CHS Orchestra Syllabus

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: To develop performance skills to the point of being able to play high school and professional literature with precision and stylistically correct.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES:

Fall Concert

Pop's Concert

Winter Concert

Collage concert

Solo and Ensemble Festival ( District and State level)

Pre- Festival Concert

Orchestra in school Festival

State Solo and Ensemble (if qualifies)

Spring Concert

SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Private lessons

Summer music camps

Area Youth Orchestras - Kalamazoo Prep String Orchestra, Kalamazoo Junior Symphony

Small ensemble participation

CLASS STRUCTURE:

Tuning, warm up, rehearsal, and announcements.

OBJECTIVES:

In the high school orchestra students should:

Develop precision of ensemble,

Develop precise intonation,

Develop a sensitivity to musicality,

Develop a sensitivity and respect to different musical styles,

Consistently use vibrato,

Be a contributing member of the Orchestra

GRADING:

Students will be able to earn 100% total:

30% – Playing tests

30% - Performance assessment

30% of the grade will contain: classwork

10% – Lab (written assignment, rhythmical patterns, melodic patterns, intonation)

Late work

Students who turn in the late work will be assest 10% penalty for first week and 15% for the second week, highest grade that can be earned after 2nd week is 85% of the grade.

Academic Dishonesty

Do your own recordings and write your own words. All academic dishonesty will be referred to the office.

Electronic Devices and Cell phones

Cell phones must be off after instrument tuning is finished and and ear buds out of the ears when entering orchestra room. Failure to comply with orchestra class rules will result in an office referral.

PERFORMANCES:

Students need to report on times before the concert for warm upTardiness at performance can lower grade as much as one full letter grade.

Unexcused absence for a performance may result in an “E” for that particular performance.

Excused absence for a performance: the next day the student is in school, he/she brings in a note from home or Dr. explaining the absence or e-mail to instructor explaining reason for absence. If the note is not brought in during that time frame, the absence will not be excused. It will depend on the individual situation and will be considered by your instructor. If the absence is deemed to be excused, the student must write a paper on a topic chosen by the instructor due two weeks from the assigned date in order to make up the performance grade or record their instrument part on device and submit to instructor.

Excused absence for rehersals/performance

If you are sick, stay at home and ask your parent/guardian to notify Mrs. McClish before rehearsal/perfromance about your absence (email would be preferd communication form). In case of the conflict, please let Mrs. McClish know at least 4 weeks before rehersal/performance. For the excused absence student will need to do make up work given by orchestra teacher.

SCHOOL OWNED INSTRUMENTS:

The school will pay for normal wear of the instrument.

The student will pay for damage done to the instrument due to abuse or carelessness. The final decision regarding payment rests with the instructor and/or administration. An agreement will be issued with the instrument and must be signed by both parent and student.

AUDITIONS/CHAIRS:

Chairs are determined through auditions during the first few weeks of school.

Placement is based on the score from the audition and seniority with the orchestra; however, it is possible for younger students to sit ahead of upper classmate due to their audition score. The director makes the final decision concerning chair placement. The audition material will contain the following: excerpt selected by director, major scales and minor scales.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

The success of the orchestra depends on how it rehearses. How it rehearses depends on the conduct and the cooperation of the students. Rehearsals are the place to correct mistakes. The fewer mistakes you make the grater your contribution to the orchestra. Be patient, attentive, careful and cooperative in observing the following rehearsal procedures:

Be in the orchestra room on time and sit in your assigned seat.

No one is talking during the tuning procedure.

When director is on the podium, there should be not talking or playing.

Do not put your instrument away until your are excused.

The rehearsal room must be kept orderly in all times, with all music and instruments in their designated places.

This is each member’s responsibility.

The orchestra room is not a place to store personal items.

Bring your instrument, music and a pencil with you to class everyday.

CONCERT DRESS CODE:

Males: black long sleeve shirt, black trousers, black socks, black shoes.

Females: Black floor-length or mid-calf dress with long or 3/4 sleeves, or black skirt/dress pants or black blouse with long or 3/4 sleeves, black shoes.