Orchestra

Beginning Orchestra

Prerequisite: None. An entry-level course designed for student musicians with little or no prior orchestra or performance experience to develop skills for participation in advanced orchestra.  This is a performance class, with regular required concerts scheduled throughout the year. A variety of orchestra literature will be studied, with emphasis on developing basic musicianship skills, including: reading music notation, playing instruments with characteristic tone, and performing successfully as a group, as defined by the Arizona State and National music standards. Evening performances will be required at least twice throughout the school year. It is important to understand that orchestra is a year-long course. Students must provide their own instrument and instrument supplies, or make arrangements with the instructor to rent school equipment if available.  Information regarding getting an instrument will be provided at the beginning of the term. Students who register for orchestra must understand the time and financial commitment required, as schedule changes may be unable to take place. 

Instruments to choose from: violin, viola, cello, and bass

Intermediate Orchestra

Prerequisite: previous orchestra experience. An intermediate-level course designed for student musicians 1-2 years of prior orchestra or performance experience to develop skills for participation in advanced orchestra.  This is a performance class, with regular required concerts scheduled throughout the year. A variety of orchestra literature will be studied, with emphasis on developing basic musicianship skills, including: reading music notation, playing instruments with characteristic tone, and performing successfully as a group, as defined by the Arizona State and National music standards. Evening performances will be required at least twice throughout the school year. It is important to understand that orchestra is a year-long course. Students must provide their own instrument and instrument supplies, or make arrangements with the instructor to rent school equipment if available.  Information regarding getting an instrument will be provided at the beginning of the term. Students who register for orchestra must understand the time and financial commitment required, as schedule changes may be unable to take place. 

Instruments to choose from: violin, viola, cello, and bass
 

Advanced Orchestra

Prerequisite: previous orchestra experience. Demonstration of skills and completion of beginning orchestra with Director’s permission is required. An advanced level course designed for student musicians with orchestra performance experience to develop skills for participation in High School Orchestra. Course will focus on the study of quality orchestra literature for public presentation at concerts and other events. Advanced musicianship skills, including sight-reading, rhythms, scales, characteristic tone, and ensemble blending, will be reviewed and emphasized. Participation in performances, which include evening and weekend events, is required. It is important to understand that this is a year-long course. Students must provide their own instrument, and instrument supplies, or make arrangements with the instructor to use school equipment if available. Information regarding getting an instrument will be provided at the beginning of the term. Students who register must understand the time and financial commitment required, as schedule changes may be unable to take place. Any instrument switching from one year to the next may only be approved after having a discussion and making a plan with the Director. 
 

• Method Book
  • Beginning Orchestra
    • Strictly Strings: A Comprehensive String Method by Jacquelyn Dillon, James Kjelland, and John O’Reilly, book 1 (red font), instrument specific
  • Intermediate Orchestra
    • Strictly Strings: A Comprehensive String Method by Jacquelyn Dillon, James Kjelland, and John O’Reilly, book 1 (red font), instrument specific
  • Advanced Orchestra
    • Strictly Strings: A Comprehensive String Method by Jacquelyn Dillon, James Kjelland, and John O’Reilly, book 2 (blue font), instrument specific 
• Instrument Purchase and Rental
  • Music Store Rental Programs, Rent-to-Own
  • School Rental Program
    • $40/school year, based on availability and financial need, payment submitted to SMS main office (checks made out to SUSD#30), and rental contract turned into the Director
• Pencil with an eraser for completing written assignments and marking rehearsal notes in sheet music
• Music stand for home practice
  • Fold-up wire stands are inexpensive and convenient for home practice
• Tuner/Metronome
  • Free mobile apps 
  • Korg and other brands available at music stores or online
• Instrument Specific Supplies
  • Violin
    • rosin 
    • shoulder rest – students must have a shoulder rest. The music store can assist to make sure it is the right size for the instrument. 
    • cloth that is microfiber to wipe rosin off of strings, and oil from strings and body of instrument after playing
    • full set of replacement strings in case – specific to instrument
  • Viola
    • rosin 
    • shoulder rest – students must have a shoulder rest. The music store can assist to make sure it is the right size for the instrument. 
    • cloth that is microfiber to wipe rosin off of strings, and oil from strings and body of instrument after playing
    • full set of replacement strings in case – specific to instrument
  • Cello
    • rosin
    • cloth that is microfiber to wipe rosin off of strings, and oil from strings and body of instrument after playing
    • endpin anchor – an adjustable strap with a cup at the end to help stabilize cello endpins on hard floors.
    • full set of replacement strings in case – specific to instrument
  • Bass
    • bass rosin (e.g., Pops or Kolstein bass rosin)
    • cloth that is microfiber to wipe rosin off of strings, and oil from strings and body of instrument after playing
    • Rock Stop for endpin anchor. It looks like a hockey puck with a metal cup in the middle.
      If your student is playing bass, I recommend renting an instrument from the store to keep at home and using a school instrument for rehearsal to avoid transportation issues. Double basses are not allowed on the school bus. If a student borrows a school instrument to use only at school, they do not have to pay the $30 rental fee. Students borrowing a school bass during the day will likely be sharing it with a student from another class. 
• Music Stores in Tucson
  • Chicago Music Store
  • Instrumental Music Center
  • Metrognome Music
  • Music & Arts
  • Milano Music (In Phoenix or through a local dealer only)
  • Southwest Strings
• Music Supply Websites 
  • Musicians Friend: musiciansfriend.com
  • JWPepper music
     

