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Dear Orchestra Students and Parents, Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year and thank you for being a member of the Beech Springs Orchestra Family. I look forward to teaching the 5th and 6th grade orchestra classes and watching their progress in musical skills. I encourage you to be an active advocate for music in the educational life of your child. Your investment, time, effort, and energy can produce a lifetime of wonderful memories and musical enjoyment. Parents and students, please read this handbook carefully, become familiar with its content, and sign and return the Student & Parent Signature Page at the end. There is a lot of information, but it is all important! Return it to Mrs. Robertson by Friday, August 24. Throughout the school year, you will be receiving letters concerning upcoming concerts and other information important to the musical development of your child. I believe strongly in communicating all information with parents no orchestra program can survive without an informed and strong parental support base. I will occasionally send home personal notes that should be stapled in the students agenda. I will post information and updates weekly on my Beech Springs Orchestra Blog. Please visit regularly and sign up for updates via email.
bsisorchestra.blogspot.com
The orchestra program at Beech Springs strives to create an environment conducive to stimulating creativity and positive attitudes about the performance and enjoyment of music. Music is a transmission of culture, and it is with this in mind that, through learning basic performance skills on an instrument, the orchestra program attempts to develop a lifelong appreciation for the value of music. This two-year program is designed to foster a basic understanding and appreciation for music, as well as provide the necessary skills to allow students to continue participation in orchestra through middle school, high school and college. The objectives of our orchestra program are as follows: * To teach instrumental music education through performance * To develop performance skills and techniques * To provide an ensemble/group experience requiring precision and cooperation * To provide some of the musical needs of the school and community Always feel free to contact me with questions or concerns you might have. I am honored to be your orchestra director, and I look forward to working with you and your child. Musically yours,
Lori P. Robertson
Orchestra Director Beech Springs Intermediate School lori.robertson@spart5.net (864) 949-7600 2012 2013 Beech Springs Orchestra Handbook Page 1 of 10
OPTIONAL MATERIALS SmartMusic subscription HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Tuner Metronome Cleaning cloth or soft cotton rag Sheet protectors for music
Sheet music will be issued to students throughout the school year. Sheet music may be placed in a plastic sheet protector before being placed in the students binder. Students will also be using class sets of supplemental method books.
Orchestra students cannot succeed if they dont have the right stuff!
This sounds obvious, but it is amazing how many students will forget their materials. Students will receive a step for not having required materials. Students will either borrow the material or complete an alternative orchestra assignment. Each semester, students will receive a sheet of 4 Oops Passes that they may use if they forget their materials. If this sheet is lost, then the step will be given.
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OR 2. The student may rent a school instrument for use at school and at home. The student may play the instrument at school and take the instrument home. In order to use a school instrument there is a fee that helps to pay for yearly expenses such as string replacement, bow rehairs, bridge adjustments and any repairs that may be needed throughout the school year. The district fee is $100 per year. If you choose, you may pay $10.00 monthly payments beginning in August. The student may leave the instrument at school in an assigned locker or take it home to practice. In order to rent a school instrument, a rental contract must be completed, signed, and returned. If you write checks, please make checks payable to Beech Springs. If you pay in cash, please have exact change. School instruments are very limited in number, but we make every effort to ensure that students who truly need one will have one to play in class.
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Bernhardt House of Violins 10 Howe St. Greenville, SC 29601 Toll Free: 1-866-479-8889 Local: 864-282-8887 www.bernhardtviolins.com bernhardt@bellsouth.net
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Instrument Repairs
NEVER TRY TO FIX AN INSTRUMENT YOURSELF! DO NOT TUNE OR CHANGE STRINGS! If a school instrument needs repair under normal circumstances, Mrs. Robertson will have it repaired. Unless the student caused the damage on purpose, this will not cost the student. Strings do break as normal wear and tear, and the school will replace strings on school instruments if they break normally. However, if the student does not follow instructions and then breaks a string, the student will pay for a new string. All music stores have strings for sale, but you may also buy strings from the school. Supplies All violin strings All cello strings Cleaning cloth Rosin - violin, viola, cello
Fingernails
All fingernails should be short at all times. I realize that some of you girls especially may not be happy with this, but there are very good reasons. Fingernails do scratch and dent instruments fingerboards. Fingernails also prevent a good playing position; if your fingernails are too long (much beyond the white) then you cant play on your fingertips with curved fingers. A poor playing position = not too pretty music .. I will have some nail clippers in the orchestra room for emergencies. Thank you for your help with this!
