Rochelle School of the Arts
Orchestra
2010-2011
Sarah Morrison
Orchestra Teacher
sarah.morrison@polk-fl.net
Phone: (863)499-2810
Welcome back!
Orchestra Parents,
My goal is to work with you to achieve a superior music education for your child,
setting up a nurturing yet challenging environment in which each child grows as both
a musician and an individual. Each child will experience the sense of achievement
and the heightened self esteem that come with successfully building music skills as a
vehicle to self-expression, as well as experiencing the satisfaction of performing as
part of a team.
If I can answer any questions, please email or call:
sarah.morrison@polk-fl.net
(863)499-2810.
Our music department will periodically send home newsletters and reminders to
keep you informed. Please watch for these in your child's agenda and orchestra
binder.
I look forward to working with you this year!
Yours in music,
*Parents: Please sign & return two Parent Return Forms by Friday, 8/27:
Concert Contract (p. 4) and Handbook form (p. 8).
1
Required Materials as part of your Daily Grade:
1.
2.
3.
Your instrument and bow in good working order as defined below:
MIDDLE SCHOOL: BASIC INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
 If you have not had your bow rehaired in the last year, please have it rehaired by
the end of the first six weeks of school (Carlton’s music provides this service; see
Ms. M for other recommendations). Bow hair wears out over time, making it
impossible to play with a characteristic string tone. When playing daily, bows must
be rehaired once a year to be in good working order. This is basic instrument
maintenance.
 If you have not changed your strings in the last year, please purchase replacement
strings and change your strings by the end of the first six weeks of school (cello/bass
students: Ms. M will check your instruments individually to determine which
strings, if any, need replacement). Recommended: Dominant Brand Strings or
ProArte Brand Strings (see Rochelle Supply List). Violin, viola, and cello strings
must be replaced approximately once a year to be in good working order, as they
wear out over time, making it impossible to play in tune with a good tone. This is
also basic instrument maintenance.
 Please email Ms. Morrison with questions or concerns.
Rosin. If you have lost your rosin, you must purchase replacement rosin by the end of the
third week of school. 7th/8th grade Advanced students: Bernardel Rosin or Hill Rosin
recommended (see Rochelle Supply List).
REQUIRED BOOKS, available at Carlton’s:
4th, 5th Grade: Essential Elements 2000 Book One
6th Grade: 1.) Essential Elements 2000 Book One (no new book required for returning
students)
7th -8th Grade: Essential Techniques 2000 (Book 3)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Violin/viola: Kun brand shoulder rest or other approved shoulder rest. The Kun brand is the
most comfortable, durable, and best designed.
Cello/ Bass: Rock stop required for all concerts. This is part of your concert grade. If you
have lost your rock stop, you need to buy a new one by October and bring it to the concert.
Violin/Viola: Pencil Pouch with a zipper (nylon, 3-ring, Office Depot Item 429-282 or similar);
and a 2-inch Loose-Leaf Binder Ring (Office Depot Item 429-282 or similar).
This will be used to carry your shoulder rest. If you have a shoulder rest bag or compartment
in your case, you do not need to purchase these items.
6th-8th GradeViolin/Viola and Private Rental Cello/Bass: Combination lock (traditional dialstyle). Master Lock or similar model preferred. No key locks, please.
4th, 5th Grade: Three-ring binder w/ pockets & view-finder cover (hard-cover, medium sized).
200 sheets of loose-leaf notebook paper .
2-3 pencils, one in your instrument case and one in your orchestra binder.
Wire music stand (for home practice, All County, and Solo and Ensemble; not required at school)
Cleaning cloth to wipe your instrument (a washcloth or bandana will do!)
Middle School Students: One extra set of strings for your instrument is recommended but
not required. If you break a string, you have one week to purchase a replacement string.
After this time, daily participation points are lost. Recommended: Dominant Brand Strings
or ProArte Brand Strings (see Rochelle Supply List). Ms. M can put these on your instrument
for you when you purchase them if you need help. These will immediately improve the sound of
your instrument. You may keep your old strings as extras.
Shar Music and Southwest Strings carry this brand for a discounted price (see Supply List). A set
of strings may be an excellent back-to-school, birthday or holiday gift for students.
Returning students will be asked to bring instruments and combination locks
(middle school only) to school beginning Tuesday, 8/24.
2
Rochelle Orchestra Supply List



This list is just a reference for you to use when you need to purchase supplies.
You may telephone or order supplies online from Shar Music or Southwest Strings,
listed at the bottom. Prices listed below are from the 2006 catalogues.
