Class Syllabus
High School Orchestra
For Our New Members: There is a different philosophy at work in the orchestra at the high-school level. It is not the same kind of class as it was in middle school. In middle school, it was possible to be successful and even get an "A" if you were always in the right place at the right time. Attendance counted for a great deal, and orchestra was a class where all levels of musicianship were welcomed, as long as standards of attendance, attitude, and effort were maintained. Those standards are still expected, but added is the very important standard of musical expertise or accomplishment. The following are examples of things that are different in the high school orchestra classes, as opposed to middle school orchestra.
Practice. Everyone is expected to practice. We learn music at a much faster pace than in middle school. It is not acceptable to use only rehearsal time to learn the music.
Lessons. Private lessons, while not required, are highly recommended. Our time in orchestra includes some instruction on the techniques of playing, but orchestra is not a group lesson class. Most of the time is spent working on the music that we perform. The demands of this music, and the level of playing required, mean that every student needs the technical help that is only available through private lessons.
Uniform. Participation in the orchestra requires a performing uniform. You must purchase a tuxedo for the school year or acquire a black dress. (We will provide information about a website we recommend that sells tuxedos inexpensively.) Measuring for tuxedos takes place during class periods at the beginning of the school year. The tuxedo rental does not include a dress shirt, or a black tie and cummerbund, which you must provide. You must also purchase black dress shoes (closed toes) and black socks or pantyhose. See the Tuxedo Information or the Women's Dress Code. If the cost of the uniform items causes financial hardship, there are resources available for such a situation; please see your director privately.
Transport. Students are required to make their own arrangements for transporting instruments and music to and from all local rehearsals and concerts. The director cannot take anybody's instrument or other items. When we travel together, we make arrangements for transporting instruments, but each student must still assume the primary responsibility for their own instrument and music folder.
Equipment. In addition to instrument supplies and a music stand, every student needs access to a metronome and a computer recording system. These are necessary for playing tests. If you do not have a system to record yourself, you will have to make arrangements to do it at school.
Playing Tests. The grading scale reflects a heavy emphasis on playing tests. The level of a student's individual musicianship, and how much time they spend practicing, is one of the most important aspects of their grade.
Practice. Everyone is expected to practice. We learn music at a much faster pace than in middle school. It is not acceptable to use only rehearsal time to learn the music.
Lessons. Private lessons, while not required, are highly recommended. Our time in orchestra includes some instruction on the techniques of playing, but orchestra is not a group lesson class. Most of the time is spent working on the music that we perform. The demands of this music, and the level of playing required, mean that every student needs the technical help that is only available through private lessons.
Uniform. Participation in the orchestra requires a performing uniform. You must purchase a tuxedo for the school year or acquire a black dress. (We will provide information about a website we recommend that sells tuxedos inexpensively.) Measuring for tuxedos takes place during class periods at the beginning of the school year. The tuxedo rental does not include a dress shirt, or a black tie and cummerbund, which you must provide. You must also purchase black dress shoes (closed toes) and black socks or pantyhose. See the Tuxedo Information or the Women's Dress Code. If the cost of the uniform items causes financial hardship, there are resources available for such a situation; please see your director privately.
Transport. Students are required to make their own arrangements for transporting instruments and music to and from all local rehearsals and concerts. The director cannot take anybody's instrument or other items. When we travel together, we make arrangements for transporting instruments, but each student must still assume the primary responsibility for their own instrument and music folder.
Equipment. In addition to instrument supplies and a music stand, every student needs access to a metronome and a computer recording system. These are necessary for playing tests. If you do not have a system to record yourself, you will have to make arrangements to do it at school.
Playing Tests. The grading scale reflects a heavy emphasis on playing tests. The level of a student's individual musicianship, and how much time they spend practicing, is one of the most important aspects of their grade.
Class Expectations
Orchestra members will be on time to class, be set up, and have instruments tuned and music ready when the director is ready to begin class.
Tardy and Late:
Attendance will be taken each class period. Students who arrive to class after the bell rings will be marked late/tardy. Students who arrive to class less than 10 minutes late will be marked late. Student who are 10 or more minutes late will be marked tardy. Students are expected to remain in class for the entirety of the period. If a student leaves class, without a pass, and is gone for more than 10 minutes they will be marked tardy. Students who are repeatedly late or tardy will be assigned the consequences and interventions outlined in the student handbook.
Cell Phones:
It is the expectation that time in class is set aside for learning and participating with minimal distraction. In order for this to happen, please put cell phones and other electronic devices and their accessories (i.e. earbuds), on silent and in your backpack or bag/case for the class period, unless otherwise instructed.
Cellphones should be silenced and put away unless I instruct you otherwise. WHY? [1] You are here to learn. [2] Your classmates are here to learn. [3] Real, meaningful learning is hard work. Your classroom behavior should reflect these three assumptions. Thus, the ultimate test of anything you do in our class is: Does it help you and your classmates learn? This is part of rehearsal etiquette which you are responsible for demonstrating. Cell phones may be used to tune instruments before class begins.
- Orchestra members will attend all after-school rehearsals, concerts, and trips. They are responsible for keeping rehearsal and concert dates accurate between calendars both for school and for home in order to avoid conflicts.
- Concerts are the orchestra’s finished product, and ultimate goal. At each concert, students are expected to be in attendance with music and instruments ready, wearing concert-specified attire in order to achieve credit towards the class.
- Every orchestra member will maintain a music folder. A one-inch white or black three-ring binder is provided for this purpose. One is advised to create dividers so the music can be organized more efficiently.
- Orchestra members will have a pencil ready in rehearsal at all times. Pencils should be kept in the music folder or instrument case.
- Orchestra members must make their own arrangements to transport their instruments to rehearsals and concerts, and then back to school afterwards. In some cases, another student might be using a school-owned instrument in another class, so it is necessary to make sure the instrument is back in time for that student's next rehearsal.
- The daily orchestra class is a rehearsal, and orchestra members are expected to exhibit behavior deemed acceptable to a professional orchestra setting.
Tardy and Late:
Attendance will be taken each class period. Students who arrive to class after the bell rings will be marked late/tardy. Students who arrive to class less than 10 minutes late will be marked late. Student who are 10 or more minutes late will be marked tardy. Students are expected to remain in class for the entirety of the period. If a student leaves class, without a pass, and is gone for more than 10 minutes they will be marked tardy. Students who are repeatedly late or tardy will be assigned the consequences and interventions outlined in the student handbook.
Cell Phones:
It is the expectation that time in class is set aside for learning and participating with minimal distraction. In order for this to happen, please put cell phones and other electronic devices and their accessories (i.e. earbuds), on silent and in your backpack or bag/case for the class period, unless otherwise instructed.
Cellphones should be silenced and put away unless I instruct you otherwise. WHY? [1] You are here to learn. [2] Your classmates are here to learn. [3] Real, meaningful learning is hard work. Your classroom behavior should reflect these three assumptions. Thus, the ultimate test of anything you do in our class is: Does it help you and your classmates learn? This is part of rehearsal etiquette which you are responsible for demonstrating. Cell phones may be used to tune instruments before class begins.
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