Middle School Orchestra 2019-2020

Mrs. Anita Boyer and Mr. Christopher Cinquini - Directors

Welcome to the East/West Middle School Orchestra!

Please carefully read ALL of the information in this packet as some of the info has

changed since previous years. Thanks!

❑ Instructor Contact Info/Website Information

❑ Orchestra Program Information

❑ Calendar and Performance/Rehearsal Schedule

❑ Grading and Attendance Policies

❑ Orchestra Expectations

❑ Materials Needed for the Year (Order form at end of packet)

❑ Forms (Medical, Permission Forms, Pledge Form)

Due date for medical/field trip form AND String Tree

supplies order:

West – September 5, 2019

East – September 6, 2019

Middle School Orchestra 2019-2020

Mrs. Anita Boyer and Mr. Christopher Cinquini - Directors

Instructor Contact Info

Mrs. Boyer – Middle School East (days 2, 4, and 6)

aboyer@boyertownasd.org

Mr. Cinquini – Middle School West (days 1, 3, and 5)

ccinquini@boyertownasd.org

Website/Communication Information

Email is always the first method of communication. Messages are sent to parents and student email

addresses. Everyone may subscribe to the “Remind” text messaging service as well. Reminders (mostly

for students) will occasionally be sent out through text messages too so it’s important that everyone joins

Remind. Websites for each teacher can be accessed through each school’s online website.

Check the next two pages for information on how to join the

Remind class messaging system. You only need to join the

Remind group for the school you attend.

About the Orchestras

CURRICULAR ORCHESTRAS

String Orchestra: The string orchestra meets during 10th period on days 1, 3 and 5

(WEST) and 2, 4 and 6 (EAST). It performs three times a year, playing intermediate

level repertoire consisting of classical and popular music. Orchestra members are

eligible to participate in county orchestras if selected by audition (both 6th grade

string fest and Jr. County Orchestra for students in grades 7 and 8).

Full Orchestra: The full symphonic orchestra includes wind, brass, and percussion

players in addition to the string players. Students in these sections (aside from

string players) are chosen by recommendation of their respective directors from

both middle schools. Rehearsals are schedule primarily in the evening as needed.

Students must be involved in Concert Band to be eligible. Due to the limited

rehearsal time, students are expected to learn their parts primarily on their own

time.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ORCHESTRAS

Select String Ensemble: An auditioned group for advanced string players.

Rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 6-7:30pm at BASH. Repertoire includes

more advanced string literature. The group performs for the community

throughout the year, as well at the Spring Concert. The district activity fee applies

to this ensemble.

Auditions for Select String Ensemble will take place on Wednesday, September 11

from 6pm-9pm in the BASH Orchestra Room. Visit the following website to sign-up

for an audition slot.

https://tinyurl.com/yaadg25n

Rehearsal and Performance Schedule All performances and combined rehearsals are mandatory and graded!

DATE TIME/LOCATION EVENT

Wednesday October 30, 2019

6pm-8pm BASH

Mid-Fall Mandatory East/West Combined Rehearsal

Friday December 6, 2019

4:45pm-6:30pm BASH

Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal

7:00pm BASH

Winter Concert

Saturday March 7, 2020

Early Afternoon MSW

Chicken Dinner Performance

Wednesday April 15, 2020

6pm-8pm BASH

Mid-Spring Mandatory East/West Combined Rehearsal

Monday May 11, 2020

4:45pm-6:30pm BASH

Spring Concert Dress Rehearsal

7:00pm BASH

Spring Concert

Grading Policy Orchestra is a performance class that includes rehearsals, sectionals, and performances – all of

which occur both during and after school hours. The following categories outline the grading

procedures for middle school orchestra.

Daily Participation Grade: 70% of final grade in 1st trimester, 50% in 2nd and 3rd trimester

Students will receive points based upon participation, promptness, preparation and behavior.

Points will be deducted for being late to rehearsal, not having an instrument, forgetting music,

disrupting class, or not having a pencil.

Instrumental Sectional Attendance: 15% of grade

• Sectionals occur during the school day on a rotating basis. Students will generally only

miss an academic class twice every 60 days (each trimester).

• Students will be required to attend 5 lessons during the first trimester and 6 lessons

during each of the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

• There are typically 10 lessons each trimester (10 six-day cycles) for students to choose

when to attend.

