Class Description

Orchestra meets as a group every day. Students should have previous experience on a string instrument to participate. Performances include at least 4 concerts, as well as state music contests. A wide variety of string and orchestral literature is studied. Orchestra students are encouraged to be part of the orchestra on the years when we do a musical.

Class Expectations

Daily Work:

Each student is expected to attend a daily rehearsal promptly. Each student is expected to have their instrument at school each day. Each student should work the entire period and show good posture while they are playing. The student is expected to watch the director as much as possible while performing a song. A good orchestra member has a pencil and will write in bowings and directions given by the director. Every student is expected to be at all the major concerts and functions the orchestra is scheduled to perform at.

Major Performances:

There will be a fall concert, a Christmas concert, a POPS concert, and a spring concert. In addition, there may be a Dordt Strings Festival or a Unity Strings Festival. The orchestra will compete in the Large Group State Contest in early May and every other year the orchestra may be involved in a trip and competition .

Grading Factor:

Each student will have their playing assessed in the fall. They will be put on a 1-5 scale with 5 being a perfect playing tone, facility on the instrument, intonation, and sight-reading. Many things can be done to help add to or subtract from the grading assessment for the nine week period.

Positive Factors:

* Attending other concerts
* Trying out for All State
* Making All State
* Performing in a church service or chapel
* Playing for the musical in March (every other year)
* Playing in an outside orchestra besides Unity
* Taking private lessons in or out of school
* Helping out and volunteering for the extra jobs like setting up, stands, concert set up
* Playing a solo or in a small group for the Small Group and Solo Contest

Negative Factors:

* A poor attitude in orchestra
* Having poor posture while playing
* Chewing gum during a rehearsal
* Being unresponsive to the music
* Not watching the director during a rehearsal or concert
* Disrupting the daily orchestra rehearsal
* Forgetting their music or instrument
* Taking too long to get their instrument and equipment set up

Final Grade:

All the students start with an A in orchestra and the fall assessment can bring that down, however, all the positive additions the student brings to the class can enhance the grade. The negative responses in orchestra, however, will continue to bring the grade down until a change is experienced. The student must inform the director of any and all extra outside concerts, orchestras, and solo work done by the student.

Further Information:

I prefer to be contacted at school and during school hours, but if you need to contact me, my home number is 756-5517.

Class Outline