Haynes Bridge Middle School Orchestra Handbook

2007-2008 School Year

Ms. Noemi Kurylo, Director

http://www.fultonschools.org/teacher/kurylo

Ms. Debbie Reeves, Principal

Ms. Monica In, Assistant Principal

Ms. Debbie Oxford, Assistant Principal

Dear Orchestra Students and Parents,

Welcome to Orchestra at Haynes Bridge Middle School! I hope everyone had a wonderful summer! My name is Noemi Kurylo and I am looking forward to my fourth year as orchestra director at Haynes Bridge Middle School. I am looking forward to meeting all of the new students and parents and seeing my returning students and parents back for another fantastic year!

This handbook is your guide to all orchestra policies. This handbook is accessible online at the Haynes Bridge Middle School Orchestra Webpage along with other important orchestra information and updates throughout the year. Click on “Faculty” and scroll down to my name “Noemi Kurylo” or you can access the page from the main page under “Clubs and Activities”.

***Please bookmark this page for easy reference!***

Parents and students, please read this document, sign and return the back page.

If any questions or concerns arise, please feel free to contact me. E-mail is the best means of communication and I will make every effort to reply as soon as I can.

Sincerely,

Noemi Kurylo

Orchestra Director

Haynes Bridge Middle School

Barnwell Elementary School

kurylo@fultonschools.org

Learning Materials

Materials must be brought to class each day. Each student must have the required materials by the third day of school (August 15) to avoid losing points daily.

Required

Orchestra Folder (provided) This will serve as the folder for all music, books, worksheets, and other learning materials. Students are expected to keep all materials in the folder until instructed to remove them.
Essential Elements - 6^th & 7^th only (8^th grade method books will be provided)

6^th Grade – Books I & II

7^th Grade – Books II

Pencil
Instrument & Bow

Instruments and bows must be kept in good working order. I will do instrument check-ups and send a note home regarding repair concerns if necessary.

Rosin
Soft, lint-free cloth
Shoulder Rest - Absolutely necessary for violins and violas.
Rock stop – (not necessary for class, but necessary for concerts)

Recommended, but not required

Wire practice stand

Metronome

Tuner
Extra Strings

The orchestra homepage has several links to good accessory retailers. Included in the handbook is also a list of local music retailers. All other required learning materials will be provided for use at the school.

**Lost Music Policy**

Music provided for students is considered the “textbook” for the class. If music is lost, copies will be reissued at the cost of 25¢ per sheet. It is the student’s responsibility to bring money for replacement music to avoid losing daily participation points. Students must fill out a request for extra copies, and music will be provided the day after the request is received.

Instrument Rental

Rental or purchase from a music store is recommended. A limited number of instruments are available for rent from the school, but may result in the student having different instruments from year to year. A usage fee is required to help keep the instruments in good repair. Students renting school instruments are responsible for keeping the instrument and case safe and secure at all times. Broken strings must be replaced by the student, and any damage to cases will be assessed a fee for replacement costs.

Most dealers will provide you with a good quality rental instrument that will work well for your student. There is a link to local and online retailers on the orchestra webpage. I can also provide some insight for students who are considering a purchase.

Instrument Transportation & Storage

Violin and Viola

These instruments may be carried on the bus to and from school. Students are expected to take these instruments home to practice.

Cello and Bass

The Fulton County transportation department will not allow cellos or basses on school buses. Students must have a rental or school instrument at home to practice on and to use for concerts. School instruments will be provided for use in class.

Upon arrival at school, students should bring instruments to the orchestra room immediately to avoid damage to the instrument.

At the end of the day, orchestra students may be allowed to leave class early at the discretion of their 8^th period teacher in order to pick up instruments and go to homeroom. Students will need an “orchestra pass” in their agendas. Misuse of this privilege will result in loss of privilege.

Classroom Expectations

All students are to be in the orchestra room when the tardy bell rings. If you have a distance to travel, such as from the Eagle Hall, discuss this with Ms. Kurylo so the proper accommodations can be made.

