Course
Description
The CONCERT ORCHESTRA class will focus on reinforcing,
continuing and expanding the student’s musical development while playing in an ensemble setting. Students will rehearse and perform as a string orchestra. This
is a performance based class and students are expected to participate and perform in all concerts.
The SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA class will focus on reinforcing,
continuing and expanding the student’s development of music while playing in an ensemble setting. Students will rehearse and perform as a symphonic orchestra, string orchestra, chamber ensemble, and as
soloists. This is a performance based class and students are expected to participate
and perform in all concerts.
Concerts
and Rehearsals
The Concert and Symphonic Orchestras are performance-based
classes. Students will perform approximately five to seven concerts per semester. PERFORMANCE PARTICIPATION IS MANDATORY!!!!!
(See back of handbook for the traditional concert dates). Please note
that our orchestras are in demand in and around the community and are frequently asked to provide music for special functions. I will make every effort to publish and let students know of other concert dates in
a timely manner.
Students
missing an after school rehearsal or concert, without an acceptable reason, will have their grade reduced. Some of the non-acceptable reasons for missing a concert or rehearsal are: work, recitals, athletic practices,
make-up test, detentions, to name a few. If there be a need to miss a concert
or rehearsal all requests should be place in writing and given to me no later than 2 weeks prior to the concert or rehearsal. No last minute requests the day of the rehearsal/ concert without a doctor’s
note.
Parents and family members are encouraged to attend
all concerts and to bring friends.
Grading Scale
Orchestra is primarily a performance class; therefore,
most of this class’ grade is based on performances. There will also be
grades for in-class participation.
Final Grade Calculations
Marking
Period 1 + Marking Period 2
+ Final Exam
45%
45%
10%
A - 90 - 100 B - 80 - 89 C - 70
- 79 D - 60 - 69
F - 0-59
Grade
Breakdown
In Class Participation
- 25%
Concerts and Rehearsals - 40%
Tests and Benchmarks - 25%
Written Work
- 10%
Components
Used In Grading
In Class Participation - Everything that students
will do in class, excluding tests is a portion of this grade. (You cannot participate if you are not in class; i.e. absent).
This also includes:
a. Proper rehearsal behavior
b. personal preparation
c. Having all necessary supplies (instrument, music, rosin, rock stop, extra set of
strings,
pencil, etc.)
d. Personal responsibility
for self and ensemble.
e. a sensitive and supportive learning environment for the skills and growth of yourself
and your peers.
f. RESPECT for yourself and others.
Dress Rehearsals and Concert Performances –
all students are expected to participate in ALL performances.
Test and Benchmarks –playing tests are the
orchestra excerpts from your music. Benchmarks are the instrument specific test
to increase your string dexterity and proficiency on your instrument.
Final Exam - The final exam will be cumulative. This will be both a written and playing exam for the first semester and a playing
exam for the second semester. .
Daily
Supplies
a.
Sharpened pencils
b. Music folder/binder with all music
c. Your instrument and all necessary accessories
(extra set of strings, rock stops, tuner, rosin, i.e.)
Classroom
Guidelines
1. Students are expected to be on time for class.
2. Students
should be in their seats, with instrument and all supplies, when the bell rings.
3. Students
should bring all of their supplies to class.
4.
Students should be prepared for rehearsal (i.e. practice at home).
5.
All class work should be completed neatly and submitted on its due date.
6.
Make up work will be given in accordance to the Attendance Policy of the school/District.
7.
Food and / or beverage are not allowed in class (exceptions are made by the teacher only).
Concert Dress
The school will make all attempts to provide
students with a concert uniform. Students must take care of these uniforms and
wear them to all concert performances. There is a nominal fee for the wear and
care of the uniforms. In the event that an ensemble is not fitted with a uniform,
students should wear a solid white shirt/blouse, black pants, black socks/stockings, and all black shoes (no toes showing
please).
Excessive jewelry should not be worn to performances
/ concerts (No large earrings, dangling or jingling jewelry)
Orchestra
Seating
All
students will be auditioned and placed in the orchestra according to their ability demonstrated by their audition. There will be one or two audition(s) per semester. The
audition is designed for students to perform music that indicates the level that they feel represent their best playing. From the audition the section players, principal players, co-assistant concertmaster
(s), and concertmaster are chosen.
Challenges
Each student is allowed to challenge another
student twice per card marking. The student initiating the challenge is charged with the challenge. This challenge is only allowed for the person whose chair is one chair higher than yours. Each of the students participating in the challenge must indicate an excerpt of music that both will play
on the challenge, and Mrs. Trotter will add one other excerpt of music.
Challenges from second violin to first violin can
only occur after a concert has just concluded. Second violinists who desire to
move into the first violin section must perform the music from the first violin repertoire and has been placed in the second
chair seating position via audition or challenges.
The challenge will be (if at all possible)
made within the two next class session.
NO challenges are allowed two weeks prior
to a concert (with the exception of those initiated prior the two weeks before a concert).
If a student refuses to accept a challenge, the
student who initiated the challenge automatically wins the challenge.
Mrs. Trotter reserves the right to dismiss any challenges
due to the lack of preparedness of both students.
