Sudlow Orchestra Handbook

2015-2016

Full Orchestra

String Orchestra

Orchestra Director Kristian J. Svennevig

Contact info:

svennevigk@davenportschools.org

Sudlow: 563-326-3504

2015-2016 Sudlow Orchestra Rehearsal procedures

Welcome to the culture of Excellence!

Before rehearsal starts:

1. Before you Enter class take potty and drink breaks. You will be

allowed to leave class only for bathroom emergencies. You will have 2 per

quarter. You may never leave my class without my permission.

2. Enter the room quietly and with purpose. Get your instrument

from the shelf and your music and go directly to your seat. If I have

to tell you to have a seat because you are wandering your participation grade will

go down!

3. Get instrument out, get music ready and rosin your bow. If you are

rosining your bow when rehearsal starts, then your participation grade will go

down!

4. Please remain seated during tuning, we will check it by section and as a

group. If you are out of tune, I will come to your seat and make sure you are in

tune. You may use a tuner or tuning app for tuning only, after that no electronics

are permitted.

Structure of rehearsal:

1. Warm up activity (4 to 5 minutes): you should be in your

seat when bell rings for the warm up activity (your participation grade

starts from this activity; everyone is expected to do the warm ups.)

2. Warm up scales/ technique excercises and drills (10 to 15

minutes). (warm ups help our fingers work better, reduce our mistakes, and

increase our skills quickly and efficiently)

3. Introducing concepts, terminology, musical ideas or talk about

upcoming events (2-5 minutes.) This is when you can ask me

questions.

4. Rehearse music (25-35 minutes.)

5. Pack up, put instrument back on shelf, and return to your seat

(the remaining 2 minutes.) make sure your area is picked up! (no

papers on the floor, candy wrappers, pencils, junk, etc.)

6. I will dismiss the class when everyone is back in their assigned

seat and quiet.

By following these procedures we will maximize our learning and have an efficient and

orderly classroom. This translates into having the best orchestra possible and getting the

most learning done.

Classroom Rules

1. Only necessary sound while we are rehearsing (in other words, limit

talking, and instrument noises)

2. Stop playing when I stop conducting.

3. Be in seat, with materials and ready to go at the start of class.

4. Respect everyone in class. (a pleasant and respectful atmosphere is the most

enjoyable kind.)

5. Tuning time is quiet

Consequences

1. Verbal Warning

2. Write a discipline plan, call parents

3. Conference with Parents

4. Removal from orchestra program

Proper Rehearsal Etiquette: (how to rehearse like a pro!)

1. When my hands are up, it is your cue to be quiet with your bow

on the string. It is important to pay attention when I count off to start the piece.

2. When I stop conducting you will stop playing. Please pay

Attention to this! Continuing to play after I stop wastes time and creates

noise pollution.

3. No side conversations during rehearsal. It is rude to your

classmates and to your conductor to talk during rehearsal. You will also miss

important instructions and details from the conductor.

4. No Electronics during rehearsal. Tuners and tuning Apps are only

permitted before class starts. First time is a warning but after that I will

take it. If I catch you texting during class you have an automatic

detention. This kind of behavior is very rude.

5. Always give your best effort. If you get lost, try to

find your place quickly and join back in. Even if you can’t join

in immediately follow along in the music with your instrument

in playing position so that you can join in at the nearest

opportunity. You can’t succeed if you don’t always try.

6. Play with good sound, posture, instrument position and technique. Great

players are always 100% committed to giving their best performance. If

that effort isn’t practiced in rehearsal then it won’t happen in

performance.

7. Have a pencil ready to mark your music. This cuts down on mistakes.

Mark mistakes lightly to indicate what you need to practice. The goal is to play the

piece right as many times as possible and not to keep making the same mistakes

over again.

8. Be prepared for rehearsal: always bring your music and instrument to

class. Don’t assume we are not playing. Even if there are only 5 students in class

we will probably still rehearse. This is called good work ethic.

