FZW ORCHESTRA HANDBOOK

FORT ZUMWALT

WEST HIGH SCHOOL

ORCHESTRA HANDBOOK

2023-2024

Orchestra Main Website: goo.gl/YQWKcH

CONTENTS:

Ensemble Descriptions  …………………………………………………………………………..   3

Orchestra Rules  ………………………………………………………………………………….   3

Grading Policies  …………………………………………………………………………………   4

Communication  ………………………………………………………………………………….   4

Attendance  ……………………………………………………………………………………….   4

Tardiness  …………………………………………………………………………………………   5

Materials  …………………………………………………………………………………………   5

Instruments/Care  …………………………………………………………………………………   5

Seating/Placement  ……………………………………………………………………………….   6

Orchestra Officers  ………………………………………...……………………………………..   6

Rehearsals/Concerts  ……………………………………………………………………………..   7

Attire/Dress Code/Uniforms  ……………………………………………………………………. 7

Disciplinary Procedures  ………………………………………………………………………… 8

Parental Involvement  …………………………………………………………………………… 8

Trips  …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8

Fundraiser  ………………………………………………………………………………………. 9

Chaperones  ………………………………………………………………………………………   9

First Aid  ………………………………………………………………………………………… 9

Additional Ensembles

         Solo/Ensemble  ………………………………………………………………………….. 9

         Metro 8/All-State ………………………………………………………………………….  9

Tri-M   ………………………………………………………………………………………………10
Letters/Chevrons  …………………………………………………………………………………   10

Private Lessons  …………………………………………………………………………………..   10

Important Dates  (detachable for your fridge!)       ……………………………………………....11

Forms

Orchestra Information Page (detach & return) …….………………………………………12
Communication Form (texts, detach & return)  ……………………………………….....   13

         Background Check Form for Chaperoning not included, contact director for proper paperwork

                                 Anyone interested in chaperoning must complete this form this year

ENSEMBLE DESCRIPTIONS

Concert Orchestra (5th Hour): This is a performing orchestra; training is provided in the technical skills and music reading skills needed to perform standard string orchestra literature in a variety of styles.  Attendance at scheduled performances and after school rehearsals is mandatory and part of the required class work.  Training is provided to prepare the students to perform the more demanding literature performed by the Advanced Music Ensemble and/or Symphonic Orchestra.  Students are encouraged to participate in enrichment opportunities, such as private lessons, Metro 8 Orchestra, Solo and Ensemble Festival, and various community orchestras.  Students must provide their own instruments.  Keys: C, G, D, A, F, B-flat; 3#s/bs; related minor keys.

Symphonic Orchestra (4th & 6th Hours): This course provides further training both in technical skills and in music reading.  Advanced string orchestra literature is performed from a broad range of genres.  Attendance at scheduled performances and after school rehearsals is part of the required class work and is mandatory.  Training is provided which will enable the student to continue music training and or performance beyond the high school level.  Students are encouraged to participate in many orchestral opportunities such as Metro 8, All-State, Solo & Ensemble, playing the National Anthem, etc.  Students must provide their own instruments.  Keys: C, G, D, A, E, F, B-flat, E-flat, A-flat; 4+#s/bs; a, e, b, d, g minor    

Philharmonic Orchestra (7th Hour):  This group is currently unique in the school district and represents the most advanced players.  All keys, styles, and genres are represented and a stronger emphasis on music theory is given to help facilitate a deeper understanding of music.  Excellence in balance, blend, tone, and expression are emphasized and expected.  Students from the Advanced Music Ensemble are typically in this class, and many take private lessons in order to enhance their playing.

Advanced Music Ensemble: This course is for juniors and seniors who are looking to take an intensive music class in addition to their Orchestra class.  Emphasis is centered on music theory, history, and performance.  Students will be expected to be exemplary leaders of their ensemble and required to participate in all possible orchestra activities such as Solo/Ensemble, Metro 8, All-State Auditions, National Anthem, and complete mentor/honors hours, compose a research paper, present their paper in front of peers, and perform a jury for the music faculty.  Students are expected to take lessons/tutoring to enhance their playing technique.  All keys, sharps/flats, major/minor.

ORCHESTRA RULES (Also posted on wall in Orchestra classroom)

(Agreed upon by students during the 2014-2015 school year)

Be Respectful – only 1 person talking at a time, no phones, start and stop playing with everyone, be on time

Be Focused – Work together as section and orchestra, stay on task

Be Positive – No one likes or appreciates negative energy.  Encourage everyone. Always.

