Fall 2015- Spring 2016
Welcome to the Eagle Ridge
Orchestra!
A few things you need to know about this
year’s Orchestra…
I would like to welcome all students back to school for the 2015-2016
school year! This handbook provides you with all details surrounding the
Eagle Ridge Orchestra program. Parents, please take the time to sit down
with your child to familiarize yourselves with the handbook. Once you
have reviewed the handbook, please fill out and electronically sign the
orchestra contract with your child stating that both of you understand
the ERMS Orchestra policies and procedures.
Supply List Items:
● Instrument, rosin, and shoulder rest(for violin/viola only - Kun or
similar)
● Rock stop (cellos only)
● Pencil
● Music stand (for at-home use)
● Snark Clip-On Tuner (purchase at sharmusic.com or other music store)
● Measures of Success, Book 1 (6th grade only)
● Measures of Success, Book 2 (7th grade only – not available for
purchase yet)
It is essential and expected to come prepared to each class and on time with
an instrument, music binder, and a pencil. A materials check will be done daily,
and parents will be notified if your instrument or materials are forgotten on a
regular basis! Forgetting your materials will affect your overall grade as that
is part of the preparedness and participation component.
Fingernail Length:
In order to successfully perform on your instrument, your fingernails may not
interfere with properly holding your instrument. If the teacher believes the
fingernails need to be cut, students will be notified. If this is not done in a
timely manner, parent contact will be made.
Grading
As Orchestra is a Performing Arts class, grades will weigh more heavily on
performance-based assignments. The following is a breakdown of percentages
for grades, and typical assignments seen:
● Summative Grades: 90%
○ Tests/Quizzes (both written and performance)
○ Concerts and After School Rehearsals
● Formative Grades: 10%
○ Daily checks (participation and preparedness; incorporated
into the grade book at the end of each week)
○ Snapshots (brief progress/performance checks)
Website and Phoenix
Become very familiar with the layout of the website, as well as checking
Phoenix. You will need to use these on a regular basis. Homework assignments
will be posted here on Phoenix’s calendar, as well as email communication sent
out through here so it is imperative that your email address is accurate
through Phoenix. In addition, my website has many helpful tips for practicing,
as well as other supplemental information for parent/student.
Expectations
High expectations for each student are set in the strings classroom. Please
thoroughly review the expectations on the orchestra contract before signing.
Parent contact will be made by email or phone when deemed necessary. The
teacher will use his/her own discretion to determine if a behavior needs the
Dean’s immediate attention.
School Instruments – Cello and Bass Only
Students are permitted to use school cellos and basses while in class during
the school day. By filling out the information page, you agree to use
precaution and care when handling the school instruments. Should an
instrument be damaged by malicious, inappropriate, or intentional conduct by
the student, the school reserves the right to charge the student the cost of
replacing and/or fixing the instrument.
Important Audition Opportunities
**If you are interested in auditioning, please show interest when these
festivals are discussed in class. Preparation is required, so don’t
procrastinate! I HIGHLY encourage qualified students to audition**
1) Junior Regional Orchestra Festival (only 7th and 8th grade eligible) –
the orchestra, chosen by audition, is made up of advanced musicians across
Loudoun County, Prince William County, and many other counties. If accepted,
students will participate in a 2-day festival where students will practice as an
ensemble with a guest conductor for the two days and have a culminating
performance on the last day.
AUDITION DATE: Saturday, October 3
PERFORMANCE DATES: Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14
2) All County Orchestra Festival – this is very similar to the Junior Regional
Orchestra Festival, except this orchestra is made up of Loudoun County’s
advanced string students.
AUDITION DATE: Saturday, January 9 (Snow Makeup Date: Saturday,
January 16)
PERFORMANCE DATES: Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2
Concert Schedule
**Please note there are both rehearsals and concerts listed below**
If you are in 6th or 7th grade, try to make it out to see the older grade
level orchestra performances to see what more practice and experience
can look (and sound!) like.
