Bismarck High School

Orchestra Handbook

2022-2023

General Information

Concert Orchestra: The concert orchestra is a large ensemble made up of violin, viola, cello, and bass players. The orchestra is a performing group that has 5 yearly concerts including a fall concert, a winter concert, All-City concert, the WDA recital, and a spring concert.

Chamber Orchestra: The chamber orchestra is small ensemble group with entry by audition only for grades 9-12. The chamber orchestra will work on more advanced/challenging pieces at a faster pace. They will perform the same concerts as the Concert Orchestra.

Chamber Music Groups: Each year, students will participate in one or more chamber music groups consisting of quartets, trios, and/or duets, as well as a larger group (as many as 12 per group) without a conductor. The students are placed into several groups but also have the opportunity to choose additional groups as well. They will work on literature to be performed at the WDA recital as well as the festival to be held in March.

WDA/State Music Festivals: Every year, students have the opportunity to perform and receive a rating/helpful comments from a judge in a prepared solo and/or ensemble piece.  Students receiving a star rating will continue to State Music Festival.  Formal Dress is required!

All-State Orchestra: An auditioned statewide ensemble for students in grades 9-12. Students have a live audition in January and are chosen based on performance. Audition requirements/details will be announced as materials are sent out from the organization. Any student wishing to audition is encouraged to take private lessons.

Strolling Strings: Strolling Strings is a performance group that is by audition only for students in grades 8-12. Rehearsals are every Tuesday night and there are performances each month. The season lasts from September to May and specific performance dates are distributed monthly. Auditions are held at the beginning of May.

Concert Attire: BHS orchestra students are required to wear appropriate concert uniform at all orchestra concerts unless otherwise specified. 

Ladies will wear a floor length, black dress, black hose or stockings, and dress black shoes. Dresses will be purchased by Dr. Murchie. Dress will then be owned by the student.  Ladies are responsible for hemming the uniform dresses in a professional manner. 

Men wear tuxedos or black vest and maroon tie. Men will have to provide black dress pants, dress shirt, and black dress shoes with BLACK socks. The cost is $35 for a school black vest that are non-strollers. Strolling members only owe a $5 rental for the tie as the vest is the same. 

Private Lessons: Private lessons are highly encouraged for orchestra students seeking more intense study of their instrument. Please contact Dr. Murchie if you are interested in individual lessons. 

Concerts: BPS charges an admittance fee to all of our concerts. The fee is $5 for parents and $3 for students and seniors. Patron passes will be available for purchase ($50) at the first concert of the year or through mypaymentsplus. A patron pass will get all immediate family members in to every concert for the entire school year.

Student/Parent Transportation: If a situation arises where the student is unable to ride on the bus along with the rest of the orchestra and the parent of that student wishes to drive their child, a district approved form must be filled out. Please ask Mrs. Bohlen for a form and return it prior to the trip. STUDENTS MAY NOT DRIVE ALONE OR RIDE WITH ANY OTHER PARENT BESIDES THEIR OWN WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT FROM ADMINISTRATION.

Fundraising: Throughout the school year, there will be several fundraising options. Fundraising helps to keep costs low for the students when we travel or buy T-shirts. Our budget is very limited, so fundraising helps our orchestra function in a way that is both enjoyable for the students as well as affordable. Thanks for your help!

BHS Music Boosters: We have an active music boosters club that works hard to support our music groups at BHS. They provide each ensemble with five scholarships per year to IMC or for private lessons. This organization needs the help of music parents to help sell tickets at concerts, sell concessions. Please consider joining the BHS music boosters! Please contact me for more info.

Orchestra Supply List

Equipment needs in class for all students:

·   Pencil

·   Instrument

·   Rosin

·   Shoulder rest or rock stop

Grading Policy

Daily Grade

·   Student is on time for class

·   Has instrument and appropriate materials

·   Actively participates in class and displays good conduct

·   Performs music to the students’ best ability

Performance Criteria

·   Student is on time for performance warm-up

·   Has instrument and appropriate concert attire

·   Attentive and contributes to a good performance

·   Individual part performed proficiently

·   Attend combined rehearsal session before the concert

Giving Bach Project

1.     Students will be required to perform for the community once a semester. 

2.    They may perform alone or with a group of people. 

3.    A poster or Google Slide of the performance and experience will be made by each student after the performance.

Make up work:

In the event that a student misses class or a concert:

·   Points missed for unexcused absences cannot be made up

·   Points missed for excused absences can be made up. Talk to your teacher.

