Quince Orchard High School 2014-2015
Instrumental Music Handbook
WELCOME
Dear Students and Parents,
Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year. Enclosed in this handbook are the rules,
guidelines and general procedures and information that you will need to know and
follow this year. Please take the time to read and go over all of the materials in the
handbook. Remember that your signature and your parents’ signature make you
accountable for everything that is in this handbook. To keep abreast of new
developments that come up as the year progresses please consult the QO
Instrumental Music website, which is updated frequently. If you have any questions
please feel free to contact Ms. Kirchhoff, Mr. Fay, and Ms. Kleiner at the QO
Music office, 301-840-4591, or through the email links on the QOHS MUSIC
webpage, www.music.qohs.org. We look forward to a very positive and successful
year for the Instrumental Music Department.
MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the QOHS Instrumental Music Department is to provide its students
with a quality music education through performance based experiences. Students are held to a
high standard of professionalism and expected to perform at their highest capability.
ENSEMBLES
JAZZ BAND
SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA
CONCERT ORCHESTRA
SYMPHONIC BAND
CONCERT BAND
WIND ENSEMBLE
MARCHING BAND
GRADING POLICY
A student’s grade will be comprised of assignments that will fall into one of the
following categories to make up their total grade:
50% Summative Assessments
This includes all state festivals, concerts, etc. in addition to any individual or group
performance assessment. Summative assessments may also be in written or verbal
formats, depending on what’s being assessed. Summative assessments are not eligible
for reteach/re-assess.
40% Formative Assessments.
This includes all individual or group playing quizzes or other assessments designed to
assess student progress in the classroom ensemble. Formative assessments are available
for reteach/re-assess within a given unit. After the unit is completed (after the
summative assessment) then those formative assessments are not eligible for retake.
10% Homework (for completion) This includes any assignment given by the
instructor to accelerate learning in the classroom. Homework is graded on completion
and will be graded as full credit (2) or half credit (1). Homework cannot be turned in
late unless the student has an excused absence.
CONCERTS
CONCERT ATTENDANCE
Concerts are a mandatory part of all instrumental music classes and follow the rubric
for the National Standards of Music Education. All students are expected to attend all
concerts that are listed on the Instrumental Music Master Calendar. If a student misses
or is unexcused for a concert, no make-ups will be given. In the event of an emergency,
written or verbal contact must be made to the director, no later than 24 hours after the
concert performance date. Directors reserve the right to deem what is an excused
absence from a concert. Examples of excused absences are; death in the family, extreme
personal illness, etc.
CONCERT ATTIRE
Each student will have to provide his or her own concert attire. All performers will be
asked to wear a white shirt or blouse and black pants or skirts in accordance with the
MCPS policy-Guidelines for Secondary Course Related Fees.
*NOTE – Student are responsible for providing their own concert dress for this
ensemble.
*Students are expected to wear the required concert attire. Any student who does not
attend concerts in the appropriate concert attire will be removed from the concert.
CLASS RULES
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Do not bring distractions into the performance space, including but not limited
to: gum, food, cell phones and assignments for other classes. Cell phones and
other electronics may be used during the class changes, but not during rehearsal.
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Each student must come prepared to class each day (your own music,
instrument, pencil, and any other materials needed for your particular
instrument, i.e. bow, reeds, valve oil, rosin).
Each student is expected to report to class on time and assemble their
instrument in a timely manner.
Respect all instruments, only touch or play your own instrument.
Stay involved in the rehearsal from start to finish. This means not talking when
others are speaking.
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Take a mature attitude toward correction. Any comments made are for the
betterment of the ensemble and having a quality musical experience
MUSIC DEPARTMENT PROCEDURES
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Students are expected to keep their instrument (whether personal or school
owned) in good working condition for the entire school year.
All students are expected to knock before entering the music office.
All students are expected to put away their instruments in their proper storage
facilities after use, INCLUDING ALL PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS!
Students should be responsible for music and other class exercises that are given
to them.
All music directors will have an In-Box/tray in the music office on the student
phone table. Any assignments or forms that need to be turned in can be placed
in the designated box. Any money that needs to be turned in must be in a
sealed envelope with the appropriate form with the student’s name clearly
labeled on the front.
INSTRUMENT AND EQUIPMENT INFORMATION
INSTRUMENT CARE
For strings: Students are expected to have a mute, an extra set of strings, a dampet and
a shoulder rest (where applicable).
For winds and brass: instruments should be cleaned and kept in a case when not in use.
Students can also consult www.salisburymusic.com/repairs for general care and
practices for your particular instrument.
EQUIPMENT OBLIGATIONS
In order to sound our best, every student in a QOHS Instrumental Music ensemble
must come to every rehearsal and performance outfitted with the proper equipment.
