1

Louise Radloff Middle School

Orchestra

Handbook
2011-2012
Laura Donovan, Orchestra Director
3939 Shackleford Rd, Duluth, GA 30096 Laura_Donovan@gwinnett.k12.ga.us 678-245-3418 (Orchestra Office)

Table of Contents
Welcome Letter from the Director......3 Classroom Matrix, Rules, and Consequences...............4 Who Can Join Orchestra?........5 Grading Policy..........5 Performance Policy and Concert Matrix..............6 Concert Schedule......7 Youth Orchestras and Private Lessons........7 Concert Uniform and Spiritwear Information....8 Practicing & Fundraising.....8 After School Rehearsals and Groups............9 String Replacement Fees.....9 Materials for Orchestra..........10 Basic Instrument Care........10 Instrument Rental/Purchasing/Repair Locations......................................................................................10 Obtaining an Instrument for Class........................................................................................................11 2011-2012 LRMS Orchestra Handbook Contract..12 & 13

Welcome Letter from the Director

Dear Orchestra Students and Parents!

I am so excited to be joining you for another year of Radloff Middle School Orchestra!!!! The 2011-2012 school year is my 5th year teaching at Radloff MS. I graduated from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY in December of 2006 with my bachelors degree in music education. Over this past summer, I earned my masters degree in music education from Boston University. My college concentration was on string education, so your children are in good hands. I am a Georgia transplant. I grew up in upstate New York and moved down here to teach at Radloff MS. I enjoy hiking, spending time with my 2 crazy cats, traveling to NY to visit family, and reading good books. I also play with the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra & Chorus. I am so honored to be teaching here at Radloff with the best and brightest kids in Gwinnett County. The students will be participating in a lot of exciting events this coming year. We have our trip to the Capitol in December to downtown Atlanta and both the 7th and 8th grade will be attending LGPE this year. We had an excellent rating at LGPE last year and were one point away from making a superior. I have every confidence that this years group of talented students will excel at LGPE. In addition to those events, we have our school concerts demonstrating the progress students make in the classroom. This handbook is your orchestra bible. Most of the information for the school year is in this handbook. However, updates on rehearsals/concerts or other important information may come home over the course of the year. I will also be sending the information electronically to parents, so please make sure to fill out a clearly printed and updated email address that works. If you dont have an email address and have access to a computer, I encourage you to sign up for a free email account such as yahoo, hotmail or gmail. This is also a great way to get a hold me! Parents and students need to complete the back page of this handbook. Please keep you hanbook in your orchestra binder I am going to do my very best to make this the most enjoyable and successful year Radloff Middle School Orchestra has had to date. Our program keeps growing every year and it is thanks to parent support and student dedication. GO RAIDER ORCHESTRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laura Donovan Orchestra Director 3939 Shackleford Rd Duluth, GA 30096 Laura_Donovan@gwinnett.k12.ga.us 678-245-3418 (Orchestra Office)

Classroom Matrix, Rules, and Consequences

Daily Procedures
1) 2) 3) Pack-up your instrument and belongings when Ms. Donovan gives you the go ahead to pack-up. Only work on orchestra materials during class. Leaving the room during instruction requires a non-disruptive trip to Ms. Donovan with your agenda. Raise your hand when you have something important to share, have a question or need to get Ms. Donovans attention. Please treat other people with kindness and tolerance. Understand a lot of money is put into your string education. Handle the instruments gently and keep all 4s on the floor for the black orchestra chairs. Know that bathroom/water fountain procedures are granted on an emergency basis only! Participate the entire class period. Even when you arent playing you should be silently practicing and listening to directions. Arrive by the tardy bell and enter the classroom in a calm manner Have a pencil, binder and instrument in the orchestra room everyday that you have orchestra. Fingernails kept to an appropriate length for playing a string instrument. When holding your hand up in front of your face with your palms facing you, you shouldnt be able to see the tips of your fingernails. Please have your instrument out, shoulder rest on (for violins and violas), a rosined bow, music and sharpened pencil on the stand within 3 minutes of the tardy bell ringing.

Respect

4) 5) 6) 1)

Responsibility

2) 3) 1) 2)

Readiness
Special Procedures

3)

Substitute Teachers: Please be respectful to any guest in our room. He/She may do things differently than Ms. Donovan. Reminder, it is only for a short period of time that you have this guest teacher. Fire Drills: Carefully put your instrument on your chair or next to it, line up silently, and the last person out the door shuts it. Please follow Ms. Donovans lead and remain silent until the drill is over. Tornado Drills: Same procedures apply as with fire drill. In addition once in the designated location, students must duck and cover as instructed to do so by the teachers in charge.