·   STUDENTS MUST BE IN CLASS THE DAY OF A CONCERT. Absence from school on the day of a concert results in the ineligibility to play the evening performance. Points may be made up due to illness or death in the family.

Expectations:

1.    No cellphones during rehearsal

2.    Bring appropriate materials to class

3.    No talking while rehearsal is in progress

4.    Raise your hand and be recognized by the teacher before speaking

5.    No eating, drinking, gum-chewing, or hat-wearing in class

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.  General Information

a.  Class Rules & Expectations

b.  Required Daily Supplies

c.   Recommended Additional Tools

d.  Concert Uniforms

e.  Grading

                                                              i.      Daily Grade

                                                             ii.      Performance Criteria

                                                           iii.      Absence Policy

                                                           iv.      Giving Bach Project

f.        Attending Concerts

                                                              i.      BHS Concerts

                                                             ii.      Other Concerts

g.   Private Lessons

h.  Miscellaneous

                                                              i.      Student/Parent Transportation

                                                             ii.      Fundraising

                                                           iii.      BHS Music Boosters

2.  Ensembles & Events

a.  Inside BHS

                                                              i.      Freshman Orchestra

                                                             ii.      Concert Orchestra

                                                           iii.      Chamber Orchestra

                                                           iv.      Chamber Music Groups

b.  Festivals

                                                              i.      High School Orchestra Festival (HSOF)

                                                             ii.      UND Honor Festival

                                                           iii.      North Dakota All-State Orchestra

                                                           iv.      Western Dakota Association (WDA) Solo & Ensemble Festival

c.   Beyond BHS

                                                              i.      Strolling Strings

                                                             ii.      Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Youth Orchestra

                                                           iii.      Young Artist Competition Opportunities

3.  Important Dates 2023-2024

4.  Acknowledgement Form [to sign and return by Friday, September 1, 2023.)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Class Rules & Expectations

·       No cell phones during rehearsal. On your way into class, deposit your cell phone in the designated storage pocket, then retrieve it at the end of class.  

·       No eating, drinking, gum-chewing, or hat-wearing in class.

·       No talking during rehearsal. To ask a question, raise your hand and wait to be recognized by the teacher before speaking.

·       Come to class prepared with all required daily supplies.

Required Daily Supplies

• • Instrument & Bow

  • Music

  • Pencil

  • Shoulder pad or rock stop

  • Rosin

  • Handkerchief or cloth for wiping rosin dust off strings and instrument

Recommended Additional Tools

·       Metronome and Tuner Apps for Smartphone

o   Pro Metronome

o   INS Tuner

·       Physical Metronome/Tuner

o   Korg MA-1 or Korg MA-2 are compact, affordable 2-in-1 options.

Concert Uniforms
BHS students are required to wear the designated BHS Orchestra uniform at all orchestra concerts unless otherwise specified. 

Ladies
Designated floor-length black dress and formal, closed-toed black shoes of your choosing. Dress cost is $75. When hemming is necessary, ladies are responsible for hemming their dresses in a professional manner and no shorter than ankle length.

Men
Designated black vest and maroon necktie. Cost is $40 for the vest and $15 for the tie. (This is the same vest that Strolling Strings members wear, so men in Strolling Strings who already own the black vest need only buy the maroon tie.) Men will wear their own black dress pants (no denim), black collared dress shirt, and black dress shoes with BLACK socks.

Dresses, vests, and ties will be bulk ordered by Dr. Murchie. Order forms will be available during the first month of school and sizing guide is below. Payment should be made via mypaymentsplus.com under the categories “Orchestra Uniform—Dress” or “Orchestra Uniform—Vest and Tie”. You may also pay Dr. Murchie directly via cash or check made out to BHS.

Students may use the same uniform every year, with the option of selling it back to BHS when they graduate or need a different size.

Grading

Points Breakdown

·   Concerts = 100 pts/concert x 5 concerts for a maximum of 500 pts for the year

·   Playing Tests = 25 pts/test x 4 tests for a maximum of 100 pts for the year

·   Giving Bach Project = 52 pts total for performance + report

·   Daily Grade = 2 pts/day x 174 days for a maximum of 348 pts for the year

o   Total earnable points for the year = 1000 points

§  900-1000 points = A

§  800-900 points = B

§  700-800 points = C

§  600-700 points = D

§  <599 points = F

Daily Grade Criteria

·       Student arrives on time for class and follows proper tuning procedure.

