Orchestra Meeting Welcome to the Armstrong Orchestra!! National Standards for Music Education 1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments. 4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines. 5. Reading and notating music. 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. 7. Evaluating music and music performances. 8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts. 9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture. Information/CommunicationArmstrongorchestra.wordpress.com dates, program overview, handouts Schoology notifications, calendar items, handouts Facebook Robbinsdale Armstrong High School Orchestra Major Concert Dates The orchestra year features six major events: Fall Concert Monday, Oct. 19 at AHS Fall Concert Monday, Oct. 19 at AHS Fall Festival Concert (Symphony) Monday, Nov. 2 at Orchestra Hall Fall Festival Concert (Symphony) Monday, Nov. 2 at Orchestra Hall Winter Concert Thursday, Dec. 3 Winter Concert Thursday, Dec. 3 Solo/Ensemble (Phil & Symphony only) Wednesday, April 13 at St. Louis Park HS Solo/Ensemble (Phil & Symphony only) Wednesday, April 13 at St. Louis Park HS Large Group Festivals & Events Large Group Festivals & Events NWSC Festival (Symphony) Monday, Feb. 8 NWSC Festival (Symphony) Monday, Feb. 8 Tier I (9 th Grade) Tuesday, Feb. 16 Tier I (9 th Grade) Tuesday, Feb. 16 Empty Bowls (Philharmonic) Tuesday, March 8 Empty Bowls (Philharmonic) Tuesday, March 8 Spring Concert Monday, May 16 Spring Concert Monday, May 16 See details about each of these events in the Orchestra Handbook. Opportunities/Events Chamber Strings Chamber Strings Private Lessons Private Lessons All-State Orchestra (Auditions in March) All-State Orchestra (Auditions in March) Middle Level Honors Orchestra is available to students in 7 9th grade who have completed Suzuki Book 4 (violin) or Suzuki Book 3 (viola/cello/bass) Middle Level Honors Orchestra is available to students in 7 9th grade who have completed Suzuki Book 4 (violin) or Suzuki Book 3 (viola/cello/bass) Pit Orchestra Pit Orchestra Orchestra Council Orchestra Council Instrument Care These things should be done regularly to keep instruments in good shape: These things should be done regularly to keep instruments in good shape: Loosen bows (always!)Loosen bows (always!) Rosin bows (at least every other practice time)Rosin bows (at least every other practice time) Wipe rosin dust off of the instrument (every practice time)Wipe rosin dust off of the instrument (every practice time) Watch for open seams and cracks in the wood.Watch for open seams and cracks in the wood. Instrument polish can be purchased at string shopsInstrument polish can be purchased at string shops Carry one of each extra strings in the case at all timesCarry one of each extra strings in the case at all times Class Materials Students must have all materials for each class. Students must have all materials for each class. Sheet MusicSheet Music Method Book: Advanced Technique for StringsMethod Book: Advanced Technique for Strings Scale PacketsScale Packets Students should own their own metronome and tuner for practice at home. Apps are available for phones, or online using chromebooks Students should own their own metronome and tuner for practice at home. Apps are available for phones, or online using chromebooks Good quality shoulder rests are necessary for all violins and violas. Good quality shoulder rests are necessary for all violins and violas. Uniforms See Order Sheet Uniforms See Order Sheet Uniforms Goal: no distractions for the audience Goal: no distractions for the audience Uniform Orders: form is available on schoology & printout to be handed out on Thursday Uniform Orders: form is available on schoology & printout to be handed out on Thursday Form & payments due October 7 Form & payments due October 7 Alternatives are available please contact me Alternatives are available please contact me GRADING There are Five Categories to the Orchestra Grade Participation (50%) - have all materials and stay focused in class Absences require a makeup Playing Tests (20%) These are done either in school or on video through Schoology Sectional Attendance/Preparation (10%) - assignments are given for the next sectional Concerts (10%) Written Work(10%) Music Theory Handbook turn-in, etc. SECTIONALS Sectionals occur during Lunches 2 per quarter 1 as a section, 1 by appointment Other times can be scheduled as necessary Before school After school 7 th Hour (for those with Study Hall) PRACTICE Regular practice is still necessary!! Quantity dictated by demands of current music. Ways to approach practicing: Manage time carefully Frequent shorter amounts Concentrate on key passages Use a metronome!!!! Use a tuner!!!! Tour! Entire Group goes every other year Symphony goes on the off years Tour is not mandatory On Big Tour years, a Touring Orchestra is formed This year New York City!!! Tour Packet in Detail at 7:30 Fundraisers Coupon Books (September) Flapjack Fundraiser (October) Cub Bagging (November 21) Butterbraid (September/October) Cookie Dough (May, upon demand) Additional (TBD) Orchestra Boosters New This Year!! Purpose: support the Orchestra program in two ways: Organization of Volunteers Streamlined Financial Management Officers President: Sara OBrien Vice-President: Rhonda Whitenack Secretary: Britt Abel Treasurer: Ruth Johnson What is New with Boosters?? Organization of Volunteers Volunteerspot site Will be linked to Orchestra website & schoology Ways to volunteer for events & fundraiser supervision Thanks to Mary Olsen Baker for this service Orchestra Parent Involvement Events Semester I Open House Homecoming Parade Orchard Trip Fall Concert Fall Strings Festival Winter Concert Events Semester II Tour Chaperone Middle Level Festival Spring Concert Awards Night Streamlined Financial Management Virtually all checks to the Armstrong Orchestra Boosters, NOT to Armstrong High School (Exception: instrument rental fees) Student Accts. through the booster fund, not the school. Additional Meetings: Meetings to be held quarterly: 1.Tuesday, Sept Tuesday, Nov. 12 7:00 p.m. 3.Tuesday, March 15 7:30 p.m. 4.Tuesday, April 26 7:00 p.m.