9. Listen to the other instruments. Sometimes they have the same part as you and

you can learn things faster by listening to them. Sometimes it will help you find

your place in the music faster. Great musicians know if they have the melody or

harmony/accompaniment or background. If you have accompaniment or

background make sure you can hear the melody over what you are playing; don’t

blast away on the accompaniment or background. This is called balance.

10. Be in the Zone! Being in the zone is a skill that requires you to train your

concentration and focus. Mastery of this skill is as good as gold! It will help you

achieve in every other area of your life!

Expectations and Educational objectives 1. You will be expected to learn to tune your instrument.

2. You will be expected to learn your music, scales, and exercises.

3. You will demonstrate progress. You need to own that!

4. You will work in a friendly atmosphere that helps you gain skills, self-

confidence, self-discipline, and ownership of your achievements.

5. You will take pride in our organization.

6. As your teacher, I will not let you fail in your learning.

7. I will always consider your input in making decisions.

8. You will have fun.

Grading

Requirements:

A. Lesson Grade: (Lesson grade is 5 points per lesson)

1. Achieving your goals. Part of the lesson grade is determined by meeting your

goals, It also means you must practice. So practice quality not quantity.

skills proficiencies are part of students goals (these are set up individually)

2. Lesson attendance

a. 1 free skip per quarter

b. missed lessons after the skip are counted as an I

c. effectively your grade goes down ½ a letter grade with each further \

missed lesson

B. Class participation (Rehearsal grade is 5 points per week.)

1. must be in your seat ready to go when class starts

2. must have music and instrument

3. must have work attitude/ be willing to meet challenges/ be positive

4. Be helpful to others. Have good teamwork.

C. Concert attendance. (concerts are 20 points each)

1. you are obligated to perform; missed concerts have to have a parent note

2. each concert missed drops grade significantly.

3. concerts may be made up only with prior notice and parent note or due to

illness or dire family emergencies

D. Return of the signed contract slip. (worth 50 points) not turning this in

will result in a failing grade.

Instrument Rental/Usage Fee: If you use a school instrument then you will need to submit a check payable to Sudlow

in the amount of $40. Care and repair is your responsibility. If you break it, it is your

responsibility to fix it.

Concert dress: Sudlow orchestra student’s uniform consists of:

White Tuxedo shirt

Black dress pants (no jeans) or long skirt

Black socks

Black shoes

Black bow tie

Tux shirts and bow ties will be available to purchase for cost of about

$22 for both. Info coming soon.

Description of events: October All City Festival Saturday October 17, 2015 is our first event of the year. 7

th and 8

th grade students

rehearse starting at 12:45pm and 6th

grade students will start rehearsing at 2:45 We have a

guest conductor that will work with our students in a combined performance of all of the

intermediate schools in the Davenport district. It is an epic event!

Winter Concert

On December 1st, 2015 in the Sudlow Gym, we will be doing a winter concert with the

Bands. The 6th

graders at 6:00pm. The 7th

/8th

graders at 7:00pm.

All City Solo Festival is Saturday, February 27, 2016 at North High School Learning and performing a solo is an integral part of a student’s instrumental music

education. The Davenport Community Schools Instrumental Music Department hosts an

annual solo festival at North High School in February (listed on schedule of events). It is

Davenport School District requirement that All Sudlow band and orchestra students

attend this festival. It also fulfills the requirement of National Music standards #2 and #7.

Only playing the solo part of a piece represents an incomplete rendition of the piece.

Therefore, a piano accompanist provides the missing harmony and countermelodies of

the solos. Working with a pianist is an important part of the solo experience. If you

already have a piano teacher, church organist, musical relative or friend, feel free to

contact them. If you don’t know a pianist, Deb McIntosh is available here at Sudlow to

accompany your child. Mrs. McIntosh has knowledge and experience with this type of

playing. If paid in advance Her fee is $25 for 3-4 rehearsals here at Sudlow during

orchestra class. This is the deal of a century! She will arrange all rehearsals for your

child. If you are using Deb MacIntosh as your accompanist, Please fill out the

accompanist form included in this packet. All others, Please get your accompanists

lined up before Winter break. If you wait too long it will be difficult to get an

accompanist. Please let Mr. Svennevig know who your accompanist is before winter

break

Here is a list of accompanists and their contact info:

Nora Reiter 563-370-4487 Jo Vandercar 563-323-5318 Jessica Fisher 563-381-0418 Deb McIntosh 563-508-1274 Marilyn Oehler home 563-359-8449 Cell: 563-340-3153

Progressive concert at Central On March 8

th 2016 at 7:00pm, we will have our 4-12 grade concert in the Central Gym.

