| GRISHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA HANDBOOK
Welcome to the Grisham Orchestras! We are proud of the many honors the
orchestras and their individual members have received in recognition of
their excellent performances. We know that you will be a valuable part of
our orchestra family and that you will discover the joy and pride that comes
from a fine performance of good music.
This orchestra manual has been written to present needed information
concerning the various activities, policies, and regulations of the Grisham
Orchestras. All orchestra members and their parents are asked to read the
entire manual carefully at the beginning of each school year so that they
may be informed and conflicts with the policies and rules stated herein may
be avoided.
Please fill in and sign the appropriate forms which will be sent home the
first week of school and return them by the end of the second week of
school. Keep the manual for reference throughout the year. Please put all
concert dates on your calendar so that you are not caught unaware when a
particular event occurs.
As director of the Grisham Orchestras I would like to take the opportunity
to thank you parents for entrusting your fine children to my care. I
consider myself fortunate to teach such talented and dedicated students. If
you have any problems or questions, please call me. The orchestra office
number is 428-2656. If I am in class, I will return your call as soon as
possible.
Sincerely yours,
Elizabeth Frederick
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ORCHESTRA MEMBER TO THE ORCHESTRA PROGRAM
1. Be regular in attendance and account for all absences.
2. Make a real effort to learn and improve daily.
3. Be responsible for and expect to assume the consequences of your
actions.
4. Have the proper respect for those in authority.
5. Follow all classroom rules, school regulations and travel
instructions.
6. Be honest and fair with others concerning equipment, music, and
school life in general.
7. Cooperate with fellow orchestra members and share with them the
responsibilities and privileges that are a part of the orchestra program.
8. Contribute positively to your music education and that of others by
the best use of your talents.
9. Improve your knowledge and understanding of the theory, history, and
performance of music as well as develop good listening habits.
10. Read and play music with insight and expression.
PRACTICE
Practice is necessary to learn and maintain skills on any instrument.
Conscientious, daily practice is expected of all orchestral students.
Instruments and music should not be left at school, except on rare
occasions. Although 30 to 45 minutes of practice is most desirable, the
quality and consistency of the practice is more important. It is helpful to
have planned practice sessions with set goals, a daily scheduled time, a
music stand and comfortable chair, and a specific place conducive to
successful learning. Parents can help a great deal with positive
encouragement and helpful criticism.
RULES AND GUIDELINES
1. Be in your chair with your instrument, music, and pencil one minute
after the tardy bell rings.
2. Enter and leave the classroom in an orderly manner. Do not run in
the hall leading to the Orchestra Room!!!!!
3. No eating, drinking or gum chewing in the orchestra hall.
4. No talking in class without permission!! (This rule is strictly
enforced.)
5. DO NOT TOUCH another person’s instrument or bow.
6. Stay in your seat for the entire class period unless you are asked to
move.
7. The orchestra office is a place of business for the director. Please
enter only with permission.
8. The orchestra hall is a welcome place for orchestra members to
practice, study and socialize before or after school only if the orchestra
director is present. Students are expected to behave in a mature and
appropriate manner.
9. You are expected to treat your fellow orchestra members with
respect. There is no place in an orchestra for demeaning or derogatory
remarks.
10. Listen carefully to instructions and assignments.
11. Every student must have his/her music, a pencil, and a clean
instrument in proper working condition (with rosin and extra strings) for
each class.
12. All students are expected to have assignments prepared for class.
PRACTICE!! This is your homework.
13. Take special care of school property in your possession, music as
well as instruments. You will be assessed a charge for all lost or damaged
school equipment or music.
14. Orchestra members are expected to attend ALL special rehearsals and
public performances. The orchestra is a team and it cannot function
effectively with missing members.
GRADING PROCEDURES
1. Daily Participation (30% of grade)
Each student will be evaluated on their development of necessary rehearsal
skills such as responsibility, self-discipline, self-control, and ensemble
participation. Orchestra is a performing class and the absence or negative
contribution of even one member can greatly affect the group as a whole.
Each member must pull his /her own weight. Students affect every member of
the group with each action, and for this reason the Texas Education Agency
has stipulated that behavior, self-discipline, and responsibility are
essential elements and must be graded accordingly. Each student will be
given 100 points at the beginning of each week. Students who fail to bring
their instrument or supplies to class, cause disruptions or fail to meet
obligations will have their daily participation grade adversely affected.