Every student is encouraged to purchase a music stand for home practice, a metronome
and a tuner. Additionally each student is expected to own certain equipment according
to his/her instrument. Please consult the following chart for the equipment that will be
needed. For questions about specific brands/ sizes/ etc…, please ask your Section
Leader, or the Director. All students are expected to have the appropriate equipment by
the equipment check deadlines for each semester (generally 2-4 weeks into each
semester).
I
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s
t
Oboes & Bassoons
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Flutes
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Equipment
Needed
Soft cleaning cloth
Cleaning rod
2 reeds in playable condition
Reed case
Small container for keeping reeds moist (i.e. 35mm film canister)
Cleaning swab
 At least 5 regular reeds, or 2 Legere reeds
 Cleaning swab (except bari saxes and low clarinets)
 Cork grease
 Mouthpiece with ligature and cap
 Valve oil
Trumpets
 Slide grease
 Mouthpiece w/ brush
 Cleaning snake
 Straight mute & Cup mute
 Rotary valve oil
Horns
 Slide grease
 Mouthpiece w/ brush
 Slide cream
Trombones
 Small water bottle
 Mouthpiece w/ brush
 Straight mute & Cup mute
Baritones/Euphoniums  Valve oil
 Slide grease
& Tubas
 Mouthpiece w/ brush
Percussion
 Snare drum sticks
 Timpani mallets
 Yarn mallets
 Hard rubber mallets
 Practice pad
 Brushes (jazz ensemble only)
*See Mr. Fay with Questions
Violins & Violas
 One complete set of spare strings
 Rosin
 Cleaning cloth
 Shoulder rest
 Fine tuners
 Mute
All Clarinets &
Saxophones
Cellos
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One complete set of spare strings
Rosin
Cleaning cloth
Rock stop (preferably with a strap)
Mute
Basses
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Pops bass rosin
Cleaning cloth
Rock stop
Mute
Guitars/Electric Basses
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One set of spare strings
Strap
Patch Cable
BORROWING INSTRUMENTS
QOHS does have a limited number of instruments available to loan out to students.
However, each student is highly encouraged to own his or her own instrument. During
the first week of school, students who need school instruments will be given the
appropriate paperwork to complete. No instrument will be issued until the paperwork is
completed and returned. While there is no rental fee charged for school instruments, the
student will be responsible for any repair costs due to negligence or misuse.
INSTRUMENT STORAGE
Each student is responsible for his/her own equipment. All equipment when not in use
should be stored in a school locker or instrumental storage locker. It is necessary that
students ensure that their instruments are in a safe, secure, locked place. The music
department is not responsible for instruments that get lost or stolen as a result of
student neglect. Instrument storage lockers will be provided for interested students.
Locks for the lockers must be purchased by the student.
INSTRUMENT REPAIR
Any instrument in need of repair should first be seen by Ms. Kirchhoff, Mr. Fay, or Ms.
Kleiner. Students that are using school instruments are financially responsible for
keeping their instrument in good working condition. For instruments that need repair,
it is recommended that student should go to the following vendors:
For winds:
L & L Wind Shop
8940 North Westland Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
301-948-7273
For strings:
Potters Violin Shop
4706 Highland Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-652-7070
301-652-7071
Lashof Violins
1-F East Diamond Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
301-330-2606
Instrumental Music Calendar Important Dates to Remember:
Fall Choral Music Concert
(Jazz, Concert Band, Symphonic Band & Concert Orchestra)
11/18
TRI-M Music Honors Society Induction @ 6:30pm
11/20
Fall Instrumental Music Concert #2
(Hon. Symphonic Band, Hon. Symphonic Orchestra & Choir)
11/20
MCPS Big Band Jazz Festival (Jazz only- Time TBA)
12/13
Tentative Music Department Spring Trip
(Details TBA)
1/15 - 1/20
QO Cluster Concert
2/24 & 2/26
(Hon. Symphonic Band & Hon. Symphonic Orchestra Only)
MCPS HS Orchestra Festival
(@Walter Johnson HS – Time TBA)
3/3 or 3/10
MCPS Band Festival
(Quince Orchard HS - Time TBA)
3/12
Spring Instrumental Music Concert # 1
(Hon. Symphonic Band, Hon. Symphonic Orchestra & Choir)
4/28
Spring Instrumental Concert #2
(Concert Orchestra, Concert Band & Symphonic Band)
4/30
Jazz Cabaret (Jazz Band only)
5/1
*ALL EVENING CONCERTS START AT 7PM AND ARE HELD IN
THE QOHS AUDITORIUM UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE.
PLEASE DETACH AND SIGN BELOW.
I agree to adhere to all of the policies stated above.
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Parent/Guardian Signature
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Date
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Student Signature
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Date