·       Student comes prepared with instrument and appropriate materials.

·       Student actively participates in class and displays good conduct.

·       Student practices and performs music to the best of his/her best ability.

Performance Criteria

·       Student arrives on time for tuning and warm-up on performance day.

·       Student comes prepared with instrument, music, and appropriate concert attire.

·       Student is attentive and contributes to the overall ensemble’s performance.

·       Student performs his/her individual part proficiently.

Absence Policy
In the event that a student misses class or a concert:

·       Points missed for unexcused absences cannot be made up.

·       Points missed for excused absences can be made up. Talk to your teacher.

·       Students must be in class on concert days. BHS policy is that absence from class on the day of a concert automatically disqualifies the student from playing in the performance. Points may be made up if the absence is due to illness or death in the family.
               

Giving Bach Project
Once a semester, BHS orchestra students give back to the community with a performance of their own curating. This is a required assignment, and students may perform alone or as an ensemble. Examples of community outreach performance venues include but are not limited to: churches, retirement homes, hospitals, soup kitchens, shelters, or specialty schools. Following the performance, students will submit a brief report of their experience through Google Classroom (additional guidelines to follow).

Attending Concerts

·   BHS Concerts
BHS policy requires an admission fee for concerts. The per-concert fee is $5 for parents and $3 for students and seniors. Patron Passes are $50 and cover admission for all immediate family for the entire school year. We strongly encourage families to purchase a Patron Pass in the BHS auditorium lobby at the first concert on October 26th. In addition to supporting BHS Music programs, the Patron Pass is your key to hassle-free entry to all concerts at our beautiful auditorium for the rest of the year.

·       Outside Concerts
The Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra offers students the chance to hear live orchestral music and, in many cases, observe their own BPS music teachers performing on stage. Detailed season and ticket info is available here: https://bismarckmandansymphony.org/

o    Student tickets are $18 and can be purchased through the link above.

o   All BMSO concerts are at 7:30 PM at Belle Mehus Auditorium in downtown Bismarck.
Concert dates:

  2023 September 23

  2023 October 20 & 21

  2023 November 17 & 18

  2024 January 19 & 20

  2024 February 3

  2024 March 16

  2024 April 20

Private Lessons
Private lessons are encouraged for students seeking additional instruction on their instrument, in a one-on-one context, with focused guidance from a teacher of their instrument. If you are interested in taking private lessons, please contact Dr. Murchie. 

Miscellaneous

·       Student/Parent Transportation
If a situation arises where the student is unable to ride on the bus with the rest of the orchestra and the parent of that student wishes to drive their child, a district-approved form must be filled out. Please ask me for a form and return it prior to the trip. Students may not drive alone or ride with any parent besides their own without prior consent from administration.

·       Fundraising
Fundraising efforts occur periodically throughout the school year, to help us keep costs low for students when we travel or buy T-shirts. Fundraising helps our ensembles function in a way that is both enjoyable for the students as well as affordable. Thank you in advance for your help and support.

·       BHS Music Boosters
BHS has an active music boosters club whose members work tirelessly to support and further BHS ensembles. The Boosters give each BHS ensemble five scholarships per year to be used for private lessons or IMC (International Music Camp) attendance. They rely on parents to help sell tickets, patron passes, and concessions at concerts. Please consider joining the BHS Music Boosters! For more information, please contact Michelle Dever at michelle_dever@hotmail.com or 701-220-9707.

ENSEMBLES & EVENTS

INSIDE BHS

Freshman Orchestra
Freshman Orchestra is a large ensemble comprised of grade 9 violin, viola, cello, and bass players. This orchestra will perform 4 concerts this year:

Fall Concert

Oct 26, 2023

Thurs

7:30 PM

BHS

Winter Concert

Dec 18, 2023 Mon

6:00 PM BHS

Midwinter Concert (w/ Wachter MS)

Feb 29, 2024 Thurs

6:00 PM BHS

Spring Concert

May 9, 2024 Thurs

7:30 PM BHS

Concert Orchestra
Concert Orchestra is a large ensemble comprised of violin, viola, cello, and bass players. This orchestra will perform 4 concerts this year:

Fall Concert

Oct 26, 2023 Thurs

7:30 PM BHS

Winter Concert

Dec 11, 2023 Mon

7:30 PM BHS

Midwinter Concert (w/ Wachter MS)

Feb 29, 2024 Thurs

6:00 PM BHS

Spring Concert

May 9, 2024 Thurs

7:30 PM BHS

Chamber Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra is a small ensemble group with entry by audition only. Chamber Orchestra rehearses at a faster pace and plays more advanced repertoire, sometimes without a conductor. Auditions for Chamber Orchestra are held in April for the following school year and are open to current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Audition date and repertoire TBD.

