Intermediate/Advanced Orchestra 2015-16
- Handbook Mrs. Nelson
Website:
425-431-1632
nelsonv@edmonds.wednet.edu
http://teacher.edmonds.wednet.edu/madrona/madrona-orchestra
Welcome back to the exciting world of instrumental music! String Orchestra classes have begun, and there are
many things to consider. Supporting your child’s decision to play a musical instrument is an investment in his/her
future. You are providing the opportunity for self-expression, creativity & academic achievement. Numerous
studies indicate that parental attitude, support and involvement are important factors in a child’s ability to
successfully learn to play and enjoy music.
Help your child establish a routine of home practice. The time in orchestra class is limited. New concepts and new
skills learned at school need to be practiced at home. Ways you can help are:


Providing a quiet place in which to practice
Inviting your child to play a mini-concert for you

Praising your child’s efforts and achievements


Scheduling a consistent time for practice
Attending all evening concerts – bring family &
friends
Supplies
Students will need to provide the equipment/supplies listed below for every class:






Instrument & bow in good playing condition
(renting is highly recommended)
One inch 3-ring binder
Pencil (please do not forget!)
Folding music stand for home practice
(available for purchase when renting an
instrument)
Violin & Viola players:
- shoulder rest or sponge provided in class
Short fingernails: especially left hand
(cut before class)






Music book:
- Essential Elements 2000, Book 1
Rosin
Small cloth (provided in class)
Identification tag attached to instrument case
including name, center & telephone number
Cello & Bass players:
- end pin rest
Optional: extra A & D strings as they
occasionally break
Homework & Practice
All students are responsible for music assigned in class (reference your “Practice and Playing Test Music Sheet”
located in your one-inch 3 ring binder; note: anything listed on this sheet can be used for in-class playing tests which
will be graded). The amount of home practice will vary for student to student, but 20-30 minutes a day is a good
amount to achieve. Please help your child set a time and a quiet place for regular home practice.
Intermediate vs Advanced Orchestra
Elementary Orchestra at Madrona is divided into three groups: Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. Beginning
Orchestra includes students new to playing string instruments. Intermediate Orchestra is for students with at least
one year of string instrument experience. Intermediate Orchestra this year meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and is
working to achieve the “Yellow and Green Stripe Goals” referenced below. Once these stripes are achieved, the
student has the opportunity to move up to the Advanced Orchestra. Advanced Orchestra participates in more
performances throughout the year, and practices one extra hour each week every Friday from 12-1pm.
Concert Attendance
Concerts are mandatory and part of the student’s grade. If an unforeseen family emergency or illness occurs, a
phone call by a parent and a note for record keeping must be received by Mrs. Nelson as soon as possible. If there is
an unavoidable family conflict, 3 weeks’ notice must be provided, in written form, upon which I will contact the
parent to discuss the conflict and determine an appropriate solution. Band and orchestra are group activities in
which all members depend on each other. Everyone is important!
This school year, both Intermediate & Advanced Orchestras will perform in three evening concerts:
1.
Informance: 7pm Wednesday January 13th, 2016 (Madrona Gym)
o Informance is a concert which spans all levels of Orchestra at Madrona, starting with Beginning
going all the way through to Middle School. You will hear your student’s progress through the first 4
months of the school year. You will also hear the progression of the different levels, and will be
amazed at what a few short years of playing an instrument can do!
2. SW Quad Concert: 7:o0pm Tuesday February 23rd, 2016 (Edmonds Woodway High School Gym)
o Performance by orchestra students from EWHS, College Place Middle, Chase Lake, College Place
Elementary, Madrona, Sherwood, and Westgate. In addition to the evening performance, students
will be bussed to EWHS at the beginning of the school day to have one practice session with all
participating school orchestras. Parent/guardian chaperones will be needed for this practice session.
3. All Strings Spring Concert: 7pm Thursday May 26th, 2016 (Madrona Gym)
o This Spring Concert is a culmination of all the hard work the students have done throughout the
school year. It’s wonderful to hear the progress from the Informance Concert from January.
Additional Advanced Orchestra Concerts/Opportunities:

SKMEA Middle School Festival: All Day Thursday March 17th, 2016 (Edmonds Center for the Arts)
o The Sno-King Music Educators Association provides a chance for Snohomish and King County Middle
Schools (Madrona includes our elementary Advanced Orchestra!) to perform 2-3 pieces which are
adjudicated by esteemed professionals. Students also get the opportunity to hear first-hand
feedback, and work in a clinic session with the selected professional.