Classroom Rules
Follow all GCPS and Radloff MS School Rules Leave all electronics, shut off, in my locker before coming to orchestra, except any metronomes or tuners (which may be used within the 1st 3 minutes of class) Food, Drinks and Gum are not permitted. The only exception is bottled, clear water. Lets work together to keep a clean room.

Consequences for Disregarding the Rules

Enrollment in this class is optional. Excellent behavior is a primary expectation in my classroom. For the same offense: * 1st Time: Warning and a private discussion with Ms. Donovan * 2nd Time: Warning, discussion, and a call home * 3rd Time: Automatic detention and a call home Detentions will be served in the orchestra room every Wednesday from 8am-8:50am as needed. The following actions will result in an immediate referral (per administration): intentionally harming another student, skipping, and possession of a weapon or drugs. Tardy Policy: We will follow the Student Accountability Measures. Late students will report to the grade level office for consequences. Students more than 10 minutes late (from the time on the pass) are considered AWOL and a referral is issued.

Who Can Join Orchestra?

ANY 6TH GRADER interested in playing violin, viola, cello or bass at the beginning of the year. Students wishing to join after the first quarter need to see the below paragraph on 7th and 8th graders joining. No prior music training is needed, although it helps.
7th and 8th Graders can join too! Students must come to Ms. Donovan and she will discuss the requirements.

Grading Policy
The percentages below are semester based.
Individual Responsibility Skills 20% - Daily evaluation of GCPS Orchestra AKS 2h (6th &7th) and 2j (8th) Projects 15% - Assessment of GCPS Orchestra AKS in the Critical Analysis/Investigation, and Cultural and Historical Context categories Playing Tests (10) 45% - Assessment of GCPS Orchestra AKS in the Skills and Techniques/Performance, and Creation categories Concert 10% - Assessment for GCPS Orchestra AKS 2f (6th & 7th Grade) and 2h (8th Grade) End of Quarter Exams (2) 10% -Comprehensive Exams

Expectation: In order to remain in orchestra, you need to maintain an average of 75% or greater. If for some reason your grade goes below that you get a second chance to improve your overall grade to a 75% or greater by the end of the next quarter. When students are in ISS or OSS, they lose credit for their Individual Responsibilities grade. Orchestra is a privilege and outstanding behavior is an expectation. When students are not present it effects the sound of the orchestra and students miss out on crucial instruction. I know things happen so, if there is a special circumstance I need to know about, please contact me and we will discuss the situation. Forgetting Your Instrument is very similar to being in ISS/OSS in that you lose all credit for individual responsibilities during the class period. However, you get to make up 25% of the participation points you lost by writing a 1page essay. Ms. Donovan has the paper you need to complete this essay. Please come to Ms. Donovan within the first 3 minutes of class to obtain this sheet. Or come in on Wednesdays and practice for one hour. Playing Tests: Playing test will be assigned for a class day. If you wish take the test earlier or want to receive a higher grade after the test has been taken, please come in the morning at 8:30 to do so.

Performance Policy
Performance at all school concerts is mandatory. The middle school orchestra AKS concert requirement is as follows: 6th Grade (2f): Perform publicly at least twice per year at expected competency level in two-part, unison, and polyphonic textures. th Grade (2f): Perform publicly at least two times a year at expected competency level. 7 8th Grade (2j): Perform publicly at least three times per year at expected competency level. It must be an extreme emergency to miss a concert and the student must provide documentation of the absence. School attendance policy is the same as the concert attendance policy. Excusable absences include: *Illness/Medical reason accompanied by a doctors note *Religious Holiday *Hazardous Conditions *Death/Serious Family Illness Those students who fail to show up to a concert without a valid excuse will receive a grade of 0. Those students who have valid excuses, the grade will be omitted from your orchestra grade. Plenty of notice is given for all concerts so plan accordingly. We have a Dinner and a Concert program for those students wanting to remain at school until the concert. This program is for orchestra students only. They will pay $3 (when the notice is handed out) before each concert. Once the money and form is turned in, students will be allowed to stay after school the day of the concert.

