ORCHARD LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS

Mrs. Linda Trotter, Director

248 – 865 – 4480

248 – 865 – 6720 ext. 6889

trotter@westbloomfield.k12.mi.us

www.westbloomfieldorchestra.com

Course Syllabus 2011 – 2012

        I.            Course Goals

a)      Each student will increase his/her performance proficiency on his/her instrument.

b)      Each student will gain understanding in music theory and history.

c)       Each student will continue to develop his/her fluency in rhythm and note reading.

d)      Each student will be involved in several meaningful and quality performances during the school year.

e)      Each student will grow in his/her level of personal responsibility and self-motivation.

      II.            Classroom participation Expectation

a)      Students are expected to come to class prepared to learn and give 100% effort daily.

b)      Students are responsible to make up all missed work due to absence (including field trips).

c)       Students are expected to keep their instrument in good playing condition.

d)      Students are expected to have all necessary supplies at each class session:

Ø  All students: Rosin, cleaning cloth, and an extra set of strings

Ø  Violin/Viola students: Shoulder rest and instrument case name tag

Ø  Cellos/Basses: Rock stops are needed for all concerts

Ø   Music Binder:

v  Concert Orchestra students should have a 1 inch Navy Blue loose leaf binder (with pockets) that will include music textbook and all sheet music and handouts given throughout the school year.  Dividers are very helpful for organizing this folder.  

v  Symphony Orchestra students should have a 1 inch Black Blue loose leaf binder (with pockets) that will include music textbook and all sheet music and handouts given throughout the school year.  Dividers are very helpful for organizing this folder. 

Ø  Students are expected to bring their instrument, music, No. 2 pencil and a colored pencil (not an ink pen) to class every day.

Ø  Students are expected to play in class every day. The only exception is when the instrument is in the repair shop; however the students must bring his/her music and following along with the class without disruption. In the event that an instrument is in the repair shop, a note from a parent or guardian must be brought to school the first day the student comes to class without their instrument and the instrument must be in and out of the shop as quickly as possible. 

Ø  Students must respect all equipment and instruments. Students may NOT play or touch instruments that are not theirs. Students and/parents are financially responsible for any damage that is caused by students touching/handling someone else’s instrument, through repair or replacement.

Ø  Students must respect each other, the classroom and school rules.

    III.            Concert Policy

a)      Concerts and Festivals are the culmination of the work that we do in class during the year. Students are expected to be at ALL CONCERTS.  See Concert Schedule that is attached.

b)      The only excuse from a concert / festival is extreme personal illness (in the hospital, has been out of school for several days) or a death in the family.  A signed note from a parent/guardian must be provided the very next class session in order to be excused.

Ø  Even an excused absence must be made up, just as a missed test would be made up.  Students will be given a playing test on all of the pieces performed within five days after the return to school along with an appropriate written assignment that will be due one week from the date that it is given as long as an absence note has been presented and excused.

c)       All other absences are considered unexcused. Unexcused absences cannot be made up.

d)      Each concert will have a specific call-time.  Arriving after that time will be considered tardy.  If a note signed by the parent/guardian explaining the tardiness is not provided that evening or the next day, the grade otherwise earned for the concert will be lowered.

e)      Students must be dressed appropriately.  Students who are not in the correct concert dress will have the concert grade lowered.

   IV.            Grading Procedure

a)      Classroom participation and preparation will count for 30% of the total grade.  This includes being on time, having your music supplies, music and instrument.  Deductions are made for not being prepared, breaking classroom rules, being tardy, etc.

b)      Tests and written assignments will count for 30% of the total grade.

c)       Concerts/Festivals/ Performances and Sectionals will count for 40% of the total grade.

     V.            Instrument Locker Procedure

a)      To insure the safety of valuable musical instruments, every student must secure their instrument in his/her assigned locker with a combination lock that will be provided.  The district’s insurance policy does not cover loss or damage of instruments on school property.

b)      Many instrument cases look the same, therefore, each personal instrument must have your child’s name on the instrument case (a luggage tag is great for this), shoulder rest, rosin, rock stop, tuner, etc.

   VI.            Music Policy

The sheet music that all of the ensembles use during class and for concerts is the single largest budget item for orchestra each year; to maximize the use of the funds and the printed music that we own, the following policies are in effect:

a)      Each student will be given one copy of each piece of music that we are studying to be kept in their binder.

b)      If a piece of music or method book is lost, misplaced or damage, the student will be responsible for requesting a replacement form the director  the fee for replacing music in ten cents per page and the method book is $7.95.

c)       Any class time spent without music (hence unprepared for class) will result in the lowering of class participation grade for that day.

 VII.            School  Instrument Use

Students using a school instrument must submit a School Instrument Use Contract.

VIII.            Concert Dress

a)      Concert Orchestra uniform is a solid white shirt/blouse, black dressy pants (no denim or spandex), black socks or stocking and black (closed toe) dress shoes.

b)      Symphony Orchestra uniform is a solid white shirt/blouse, black dressy pants (no demin or spandex), black socks or stocking and black (closed toe) dress shoes. The uniform vest will be provided.

    IX.            Private Lessons

Private lessons are the single best way to help young musicians reach their full potential faster is highly recommended.  If you are interested for a list of private teachers in our area I can provide a list upon request.