Eat Somewhere Else

Generally, always do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

GRADING POLICY

Points towards each student’s grade are earned in the following ways: (percent represents % of overall grade)

1. Required Performances (30%) - attendance at all scheduled rehearsals and performances

2. Playing and Written Tests/Assignments (50%) - these may be given at any rehearsal, usually announced; in
                                                                                SIS as “Test” and “Quiz”.

3. Daily Class Participation (20%) - be in class, on time, and active with all materials ready during in class                                                                     rehearsal. (Monitored on daily class attendance sheet.)

COMMUNICATION

In our current hyper-technological society, there are many means of communication available for students, parents, and teachers; it is prudent to acknowledge these means of communication.

Contacting the Director (Parents):  As a general rule during school hours, e-mails are the best means of communication for the orchestra.  There is currently no in-class or in-office phone for the orchestra and cell phone service is diminished by being in the center of the building.  Phone calls are always welcome after the school day.

Contacting the Director (Students):  Students are encouraged to ask questions directly to the director in person any time throughout the school day (private discussions can be arranged and are kept private).  Phone calls, E-mails, and text messages are also appropriate, as will be made clear below.

Student E-mails and Text Messages:  Students are welcome to send school-related & appropriate e-mails and/or text messages to the director.  State and District rules apply to these communications and include the following:

1)      Parental permission is granted  (form from the start of the year)

2)      The contents of the communication(s) are school-related and appropriate

3)      Text messages are sent between the hours of 6am-10pm (as per district regulation)

E-mails will never be sent from the director’s personal address, only through the official school account.  Text messages are an extremely effective communication tool, especially when on an orchestra trip, on busy concert days, or if there are last-minute changes to plans.  It is the director’s intent to have student numbers available for such an event, with the hopes that it is not necessary to use the numbers for an emergency.  Any type of communication initiated by the director will always be school-related and during appropriate hours of the day.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is something every orchestra member has in common: attendance is mandatory.  Everyone offers their unique input to the ensemble, and it is vital to do so every day.  Class participation/attendance points are the easiest points to earn in Orchestra.  Consequently, students are expected to be at every rehearsal (class) and performance, including those few held outside of the school day.  One (1) approved excusal will be allowed during a normal class time per semester in the case that a project for another class is due and there is absolutely no other way to finish it (group work, orchestra concert in the evening, etc.) otherwise.

Occasionally, situations arise which could cause the absence of an orchestra member for performances.  Examples of excused absences include, but are not limited to:

1. Serious personal illness

2. Sudden family emergencies

3. Death in the family

4. Cooperation with other school activities/programs

Examples of unexcused absences include, but are not limited to:

1. Transportation (Plan ahead!)

2. Romance (A date, being dumped, etc.)

3. Going to a concert (Symphonic or otherwise)

4. Jobs

The list of examples does not cover every situation, and the director is ultimately responsible for determining if an absence is excused or unexcused.  Because the entire school year’s orchestra activities usually are determined prior to the first day of school, some schedule conflicts are to be expected; however, because all of the performance dates are set, any conflicts should be made known as early as possible.  There should never be a case when someone is “surprised” by an upcoming concert date.  Please contact the director as soon as possible regarding an absence and make sure any music is left with a stand partner.  All credit missed due to excused absences will be made up at student/director’s earliest convenience.

TARDINESS

Unexcused tardiness cannot be tolerated, by district rules.  Students will be held accountable for tardies through the attendance office, and numerous tardies will be reflected in the daily participation grade.

MATERIALS

Each student is required to have his/her own instrument and a pencil for every rehearsal and concert.  Students will be provided with music and folders.  Students without these materials during class will lose daily participation points.  Students who play ‘cello or bass can use school instruments; personal instruments are recommended for concerts.

SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS AND CARE

School Instruments:  The district provides minimal violins and violas and slightly more ‘celli and basses for daily class rehearsals for students.  Instruments will be assigned according to need and availability.  For performances and combined orchestra rehearsals during school hours, there are not enough instruments to provide each student with their own.  Students should bring their home instrument for these occasions.  During concerts, it will be important for ‘cello and bass players to be flexible with their school instruments if they do not have a home instrument to use.  We have more players than instruments, and will need to share.

Students using school instruments are responsible for proper maintenance and care for their instrument.  Please treat these instruments as your own.  In case of any damage due to student negligence, all repair costs will be charged to the student.  Unpaid repair charges will be turned in as a fine to the WHS financial office.  As per district policy, report cards will be withheld until fines are paid.