Carlton Music Center in Lakeland/Winter Haven also provides supplies, rentals,
repairs, and weekly service calls to RSA. Contact Carlton for prices. Contact info listed at
the bottom.
The brand names listed below are recommended for all students.
Product
Catalog #
Price (2006 )
Set of Dominant Violin Strings
D129S
$23.10
Set of Dominant Violin Strings
D129S
$21.95
Set of Dominant Viola Strings
D141S
$43.45
Set of Dominant Viola Strings
D141SP
$39.45
Peg Compound
1172
$5.40
Peg Compound
1172
$4.95
Seiko Quartz Metronome
M380
$27.99
Quartz “Card” Metronome
M225
$9.99
Quartz “Card” Metronome
QT500
$9.95
Quartz Metronome
M725
$15.95
Quartz Metronome
QT100
$13.95
Bernardel Rosin
1197
$6.99
Bernardel Rosin
14006
$7.35
Bass Mute
1228
$5.95
Violin/Viola Mute
1305
$1.00
Cello Mute
1306
$3.75
Pops’ Bass Rosin
1184
$7.75
Pops’ Bass Rosin
1399
$5.75
Shar Cleaning Cloth
1233U
$3.95
Hamilton Wire Music Stand
400N
$11.95
Hamilton Wire Music Stand
400N
$9.95
Kun Violin (4/4-3/4) Shoulder Rest 1313
$20.15
Kun Violin (4/4-3/4) Shoulder Rest 187
$21.60
Kun Viola (15-17”) Shoulder Rest 1314
$20.50
Kun Viola (15-17”) Shoulder Rest 189V
$22.70
Violin Fine Tuner
1241
$1.75
Viola Fine Tuner
1244
$2.10
Shar Music Products
http://www.sharmusic.com
Phone: 800-248-7427
Fax: 800-997-8723
Southwest Strings
http://www.swstrings.com
Phone: 800-528-3470
Fax: 800-528-3470
Carlton Music Center, 1902 Harden Blvd., Lakeland
www.carltonmusic.com
(863) 686-3179 or 1-800-951-7277
3
Store
Shar
Southwest
Shar
Southwest
Shar
Southwest
Shar
Shar
Southwest
Shar
Southwest
Shar
Southwest
Shar
Shar
Shar
Shar
Southwest
Shar
Shar
Southwest
Shar
Southwest
Shar
Southwest
Shar
Shar
2009-2010 RSA Concert Contract for Orchestra Students
Great orchestra players behave like professionals the moment they walk in the door.
Your Concert Grade is worth 200 pts., weighted double (400 points total).
Your concert grade will be based on you personally demonstrating a high level of professionalism. These
are the skills a professional demonstrates:
Concert Attendance and Punctuality: 50 points
Seated onstage, ready to go by 35 minutes prior to concert start time (6:25 p.m.)
Seated in the audience until the end of the last song on the concert if not in the final ensemble performing
Concert Materials: 50 points
Instrument, shoulder rest, rock stop, all music with you on stage
Concert Stage Presence: Posture, Position, and Uniform 50 points
Feet flat while on stage, edge of seat
Good playing position
Eyes on the conductor: Instruments go up and down together as rehearsed
Correct uniform, including correct color and style shoes and socks
Concert Etiquette: 50 points


Seated at all times you are in the auditorium, in your assigned seat.
If you are not seated in your seat at any given time and any music teacher is aware of this,
you will lose points.
 Use the restroom at home before you arrive and/ or use it as you first enter the
auditorium at 6:15. If you do have a serious bathroom emergency, you may ask a
music teacher if you may use it one at a time. You may only leave your seat with
permission from a teacher.
 If a parent needs to speak with you while in the auditorium, he/she must come to you at
your seat, except in cases of extreme emergency. You will lose points if you are out of
your seat after 6:25, even if you are with a parent. This is for your safety.
 In the audience and back stage, professionals do the following (before and during
the concert):
1. talk quietly at appropriate times (never during the music!)
2. face forward & behave with dignity—keep hands to yourself
3. refrain from shrieking, laughing loudly, etc.
4. refrain from clowning around; don’t put on a performance in the audience
____________________________________________________________________
Please detach and return by Friday, August 27:
I have read and understand the Concert Expectations. As a professional musician, I agree to abide by them
at all concerts and orchestra functions this year.
I understand that interventions for breaking these expectations may include:
 Loss of points, Writing Assignment, and Parent Contact
 Earning an assigned seat next to a teacher or parent at all orchestra functions for the remainder of
the year
I understand that following these guidelines will make the concert experience a great one for everyone!