This is a great opportunity for the audience and students to see the level of progression

from 4th

grade to High School. It is important for our students to represent our school

orchestra for the general public.

Large Group Orchestra Clinic

On April 2nd

2016, we will have our orchestra large group clinic. This will be full symphony

orchestra performance, (with winds, brass and percussion) and acts as one of our Davenport

School District yearly assessments. The Clinician’s evaluation of our group is kept on record

with the Fine Arts Coordinator’s office. It is a chance for us to showcase the Sudlow orchestra in

front of the other schools. It is kind of a big deal.

Six Flags Trip:

Saturday May 14th

, 2016 The 7th

/8th

orchestra will be going to Six Flags in Gurney IL to

participate in a music competition. Cost of the trip is right around $95 per student. Fundraising

may be available to help defer the cost. Please contact Mr. Svennevig for options if there are

issues regarding payment. More info will be coming around January for the event.

Spring Concert: May 19

th 2016, will be our final concert of year! Concert starts at 6:00pm in the Sudlow Gym. This will

also involve full orchestra members. 6th grade orchestra and 7

th/8

th grade orchestra will perform.

Standard concert dress.

Honor Orchestras:

There are 3 that are available throughout the year by director nomination/audition. Typically only about 5 or 6 students from each school are accepted in to any of the orchestras. They usually pick the top 5 students from the director’s nominations. If interested please ask regarding the requirements.

Junior Honors All State Orchestra is Held in Ames, IA at Iowa State University. Typically only advanced 8th graders are admitted as it represents the most advanced orchestra students from all over Iowa. That is held the week before Thanksgiving. November 20th this year.

SEISTA Honors Orchestra is held here in the Quad Cities. That happens on January 17th 2016.

Kennedy Honors Festival is held in Cedar Rapids, IA at Kennedy High School and occurs the first week of March. They haven’t confirmed the date yet. There are 3 levels of orchestras. Green (usually 6th and 7th graders) , Gold (advanced 7th and 8th graders) and Chamber (very advanced 8th graders and mostly advanced 9th grade students)

Davenport Community Schools Non-Discrimination Statement

The Davenport Community School District (DCSD) provides equal educational and employment opportunities and will not illegally discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation,

gender identity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, ancestry, or actual or potential parental, familial, or marital status. DCSD will take affirmative action in recruitment, appointment, assignment, and

advancement of women and men, members of diverse racial/ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities

for job categories in which any of these groups of people are underrepresented.

Inquiries related to this policy may be directed to Dawn Anderson Rascher, DSCD Equity Coordinator, 1606 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803 or by phone at 563-336-3805. Inquiries may also be directed to

the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, the Region VII Office of the United States Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, or the Region VII Office of Civil Rights, United States Department of

Education.

Accompanist Fee $25

($40 after Thanksgiving)

If you are using Deb McIntosh as an accompanist, please fill out this form and return it to Mr. Svennevig.

This will give me an idea of how many students need to be scheduled out of orchestra during January and

February.

The fee for using Deb is $25. This will be due before Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, the charge is $40. Checks

need to be made out to Deb McIntosh. Please write “Accompanist Fee” on the memo line of the check.