Home Instruments:  Instruments that are owned (or rented) by students should be used whenever possible for classroom rehearsal and always for a concert.  Please be extremely careful with your instruments, as they are wooden, held together mostly with pressure, and are fragile.  DO NOT hang any instrument from a music stand and be extremely careful when leaving an instrument at a chair if a short absence is required.  Leaning instruments against walls or chairs, hanging them from the music stand, or placing them on the floor are invitations for disaster.

ORCHESTRA SEATING

Specific section and chair placement in orchestra is determined by the results of the playing tests and quizzes held throughout the year.  While these test scores play a large part in placement location, many other factors are weighed into the decision.

Many students become quite concerned about their position (seat or chair) in the orchestra.  While friendly competition is healthy, too often this friendly competition gives way to resentment and a lack of interest in playing if too much attention is paid to section and/or chair placement.  Every student can learn in every seat in the orchestra and being exposed to various seating locations elevates an individual player’s ability to listen and blend with the orchestra.  There are and will be occasions that will require reseating and shuffling of the sections.  (We cannot have 17 First violins and 2 Second violins, for example.)  These re-seatings do not necessarily represent grade earned and certainly not favoritism, merely the need to have a proper balance within the orchestra. 

Section Leaders:  Students who are placed as section leaders are those students who display the following attributes: ability to lead (behaviorally by positive example, technically by a mastery of their instrument), ability to sight read, ability to actively problem-solve, and devise fingerings and bowings.  These students will be expected to be ready and focused for each rehearsal and lead sectionals.

With our large orchestra program, we have 3 orchestras split between 4 classes.  Those orchestras are Concert (5th Hour), Symphonic (4th and 6th Hours), and Philharmonic (7th Hour).  As the Large Group Festival approaches, an after-school rehearsal will be necessary for students in the Symphonic Orchestra to perform as a combined orchestra.

 

ORCHESTRA OFFICERS

It is helpful to have student officers to maintain a smooth flow to the rehearsal and to represent the Orchestra at various events (club days, curriculum nights, etc.). These students volunteer or are nominated at the beginning of the school year and voted upon by the class.  The director ultimately has final say in the placement of appropriate officers and/or the displacement of those abusing or neglecting their duties.

President:    The President is ‘second in command’ during the orchestra class.  If the director is called away from the podium at any time (for classroom wanderings, illness, professional development), the President will be expected to lead the rehearsal in a productive manner.  Other duties many include transmitting correspondence to other teachers/classrooms, assist with tuning/changing of strings, and running the warm-up aspect of our class.

Vice-President:       The Vice-President is next in the line of power/conducting should both the director and President be absent.  Otherwise, the Vice-President is responsible for noting attendance, as the director is often dealing with various pre-class issues as class begins.  Working with the President, the Vice-President will be key in developing ideas to promote and fund-raise for the Orchestra.  These responsibilities would include: helping to acquire donations for the Pops Concert/Silent Auction, signing up to promote orchestra concerts via the message board in the commons, and brainstorming to develop fund-raising ideas.

Librarian:     The Librarian(s) is/are a very busy, as it seems many students are in the habit of mis-placing their music.  Librarians would have access to the Spare Music Crate for basic needs and also to the Main Music Library for sorting and filing, replacement of music, and finding obscure parts.

CONCERTS/REHEARSALS

Students need to arrive to concerts already dressed or early enough so they can dress and be prepared for any pre-concert rehearsal.  Standard call time for any concert is 45 minutes before the beginning of the concert.  All concerts held at FZW begin at 7, so please plan on arriving between 6 and 6:15.  Any changes will be made known many days before the day of the concert.

There will be one mandatory after school rehearsal for the Symphonic Orchestra before each major concert (December and May), and possibly before the Large Group Ensemble performance.  This will allow us to rehearse as a fully combined orchestra.  Tentative rehearsal dates will be posted.

ATTIRE/DRESS CODE

In Class:  Attire for the daily orchestra class should follow the school guidelines for dress code.  In general, everyone should be aware of and remove long earrings and necklaces, as they can often dangle and interfere with playing and could (depending on the size of the necklace) actually damage an instrument.  The classroom is often chilly (or cold!).  Please be prepared for a drastically different climate from the rest of the building.

For Concerts:  The school provides concert attire to be worn by all students during orchestral concerts and major performances.  For women, this consists of a black floor-length gown.  Black dress shoes are not provided, but are required for all concerts.  For men, a black tuxedo can be supplied.  Black dress shoes with black socks are required for all concerts.  (The school does have a few pairs of black dress shoes, although not every size.)

