Orchestra  Handbook

WELCOME!

I am excited that your family has chosen to be a part of the award winning Norman North Orchestra program! Our continued success is the result of talented young people working hard together on a daily basis and their supportive families. This Handbook will provide program guidelines and hopefully answer common questions. 

It is important that students and parents COMPLETELY read through the Handbook and print, sign, and return the Media Release/Uniform Selection/Handbook Acknowledgment Form.  This form can be found under the tab of the same name. 

Orchestra Classes:

• Concert Orchestra (Orchestra 1) is designed to develop technical and performance skills.

• Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra 3) is selected by audition and designed to refine and expand fundamental skills

• Symphonic Orchestra (Orchestra 2) is selected by audition and designed primarily for students who demonstrate a high level of fundamental and technical skills.  The primary focus of this group is continued technical development in addition to a broader range of performance opportunities.

General Rehearsal Procedures

• Be in your seat ready to perform with all materials (instrument, music, and pencil) when the bell rings.

• Backpacks should be placed under your chair or in your instrument cubby.

• No gum, candy, food or drink of any kind is allowed in the rehearsal space.

• Electronic devices should be put away and silent unless permitted by the director for an assignment.  

• All ear buds/headphones must be put away before the bell rings.

• All hats/hoods must be removed as you enter the room.

• Please refrain from talking unless called upon.

• Always be respectful toward your fellow classmates and teachers.

• Remain in your seat throughout the entire rehearsal unless you have permission to leave.

• Please do not ask to leave the room for any reason unless you are ill and need to go home.

• Be attentive and ready to work with musically focused participation.

Virtual Meeting Guidelines in the event of Remote Learning Days

•   Find a spot that is as quiet as possible.

• Be on time.

• Dress appropriately (school attire)

• Be aware of your surroundings and be sure what is seen by others is school appropriate.

• Avoid distracting backgrounds or actions.

• Raise your hand for permission to speak.

• Mute yourself except when you have the floor.

• You are requested to have your video on especially when you are playing your instrument.

• No food

• Meetings will be recorded.

• Respect each other.

• Be attentive and ready to participate.

Grading Policy

• Daily Rehearsal Skills--25 points per day. Grade is based on having your instrument, music/books, instrument supplies, pencil and being in your chair or position when the bell rings.

• Tests---100 points unless otherwise noted.

• Tryouts---200 points

• Semester Test---15% of your semester grade. 

• NN Grading Scale      A = 100 - 90    B = 89 - 80    C = 79 - 70    D = 69 - 60   

• Performances---500 POINTS.  Concerts including Graduation are Required, No Exceptions. If you choose not to attend you will receive 0 points.  If you are seriously ill (physician’s note required), or have a serious family emergency, your parent must notify the director before 3:00 pm the day of the performance or before a scheduled event during that school day. 

*An excused absence from school the day of a performance is not an excused absence from any performance. 

**Students must be in correct concert attire in order to perform.

***Graduation is a REQUIRED event for Symphonic Strings and 11th grade Philharmonic members.

• Contests:  600 POINTS.  Contests are required.  OSSAA ineligible students must be excluded, and will receive an alternate assignment (600 points) in lieu of the contest performance.

• Tardies:  All tardies to class are unexcused unless accompanied by a pass from the office.

• Unexcused absences will receive 0 points for the day or the assignment(s).

Concert Uniform

Option 1:           

• Tuxedo Coat and Pant will be provided.  In many cases the student may already have black dress pants.  These pants would be fine to go along with a tuxedo coat.

• You will need to complete the uniform with the following:

            Tie:      Solid black bow tie

            Shoes:  Solid black dress shoes

            Shirt:   White long-sleeved dress (or tux) shirt

            Socks:  Solid black calf high socks       

            **Tuxedo pants checked out from the school may be hemmed but not cut.

Option 2: 

•  Black Dress will be provided.  Dresses may be hemmed but not cut. Dresses should be no shorter than ankle length.