STUDENTS NAME: _______________________________________________________________

PARENT NAME: __________________________________________________________________

PARENT PHONE NUMBER: ________________________________________________________

PARENT EMAIL ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________

PAID: Check Number____________ CA$H_________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

2015-2016 Sudlow Music Department Events Calendar

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Unpack Your Backpack N/A 6-7-

8

Monday, August 24, 2015

First Day of School

Friday, August 28, 2015 HAVLife Night at the River Bandits Ukes of Hazzard

6-7-8

Friday, August 28, 2015 Sudlow/JB/Central Half-Time Show Orange Crush 7-8

Tuesday, September 15, 2015 Super Start Lesson@6:30-7:30

5th grade elementry students 5th

Monday, September 07, 2015 No School Labor Day

Wednesday, September 23, 2015 Hy-Vee Honor Flight Orange Crush 7-8

Friday, September 25, 2015 Audition Tapes for OPUS Due Choir

6-7-8

Tuesday, October 06, 2015 Fannie May Fund Raiser Kick-Off Choirs

6-7-8

Tuesday, October 13, 2015 Band Spectacular @ Brady Steet 7:00 7th and 8th Band 7-8

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Portland Cello Project @ 1:15pm

Music Students

6-7-8

Saturday, October 17, 2015 Real Men Sing@ Wartburg College

7th and 8th Grade Boys Choir 7-8

Saturday, October 17, 2015

All City Intermediate String Festiva l

Orchestra

6-7-8

Monday, October 19, 2015 Band Spectacular RAIN DATE 7th and 8th Band 7-8

Thursday, October 22, 2015 6th Grade Fall Concert @ 6:30 6th Band and Choir 6

Friday, October 23, 2015 End of 1st Quarter - 2hr early out Tuesday, October 27,

2015 Real Men Sing - Davenport 7&8 Men's Choir 7-8

10/28-30/15 Parent Teacher Conferences Saturday, October 31,

2015 Halloween Parade 7:00 Mid American 3rd and

Iowa 7th and 8th Band 7-8

TBA Select Choir to St. Ambrose to record Select Choir 7 - 8

Tuesday, November 10, 2015 6th Grade Honor Band

Select Band students 6

Wednesday, November 11, 2015 Veteran's Day No School

Wednesday, November 11, 2015 Veteran's Day Parade Marching Band

7 - 8

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 OPUS Honor Choir- Ames, IA

Select 7th-8th Grade Choir

members 7-8

Thursday, November 19, 2015 OPUS Honor Choir- Ames, IA

Select 7th-8th Grade Choir

members 7-8

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Junior Honors All-State Orchestra, Ames, IA

Select orchestra members 6-8

Monday, November 23, 2015

Festival of Trees@ River Center Downtown Davenport 2-4pm

Choir and Jazz Band 7-8

or 11/24/2015 Festival of Trees@ River Center Downtown

Davenport 2-4pm Choir and Jazz

Band 7-8

11/25-27/15 Thanksgiving Break No School Tuesday, December 1,

2015 Band/Orchestra Winter Concert 6th @6pm 7-

8th @7pm Band/Orchestra

6-7-

8

Wednesday, December 02, 2015 Broadway in Chicago:Lion King Vocal Music 6-7-8

6-7-8

Saturday, December 05, 2015 Ukes in the East Village Ukes of Hazzard

6-7-8

Tuesday, Dec 8, 2015 Sudlow Winter Choral Concert 6/7/8 Grade

Choirs 6/7/8 Choirs 6/7/8

TBA - Monday, December 21 IBA Recording

6th, 7th and 8th Grade Bands

6-7-8

Monday, December 21, 2015 Combined Central/Sudlow/JB @Adler 7:00pm 8 Grade Choir 8

12/23/15-1/1/16 Winter Break No School Monday, January 04,

2016 Teacher In-Service Saturday, January 09,

2016 SEIBA Honor Band Auditions- Fairfield, IA Select 7th and 8th

Band Students 7-8

Friday, January 15, 2016 End of 2nd Quarter - 2hr early out Saturday, January 16,

2016 SEISTA Festival

Select Orchestra

members 6-7-8

Monday, January 18, 2016 Martin Luther King Day - No School

Saturday, January 23, 2016 SEIBA Concert Band

Friday, January 29, 2016 SE ICDA El/JH Honor Choir Festival Select 7th and 8th

Choir Students 7-8

Tuesday, February 9, 2016 Circa 21 Field Trip

7th and 8th Grade Choir 7-8

Thursday, February 11, 2016 Jazz Musicre @ 6:30 Sudlow Cafe Jazz Band members

6-7-8

Monday, February 15, 2016 President's Day - No School

TBA Central Show Choir perform in Large Gym 6-7-8th Grade

Choirs 6-7-

8

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Elementary/Intermediate Solo Festival