This being said, in recent years, we have had the happy problem of having many more bodies than articles of clothing.  (Discussions and paperwork are in progress to acquire more ‘uniforms’ for our students.)  Until we have new uniforms, we have instituted a “wear something nice” policy.  For ladies, this has come to mean a nice, long dress with dress shoes.  For gentlemen, black slacks (or khaki if no black pants are owned), a collared shirt (tie preferred but not optional), and dress shoes with dress socks.

For our Pops Concert in April, this formal attire is not necessary; usually this will be a pair of jeans (no holes or rips) and a school spirit or themed shirt/top.

Ladies, please remember that we will be performing on stage often; please dress appropriately given the nature of your instrument and performance.

While not usually thought about, finger nails can be a source of problems in the orchestra: long finger nails prevent proper left hand technique when placing the fingers on the fingerboard to play.  It is in everyone’s best interest to ensure their nails are an appropriate, short length that does not interfere with finger placement and intonation.  There will be technique tests this year: this means poor posture due to long fingernails will be noted and grades will be affected accordingly.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

If frequent issues arise with a student, the following steps will be followed:

1. Conference with student

2. Phone call to parent

3. Conference with parent, student, and director

4. Conference with administrator, parent, student, and director

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

With increased student enrollment, parental support and participation is vital to the success of our Orchestras.  Parents can play a large role assisting the students and director in a wide variety of ways including uniform maintenance, equipment transport, bus chaperones, concert volunteers, and fundraising event coordinators.  Parents and students are encouraged to remain active with the orchestra to create a positive and fun learning environment.  Parents who would like to volunteer as trip chaperones must complete a background check, which is paid for by the Fort Zumwalt School District.  If you are interested, please contact the director for details and applicable paperwork.

ORCHESTRA TRIP

The West Orchestras have enjoyed many trips in the recent years, and will continue to do so. The District mandates out-of-state trips can only happen every other year, which will create a natural alternating cycle for Orchestra trips.  There will fundraising opportunities that can help defray the cost of such an activity.  Any trip is not required, but encouraged for all students - we have a great time musically and socially.  We should be set for an out-of-state trip for the 2023-2024 school year.  The location and price will be made public as soon as information is available.

FUNDRAISERS

In order to participate in the kinds of activities that we offer to our students, raising money can be quite helpful.  While some of our activities will help fund group needs, other fundraisers will profit individual participants.  A spreadsheet will be developed by the director in order to track individual students’ funds and can be checked any time during the school year.

CHAPERONES

Parents serve as chaperones on orchestra trips.  For single day events, the number of chaperones who are permitted to travel on the buses is limited to the number of available bus seats.  On overnight trips, there is usually a ratio of one chaperone for approximately every 10 students.  Chaperones are granted authority to ensure that rules are enforced and that every student conducts himself/herself in a manner that promotes a safe environment and positive image of each student and the Orchestra.  Chaperones are not responsible for direct supervision of the students while the orchestra is in “warm-up” or performances.  Chaperones are determined by gender, grade level of child, and special skills (nursing, law enforcement, sewing, etc.).

FIRST AID

A first aid kit is always available, in the classroom and on Orchestra trips.  While traveling, we also try to have someone with medical experience with the orchestra.  (Chaperones, please note your medical expertise on a volunteer form or on the trip application.)  If a student requires special medication (inhalers, bee sting kits, etc.), please make sure it is immediately available as specialized medical items may not be in a standard first aid kit.

SOLO AND ENSEMBLE

Students are encouraged to prepare solos and/or small ensembles that challenge each student’s ability.  Music is chosen by the student and the director from a selected list of pieces prepared by MSHSAA.  Practice time and rehearsals are the responsibility of the student, but the director will gladly help facilitate rehearsals and offer coaching to students.  Participants will perform for a judge in March, and will be rated on various musical aspects as outlined by the festival rubric.  If students receive a“1” rating, they are eligible to perform again at the State Solo & Ensemble Festival held one month later in Columbia, Missouri.

METRO 8 HONORS ORCHESTRA & ALL STATE ORCHESTRA

All students are encouraged to audition for these prestigious ensembles.  (You can’t make it if you don’t try out!)  Students who are selected to the Metro 8 Honors orchestra will attend three/four rehearsals and give a performance in November.  The required audition music will be available as soon as it is made available.