Coda Concert
Soloists / Conductors
The “Coda Concert” is held in spring. In this concert, the orchestra will feature 3 - 4 of our seniors as soloists and/or
2 chamber selections for seniors as a soloist in an ensemble with orchestral accompaniment. Students who wish to be a soloist
must participate in the MSBOA solo and ensemble festival as a soloist with piano accompaniment. Students who achieve a first
and/or second division rating will be considered for one of the coveted solo spot. If there are too many qualified soloists
students will be selected based on their rating at the state level. If there
are no qualified students from the MSBOA festivals then students will be auditioned before a committee of professional musicians
in order to be a soloist with the orchestra. All solos must be between 3 to 7
minutes in length. Seniors who miss a concert performance will lose their opportunity to solo with the orchestra if there
is not a legitimate excusable reason for the absence.
Students who wish to be featured in an ensemble
setting on the Coda concert should perform their musical selection as an ensemble at the MSBOA solo and ensemble festival. Every attempt will be made to feature all seniors who participate and receive a first
division rating.
In some instances, students prefer to conduct the
orchestra instead of performing as a soloist. The same prerequisites required to solo with the orchestra applies to conduct
the orchestra. Students are allowed only one solo showcase opportunity on the “Coda Concert”.
I highly recommend that all students prepare an
ensemble to perform in the Coda concert due to time constraints.
Music
Festival Opportunities
I
believe that solo, ensemble and orchestra festivals are very important o the developmental phase for our students. They give the student and ensemble:
·
the opportunity to perform as a soloist or in an ensemble for adjudication
· the opportunity to increase ones proficiency level
·
to become an independent musician
·
to develop self-confidence and poise
·
the opportunity to receive a positive and helpful critique from another source other that the teacher.
MSBOA
District Solo and Ensemble Festival
The Michigan State Band and Orchestra Association
(MSBOA) sponsor a district and state solo and ensemble and a band and orchestra music festivals. Our students have the opportunity to perform for professional music adjudicators. These adjudicators listen and comment in writing and/or verbally about the student’s performance. This gives the student and ensemble the opportunity to review their areas of strengths
and weaknesses in performance.
All orchestra members are expected to participate
in the MSBOA solo and ensemble district festival. Students who received a first division rating (1) at the district level
is eligible to participate at the state level. At the state level you are required
to perform your solo, which will be 50% of your final score. You are also required
to perform scales and sight-read a musical selection; each will be 25% of the final score.
Ninth grade students only perform their solos at
the state level. They are exempt from the proficiency requirements.
Those who perform in an ensemble will only perform
their ensemble selection at the state level.
MSBOA
Band and Orchestra Festival
All students are required to perform in this festival,
which will be held on a Friday evening or a Saturday in March. The requirements
include performing three musical selections with one of the selection coming from the required orchestra list. The other two selections are the director’s choice. There
will also be a sight-reading portion of this festival.
Parents are encouraged to attend all festivals.
Other
Music Festivals
The orchestra will travel periodically to music
festivals outside of the state. These festivals are important to the student
to help them see what other orchestras are doing musically around our country. There
will be costs for transportation, housing, food, and the festival. All attempts
will be made to defray the cost through fundraisers.
Fundraisers
There is a need to raise funds to purchase items
that are not covered in the school-operating budget. This will include the cost
of a music competition, trips, sectional coaches and clinicians. All funds raised
will be placed in the orchestra account.
The orchestra’s typical fundraisers includes:
Olga’s Days, Outback Day, pizza kit, cookie dough and candy sales.
All students are expected to participate in fundraisers.
Private Lessons
Many students are interested in a private
teacher, for more personalized instruction and coaching. I can provide
a list of private teachers in the area upon request.
Award
Banquet / Ceremony
During
the month of May or June, the orchestra will have its annual awards banquet. This
program is designed to recognize the orchestra students for their achievement, dedication, and efforts.
There are several special awards that are given
each year.
The “Mozart Award” is given to two students
who give of him or herself selflessly in the orchestral program. He / She is
willing to help others and is prepared for class and concerts. This student is
dependable and loyal. This student is a positive role model for the WBHS orchestra.
The “Orchestra Award” recognizes the
student who epitomizes the spirit of the orchestra. This student gives of his
/ her time and talent to the orchestra. He /She is willing to help others, demonstrates
self-motivation, leadership, and is prepared for class and concerts. This student
is a positive role model for the WBHS orchestra. This student gives of his / her talent to the community and school. He / She acts as an ambassador for the orchestra.
The “Director’s Award” is the
highest award given to the student who has made a significant musical contribution to the orchestra program. This student has superior musicianship, willing to help others, demonstrates self-motivation, leadership,
dependability, loyalty, and is prepared for class and concerts. This student is a positive role model for the WBHS orchestra.
This student gives of his/her talent to the community and school.
The “Julie Werner Award” is in memory
of one of the Co-concertmasters of the Symphony Orchestra. It is given to a student who epitomizes the love of music that
Julie had and shared during her years at West Bloomfield High School. Mr. and
Mrs. Werner select the recipient(s).
Other awards include the Concertmaster, Section
Leader, Most Improved Student, Outstanding Musician, Librarian and Senior Recognition.
Musical achievements that students have earned throughout the school year will be recognized at this time. Students
will also be recognized for their community outreach.