• You will need to complete the uniform with the following:

            Hose:   Black or Off Black

            Shoes:  Solid black dress shoes with a closed toe.

            **Any jewelry or hair accessories should be minimal, discrete, and non-distracting to the audience.

Option 3: 

• See Ms. Wagner

Equipment

   You will need to have the following equipment in addition to your instrument:                                                                                                                                       

            Dark Rosin                                                      

            Pencil                                                                                                                         

           Anchor Strap (cello/bass)        

            Bow (basses)    

           *Strings should be replaced at least once per year and bows should be rehaired at least every other year.

            Recommended String Brands:  

            Violin/Viola:  Dominant, Aricore, Helicore

            Cello:  D’Addario Zyex, Helicore

String Basses

If you wish to use a school bass, it is $100 per year for instrument upkeep.  Make checks payable to NPS.  Please refer to the user agreement for details concerning repairs and replacement.  Students are responsible for the transportation of their string bass to rehearsals/performances outside of the school day.

Symphonic Orchestra

When we begin meeting with the winds and percussion, the schedule will be as follows:

                        Monday, Wednesday, Friday - Regular class time

                       Tuesday and Thursday – Lunch rehearsal. Strings will be able to have lunch during our class time.

We have permission from the administration to pursue this schedule. On the days when the string players go to lunch during our regularly scheduled class time, you must either stay off campus or stay in the Instrumental Music Rooms.  Students should not be in the hallways without a pass.  If this privilege is abused, the price for the orchestra is high. Please be responsible.

Transportation

Students must ride in school vehicles when attending a school function with the orchestra.  Students may not drive.

Solo/Ensemble Contest

This is a voluntary activity in which students are encouraged to participate.  All rehearsals take place outside of class. The entry deadline is listed on the calendar of events.  The entry/payment procedure will be posted and explained in December.

Guidelines for Solos

•  Students should have a private teacher.

•  Hiring an accompanist is the responsibility of the student, parent or private teacher.

•   Soloists receiving a Superior rating at district contest are eligible to go to state contest.

•   Students advancing to state contest must perform the same piece they played at district contest.  The object is for the piece to improve to a higher artistic level between district and state contests.

Guidelines for Ensembles

•  Students may not participate in more than four ensembles.

•   Ensemble members need to be in the same orchestra.

•  Ensembles receiving a Superior rating at district contest are eligible to advance to state contest.  However, some music is not suitable for the state level.  It is fine for ensembles to perform only at district contest and choose not to advance to state contest.

•  Ensembles approved for state contest must make a commitment to practice together 1 to 2 times per week in order for their piece to advance to a higher artistic level.

•  Ensembles must perform the same piece at both contests.

Lettering in Orchestra

Students may letter in orchestra by meeting one of the following requirements:

•   Earning a Superior rating on a solo at District Contest.

•   Earning a Superior rating on an ensemble at District Contest.

•  Earning a position in the All-OMEA Orchestra. (10th-12th only)

Letter jackets are not provided.

End of the Year Tuxedo Return

Tuxedos will need to be returned the morning following the Spring Concert.  Garment Bags should be returned at this time as well.

End of the Year Dress Return

Laundered dresses need to be returned to Ms. Wagner no later than the Friday following the Spring Concert.  Please return the dress on a hanger, with your name attached with a safety pin.

Graduation

All Symphonic Strings and 11th grade Philharmonic members are REQUIRED to perform for the Graduation Ceremony.   Depending on the instrumentation needed, select 10th graders may be asked to perform.

NIMPA (Norman Instrumental Music Parents Association)

I want to encourage each family to join our parent organization.  Your membership helps provide extra funds that may assist with the purchase of new music, supplies, clinicians, and end of the year awards.  The general NIMPA fund supports the All City Concert program, newsletters, and helps send two orchestra directors to a national convention each year.  With your membership, you and your family receive free admission to the All City Orchestra Concert.