This year’s Chamber Orchestra will perform the following 4 concerts:  

Fall Concert

Oct 26, 2023 Thurs

7:30 PM BHS

Winter Concert

Dec 18, 2023 Mon

7:30 PM BHS

Midwinter Concert (w/ Wachter MS)

Feb 29, 2024 Thurs

7:30 PM BHS

Spring Concert

May 9, 2024 Thurs

7:30 PM BHS

Chamber Music Groups
Each year, students will participate in one or more chamber music groups that perform without a conductor. These can be quartets, trios, duos, and/or larger groups up to 12 players. The students are placed in groups but also have the option to choose additional groups on their own. They will prepare literature to perform at the Western Dakota Association (WDA) Festival and preparatory Recital to be held in April.

For a complete list of 2023-24 important dates, please refer to Page 10.

FESTIVALS

Festivals provide additional opportunities for students to develop skills and experience rehearsing, performing, sightreading, auditioning, and collaborating with music students and teachers outside of Bismarck High. Festival participation, while strongly encouraged, is optional for all students and not part of the grading criteria for this class. Sign-up sheets will be available in class and in Google Classroom. The following festivals are open to students for the 2023-2024 school year:

·  High School Orchestra Festival (HSOF)

HSOF is a sight-reading festival open to 9-12th graders from across the state of North Dakota. Students start with music they have never seen, then spend two days in “turbo” rehearsal with a guest conductor who prepares them for a concert at the end of the second day.

o   When & Where: September 29-30 @ Bismarck High School

o   Rough Schedule

  Sept 29 (Sat) 1:00p – 8:30p

 Sept 30 (Sun) 9:00a – 3:00p (Final concert 2:00 PM)

o   Fee: TBD

o   Sign-up Deadline: September 8, 2023

·   UND Honors Festival
UND Honor Strings are a statewide, live-auditioned ensemble that ultimately gathers at UND in Grand Forks to rehearse and perform January 19-21, 2024. Directors reserve a bus and chaperone students at this event.

o   When & Where

  Festival: January 19-21, 2024 @ UND Grand Forks

  Auditions: October 23-28, 2023 in Bismarck (venue TBD)

o   Fees

  Audition fee: none

  Festival fees if accepted by audition: BHS will provide a bus and chaperones. Student is responsible for hotel cost and food.

o   Audition requirements

  One (1) excerpt from appropriate solo literature and/or etudes that will exhibit both lyrical playing and technical proficiency (approximately three minutes in length total) 

  One (1) major OR minor scale, 2-octaves or more (students may choose the style and tempo)

  Professional attire is required.

o   Sign-up Deadline: September 22, 2023

·   All-State Orchestra
ND All-State Orchestra is an auditioned statewide ensemble for students in grades 9-12. All-State Festival is held in Bismarck, so students are responsible for their own transportation and meals. (Directors will be onsite should students need assistance.) Players are chosen based on their performance at a live audition in January 2024. Audition requirements/details are sent out from the organization and will be shared with students as soon as they are available. Any student wishing to audition for All-State Orchestra is strongly encouraged to take private lessons.

o   When & Where

§  Festival: March 21-23, 2024 @ Bismarck Event Center

§  Auditions: January 8, 2024 @ Bismarck State College

o   Fees

§  Audition fee: $16, due Oct 31, 2023.

§  Festival fees if accepted: transportation and meals for 3 days at Event Center

o   Audition requirements (specific scale and excerpt TBD)

§  Prepare one (1) solo piece, approx. 1 minute in length

§  Prepare the required 3-octave scale at marked tempo

§  Prepare the required excerpt at marked tempo

§  Sight-reading excerpt chosen by the judges

§  Professional attire is required.

o   Sign-up deadline: October 31, 2023.

