This page contains information related to the orchestra students at Northern Hills Middle School.  The classroom expectations, performance responsibilities, grading procedures, and other important guidelines are included.   

Web Assignment

All students need to complete the beginning-of-the-year web assignment.   Please click here to complete assignment (due Tuesday, September 3).  See the "Home" page or "Breaking News" page to print a hard copy of assignment instructions.

IMPORTANT DATES

Here are the important events and activities planned for this school year.  Students are expected at each of these performances (some performances are for both 7th and 8th graders; others are specific only to either grade).  NOTE: All dates are subject to change.

• • October 16: 2-7pm, 8th Grade String Extravaganza (students will be bussed from NHMS to FAC in the afternoon for our rehearsal and concert).

  • October 17: 2-7pm, 7th Grade String Extravaganza (students will be bussed from NHMS to FAC in the afternoon for our rehearsal and concert).

  • December 12: 7:00pm, Winter Concert at Fine Arts Center (students report @ 6:30 to Multi-purpose Room)

  • March 11: 7:00pm, 8th Grade Orchestra Night at FHE Auditorium (students report @ 6:30 to FHE Band Room)

  • March 12: 7:00pm, 7th Grade Orchestra Night at FHE Auditorium (students report @ 6:30 to FHE Band Room)

  • April 26: Time TBD, District Solo & Ensemble Festival at Northpointe Christian (for registered students only)

  • May 22: 7:00pm, Spring Concert at Fine Arts Center (students report @ 6:30 to FAC Multi-Purpose Rm.)

  • May 29: 6:30pm, Small 7th Grade Ensemble plays prior to 8th Grade Class Night in lobby of Fine Arts Center (selected students only)

ORCHESTRA GUIDE

Here are guidelines and information for students at Northern Hills Middle School.  Please read and familiarize yourself with its contents.  

CLASS ROUTINE, MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT

EXPECTATIONS

Before rehearsal starts, you should:

• • Be on time.  Excessive tardies may result in lunch detention.

  • Bring your materials and equipment with you every day (instrument, music folder, & pencil).

  • Keep our classroom neat and clean (NO food, gum, or drink in the classroom).

  • Find what are we doing for class.  Look on the front board and get your book and music ready.

During Rehearsal, you should:

• • Rehearse smartly:

    • Be polite and quiet. 

    • Do not talk or play out of turn.

  • Tradies

    • Once a student accumulates more than three tardies a semester, they are assigned a lunch detention.  Six or more tardies will be communicated to the Assistant Principal for further action.

  • Bathroom Use

    • Students can sign out to use the bathroom a maximum of 4 times during the quarter.   Please print your initials clearly and the date.  Failure to accurately sign out may result in the loss of bathroom privileges.

  • If you have a question, raise your hand, then wait to be called on.

  • Treat all equipment and supplies with care, including music stands (DO NOT play the piano).

  • Instrument & Music: Make sure you have all of your equipment and materials every day.  More information is detailed below, but PLEASE NOTE that forgetting your instrument or music/folder more than three times in a semester will result in a lunch detention.

When rehearsal is finished you should:

• • Pack up, return to your seat, & wait to be dismissed.

Electronic Devices

New FHPS policy states that phones and other personal electronic devices are not permitted in the classroom.  If for any reason there is a need for a device, we will schedule time in one of the computer labs.

YOUR INSTRUMENT

Is it time to get a better instrument?  Middle School is a great time to “step up” to a higher quality instrument.  You’ll like practicing and performing on a better sounding, and better playing, instrument.  Mr. K can help you find a good “step up” instrument.  Please ask for help if needed.

Repairs

If something is broken or out of place, please see Mr. K immediately.  Simple repairs can be taken care of at school (fallen bridge, chin-rest sliding off, etc.).  Complex repairs will need to be handled by a professional repairperson.  

Did your string snap or starting to fray?  Get a replacement fast!  Some local dealers can deliver a new string to school the next day.  Mr. K can replace any broken strings quickly, so please don’t leave your instrument at the dealer to have this done.

SUPPLIES

NEW for 2024-2025, students will receive (courtesy of NHMS) a copy of the method book that we will use for the year:

• • Seventh Graders will use Essentials Elements for Strings, Book 2.

  • Eighth Graders will use Essentials Technique for Strings, Book 3.

       NOTE: Students will need their old books from last year for the first month of school as we review last year's concepts and techniques.

Students should own the following accessories:  

• • Rosin.

  • A Cleaning Cloth (to wipe off the rosin dust).

  • A Shoulder Pad (violin & viola) or Endpin Strap (cello & bass).

  • A Mute (some of our pieces require the use of a mute).

  • A Folding Music Stand.

  • A Name Tag for your instrument (cases can all look alike). 

  • A Lock for your locker (violin & viola).  Please use a combination lock, not a key lock (keys are easy to loose).  Mr. K can keep your combination on file for easy reference in case you forget.