Concert Matrix
3Rs Concert

Respect

Remain silent during the performance of other groups Stay at the concert until after all groups have performed Clap in between songs as a sign of respect towards other performing groups Show the audience that you are proud to be part of the orchestra at RMS by using your best posture, getting rid of gum before warm-ups, turning off cell phones and electronics and secure them in a safe location before warm-up time. Be on time to the scheduled warm-up time (which is usually 6pm or 6:15pm for 7pm concerts) Have prepared the music to the best of your ability Take care of any issues or concerns about the concert prior to the concert day Make sure my instrument is with me at all times and that I am the only one using it. Use the warm up time to get tuned, check-in with Ms. Donovan and run through a few spots in my music Be ready in full concert uniform by the warm up time Focus on the concert with full attention Listen for instruction on where I should be and when

Responsibility

Readiness

Concert Schedule
Here is a tentative schedule of concert dates for the 2011-2012 school year. Please note that it is tentative and dates may be added. A star (*) Indicates mandatory concerts for that grade level Saturday, August 27th: Kendall Youth Orchestra Auditions @ Hull MS Saturday, November 12th: GMEA Solo an Ensemble Performance Evaluation @ GSMST *Wednesday, December 7th: 7th & 8th Grade Winter Concert @ 7pm in the LRMS Cafeteria. *Wednesday, December 14th: 6th Grade Premier Concert @ 7pm in the LRMS Cafeteria. Saturday, February 4th: Violapalooza @ Shiloh High School *Wednesday, February 8th (Subject to Change): 7th & 8th Grade Pre-LGPE Concert @ 7pm (Location TBA) *February 23-25th: LGPE Orchestra Festival for 7th & 8th Grade Please Note: A time slot within these 3 dates will be selected at random for Radloff MS, please clear these dates on your calendar. Saturday, April 28th: Gwinnett County 6th Grade Honor Orchestra @ a location TBA (Selected Students only) * Wednesday, May 9th: 8th Grade Bridge concert rehearsal @ 3pm @ Meadowcreek High School *Thursday, May 10th: 8th Grade Bridge Concert @ 6:30pm in the Meadowcreek HS Theater *Thursday, May 17th: 6th & 7th Grade Spring Concert @ 7pm in the LRMS Cafeteria

Please dont assume Its not going to matter if Im not there. EVERYONE MATTERS IN OUR ORCHESTRA!!!!!!!!!!!

Youth Orchestras and Private Lessons

Gwinnett County Public Schools has its own youth orchestra that current 7th and 8th graders are encouraged to audition for. Auditions are held August, 27th at Hull Middle School for the Kendall Youth Orchestra. Private lessons are strongly encouraged but are not a requirement for students in the orchestra programs. Many stores have private lesson teachers and Ms. Donovan has a list (available upon request) of private lesson teachers in Gwinnett County. Both the youth orchestra and private lessons are enjoyed by many students in Gwinnett County and help students excel on their instrument.

Concert Uniform and Spiritwear Information

Dress for All concerts includes the following: Radloff Orchestra Polo Shirt (the one with the collar) Visible stains and dirt are not accepted Black Dress Pants (No sweatpants or jeans) Black Dress Shoes (No sneakers/tennis shoes) Black Socks Dress to Impress!!! Concerts are special events and your appearance shows a lot about how seriously you take the concert. Everyone must have on the correct uniform to participate in the concert. Students not in uniform will not be allowed to perform and an alternate assignment will be issued. Upon assignment completion, students not in uniform will only receive 50% credit towards the concert grade. All uniform shirts need to be purchased 24 hours prior to the concert day. No uniforms will be handed out the day of the concert. Plan ahead!!!! The spiritwear shirt is an optional shirt that students can buy. This shirt is the fun shirt. Most students buy this shirt to wear at school or at special events. This fun shirt can be purchased for family members for $10 each. Please do NOT send money in with the handbook contract. More information will be distributed in class. For students families, who are having money issues, a payment plan can be arranged. Helping families in need has been a key factor in making the Radloff MS orchestra program a success. Please see Ms. Donovan to receive the form and discuss your individual situation!

Practicing
All students should be practicing at home. Consider practicing an ongoing recommended homework assignment. Practicing will not be a grade this year. However, your performance on playing tests will tell me if you are practicing or not. Below is a recommendation for practicing amounts: 6th Grade: 80 Minutes per week (16 minutes 5 days a week) 7th Grade: 100 Minutes per week (20 minutes 5 days a week) 8th Grade: 120 Minutes per week (24 minutes 5 days a week) HINT: The more you practice the better you will get and so will the orchestra. PRACTICE!!! PRACTICE!!! PRACTICE!!! PRACTICE!!! All instruments should be going home over long breaks!

Fundraising
It is essential to our program for every student to participate in fundraising. Money from our fundraiser not only helps to meet the year-to-year needs of our programs but it also helps to fund the following: student awards and rewards, trips, Bridge Concert, and special equipment (Like electric instruments) Please help the program by trying to sell some of the items in our fundraiser!!!!!!