2. Practice Records (30% of grade)
The importance of regular, daily practice cannot be overemphasized. Every
Grisham Orchestra student will be given a practice record for each week of
the six weeks grading period. These are to be turned in on a weekly basis,
at the beginning of class every Friday. If a practice record is not received
by Tuesday of the week after it was due, it will not be accepted and a grade
of “50” will be recorded. A parent or guardian must sign the weekly
practice record. The following will determine weekly practice grades:
Weekly Total Minutes Grade
6th Grade: 150 and above 100
120-145 =90-98
90-115 =80-88
60-85 =70-78
0-55 = 0-68
7th/8th Grade:
180 and above 100
150-175 =90-98
120-145 =80-88
90-115 =70-78
0-85 = 0-68
3. Performances, Playing, and Written Exams (40% of grade)
Attendance to all co-curricular performances is mandatory. If a student is
on time with instrument, all other required materials, and in the correct
uniform, a 100 will be given as a grade for the performance. A medical
emergency or extreme crisis will be excused with a note from a parent.
Playing and written tests will be announced ahead of time and will be out of
100 points.
ATTENDANCE
A calendar of events will be given to each student at the beginning of the
school year. It is vital that all orchestra members be present for all
required events. The orchestra concert is the musician’s “final test”
following many hours of preparation and study. It is a “team” effort. In
an orchestra, each musician is important to the total sound. When people
are missing, the group “sound” changes dramatically, often with disastrous
results. If schedule conflicts occur, please notify the director as soon as
possible. Since a conflict may sometimes involve a large number of
students, advance notification is important if the concert or rehearsal
needs to be rescheduled or cancelled. Of course, absences due to illness or
accident will be excused. The director will make final decisions about
excused and non-excused absences.
ORCHESTRA UNIFORMS
A pleasing appearance builds pride in an organization, and pride will
improve the quality of the performance. The basis for selecting the Grisham
orchestra uniform is appearance, availability, cost, and adaptability.
Orchestra students should not deviate from the required clothing, as this
will defeat the purpose of having a uniform. If this will cause a financial
problem, please contact the director privately, as funds are available for
assistance.
BOYS: Black dress shoes and black socks (please no tennis shoes or white
socks)
Black dress slacks (no jeans)
White long-sleeve dress shirt and black bow tie (please no t-shirts)
GIRLS: Black dress shoes and black hose or socks (no white socks or very
high heels)
Black dressy knee-length or longer skirt or evening pants. Please do not
wear tight fitting pants or mini-skirts, as this is not appropriate attire
for the concert stage!
White dressy blouse (no t-shirts)
GRISHAM ORCHESTRA BOOSTER CLUB
The purpose of the Booster Club is to support and encourage the total music
program of the District, and in particular, the orchestra program. It
provides financial support for unique projects not covered by district
funds, disseminates information on programs and projects, and works for the
development of a positive attitude toward the orchestra program. All
parents and guardians of students currently enrolled in orchestra are
members.
There are no regularly scheduled meetings. Volunteers are always needed.
Please indicate on the form sent home in which areas you would prefer to
assist. Two or three parents should not have to do all the work.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
INSTRUMENTS
Obtain a good instrument – one that would be satisfactory through middle and
high school. Please allow the director to assist in instrument selection!
You will spend more for quality, but the better the instrument will more
than pay for itself through longer wear
and less maintenance. Also, it will sound better and continue to provide
enjoyment to the student as he or she develops. Student satisfaction will
lead to a more rewarding experience through performance and artistic
achievement.
Some violas, cellos, and basses, owned by R.R.I.S.D., are available for use
for a minimal rental fee. We prefer NOT to loan a viola if it can be rented
privately, as we try to reserve it for those who cannot afford to
participate in orchestra otherwise. There are not enough cellos to let each
student have one cello at school and one at home. We suggest you rent one
for at home use and use a school instrument at school in order to avoid
carrying an instrument back and forth. We try to make two basses available
for each student – one for home practice and one for school.
It is important for any student using an instrument owned by the school
district to remember that he/she is making a commitment to the district.