5th-8th Grade Band/Orch members

5-6-7-8

Thursdy, March 10, 2016 MIOSM Concert @ Adler

5-12 Band and chamber groups

5-6-7-8

Saturday, March 5, 2016 Kennedy HS MS Honors Orchestra Festival

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Select Orchestra

members 6-7-

8

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Progressive Concert@Central High Gym 7pm

4th-12th Grade Orchestra

6-7-8

Friday, March 18, 2016 End of 3rd Quarter - 2hr early out 3/21-25/16 Spring Break Saturday, April 02, 2016 Instrumental Large Group Festival Band/Orchestra 7-8

Tuesday, April 12, 2016 Intermediate Vocal Festival @ NHS- 6:00pm 7th-8th Grade

Choir 7-8

Wednesday, April 13, 2016 Iowa Assessments All Students

6-7-8

Friday, April 15, 2016 Demo Concert at Sudlow 1st period Band/Orchestra 7-8

Saturday, April 16, 2016 Sudlow Jazz Fest

All Jazz Bands/Sugar Rush

Combo 6-7-

8

Saturday, April 23, 2016 ICDA SE Solo and Ensemble @ PVJH

6th Gr. Choir & Select 6/7/8

Students 6-7-

8

TBA 5th Grade Parent Night

5th and 6th Grade bands 7

Saturday, May 7, 2016 Adventureland/Drake Relays Festival of Bands

6th, 7th and 8th Grade Bands

6-7-8

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 All City Elem. Band/Orchestra Festival 7:00pm

Adler Theater 5th Grade Band

and Orch Students 4-5

Thursday, May 05, 2016 Honors Program (6th & 7th @2:30; 8th

@6:00) Ukes of Hazzard 6-7-

8

Wednesday, May 04, 2016 6-7-8 Year End Concert 6th@6pm & 7-8@7pm

6th, 7th and 8th Grade Bands

6-7-8

Thursday, May 12, 2016 Spring Choral Concert @North HS 6:30pm 6th-7th-8th Grade

Choir 6-7-

8

Saturday, May 14, 2016

6-Flags Choir/Orchestra Trip

Festival Choirs/Orchestra 7-8

Thursday, May 12, 2016 IBA Conference Thursday, May 19, 2016

Sudlow Orchestra Spring Concert @Sudlow

gym 6:00pm 6th,7th and 8th Grade Orchestra

6-7-8

Friday, May 20, 2016 Ukulele Concert at Washington for K-2nd Ukes of Hazzard 6-7-

8

Thursday, May 26, 2016 End of 4th Quarter - 2hr early out Friday, May 27, 2016 In-service Day Monday, May 30, 2016 Memorial Day - No School

Please return this portion to Mr. Svennevig By Sept 1, 2015.

Sudlow Orchestra Performance contract

We have looked over the the handbook and calendar of events and acknowledge

that by being in orchestra, which is a performance based class, it obligates the

student to perform at these events. We are aware of the required events and have

placed them on our calendar. Please enter all dates for events on your calendar.

We understand that it is a privilege to be a part of the Sudlow Orchestra. We aknowledge

that the student is solely responsible for their behavior inside and outside of the rehearsal

room. Any missed events will affect the student’s grade and will only be made up at the

discretion of the instructor. You must provide adequate notice for any events that will

be missed. Unless it is a dire emergency, telling me the day before a concert that you

can’t attend is not acceptable advanced notice.

I understand that not returning this slip will deduct 50 points and will probably

result in a failing grade.

It is an expectation that all fingernails should be kept short, and at a length that

allows proper hand position and technique. Bad technique directly affects the

quality of sound of our group.

We understand that by returning this form it binds us to the terms of this

agreement.

Student Name_____________________________________________

Student Signature__________________________________ date_________________

Parent Name______________________________________________

Parent Signature____________________________________ date_________________

Parent email for concert updates and info______________________________________

Best Phone # to reach you __________________________________

Home Address______________________________________________________