8th GRADE
Thursday, October 22 – Rehearsal, 3:30-5:00pm
Thursday, October 29 – Halloween Concert @ Briar Woods HS, 7pm
Thursday, January 21 – Rehearsal, 3:30-4:30pm
Monday, January 25 - Combined Rehearsal with Choir, 3:30-5:30pm
Tuesday, January 26 – Orchestra and Choir Concert, 7pm
Wednesday, March 2 – Assessment Rehearsal, 3:30-4:30pm
March 10,11, or 12 – Loudoun County Festival Assessment, (this is a mandatory event – plan
ahead of time!! Transportation will be provided. Our assigned day/time will be announced as
we get closer.)
Monday, May 2 – Hershey Park Festival Rehearsal, 3:30-4:30pm
Friday, May 6 – Hershey Park Festival Trip, time TBA
Thursday, June 2 – Rehearsal, 3:30 – 5:30pm
Wednesday, June 8 – Full School Day Workshop with Brian Balmages @ Briarwoods High
School
Thursday, June 9 – Orchestra and Band Concert @ BWHS with Brian Balmages, Guest
Conductor, 7pm
7th GRADE
Monday, December 14 - Rehearsal, 3:30 - 4:30pm
Wednesday, December 16 – Rehearsal, 3:30 – 4:30pm
Thursday, December 17 – Concert @ BWHS, 7pm
Wednesday, May 4 – Rehearsal, 3:30 - 4:30pm
Monday, May 9 – Rehearsal, 3:30 - 4:30pm
Thursday, May 12 – Concert @ BWHS, 7pm
6th GRADE
Tuesday, December 8 – Rehearsal for Yellow Group (blocks 4 only), 3:30-4:30pm
Wednesday, December 9 – Rehearsal for Green Group (blocks 1 and 2 only), 3:30-4:30pm
Wednesday, December 16 – Concert for Green Group – 6:00pm
Concert for Yellow Group – 7:00pm
Wednesday, May 18 – Rehearsal for Green Group (blocks 1 and 2 only), 3:30-4:30pm
Thursday, May 19 – Rehearsal for Yellow Group (blocks 4 only), 3:30-4:30pm
Tuesday, May 24 – Concert for Green Group – 6:00pm
Concert for Yellow Group – 7:00pm
Concert is at Briar Woods Highschool
Concert Procedures
All LCPS ensembles are performing groups, meaning that performance is a
major component of the course. Rehearsal and concert attendance is
mandatory and graded. Rehearsal and concert dates are provided in advance
to ensure parents have enough time to fit these dates into their schedules.
Concert/Rehearsal Absentee Policy
In case of illness or emergency, your teacher must be contacted before the
performance or rehearsal. If you will be out of town due to a family
commitment, you must provide your teacher two weeks written notice (via
email or note). These will result in an EXCUSED absence.
If you miss a rehearsal or concert without giving prior notice or a reason
deemed excusable, this will result in an UNEXCUSED absence. The highest
grade you will receive is a 50% for this rehearsal or concert.
Concert/Rehearsal Make-up Policy
For missing a rehearsal – the student must follow up with the teacher after
the missed rehearsal to go over the material covered to ensure the student is
prepared for the concert performance.
For missing a concert – an alternate, graded assignment will be given. Please
seek out your teacher to set this up if necessary.
Please note appropriate concert attire is required. The director has full
authority to request an attire change if the director does not feel your attire
is deemed as appropriate for the event. Listed below are the mandatory
attire requirements for each performance:
8th grade attire:
Men
-ERMS music polo shirt or white
Polo shirt
-Black dress pants (no jeans)
- Black socks
- Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes)
Women
- ERMS music polo shirt or white polo
shirt
- Black dress pants or skirt (knee
length and longer)
- Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes)
6th and 7th grade attire:
Men
-White collared dress shirt
-Black dress pants (no jeans)
- Black socks
- Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes)
Women
- White dress shirt (no tank tops)
- Black dress pants or skirt (knee
length and longer)
- Black dress shoes (no tennis shoes)
Please plan for appropriate clothing now! Remember that proper attire at a
concert is part of being in a performing group and is required as part of your
performance points.
Synopsis
Please put all of this information in a safe place where you can use it for
reference any time. Performance dates should be placed on all personal
calendars at home. Parents/guardians - please check periodically with your
students to find out if there have been any updates or changes to the
calendar.
Let’s have a great year!!