Elementary Honors Festival: Thursday March 31st, 2016 (Meadowdale High School)
o Elementary Honor groups are a wonderful opportunity for the Edmonds School District’s most
talented 5th and 6th grade Orchestra students to have fun and grow as musicians! These groups
are selected only by audition and/or director nominations. All members of Elementary Honor groups
are expected to attend all rehearsals, practice at home and participate in our final concert. Rehearsal
schedules TBD for 2016. Prior years’ rehearsals have been twice per week for the month of March,
culminating with an evening performance at the end of the month. Participation fee is $35.00 per
student which covers the cost of materials including music, and student T-shirts.

Edmonds Arts Festival: All Day Friday June 17th, 2016 (Frances Anderson Center, Edmonds)
o Each year, the Madrona Middle School & Advanced Orchestras perform at the bandstand for patrons
of the Edmonds Arts Festival.
Remember to invite family and friends to support your musician. See the “Madrona Orchestra Calendar” document
& the online calendar: http://teacher.edmonds.wednet.edu/madrona/madrona-orchestra.
Concert Dress Code
Mrs. Nelson will decide with the students prior to each event, what the specific dress code will be for the concerts.
Please ask your student!
Classroom Expectations
Every student is expected to come to class ready to participate. To be successful, we must work together!
 Respect each other and each other’s opinions.
 Be attentive to the director’s cues and directions.
 Stay positive and compliment good playing and behavior.
 Show proper care for ALL instruments, equipment and materials.
 Do NOT use someone else’s instrument.
 Prepare for rehearsals by practicing at home often.
 Keep fingernails short.
 Be prepared to learn by arriving on-time with ALL required supplies (see above) out and ready.
 Always try your best.
 No food or drink, except water, is allowed in the orchestra room.
Instrument Storage
The school district does not have insurance on privately-owned or privately-rented instruments. The Edmonds
School District is not responsible for your instrument. Students are responsible for keeping his/her instrument safe.
The best place to store your instrument is in the instrument storage room which adjoins the orchestra and band
rooms. Notify your teachers if extra time is needed at the end of the day to retrieve your instrument prior to getting
on the bus. Clearly identify your case with your name, center and telephone number.
Intermediate Orchestra Goals
Yellow Stripe:
1. Plays D Major Scale and Arpeggio #183.
2. Identifies G string notes, plays a combination of those notes.
3. Plays designated solo in tune, demonstrating correct technique.
4. Correctly identifies terms on Music Vocabulary Test 4.
5. CONCERT PARTICIPATION.
Green Stripe:
1. Plays G Major Scale and Arpeggio in tune.
2. Plays C Major Scale and Arpeggio in tune.
3. Plays designated piece using F-natural and C-natural in tune.
4. Violin & Bass: Identifies E string notes from staff and plays a combination of those notes.
Viola & Cello: Identifies C string notes from staff and plays a combination of those notes.
5. Correctly identifies terms on Music Vocabulary Test 5.
6. CONCERT PARTICIPATION.
........................................................................
Madrona Intermediate/Advanced Orchestra Handbook 2015-16 Consent Form
By signing below, the student AND parent/guardian have read, understood and will abide by all the information and
requirements listed in the Madrona Intermediate/Advanced Orchestra Handbook.
_____________________________________________
Student Name (please print)
_____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (please print)
_____________________________________________
Student Signature
_____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
_____________________________________________
Orchestra Level (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced or MS)
_____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Email (please print clearly)