Transcript Orchestra Beginning of Year 2016 to 2017

WELCOME TO STRING
ORCHESTRA!
Please sit
anywhere! You
don’t need
instruments
today, but you
WILL
tomorrow!
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
 The Course Expectations handbook is on my
website under “Class Handouts.”
 The slip on the last page is due Friday
 You are responsible for holding yourself to the
standards listed in the packet. Become familiar
with it so you will know what is expected of you as
a member of our music program.
 I will not be reading the whole packet to you
today…but we will go over a few important things
that may need further clarification.
THE ESSENTIALS
 About your conductor
 Daily procedures
 Concert procedures (dress code)
 Grading policy (how can I get an A?)
 Advisory
 Chair placement auditions
 Locker check-out and instrument rentals
YOUR CONDUCTOR: MRS. CARLSON
 I used to be called Ms. Spencer – I got married last October!
 I have been teaching at Vista for 8 years.
 What I teach:
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String Orchestra (obviously!)
Concert Band
Concert Choir
Beginning Guitar
Drumline, Pep Band, Musical Theater
 Other facts about me:
 I have a family of 7 plus a cat and a giant spider.
 I perform with Folsom Symphony in the percussion section.
DAILY PROCEDURES
 In order for our orchestra to sound its best and
for you to have a good experience, you must be
disciplined and responsible.
 Every part of rehearsal must be structured. This
is not time for socializing, doing homework for
other classes, using your phone, etc.
 The most important rule is that when Ms.
Carlson is teaching/rehearsing, the room is
silent (unless you’re playing, obviously). Don’t
pluck! You should raise your hand to
respectfully contribute.
CLASS RULES
 Read each rule carefully – breaking any of
the rules could result in these consequences
depending on the offence:
 Removal from class or detention
 Lower grade or citizenship mark
 Phone call to your parents
 Being sent to the VP’s office
 Teacher/student/parent conference (aka “awkward
social situation”).
 Suspension, detention, etc.
DO!
 Get to know one another! Don ’t keep to yourself.
 Take musical risks! Always play confidently.
 Make BIG, glorious mistakes! Especially when we are sight
reading.
 Use your ENTIRE bow!
 Ask questions. Your conductor, stand partner and section
leaders are here to help you. Take private lessons if possible.
 Incorporate your whole body into your playing.
 Take advantage of the short amount of time that you have to
make music with your friends. It will be over in a blink of the
eye, trust me!
 Continue with music in college, even if you don ’t major in it.
 Know that I am here for you and that I care. My door is
always open. You can talk to me without any judgment.
Don’t!
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Take more than 3 minutes to set -up and start warming up.
Use the bathroom during rehearsal more than once a week.
Use electronics during rehearsal (unless you love detentions).
Be unprepared: you always need your instrument, music, and
pencil. This is part of your grade.
Wander. You may not leave the room without permission.
Leave class early (that counts as a cut = Saturday School).
Use the music building printers.
Be disrespectful to Ms. Carlson, other orchestra members, or
the room/equipment.
Draw unnecessary attention to yourself during rehearsal.
Raise your hand to contribute. Know when it is time to be
serious and get work done.
Do all of your practicing in class.
CONCERT PROCEDURES
 Concerts are the best part of being in orchestra! You
won’t want to miss them…and also they are a very
large part of your grade.
 The concert dates are listed in your packet and on my
website calendar. You should share these dates with
your parents and your employer ASAP
 Concert dress code is very important. You must look
professional and avoid drawing attention to yourself.
Get concert clothes now to avoid panic later.
CONCERT ATTIRE
 At Vista, we wear “concert black!”
 GOAL: To look as though we are wearing a professional
uniform. This means NOT drawing attention to yourself
through unique styles or accessories.
 ALL members: Black slacks (dress pants), black dress shirt
with long or short sleeves (NO sleeveless tops), black dress
shoes, black socks/hosiery.
 Ladies: LONG (ankle to floor length) skirts or dresses (with
sleeves) are also appropriate.
 Gentlemen: Black ties or bow ties are encouraged. Tuck your
shirt in and wear a black belt. Black vests are fine.
