Orchestra Syllabus

8/10/2021

Mr. VanAntwerp

Dear Students and Parents:

I am excited to have you as a part of our orchestra this year. The following letter contains information to be familiar with in order for us to have a successful year. The orchestra program at Bryson is growing and I am looking forward to our year ahead.

Parents, if you are interested in chaperoning a field trip throughout the year, you must be Level II Approved. Please start the process now. There is a link on the Bryson Middle School Homepage under the heading “GCS Volunteer Guidelines”.

General Information:

- Instruments are needed every day for class, along with your supplies. Books and rosin should be kept in your case or backpack. All violin/viola students must have their own shoulder rest or sponge. All cellos and basses should have their own rock stop.

- Fingernails need to be kept short and clean. Long fingernails inhibit good playing posture.

- Take good care of your instrument. Keep your instrument clean and store it safely in its case.

- Practicing is our orchestra homework. In order to be the best orchestra possible, everyone should spend at least 10-15 minutes, each day, practicing. This year, online practice journals will be required.

Classroom Rules:

I. Be Polite

· Respect the learning happening around you.

· Respect your teacher’s instructions.

· Respect the orchestra space (no phones, food, drinks).

II. Be Responsible

· Be prepared with an instrument, music, and pencil.

· Be passionate about growing your craft.

III. Be Yourself

· Inspire those around you.

Failure to follow the rules will be reflected in the daily participation grade and will result in the following consequences.

· 1^st Offence: Verbal warning

· 2^nd Offence: Conference with student

· 3^rd Offence: Parent contact

· 4^th Offence: Referral to Administrator

Instrument Rental:

Instruments are available to rent from Bryson for a yearly fee of $50. Please complete a rental form (available on Mr. Van's website) ASAP. Payment exceptions are available for students that qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Cello and bass students will need to pay a yearly maintenance fee of $50 for use of the instruments during class. This fee will help us maintain the instruments and cover the costs of broken strings, bow rehairs, etc. All cello and bass students will need to fill out a rental form ASAP. Cellos and basses will need to be transported back and forth to school if students don't have their own at home.

We are fortunate to have multiple music stores in the area to rent instruments or purchase supplies. Options include: Berhardt House of Violins, 4Strings, Pecknel Music, Musical Innovations, Music and Arts. A reputable online option is sharmusic.com. Instruments can be found on Craigslist. However, check the maker with Mr. Van.

Avoid inexpensive instruments from Amazon (Cecilio, Mendini). These instruments are made of inferior materials (sometimes plastic). They are very hard to tune and the tone is lacking.

Required Materials:

-Book

· 6th Grade: Essential Elements for Strings, Book 1, Michael Allen

· 7th Grade: Essential Elements for Strings, Book 2, Michael Allen

· 8th Grade: Essential Techniques for Strings, Book 3, Michael Allen

-Rosin

-Shoulder Rest/ Sponge (Violins and Violas)

-Rock Stop (Cellos and Bass)

-Cleaning cloth

*An optional order form will be coming home in the near future if you would like to order materials through BMS.

**Please contact me if a financial issue prevents you from obtaining the materials.

Bringing your instrument to school:

All violin and viola players will bring their instruments to school each day. Upon arrival, please store it in the music storage room at the end of the F Wing. Students will pick up their instruments at the end of the day.

Instrument Care

Good care guidelines:

1. Use clean hands when handling your instrument.

2. Keep your instrument in a safe place: away from extreme heat (hot cars & heaters), extreme cold (left in car overnight in winter, in garage) and younger brothers and sisters.

3. Wipe off your instrument at least 2 -3 times each week, to keep the rosin dust from building up and to keep it looking its best.

4. ALWAYS loosen your bow when putting your instrument away.

5. Never let someone else carry or play your instrument without teacher or parent permission.

If an instrument breaks, please do not attempt to fix it yourself. Please let your teacher or a professional at a music store repair it.

Grading Policy

Orchestra students will be graded in several ways: tests and performances; daily class participation; written assignments and homework (practice journals, creative music projects, listening assignments).

Participation: All students begin each week with 100 points. Twenty points will be lost daily for disobeying the class rules. For instance, 20 points per day are lost for not having your instrument or your music/book. 20 points will be lost for having gum in the orchestra room.

Concerts: All concert performances are required and are a Major Test Grade. Only severe emergencies and other school excused absences will be accepted. A doctor’s note must accompany an illness related absence. Not having transportation is not an excused absence. Concert dates are listed below.

CONCERT DATES:

November 9 Veteran's Program, 7:00 PM

December 7 Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM

March 3 Music In Our School's Month Concert, 6:15 PM for 6th grade/7:15 PM for 7th and 8th grade (Times subject to change)

May 24 Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM

Contacting Mr. Van

If you have a question or concern about your child’s instrument, grade, or any other topic, don’t hesitate to contact me. I can be reached by phone in the strings room at: 355-2198 or through the main office: 355-2100.

The best way to teach me is through email: bvanantwerp@greenville.k12.sc.us

Stay Informed

The BMS strings website is: https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/bmsorchestra