  • An extra set of strings is also recommended as a wise purchase.

FOLDER & MUSIC

The sheet music that you will be using at school is the property of FHPS.  All students must treat music as if it were a textbook and therefore be responsible for any damage.  Free music folders are provided to assist in keeping music in good condition.  Worn out folders may be exchanged for a new folder at any time.

GRADING

Each semester grade is based on:

• • Bringing your materials and equipment with you every day (instrument, music, pencil, etc.)

  • Concert performances

  • Completing quarterly practice plans

  • Quarterly playing tests

  • Classwork & semester project

  • Semester exam

PERFORMANCES

As a member of a performing arts class, students are expected to perform in all of our concerts.  It is an important part of your grade.

• • Can’t attend at concert?  Notify Mr. K in advance of the performance so he can plan ahead.

  • Emergency on the day of the concert?  Please contact Mr. K by phone or email.  

  • Absent from a concert? Any absence must be explained through a written note from a parent/guardian.  A missed performance must be made up by arrangement with Mr. K in order to receive credit.  

Concert Attire

Here’s is the uniform that we wear for our concerts:

• • White long sleeve dress shirt (NO prints or patterns)

  • Solid black dress pants, or skirt (NO jeans).  NOTE: Girls playing cello should opt for pants in order to be able to sit comfortably and to play the instrument properly.  All skirts must cover the knee when performing.

  • Black socks (no bright colors, please)

  • Solid black dress shoes.  

  • NOTE: If jewelry is worn, it should be modest and not noticeable from the audience (or interfere with the playing of your instrument)

PRACTICE ASSIGNMENTS

Students will fill out and submit regular practice assignments on Canvas.  Each practice assignment will require you to practice the assigned music and fill out a Google form to verify your work.

PLAYING TESTS

There will be quarterly playing tests on material you are learning in class.  You’ll have at least one week’s notice before the test.

CLASSWORK & SEMESTER PROJECT

Classwork throughout the year includes worksheets on music theory & music history.  Worksheets not finished during class will need to be completed at home.  

Fall & Spring Orchestra Projects:

• • All students will need to complete a music project in the Fall (November) and Spring (April).  

  • The subject of the project must be something related to music and approved by Mr. K.  

  • The project may take a variety of forms including a research paper or a poster.

NOTE: Students may elect to fulfill their requirements for the fall and spring projects by participating in the entire Fall String Extravaganza and the Spring Solo & Ensemble Festival, respectively.

SEMESTER EXAM

Each semester will end with a written exam.

• • First Semester: Exam will be based on your music theory worksheets.  A study guide can be downloaded from this website.

  • Second Semester: Exam will be based on your music history worksheets

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

FALL STRING EXTRAVAGANZA

Sponsored by the Orchestra Boosters at NHMS, EMS, and CMS, this yearly event is a chance for all seventh and eighth grade strings students in Forest Hills to get together to rehearsal and perform under the direction of a special guest conductor.

ORCHESTRA NIGHT

Every year, NHMS orchestra students get the opportunity to have a special clinic with a guest conductor during school, followed by a performance at the Fine Arts Center featuring our orchestra and the orchestras from EMS and CMS.  This is a great time to show off all of our great performance skills.

SOLO & ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL

Each year, the Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association (MSBOA) sponsors an area-wide solo and small ensemble (duets, trios, quartets) festival.  

Information will be passed out during class, and sign-up for events will take place in January.  Fees ($12 per solo; $6 per ensemble participant) are due in early February.

Specific performance times are typically not issued until 1-2 weeks prior to the event.  Students should keep their schedules flexible on the day of the festival to make room for their assigned time.

The festival is traditionally held on a Saturday in early Spring.  

CHICAGO TRIP

Students will once again be eligible to make a trip to Chicago in the spring.  The cost for this trip will be approximately $125. 

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• • Visit the famous Field Museum.

  • Shopping on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile along Michigan Avenue in the afternoon.

  • Attend a Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance in the evening. 

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

SUMMER MUSIC CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS

Going to a summer music camp?  Try out for a Northern Orchestra Booster Scholarship.  The audition date is on the Orchestra calendar.  A list of area music camps and a scholarship application form is available on the Orchestra Website.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Private lessons are a great way to learn your instrument at an accelerated pace.  See Mr. K for a list of Private Teachers.

YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Looking to play with the best of the best in the Grand Rapids area?  Please consider joining the youth orchestra program at St. Cecilia Music Center.  Auditions for the Fall season are in early September.  You can check out the various youth programs on their website: scmc-online.org/school-of-music

HONORS ORCHESTRA

The Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association sponsors and Honors Orchestra for our regional district (Kent & Ottawa counties).  Select members of the 8th grade orchestra will be invited to participate in this special ensemble (rehearsals and concert take place in early January).  Our school can send between 4-6 students.  Please see Mr. K if you are interested (preference will be given to students in their section based on their auditioned chair placement).