·   Western Dakota Association (WDA) Solo & Ensemble Festival
WDA is an annual event open to any high school student enrolled in orchestra. This year’s WDA is happening in Bismarck. Students perform a prepared solo and/or ensemble piece for a WDA judge who issues each participant a rating and instructive comments. This is an opportunity for students to practice performing, in a welcoming environment outside of their comfort zone at BHS.

o   When & Where

§  Festival: April 11, 2024 @ Inspire Family Fellowship (523 N. 21st St. Bismarck)

§  Prep Recital: April 8, 2024 in class at BHS

o   Fees: None

§  (Formal dress is required. Prior to the WDA Festival, participants will play through their repertoire as part of an in-class recital at BHS on April 8, 2024.

o   Sign-up deadline: March 15, 2024

BEYOND BHS

Strolling Strings
Strolling Strings is an audition-only group open to students in grades 8-12. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings 6:45-8:00p, and performances happen at least once a month. The performing season lasts from September to May and specific performance dates are distributed monthly. Auditions are held at the beginning of May. For more information, contact Dana Van Heukelom at dana_vanheukelom@bismarckschools.org or 323-4650 x5659.
Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Youth Orchestra
BMSYO rehearses Monday evenings between 4-6p at Bismarck High School. Auditions for the 2023-24 season will be held Wed August 30, 2023. To schedule an audition or for more information about joining Youth Symphony, please contact Leslie Peterson at lpeterson@midconetwork.com or 701-258-8345.

Young Artist Competition Opportunities

·       Greater Grand Forks Symphony Young Artist Competition

o   Application Deadline: September 15, 2023

o   Competition Date: Saturday October 14, 2023 at Popplers Music in Grand Forks

o   More info:  https://www.ggfso.org/concertocompetition

·       Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Young Artist Competition

o   Application & Recording Deadline: October 6, 2023

o   Competition Date: Saturday November 4, 2023 at Bismarck State College

o   More info:  https://bismarckmandansymphony.org/education/young-artist-competition

·       Fargo Moorhead Symphony Young Artist Competition

o   Application Deadline: TBD

o   Competition Date: Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Concordia College

o   More info: https://www.fmsymphony.org/young-artists-solo-competition

·       Minot Symphony Concerto Competition

o   Application Deadline: TBD, typically early November

o   Competition Date: TBD, typically first week of December

IMPORTANT DATES
BHS ORCHESTRA 2023-2024

2023 September 29-30

High School Orchestra Festival*  

BHS Auditorium

2023 Oct 31

UND Honor Festival Auditions*

BHS Auditorium

2023 October 26

FALL CONCERT
7:30p BHS Auditorium

2023 December 11

HOLIDAY CONCERT

(Concert Orchestra only)

7:30p BHS Auditorium

2023 December 18

HOLIDAY CONCERT
(Freshman Orchestra only)

6:00p BHS Auditorium

2023 December 18

HOLIDAY CONCERT
(Chamber Orchestra only)

7:30p BHS Auditorium

2024 January 6

All State Auditions*
Bismarck State College

2024 January 19-21

UND Honors Festival*
UND Campus in Grand Forks

2024 February 15-20

BHS Orchestra Tour*

Nassau, Bahamas

2024 February 29

MIDWINTER CONCERT (w/ Wachter MS)

6:00p Freshman & Concert Orch.

7:30p Chamber Orchestra

2024 March 21-23

North Dakota All-State Music Festival*
Bismarck Event Center

2024 April 8

WDA Prep Chamber Recital
BHS, Time TBD

2024 April 11

WDA Festival*

8:00a – 5:00p at Inspire Family Fellowship Bismarck

2024 May 9

SPRING CONCERT

7:30p BHS Auditorium

2024 May 26

BHS GRADUATION(*)

(required for Chamber Orchestra, optional for Freshman & Concert Orchestras)

1:00p Bismarck Event Center

*indicates events that are optional for students

ACKNOWLEGEMENT FORM

I acknowledge that I have received the 2023-2024 Bismarck High School Orchestra Handbook. I have read the handbook in its entirety, and I understand the concepts herein.

Parent/Guardian Name (please print):____________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature:________________________________________   Date:_______________

Student Name (please print): ___________________________________________________________

Student Signature:________________________________________________  Date:______________

Please sign and return only this page to Dr. Murchie by Friday, September 1, 2023.