• Students are not required to come down to lessons if the rotation occurs during their

lunch period.

• Teachers have discretion as to whether students can miss their class for sectionals. Tests,

quizzes, group projects, etc. may prevent students from coming down.

• Attendance is taken at every sectional. If a student is missing (because of lunch, a test in

another class, falling behind on classwork, etc.) than a student will receive a 0 for that

sectional. At the end of the marking period, 4 or 5 of the lowest sectional grades will be

dropped. As long as students have attended the minimum number of required lessons

they will receive full credit for all sectionals. Any remaining 0’s will count against the

overall sectional grade.

In certain situations and with prior teacher approval, students have the option to “make up”

some of the missed lessons by:

• Auditioning for Jr. County or District Orchestra

• Participating in after-school sectionals if provided

• Written research-based paper on repertoire in class

• Listening journal

• Other (as agreed upon with the director ahead of time)

Grading Policy (continued) Playing Tests: 15% of final grade

Playing tests will take place once each trimester during the sectional rehearsals and may consist

of solo repertoire, orchestral passages, scales, and technical exercises. Students may also video

record their tests and submit them to the teacher electronically (through Google Drive or

YouTube).

Performances/Writing Assignments: 20% of final grade in 2nd and 3rd trimester only

• 2nd trimester: Winter concert dress rehearsal and performance. Written reflection

assignment.

• 3rd trimester: Chicken dinner performance. Spring concert dress rehearsal and

performance. Written reflection assignment.

Students who miss a concert for an excused absence will need to complete an alternative

assignment for credit.

Absences – Un-Excused / Excused: Tardiness

Excused Absence – If a performance date conflicts with your schedule that you know of in

advance, please submit a written excuse as soon as possible or within 2 days after the event in

case of emergency. An “Excused Absence” consists of a child’s illness or a family emergency. If

your child is absent from school on the day of a rehearsal or performance, they are considered

“excused” from those events, but still require a note to the director.

Please note: Not having a ride to or from school, having to babysit your brother/sister, your dog

ate your music, etc. are NOT acceptable excuses.

Unexcused Absence – a student misses an event without submitting a written excuse prior to

the event or, in the event of an emergency, does not submit one within the 2-day grace period.

An Unexcused Absence will result in the student losing all of the points assigned to that event.

Students arriving late to rehearsals or performances (or leaving early) may have 10 points

deducted from their total. This decision will be left to the Director’s discretion.

Orchestra Expectations and Procedures

Orchestral Participation Policy All students are expected to be actively involved during orchestra rehearsals. This means playing your instrument, having all needed materials, demonstrating effort to improve yourself, your section and the orchestra. It includes arriving and setting up promptly at the beginning of class and cleaning up efficiently at the end of the period.

Music Folder Responsibilities Students will be given a numbered folder of orchestra music at the beginning of the year. Students are responsible for their folder and its contents. Students will be expected to pay for a lost or damaged folder or music. Music may only be written on in pencil and folders will not be accepted if they are extremely damaged or decorated in any way such as with stickers or other materials.

Music Each student will be provided with music. Students must keep the music in good condition and turn it in when requested. Students should only mark music with a No. 2 pencil. All students will be required to tape their music together. No pages should be loose within the folder.

Concert Attire All students are required to be dressed in appropriate dress clothing for every concert. Students not dressed in the appropriate manner may be sent home or have points deducted from their grade. Ladies: LONG black dress (below knees when sitting) OR long black pants (this is preferred). Either a black or white top with no printing or patterns. No open-toed shoes, flipflops, sneakers, etc. Men: Long black pants and white button down long-sleeved shirt. Long black tie or black bow-tie. Black shoes AND black socks. No sneakers, flip flops, etc. All clothing should be free of designs, patterns, printing, etc. If you have questions please feel free to contact me.

School Owned Instruments School owned cellos and basses are the responsibility of the family to which they were loaned. There is no charge for the loan, except for regular maintenance or damage to the instrument. In the case of negligence, abuse, or mishandling, the student is solely responsible for the cost of the repairs or replacement of the instrument. This includes, but is not limited to the instrument, case, bow, bridge, strings, or rosin.