You will have two minutes from the time the tardy bell rings to be in your seat with everything you need for class. Accumulation of three tardies will result in a private detention. Failure to serve detention will result in public detention.

Be in the room when the tardy bell rings.

Place your personal belongings that you do not need for orchestra rehearsal in the back of the room.

Get all supplies you need for rehearsal ready before you get your instrument out. Make sure you have a chair, a stand, and all of your required class materials.

Finally, take out your instrument at your seat. Once you are seated you may not leave your seat during rehearsal without permission.

Check the board at the front of the room for rehearsal order and warm-up procedure each day. Students are expected to warm up at the beginning of class by tuning and playing through scales or the music selection for the day. If a student encounters issues with music or equipment these must be addressed at the beginning of class and not during class.

Keep your attention to the front of the room. It is considered proper rehearsal etiquette to not talk while the conductor is standing on the podium. If a student’s behavior becomes distracting to others, or is otherwise inappropriate, daily participation points will be subtracted and the student may be asked to serve a private detention. If behavior issues persist, parents will be contacted.

If you have a question during class, raise your hand and wait to be recognized.

All instruments in the orchestra room are private property of orchestra students, or are the property of the Fulton County School System. Under NO circumstances is any student to TOUCH any instrument that does not belong to you or is not checked out to you.

Using, moving, or even touching another person’s instrument is considered misuse of school or personal property and will be subject to detention or ISS. Each student has his or her own storage space for instruments. This is the only place a student’s instrument is to be stored, and should not be removed except by its owner.

Grading

A=100-90%, B=89-80%, C=79-70%, F=below 69%

Daily Participation and Performance: 50%

5 points per day will be given to students who have all required class materials, and actively participate in class activities. A forgotten instrument results in the loss of all participation points for that day. Forgotten folders, pencils, or other required materials will result in up to 5 lost points per day. Activity that is distracting or disruptive to classroom environment will result in lost points. In lieu of weekly practice logs, students must demonstrate that they are practicing their assignments outside of class rehearsals. Failure to show daily improvement on assignments and skills will result in lost participation and performance points.

Quizzes and Tests (playing and written): 30%

All quizzes in orchestra will be announced to give the student adequate time to prepare. Although seating in class may rotate, playing tests will determine seating order within each section.

Rehearsals and Concerts: 10%

A great part of class time will be spent preparing for performances. All students involved in orchestra classes are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. In the event that a student must miss a rehearsal or performance, please contact Ms. Kurylo as soon as the conflict arises.

4. Music Theory and History: 10%

In addition to orchestral performance, students will be studying concepts of music theory and history. We will be studying composers and their music, comparing and contrasting musical elements, genres and styles. Based on notes taken about the music, students will be expected to recognize a number of musical masterpieces, theory concepts and symbols, and historical facts.

Make Up Work

Make up work from excused absences including playing tests and written work must be scheduled upon an individual basis. Make up work from unexcused absences will be considered on a case-by-case basis with communication between parent, student, and Ms. Kurylo. If you are absent on a day that we do theory and history, you must come in before school to make up that assignment to receive credit.

Rehearsal Attendance

After school rehearsals will be held prior to all performances. They will start at 3:45 and run until 4:45. Students must be picked up from school no later than 5:00 PM.

A rehearsal schedule is attached and will also be posted on the Orchestra Webpage. Rehearsals for the Tour concerts have not yet been scheduled. Please make note of when you need to be at rehearsal and make every effort to not schedule other obligations at these times. Rehearsal attendance counts for a portion of the overall concert grade.

*Please Note* Students must follow the HBMS procedure for signing up for after school activities. Students who fail to sign up in the mornings will not be allowed to stay, and the absence will be unexcused. In the event you must miss an after school rehearsal, a parent or guardian must notify me in writing in order to excuse the absence.

In the event a student misses rehearsal without an excuse, he or she may not be permitted to play in the concert. If transportation is a persistent issue, please contact Ms. Kurylo as soon as possible at the beginning of the year to arrange a carpool.