Student Signature______________________________________
Parent Signature______________________________________Date__________
4
Accent Assignment Form: Please copy and use as needed.
Each student will complete one of the following each 9 weeks (4 per year, 100 points
each).
This may be turned in at any time (due by the last day of the grading period).
_____ a. Take private lessons from an approved instructor. This list must be signed by the
private instructor.
_____ b. Participate on your orchestra instrument in a non-school-related musical group (church
orchestra, perform in a retirement home, community orchestra, etc.). Bring in a signed
note from a parent.
_____ c. Attend a concert and write a brief review of it. All concerts must be approved by your
director.
_______ d. Write a 500 word, grammatically correct essay on the history of your instrument. This
may only be done once.
_______e. Write a 500 word grammatically correct essay on a virtuoso performer on your
instrument.
_______ h. Listen to a complete disk (must be approved by director) and write a review, including summary
on each tune .
_______ i. Audition for and/ or participate in All County Orchestra or All State Orchestra.
_______j. Perform three Living Room Concerts for your family or friends on three separate days. At least
one adult must be present. Perform 2-3 songs you know well at each concert. Turn in three completed Living
Room Concert forms.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accent Assignment Form: Please copy and use as needed.
Each student will complete one of the following each 9 weeks (4 per year, 100 points
each).
This may be turned in at any time (due by the last day of the grading period).
_____ a. Take private lessons from an approved instructor. This list must be signed by the
private instructor.
_____ b. Participate on your orchestra instrument in a non-school-related musical group (church
orchestra, perform in a retirement home, community orchestra, etc.). Bring in a signed
note from a parent.
_____ c. Attend a concert and write a brief review of it. All concerts must be approved by your
director.
_______ d. Write a 500 word, grammatically correct essay on the history of your instrument. This
may only be done once.
_______e. Write a 500 word grammatically correct essay on a virtuoso performer on your
instrument.
_______ h. Listen to a complete disk (must be approved by director) and write a review, including summary
on each tune .
_______ i. Audition for and/ or participate in All County Orchestra or All State Orchestra.
_______j. Perform three Living Room Concerts for your family or friends on three separate days. At least
one adult must be present. Perform 2-3 songs you know well at each concert. Turn in three completed Living
Room Concert forms.
5
RSA Orchestra
Living Room Concert Form
Please make additional copies as needed!
Performer (student first and last name)_____________________________
Concert Date:________________________
NOTE: Three (3) Living Room Concert forms are due in order to fulfill the Accent Assignment Requirement.
NOTE: Only one Living Room Concert per day is allowed for credit.
Pieces Performed:
Name of Piece
Last name of Composer
1.)______________________________
______________
2._______________________________
______________
3.)_______________________________ ______________
Signatures of Audience Members in attendance
(at least one adult must be present)
Comments:
1.)_____________________________________
2.)_____________________________________
3.)_____________________________________
4.)_____________________________________
5.)_____________________________________
Additional Comments:________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----
RSA Orchestra
Living Room Concert Form
Please make additional copies as needed!
Performer (student first and last name)_____________________________
Concert Date:________________________
NOTE: Three (3) Living Room Concert forms are due in order to fulfill the Accent Assignment Requirement.
NOTE: Only one Living Room Concert per day is allowed for credit.
Pieces Performed:
Name of Piece
Last name of Composer
1.)______________________________
______________
2._______________________________
______________
3.)_______________________________ ______________
Signatures of Audience Members in attendance
(at least one adult must be present)
Comments:
1.)_____________________________________
2.)_____________________________________
3.)_____________________________________
4.)_____________________________________
5.)_____________________________________
6
Additional Comments:________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Put this pass in the front pocket of your agenda.
RSA Orchestra Instrument
Pick-Up Pass
2010-2011
Students are required to take home their instruments
daily for practice.
Please allow this student to come to the orchestra
room at these times:


before school between 7:25-7:50 for instrument drop-off
after school between 2:34 and 2:50, or at regular release time, for instrument
pick-up.
Students are expected to use the most direct route to and from the orchestra
room at all times (no loitering). Please notify Ms. Morrison in the case that this
privilege is abused.
THANK YOU!
Name:_________________________________ Grade:______________
Teacher Signature:____________________________________
7
Please detach and return by
Friday, August 27.
-----------------------------------------------------Orchestra Handbook Acknowledgement Form
We have read and understand the RSA
Orchestra Handbook.
By signing this form we are stating that
we acknowledge and agree with the policies outlined in this book.
Student Name___________________________________________________
Student signature_____________________________________
Date_________________
Parent name_____________________________________________________
Parent signature______________________________________
8
Date__________________