tests. There will be two (2) sets of playing tests each year, one in the fall the other in the spring. Playing tests will be announced with at least one weeks notice. All students should be prepared to take their playing test on the date announced. Playing tests will consist of excerpts from music currently being studied in orchestra. You will be graded on: intonation, technical facility, rhythmic accuracy, dynamic interpretation, musicality, and overall general performance. There are no challenges. Being a member of this orchestra requires a cooperative rather than a competitive spirit. Every single member of this orchestra is expected to play like a leader regardless of where you are seated. AWARDS Senior Pin Arion Award: all students in the AHS orchestra program vote on an outstanding Junior who will perform solo with orchestra their Senior year. National School Orchestra Award to outstanding Senior EXTRACURRICULAR MUSICAL ACTIVITIES I strongly encourage all students to participate in outside fine arts activities. Extra credit will be given as well as community service credit for giving back to our community without receiving compensation: Assisting at ABOB events Performing for nursing homes and retirement communities Alton H.S. Chamber Strings Ensemble (audition) Private lessons Fine Arts activities sponsored by the AHS Fine Arts Department, e.g., chorus, band, plays, and musical. Performing in church services IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest Critiques on live plays, art shows, musicals, and concerts (excluding pop concerts)

4 ALTON BAND AND ORCHESTRA BUILDERS The Alton Band and Orchestra Builders (ABOB) has been a key figure in the success of the instrumental program in our district for over 60 years. They provide extra funds for your instruments, trips, music, parties, etc. All orchestra students are expected to help out in some way at the following ABOB events: Annual Cheese and Sausage fundraiser: Kickoff Aug. 25. Orders come in week of Sept. 28. ABOB Trivia Night: Fri, Oct. 16, 6:00 p.m., Alton Holiday Inn 2016 St. Louis Cardinals Calendar sale, November. Calendars come in December Olde Alton Craft Fair: Sat., Dec. 5 & Sat., Dec. 6 (set-up Fri., Dec. 4) Music Matters Dinner/Auction: Sat., March 12 AHS Commons (set-up Fri., March 11) Butter Braid & Cookie Dough Sales: October and March Easy, virtually effortless ways for you and your family to support our music program: Shop Amazon to support ABOB. Simply get to Amazon via the link at homepage and ABOB will get a commission from your purchases- you will not have to spend any extra money! Schnucks e-script Card: FREE; just pick up and take to any cashier and register it under Alton Band and Orchestra Builders. A percentage of your total monthly purchases come back to ABOB. Keep up with everything happening in the Alton High School Orchestra program at Please sign the back page and return to Mrs. Plummer. Thank you.

5 I have read this syllabus and understand its contents, which include the rules for rehearsals, appropriate orchestral behavior, concert dress, and rehearsal and concert attendance. Student s Signature Date I have reviewed my student s Alton High School Orchestra Syllabus and orchestra schedule. Parent s Signature Date Please contact Mrs. Plummer with any questions. lplummer@altonschools.org Thank you!