Each year a considerable amount of money is invested so that our school
orchestras can have a balanced instrumentation. THEREFORE, A STUDENT USING
A SCHOOL INSTRUMENT SHOULD REMAIN IN THE ORCHESTRA PROGRAM AS LONG AS HE OR
SHE RESIDES IN THE DISTRICT UNLESS A PARENT CONFERENCE IS HELD WITH THE
TEACHER AND A DECISION TO THE CONTRARY IS MUTUALLY AGREED UPON.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FESTIVALS AND COMPETITIONS
REGION ORCHESTRA
Texas Music Educators Association sponsors this contest, which occurs on a
Saturday in October. Participation is optional. Audition music will be
handed out to interested students at the beginning of the school year.
Students must pay their own entry fee. Grisham students will be
competing against string players from all over Region 18, which includes
Austin and the surrounding area. Those selected for membership in the
Region 18 Orchestra will participate in a clinic/concert in November and
receive a patch.
UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE
ORCHESTRA CONTEST
Three selections are prepared through concentrated work in class, extra
rehearsals, and a “practice” concert. In addition, each orchestra is
required to “sight-read” a composition. Both performances are rated on a
scale of “I” to “V”, with “I” being the highest rating. Trophies are
awarded to orchestras receiving the “I” rating in either concert or sight-
reading, with a Sweepstakes trophy awarded for a rating of “I” in both
areas. Wind and percussion players are sometimes added to the orchestra for
this event.
ROUND ROCK SOLO AND ENSEMBLE CONTEST
This optional event, usually held in the spring semester, allows students to
display their individual talents. All students are encouraged to enter.
They must pay their own entry fee. Preparation should begin
at least a month before the event. Students can elect to play a solo (with
or without piano accompaniment) or an ensemble (small group). Either the
private teacher or the orchestra director will assist in the selection of
appropriate music. A gold medal and certificate will be awarded for a first
division rating (I) and a second division rating (II) will receive a silver
medal and certificate.
SCHOLASTIC ELIGIBILITY
Students and parents should be aware that state law limits participation in
any out-of-school activity to those receiving a grade of 70 or above in any
class (except physical education) during the six weeks in which the event
occurs. This law applies to Region Orchestra, U.I.L. Orchestra Contest, the
end of year spring trip, and Round Rock Solo and Ensemble Contest. The law
does not apply to school concerts, as they are an extension of the classroom
activity.
FUND-RAISING
The Grisham Orchestra program is enhanced by several extra activities for
which Round Rock Independent School District funds are not available. The
students and their parents pay for these activities. We will have one fund-
raising event during the year. Each student’s earnings from this project
will be deposited in his or her travel account and will be used to defray
that student’s expenses. A student may elect not to participate in fund-
raising and pay his or her share of the expenses. If a student loses
academic eligibility and cannot participate in the event, his or her account
money will not be refunded as trip expenses (bus, etc.) are incurred
regardless of the number participating. Please support our fund-raising.
Any extra money made through our find-raising activities will go toward
purchase of new instruments and music! We need everyone’s help!!
AUSTIN YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Austin Youth Orchestra is a group for all Austin area students interested in
performing string and full orchestra music. Auditions are held in mid
August. Students meet one day a week on Monday evenings at Austin High
School in the Austin ISD. There is a fee per semester. I highly encourage
students to participate in this group.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Director’s Award for Orchestra
These awards, which consist of an engraved plaque, are presented each year
to the students who, in the director’s opinion, have contributed the most to
the Grisham Orchestras. The criteria used in selection are attitude,
ability, willingness to go the extra mile, stability, cooperation, love of
music, and honors earned while in the Grisham Orchestra.
CARE OF THE INSTRUMENT
String instruments are delicate and subject to damage from temperature
extremes, humidity, and careless handling. The following suggestions are
offered for their care.
1. Do not touch the hair of the bow as moisture, perspiration, oil, or
dirt from your hands, face, or hair will spoil the bow hair.
2. Always loosen the bow after you play.
3. After playing, use a soft cloth to wipe rosin from the top of the
instrument, bow stick, and strings.
4. Do not expose your instrument to excessive heat or cold.
5. When you are not using the instrument, always store it in the case.
6. Never put books or music in the case.
7. Never polish the instrument with furniture polish.
8. Place a cloth over the top of the violin or viola before closing the
case. Be sure to latch the case.
9. Check your bridge often. If it is not standing straight, ask your
teacher to adjust it.
10. Do not let other people play your instrument.
11. Never use glue on any part of your instrument.
12. Do not attempt your own repairs. Only an expert repairman has the
skill and experience to do a good job.
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