After School Rehearsals and Groups

General Afterschool Policy: If you sign a commitment contract for an after school group, please make it a priority to be in the orchestra room for that group. For students coming regularly and for students attending special rehearsals, there will be a few expectations. Afterschool expectations are as follows: Do Not come down until after 3rd wave (this is for safety reasons) All normal classroom rules apply Students must remain in the orchestra room unless permission is granted to go elsewhere No Snack Machines. Bring your own snacks since you know you are staying afterschool. Rehearsals start promptly at 4:45. That allows students about 15 minutes to have a snack and go to the restroom. This year is we will have afterschool performing groups in the fall and in the spring. These groups are intented to help advanced students excel at what they do. Groups perform at Radloff MS and around the community. Admittance is based on an audition. If interested, please keep a look-out for information at the beginning of each semester. Additional Groups: We will have a group of students, elected by peers, to participate in an orchestra leadership group. Elections will occur the second week of classes and meet the last Tuesday of each month from 4:30 to 6pm in the orchestra room. Exact dates will be given out at the first meeting of the orchestra student council. Orchestra students help pick music, design posters, helping with fundraisers and various other things. The goal of this group is to help bring student input into the classroom.

String Replacement Fees

School Owned Instruments: You will only be charged for strings if you intentionally break one, or one is broken while the instrument is at home. Privately Owned Instruments: Please feel free to purchase replacement strings through the school. The fees are as follows: Violin $5 for an individual string $15 for a set of 4 strings Viola $5 for an individual string $15 for a set of 4 strings Cello $12 per string $45 for a set of 4 strings Bass $20 per String $75 for a set of 4 strings

10

Materials for Orchestra

Below is a list of materials needed for orchestra. If you would like to purchase the materials through the school, the price is listed beside the item $ $3 $9 $10 $11 $13 N/A N/A N/A N/A For Violin & Violas 6th Grade & 7B Violin & Violas 7A, 8A & 8B All Students All Students All Students All Students Violin & Violas Item Description Rosin Orchestra Expressions Book 1 Shoulder Rest (Resonans) Orchestra Expressions Book 2 Collapsible Music Stand -For Home Practice Orchestra Binder Instrument and Bow in working condition Pencil Cleaning cloth - a piece of an old shirt works

On the following page is a list of music stores and their addresses where all of the above materials can be found. An order form is attached to the handbook contract for those of you wishing to purchase any of the materials listed above. The school will provide additional materials that are used throughout the school year.

Basic Instrument Care

Loosen your bow when putting it away. Cellos and Basses put your endpin in after use Never leave your instrument in extreme temperatures Check the bridge to make sure it isnt crooked. If it is crooked let Ms. Donovan know. Wipe the rosin off your instrument about once a week. Change your strings once a year.

Instrument Rental/Purchasing/Repair Locations

Store Name Gwinnett Discount Music Huthmaker Violins Ken Stanton Music Mandarin Strings Music Go Round Music N Arts New School of Music Ronald Sachs Violins Shar Music Company Southwest Strings Tonareli Fine Instruments Woodwind Brasswind Location 155-C Gwinnett Dr., Lawrenceville 3410 Main Street, Duluth 5232 Stone Mountain Hwy, Stone Mtn 1735 Roswell Rd., Marietta 4153 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lilburn 1905 Scenic Hwy. Ste. 610, Snellville 4100B Five Forks-Trickum Rd, Lilburn 836 Pleasant Hill Rd, Lilburn Internet Internet 115 Depot St., Lawrenceville Internet 770-338-0939 Phone Number 770-237-8001 770-476-9443 678-672-6742 404-936-5653 770-931-9190 770-982-0822 770-925-8900 770-931-2440 www.musicgoround.com www.musiarts.com www.newschoolofmusic.com www.ronaldsachs.com www.sharmusic.com www.southweststrings.com www.tonareli.com www.wwbw.com Website www.gwinnettdiscountmusic.com www.huthmakerviolins.com www.kenstanton.net