Concert Procedures

An orchestra polo shirt that must be purchased by each student enrolled in orchestra. ($17) Orchestra performances are an end result of much hard work by all students. Students are expected to show respect for themselves and for others in the class by dressing appropriately for concerts. If the student arrives at the concert dressed in clothing that does not meet requirements, the student WILL NOT play in the concert and will receive a lowered concert grade.

Be prepared. Plan ahead when choosing your concert attire. If you have difficulty obtaining the proper uniform, please contact Ms. Kurylo for other arrangements. Do not allow your uniform to prohibit you from participating in concerts.

Students are expected to arrive 30 minutes before the concert for tuning and warm-up.

Other Performance Opportunities

HBMS Chamber Orchestra will meet once a week from 8:00 – 8:25 am to prepare music for community performances such as a holiday concert at Publix and various performances at Sunrise at Ivey Ridge. This is a wonderful opportunity to not only learn new and exciting music and perform in new settings outside of school, but also to volunteer your time and talent in our local community.
Private Instruction – Private lessons are encouraged for all students and levels of ability. Rates and locations vary. Please see Ms. Kurylo for a listing of local teachers.
Solo / Ensemble Performance Evaluation – An opportunity for students to perform in small groups for judge’s comment, clinic, rating, and award of recognition. Takes place on a Saturday in November.
All – State – An opportunity for students to become members of an elite state-wide auditioned orchestra. Students must pass 2 rounds of auditions. Those who are accepted travel to Savannah for a weekend of rehearsals, a final concert, and GREAT FOOD!
Fulton County Youth Symphony Orchestra – A local auditioned group, meets for regular weekly after-school rehearsals and performs 3 concerts per year. For several years in a row, FYO Middle and Elementary Orchestras have earned “Superior” ratings at GMEA District V LGPE Fesival. Apply early – spots fill up quickly!
Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra – Also an auditioned group, meets for regular weekly rehearsals at Georgia State University Campus. Auditions take place in early fall – apply early!

Code of conduct

As a member of the Haynes Bridge Middle School Orchestra you are a representative of Haynes Bridge Middle School. Each student will be representing our school in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Fulton County, and the state of Georgia. In addition to observing the code of conduct stated in your HBMS student handbook, it is expected that all orchestra members will act in a professional manner at ALL orchestra events. Inappropriate behavior will result in a lowered conduct grade as well student not being able to attend field trips and other orchestra events.

Your Donations are Appreciated

The Haynes Bridge Middle School Orchestra does not do independent fundraisers. Donations are greatly appreciated in order to offset the costs that we incur from year to year such as new music, replacement accessories, and instrument maintenance. Thank you for your support!

HBMS Orchestra Rehearsal & Concert Calendar

All concerts to be held at HBMS unless otherwise noted

*Rehearsal Tuesday, October 30

Fall Concert Tuesday, November 6

All-State 1^st round auditions Saturday, October 27

@ Northwestern MS

Solo & Ensemble PE Saturday, November 17

@ Grady HS

*Rehearsal Tuesday, January 29

Pre-Festival Concert Tuesday, February 5

*Rehearsal Tuesday, February 12

Large Group Performance Evaluation February 20-22

(Time TBA)@ Alpharetta HS

Centennial Cluster Concert Tuesday, March 25

@ CHS Auditorium

Tour Concerts Spring TBA

*Rehearsal Tuesday, May 6

Spring Concert: Thursday, May 8

I have read and understand the Haynes Bridge Middle School Orchestra Handbook, and I also understand that to achieve my personal artistic goals, I must follow the guidelines of the handbook.

Student Signature:_________________________________________________________

Parent Signature:__________________________________________________________

Date:____________________________ Homeroom_____________________________

Please complete this form for contact information during the year and let me know if any of your contact information should change during the year.

Parent/Guardian Phone # (please indicate home, mobile and/or work phone numbers)

_______________________________

Parent/Guardian Email address(es):

______________________________