Middle School 1996
PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
Instrumental Music (Strings) Program
Middle School
PREPARATION Much of what is gained from this program is done away from school. Each participant is responsible for preparing weekly lesson assignments, orchestra music and in some cases other ensemble music. This will ensure success in the program.
PRACTICE All participants must record their practice time on their lesson sheet. Parents and students should work together to maintain regular practice. Twenty (20) minutes each day, six (6) days per week is the minimum average time each student should practice. Quality of practice time is vital. Parents and students may use the the following routine as a basic practice guideline.
1.warm up (scales and etudes)
2. lesson material
3. orchestra music
4. other
One of the most critical practice times is on the day of the lesson, while the instruction is fresh in your mind. ALWAYS PRACTICE SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY AT FIRST.
INSTRUMENTS All students issued school instruments will keep them in good working order, bows loosened and rosined, instruments cleaned with a soft cloth only, etc. All violinists and violists should have their own shoulder rest, and cellists and bassists need a “rock stop” so their instruments do not slip. All students should also have their own rosin and method book. These materials may be purchased from The Music Shop. Students are not allowed to play each others instruments, rented, borrowed or owned. No student is to open another person’s instrument case for any reason.
MUSIC/FOLDERS Most students will have to purchase a lesson book(s). All
orchestra members must purchase and use a school music folder. All school owned music must be kept in the music folder. All school owned music must be returned to the school. Torn, mutilated or lost music must be paid for by the individual responsible. Use only a pencil when writing on music.
LESSONS All participants will be scheduled for a weekly, group lesson on a rotating basis (miss the same class once every 5-6 weeks). Students must personally notify their teacher that they have a lesson during that class. Students are responsible for making up class work, homework, etc. missed while attending a music lesson. Lesson schedules are posted outside the music suite and in each homeroom. It is the responsibility of students to be at their lesson, with needed materials. The music teacher must be notified in advance if a student is to miss a lesson for a special class, test, etc. Students must make up missed lessons. Missed lessons MUST be made up within 2 weeks in which it was.
ANY STUDENT WITH THREE OR MORE MISSED LESSONS
(not including excused or legal absences)
AT THE END OF A GRADING PERIOD WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE “UNSATISFACTORY” FOR THAT 10 WEEK REPORT.
REHEARSAL All students are to be in their seat with their instrument, music, and a pencil no later than three minutes after the start of the rehearsal period. Students must have their music at every rehearsal for marking purposes.
PROPER BEHAVIOR WILL BE MAINTAINED DURING THE ENTIRE REHEARSAL. Students will be quiet and attentive to the director at all times. Deviant behavior will not be tolerated. Parents will be notified by phone of repeated problems in this area.
CONCERT/DRESS REHEARSAL All orchestra members are required
to perform in the scheduled concerts and dress rehearsals. Failure to do so may result in a grade of ‘unsatisfactory’ for the quarter. Dress rehearsals are usually scheduled the day before the concert, both dress rehearsals and concerts being scheduled during the early evening. It is the responsibility of each family to see that orchestra members get transportation to and from these events.
EVALUATION Students will receive an evaluation on a separate sheet designed for that purpose along with their report card (a sample evaluation is included). This report will include an overall evaluation rating, ratings for efforts, achievement and lesson attendance.
A CONFERENCE WITH PARENT(S) AND THE STUDENT WILL BE REQUESTED IN CASES WHERE THE STUDENT RECEIVES TWO CONSECUTIVE “UNSATISFACTORY” EVALUATIONS.
USE OF THE LARGE MUSIC ROOM Many students choose to practice in
school. In some cases it is the easiest way to practice considering it can eliminate some carrying of instruments back and forth. Students may practice in the music area, space available, during any study hall or after school. A pass must be obtained from one of the music teachers in order to practice during a study hall.
LIVE CONCERT ATTENDANCE We strongly urge parents to provide
opportunities for their child to attend live music performances. Aspiring, young
musicians should be given the opportunity and are urged to attend live concerts throughout the year. The message given to a child when a family attends a music event is that music is important and worthwhile. Most of what is important to parents will become important to children.
There are many opportunities to attend live music performances in our vicinity. The Champlain Valley Community Orchestra, the Vermont Symphony and Vermont Youth Symphony, the Montreal Symphony, the Adirondack Youth Orchestra, and various groups from SUNY Plattsburgh along with the offerings of the Council on the Arts for Clinton County provide numerous opportunities to attend live performances. The local papers list and preview many of these concerts. Also, our local public broadcasting stations, television and radio, provide excellent opportunities for exposure to music of all kinds.
OPPORTUNITIES Learning to play a musical instrument may be a difficult task in the student’s school career. Many students find great personal rewards through their instrument. There are many opportunities for the successful school musician. Locally, students may join the Adirondack Youth Orchestra. In the spring, students may elect to play in the New York State School Music Association’s Solo/Small Ensemble Festival for an evaluation. From there, a student may be selected for All-County Orchestra (when offered) or in high school , Conference-All State. They may also participate in local arts or honors recitals, or take part in many other musical activities. In a student’s future, many colleges offer degrees in music education, music literature and history, music theory and music performance. Most college/ community amateur musicians and teachers started with their school music program.
CONCERT DATES: SMS ORCHESTRA 1997 – 1998
EVENT GROUPS INVOLVED DATE TIME PLACE
Dress Rehearsal SMS Bands/Orch./Chorus Wed. 11/5/97 TBA PHS Aud.
CONCERT “ “ “ Thur. 11/6/97 7:30 P.M. PHS Aud.
CONCERT District String Orchestras Thur. 2/26/98 7:00 P.M. SMS Cafe.
Dress Rehearsal SMS Orch/PHS Band Tues. 5/19/98 TBA PHS Aud.
CONCERT “ “ “ “ Wed. 5/20/98 7:45 pm PHS Aud.
Any additional events to be scheduled will be by decision of a majority of the members of the orchestra. Advance notice would be given for such an event by sending a note home to parents.
Please keep these Guidelines for future reference
——————————————————————————————— Tear here and sign below
I have read and accept the Participation Guidelines for the Stafford Middle School Instrumental Music (Strings) Program.
Student’s Name_______________________
Parent/Guardian Signature___________________________________Date_________________