11

Obtaining an Instrument for Class

Violins and Violas: You must buy or rent from a local store or a websites. Look at the list of stores in this handbook. Important: only buy or rent an instrument from a music store. If you buy an instrument from a store other than one specializing in musical instrument, you will end up paying more in repairs for the instrument than it actually costs. Also, it is very difficult for you as a student to learn on a poor quality instrument. You are responsible for getting your violin or viola repaired. See Ms. Donovan if you need it repaired and you dont know where to get it fixed. If your instrument is in the repair shop, please get a note from the shop saying it is in there so that you dont loose points for participation. If there are any questions, concerns or financial issues please contact me! There are a limited number or school owned instruments for rental to families in need. Cellos and Basses: You are more than welcome to purchase your own instrument following the same buying rules as the violins and violas. However, because they are expensive and big instruments, the school provides our orchestra program with cellos and basses. Students playing cello or bass will be considered school owned instrument renters. See below regarding the school owned instrument rental policy. For any school owned instrument renters: There is a highly recommended fee of $60 for the whole entire year for renting the instrument. This fee goes towards repairs, which need to be done every year. There is a lot of wear and tear on the instruments because so many students use them. Also, the fee goes towards the replacement strings for school instruments due to normal wear and tear and weather conditions. Your $60 fee is greatly appreciated! Unfortunately, there are not enough instruments for school-owned renters to have their own instrument. Students may only check out instruments for weekends or long vacations on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign-out start and 4:00pm on Friday and sign-in ends at 9:20 Monday or upon return to school. In order to ensure financial responsibility, students wishing to check out school instruments must pay the recommended maintenance fee in full or set up a payment with Ms. Donovan. The privilege to check out instruments may be revoked if students fail to return the school instrument in a timely manner or students return the instrument damaged. If Ms. Donovan is absent, students may NOT check out instruments. Basses and cellos can only be brought home via parent transportation. No cellos and basses are to go on the bus due to accidents that can easily occur. ALL STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PRIVATELY-OWNED INSTRUMENTS. LOST/STOLEN PERSONAL INSTRUMENTS ARE NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SCHOOL. PUT YOUR INSTRUMENT IN YOUR DESIGNATED SPOT AND IT WILL PREVENT MIX-UPS.

12

2011-2012 LRMS Orchestra Handbook Contract

Student: __________________________________________________________ Nick Name: _____________________
Last First MI What Ms.D should call you

Date of Birth: _________________ Age: ______ Student ID #: _________________ Shirt Size (Adult sizes): _______ Instrument: ______________________ Orchestra Class: ____________________ Parent or Guardian Names __________________________________________________________________________ If parent volunteers are needed will you be able to help? Yes or No (circle one) All Parent Phone Numbers (Cell, Home, Work): ________________________________________________________ English Spoken at Home? Yes or No (circle one) If no, what Language? _____________________________________ E-mail address(es)__________________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________ _______________________________
Street City

___________________
Zip

Emergency Information
This information will only be used for emergencies on trips and events outside of Radloff M s

In the event that a PARENT CANNOT BE REACHED, who should be contacted in an emergency? 1. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name Phone Number Relationship

2. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name Phone Number Relationship

MEDICAL HISTORY Chronic Illness: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Medication and doses taken regularly: __________________________________________________________________________ Allergies: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Family Physician: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Name Phone Number

Insurance Provider:__________________________________________Policy Number ________________________________ EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION I hereby authorize the Radloff MS Orchestra to obtain through a physician of its choice any emergency care that may become reasonably necessary for a student in the course of such activities or travel. I also agree not to hold the school or the LRMS Orchestra or anyone acting in its behalf responsible for any injury occurring to the above named student in the course of such activities or travel. _________________________________________________________
Parent or Guardian Signature

___________________________
Dat

PLEASE COMPLETE THE BACK!!!!

13 Parent Handbook Agreement ____________

Parents Initials

I have read the 2011-2012 LRMS Orchestra Handbook and will ensure my student abides by it. I have read the 2011-2012 GCPS Orchestra AKS and understand my students academic responsibility.

____________
Parents Initials

Student Handbook Agreement ____________

Students Initials

I have read the 2011-2012 LRMS Orchestra Handbook and understand the expectations. I have read the 2011-2012 GCPS Orchestra AKS and understand my academic responsibility.

____________
Students Initials

Media Release ____________

Parents Initials

I give the orchestra permission to put photographs of my student on the school or orchestra website.

I understand that my signature below indicates an acceptance of the information in this handbook and a waiver of liability against Gwinnett County Public Schools and its agents. Students Signature: _________________________________________________________ Parent / Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________ Date __________________ Date __________________

Orchestra Materials Order Form

(It is optional for you to purchase the materials through the school) Please check all that you wish to order and include a check (made out to LRMS) or cash for the total amount! For Violin & Violas 6th Grade & 7B Violin & Violas 7A, 8A & 8B All Students Item Description Rosin Orchestra Expressions Book 1 Shoulder Rest (Resonans) Orchestra Expressions Book 2 Collapsible Music Stand -For Home Practice Total How Many Ordered $3 $9 $10 $11 $13 Received

TURN IN BY FRIDAY AUGUST, 26th!!

14