 NO: Hats (unless they are for religious, cultural, or medical
purposes), jeans, shorts, sneakers, leggings/yoga pants,
flashy accessories, clothing that is not black.
ABSENCES
 You may only miss a concert or required event if you are ill,
have a family emergency, or for religious/cultural purposes.
 Absences must be excused by me BEFORE the concert.
 If I decide to excuse the absence you will have the
opportunity to complete a make -up assignment.
 Unexcused absences cannot be made up. You will receive a
“zero” for a grade, which will severely hurt your final grade
in this class. But more importantly…
 It is important to this group that you attend concerts.
Missing one will affect our sound and confidence.
GRADING POLICY
 Grading in orchestra is consistent with Vista ’s
school-wide grading policy.
 30% Formative Assessment: daily
assessments/checks for understanding, daily
demonstration of skills, practice worksheets, etc.
 70% Summative Assessment: Required
performances, end of unit tests, final exams, large
projects.
ADVISORY POLICY
 Students currently enrolled in one of my classes and/or
extracurricular activities that I advise may travel to my
room during advisory (G103).
 My advisory is for students who wish to practice or get
extra help WITH SOMETHING SPECIFIC, and space is
limited (first come/first serve).
 You may not come to my advisory to socialize. If you are
found not practicing you will not be allowed to travel to
the music rooms during advisory anymore.
 You MUST have a travel pass to travel here. If you do not
have a signed pass you will be sent back to your advisory
class.
TERM 2 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
2 evening concerts at Vista: one will be a big fundraiser
1 Adjudicated music festival: Golden Empire at CSUS
Solo/Ensemble Festival for those who are interested.
1 Competition at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Visit to Folsom Middle School to share information about
our music program!
 TBA: Other potential community gigs…I will give you plenty
of notice.
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Specific dates are listed in your handbook. Please share
these dates and put them in your phones, planners, and
calendars ASAP!
But first…Auditions
 What you will be playing on audition day:
 D Major scale, as many octaves as you can.
 A short excerpt of a piece of your choice.
 A short piece selected by Mrs. Carlson.
 People who want to play Violin 1 should have already
auditioned. See me today if you did not.
 You will not audition in front of the whole class.
 The next slide will explain my philosophy on seating,
chair placement, and challenges. This philosophy has
worked very well for our orchestra.
 My methods may be different from what you are used to,
but remember that different is not always bad!
AUDITION PHILOSOPHY
 The purpose of auditioning is to create a balanced, large
sounding orchestra. All parts must be clearly heard.
 It can be beneficial to mix strong and weaker players rather
than seating the least experienced musicians in the back row.
 The first violin section should be made up of strong players.
 It is important for strong leaders and musicians from each
section to be sitting in the front row.
 The second violin section leaders should be some of the best
violinists in the orchestra.
 Publically ranking the entire orchestra does not make the
orchestra sound better.
 Student motivation should come from a desire to move THE
GROUP forward…excessive student -to-student competition
often distracts from this goal and the spirit of teamwork we
strive for.
Therefore…
 The TOP 4 overall violinists will sit in the front row.
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#1:
#2:
#3:
#4:
Concertmaster/Section leader for first violins
Assistant concertmaster OR second violin section leader
Assistant concertmaster OR second violin section leader
Assistant section leader for the second violin section.
 The first violin section will be much smaller than the second
violin section for balance purposes.
 The front row and the first violins will sit in order by rank.
 Challenges will be allowed up to two weeks after the audition
results are posted and will be handled on a case by case basis.
Challenges are usually rare occurrences in our orchestra.
 The seating chart for non -front row V2’s, violas, cellos, and
basses will be designed with mixing ability levels in mind.
Generally, upperclassmen will be seated next to underclassmen.
Next Steps…
 The Orchestra Handbook is on my website. Read it with
your parents, print and sign the last page, and return it to
me by Friday.
 Complete your audition survey and turn it in on the day that
you play for me.
 Record our performance dates in your phone, planner,
calendar, etc. Share them with your boss, coach, &
parents.
 Bring your instrument every day starting tomorrow!
Auditions start tomorrow.
 Bring a combination lock ASAP for your locker. If there is
time today we will start locker check -outs. Violins: most of
you will be sharing lockers with one other person, so find a
locker buddy.