• Entering the Classroom
  1. Place backpack along a designated wall in the classroom
  2. Students will take instrument off of rack, then enter the classroom
  3. Set up chair and music stand if necessary 
  4. Place required materials on music stand
  5. Set up instrument
  6. Read objective, agenda, and announcements
  7. Tune and warm up on instrument
• During Rehearsal 
  • Asking a question
    • Raise your hand when there is a break in instruction and wait patiently to be called on
  • Restroom
    • At an appropriate time (break, individual practice, when finished with a written assignment), raise your hand and ask to use the restroom, sign out, take appropriate clip-on pass, and sign in when you return. 
    • One student at a time
  • Sharpening Pencils
    • At the beginning of class during set-up time only. If a pencil breaks in the middle of class, please wait until a break in instruction. 
  • Food/Drink Policy:
    • Students will have their own refillable water bottle marked with their name
    • Drinking fountains used only to refill water bottles
    • No eating
    • No chewing gum
• End of Rehearsal
  1. Students will follow sanitization guidelines set forth by the teacher.
  2. Students will be asked to sanitize their personal instrument after rehearsals using instrument specific guidelines. 
• Exiting the Classroom
  1. When you are dismissed by the teacher, put away music, disassemble and put away instruments and equipment properly
  2. Students will place instrument on rack and immediately exit the library

• All SMS students are expected to demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character.
  1. Trustworthiness
  2. Respect
  3. Responsibility
  4. Fairness
  5. Caring
  6. Citizenship
• All SMS students are expected to follow our “ROAR” character attributes. 
  1. R- Responsible
  2. O- Owner of Learning
  3. A- All in
  4. R- Respectful
• SMS Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS)
  • SMS provides PBIS opportunities for students to earn “Roar points” for displaying roar character attributes, personal improvement, acts of kindness, or other positive behavior traits during the school day. Roar points can be exchanged for rewards or special activities. Please see the school handbook for specific details as it may be subject to change.
• Classroom expectations.
  • We listen to each other one at a time.
  • We use our prep time wisely to be on time.
  • We are respectful to each other, equipment and ourselves.
  • We raise our hand to share or ask a question.
  • We do not touch instruments that do not belong to us without permission from the director.
• All SMS music students are expected to show good behavior that is conducive to creating a safe and educational classroom environment. Disruptive behavior to the learning environment of the classroom will not be tolerated and discipline procedures will reflect actions. (Some examples of disruptive behavior include fighting, bullying, damaging equipment, excessive out of turn talking that is not relative to the classroom objective, or other poorly made choices). Creating a classroom atmosphere in which all students  have an equal opportunity to succeed is a primary goal.
• SUSD Electronic Devices Policy: Electronic devices (AirPods, headphones, earbuds, smart watches, and other Internet-connected devices) are a big part of our society, and students are expected to practice the responsible use of these devices. Electronic devices are not to be used on campus by students between the hours of 7:30 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. During these times, cell phones and all other electronics are to be kept in students’ backpacks on silent or turned off in order to minimize disruption to teaching and learning.
   

1. 1st offense, Warning of undesired behavior, redirection and definition of expected behavior will be given.
2. 2nd offense, Phone call home, possible referral depending on offense. Possible conference and or intervention with those involved.
3. 3rd offense, Administration involvement.
    

1. Daily and After-School Rehearsals

   • In rehearsal, students are expected to actively participate through listening, singing, playing, moving, writing, and verbal discussion

   • Collaborative performances with other ensembles or schools may require additional rehearsal time after-school; rehearsal attendance will be factored into grade.

2. Home Practice

   • In order to achieve personal improvement, satisfaction and achievement, students are expected to practice for 20 to 30 minutes per day, 3 to 5 days per week.

3. Performances

   • Performing individually and with others is an important assessment and provides the opportunity to showcase musical growth and achievement. Students are required to participate in all performances as a part of their grade. Some ensembles may have more or less performances due to the nature of the performance group. Dates of the Winter and Spring Concert are included, as are various others, in this handbook. A detailed itinerary/letter and/or electronic reminder will be provided at least one week prior to each event. 

   • Participation in performances is required and a large portion of the grade for a performance-based class. Students will be excused from performances only in the event of a serious illness, injury, family emergency, or other arrangement if communicated with the Director in a timely manner. Students will need to complete an assignment provided by the Director in order to complete the performance grade requirement by an assigned date.

4. Fundraising

   • Fundraisers may or may not be scheduled throughout the year to raise funds for music related items, travel or t-shirts.

SMS Grading Scale

• A: 90–100%
• B: 80–89%
• C: 70–79%
• D: 60–69%
• F: 59–0%
   

Performance and Assessment – 60% of Final Grade

• Written Assessment: 20%
• Performance/Playing Test Assessments: 20% 
• Concerts & Performances: 20%

Formative - Skills and Development – 40% of Final Grade

• Rehearsal Grade: 20%
• Written Assignments: 20%

Make-Up/Retake Assignment Policy

• If absent, students must check with the instructor for make-up assignments.
• Students scoring below 70% on a test may request a retake. The student needs to make the request clear to the director, in writing would be preferred.

Late Assignment Policy

• Students will be given flexibility to turn in work for full credit on a case-by-case basis.
• No late assignments will be accepted after progress reports and quarter grade deadlines.