PRIVATE LESSONS
Taking private lessons on an instrument is the best way to improve performance skills. The oneon-one approach allows the student to benefit from the individual attention as opposed to a teacher monitoring a big class. A recent survey of students in the South Carolina All-State Band (a state-wide honors group) revealed that 80% of those students in the band studied with a private instructor. Simply put, private lessons work! Lessons improve a students abilities, thereby improving their enjoyment of band or orchestra. 1. Call local music stores to get names and information about lessons (Music & Arts: 595-1116). 2. Converse College offers instruction through the Lawson Academy
http://www.converse.edu/academics/school-arts/lawson-academy-arts/music-classes
3. Byrnes High School orchestra students often teach lessons. Mrs. Robertson will pass along this information.
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Orchestra Procedures
Before School Drop off your instrument on the way to your classroom. If the orchestra room is locked, take your instrument to your classroom. Never leave your instrument or supplies outside of the orchestra room. The pass in your agenda allows you to drop off your instrument from 7:40 to 7:50. You may practice in the orchestra room if there is morning practice. During Class We will play almost every day. Bring all materials every day. Come into the room quietly, get your instrument and supplies, and have a seat. Read the board. As soon as you unpack, please begin to practice your music. Read the board for instructions. Water You may drink from the water fountain just outside the room. Bathroom please go during your regularly scheduled breaks. You may not leave the room unless it is an emergency Do not touch anything that is not yours. This includes other instruments and supplies, the keyboard, the computer, and anything in other lockers. The student responsible will pay for any intentional or accidental damages that occur to an instrument. This includes damage that occurs in or out of the classroom, whether it is your instrument or someone elses. Do not go in the office or locker room without the teachers permission. Raise your hand before you speak. Do not play your instrument out of turn. o Never play while the teacher is talking. o Never continue to play after the teacher stops the class. After School The pass in your agenda allows you to drop off your instrument from 2:40 to 2:50. Extra Help / Afternoon Practice o If you want to practice in the orchestra room after school, you must first ask Mrs. Robertson during your regular class. Never assume that it is okay to stay! o Fill out one after-school practice permission slip and have Mrs. Robertson sign it. o Bring your bookbag since you will not go back to homeroom. o Bus riders will be dismissed when their buses are called. o Car riders should plan ahead to be picked up by 3:10. o There will be no practice when Mrs. Robertson has bus duty, which is on most Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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Concerts
There will be several concerts at Beech Springs this school year. All students are required to perform at all concerts. This is a performing arts class. We are a team, and the entire group suffers when someone is absent. The student also misses a very valuable, educational, and fun experience by not participating. Students who miss concerts may not be allowed to continue orchestra the following year. Please see the 2012 2013 Orchestra Dates on the next page, mark your calendars now, and make every possible effort to be there.
Concert Attire
Concerts are a formal affair. By dressing professionally, we show pride in our orchestra. Please prepare ahead of time dont try to purchase an entire outfit the night of a concert. Students not adhering to the orchestra dress code may not be allowed to perform. If any student should have difficulty acquiring any part of the required concert attire, please let Mrs. Robertson know as soon as possible. In order to insure the best possible appearance during performances and concert festivals, the following dress code has been adapted for all Beech Springs Orchestra members: Girls * solid white blouse with short or long sleeves * solid black long dress slacks -or- a solid black skirt that is mid-calf when seated * solid black dress shoes or dress sandals Boys * solid white, long-sleeve dress shirt * solid black long dress pants * solid black socks * solid black dress shoes
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2012
Thursday, December 6 (time and place to be announced) Orchestra Spring Concert Assembly in the morning
All orchestra students are required to perform.
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2013
Thursday, March 7 at 6:30 pm: Orchestra String Showcase Concert
Byrnes High School Schofield Gym
This concert features every student in District 5. All students are required to participate in the concert. All students will take a field trip in the morning to Byrnes High School to practice. We will wear our District Five Orchestra shirts. Admission is free and open to the public.
6th Grade Students Only: March 20, 21, OR 22 SCMEA Concert Festival
This is a field trip for second year orchestra that takes place during one school day. The performance time will be scheduled in February. The orchestra will perform three pieces for judges and receive comments and ratings.
Wednesday, May 1 (time and place to be announced) Orchestra Spring Concert Assembly in the morning
All orchestra students are required to perform.
Optional: Saturday, April 27 SCMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival at Spartanburg High School.
Students will perform solos or duets for a judge and receive comments and a score. This is an exciting event that builds musicianship and character.
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I have read and I agree to follow the Rules and Procedures for Beech Springs Orchestra
Student Name: ____________________________________________________________ Grade: ______ Instrument: _______________ Student Signature: ______________________________________________
Please check one: Student owns instrument. Student rents instrument from store.
Student will rent instrument from school. Please sign and return the Rental Instrument Form. ______$100 paid in full or $______ partial payment/deposit
Please note that this is by need and on a first come, first serve basis.
Parent/Guardian Name (print) ______________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature _______________________________________ Date _____ /_____ / 2012
Phone numbers__________________________________________________________________________
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In an effort to communicate with you regarding your childs assignments and/or class events, I will have an e-mail list. If you would like to be on this list, please provide your name and e-mail address. Please print clearly. Also, visit the BSIS Orchestra Blog at http://bsisorchestra.blogspot.com and sign up for email updates there. E-mail address ________________________________________________________________________________
************************************************************************************* Use the space below and on back for questions and comments. Please include any special needs and/or medical conditions.
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