The All-State Orchestra is more selective than Metro 8, and the audition requirements are much more stringent.  However, students who make it into this orchestra are considered the best in the state.  The audition date is the first Saturday in December and audition materials will be available to students as soon as the director receives them.  All students who audition will earn points towards a letter/chevron, regardless of audition outcome.

TRI-M

Starting in the 2017-2018 school year, Fort Zumwalt West acquired it’s first Tri-M Chapter: an academic-based music service organization.  The first year of this did not require dues, although they are most likely going to be established for the ’18-19 year and all following years to help pay for activities and honors/awards.  Mr. Mieloch will be the sponsor of this organization and it will include orchestra, band, and choir students.  Officers will be selected and elected by the students, events and projects will be conceived and executed by the students, and all will reap the benefits.  (for the web version of the Handbook, here is the site: https://nafme.org/student-opportunities/tri-m-music-honor-society/

ORCHESTRA LETTERS/CHEVRONS

Like students who participate in sports, Orchestra members are awarded Orchestra Letters and Chevrons if they have accumulated enough points through specific Orchestra activities.  (Form available in class.)  Some of these activities include in-school and after-school concerts and performances, community service events, Metro 8, All-State, Solo & Ensemble performances, Tri-M membership, etc.  To receive a letter/chevron, a student must accumulate a required number of points, which is based on the number of activities in which the student participated throughout the school year.

Students may have an excused absence that will not affect their grade; however, they will not receive credit toward the orchestra letter/chevron.  These points must be earned based on participation.

PRIVATE LESSONS

I would like to encourage parents to support and provide students with private lessons if at all possible.  If there are any questions about teachers or any other instrument-related questions, please contact the director.  A list of local teachers is hanging in the Orchestra room and is easily e-mail-able upon request.

IMPORTANT 2023-2024 ORCHESTRA DATES

2023

Fri, Sept 29      Metro 8 Auditions       FZE, 4:30-9pm

Tue, Oct 3        Metro 8 Rehearsal       FZE, 6:30-8:30pm

Tue, Oct 10      Metro 8 Rehearsal       FZE, 6:30-8:30pm

Tue, Oct 17      Metro 8 Rehearsal       FZE, 6:30-8:30pm

Tue, Oct 24      Metro 8 Rehearsal       FZE, 6:30-8:30pm

Sat, Oct 28       Metro 8 Dress/Concert FZE, 5:00-8:00pm

Sat, Dec 2        All-State Audition         Mizzou, all day

Wed, Dec 6      WMS 6th Grade             WHS, 7pm

Thur, Dec 7     WHS CONCERT WHS, 7pm

Mon, Dec 11   WMS 7/8th Grade         WHS, 7pm

Fri, Dec 15       AME Juries                      Choir Room, 3:30-4:30pm

Wed, Dec 20   Last Day of Class

 2024

Thur, Jan 4       Classes Resume

Jan 24-27 MMEA Convention/All-State Tan-Tar-A

end of February LG GROUP SHOWCASE  WHS, 7pm

Sat, March 2   Solo/Ensemble (Dist) FZE, all day

Tue, March 5  PPI Ceremony               WHS, 6-7pm

TBD                    NHS Ceremony             WHS, 6-7pm

Wed, March 6 LARGE GROUP               FZE, all day during school hours

Tue, March 19 POPS CONCERT             WHS, 7pm

March 25-April 2 Spring Break   Trip?

April 11-13       Musical                            WHS, 7/7/2pm

Sat, April 27    Solo/Ensemble (State)  Mizzou, all day

Wed, May 1    WMS 6th Concert          WHS, 7pm

Wed, May 8    WMS 7/8th Concert      WHS, 7pm

Tue, May 14    WHS CONCERT             WHS, 7pm

Wed, May 15 AME Juries                      Choir Room, 3:30-4:30pm

Fri, May 17      Orchestra Banquet      WHS Commons, 7pm

Sat, May 25     GRADUATION               Family Arena, 8:30pm  (we meet at WHS at 6pm)

All BOLD and RED items are curricular events and are mandatory

DIRECTOR INFORMATION

Please do not hesitate to e-mail or call the director with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Mr. Daniel Mieloch                                                                        
DMieloch@fz.k12.mo.us                                                                636-379-0300 (WHS office)
Orchestra Room 123                                                                       636-248-8788 (cell)

Hours:         West Middle School   7:15am – 9:20am
West High School   9:40-ish am – 2:40pm (usually 3:00 or later)