Orchestra Expectations and Procedures

Chair Ranking Chair ranking will be determined by the directors and may rotate throughout the marking period. Final seating will be determined in a sufficient amount of time before a major concert and will be based on class participation and playing test scores.

Officers Students may hold Executive Officer positions for the entire school year. Each title and its duty are described below:

• Presidential/Vice President o Call orchestra to order, direct tuning, bring concerns to the director, assist conductor

during performances, announce cabinet at concerts, etc.

• Secretary: o Takes attendance, meeting notes, and correspondence. Elected by simple majority

vote.

• Treasurer: o Handles finances, manages lost and found, and manages supplies.

• Librarians: o Distribute, collect, file and inventory music, manage folders. Excellent organizational

skills are required, along with an attention to detail.

Practicing Although orchestra class meets every other day, practicing on an individual basis is the best way for the orchestra to achieve success as a whole. Students should take home their instruments as frequently as possible or have an instrument that stays at school and one which remains home for practice. Any student who is serious about their instrument should be practicing at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week (not including orchestra class). I also encourage students to take private lessons to further their musical repertoire, as sectional rehearsal time is usually spent in learning technique and mastering the orchestral repertoire. If you are interested in private lessons, I do maintain a list of teachers in the area. Please contact me if you are interested.

MATERIALS NEEDED

To facilitate an easy method for acquiring accessories, I have included a list of required and recommended accessories. String Tree will be handling all supply orders for us again this year, however you are welcome to get the required materials from a vendor of your choice if needed.

Please make all checks payable to “The String Tree”

REQUIRED ITEMS:

ALL STUDENTS:

❑ Habits of a Successful Middle Level String Musician Book – Scott

Rush and Christopher Selby – Cost is $10 through String Tree, higher

elsewhere. Will be used in class daily.

❑ VIOLIN/VIOLA Students are REQUIRED to use some sort of shoulder

rest (a sponge is not allowed anymore). A professional model

shoulder rest (such as Kun, Sumi, or BonMusica) is highly

recommended and should be used at this level.

❑ MUTE

❑ ROSIN, IN GOOD CONDITION

❑ CLOTH TO WIPE STRINGS OF ROSIN AND OTHER DEBRIS (a

handkerchief or cut-up t- shirt is acceptable)

❑ PENCIL

SUGGESTED ACCESSORIES

❑ TUNER-All students should have a method of tuning that they can execute at home. A tuned piano

OR an electronic tuner are suggested.

❑ METRONOME- Students will master the tempo and rhythm of their music if they have a constant

beat to practice against. The metronome is especially valuable in working the speed up of tricky

passages, by mastering specific tempos (beginning slowly) and working them up in miniscule

increments.

❑ AUDITION MUSIC – for Jr. County Orchestra. These are the “Solo Time for Strings” books.

❑ AN EXTRA SET OF STRINGS – Strings do “expire” after a certain amount of time (usually 6 months,

some might last longer). After they expire, the pitch can sag considerable when the string is played

and it won’t quite ring as much as a new string. Please DO NOT buy the “Red Label” brand of

strings. While they are cheap, their sound quality is terrible and will stick out in an orchestral

setting.

o Recommended brands:

▪ Violin/Viola: Pro-Arte, Dominant, or Zyex

▪ Cello: Keep a spare A & D: Pro-Arte or Helicore

▪ Bass: Not necessary to keep spares—strings rarely break.

❑ SHOULDER REST: VIOLINS & VIOLAS-by this period in orchestral training, all students should own

a professional style shoulder rest and not a sponge and rubber band. A KUN style rest is

recommended. Please be advised that viola students in a 14” viola will need to order a full sized

violin KUN. (The full sized viola KUN rest is suitable for 15”-16” violas)

o I personally use a BonMusica shoulder rest. While a bit more expensive, they are fully

adjustable to your shoulder. Everyone I have talked to who uses one of these loves it, and

I guarantee you will notice the comfort difference one of these provides over a KUN (and

especially a sponge). Feel free to try mine out before you purchase your own!

Please see the order form at the end of this packet. Circle the price of the item(s)

you wish to purchase and return the entire form to Mr. Cinquini (September 5) or

Mrs. Boyer (September 6)

Remember: While some of these accessories are required, you are not required to

purchase these through this order form. You are welcome to shop around and

choose a vendor on your own as well.