This page contains information related to the orchestra students at Eastern Middle School, grades 6, 7, and 8. The classroom expectations, performance responsibilities, grading procedures, and other important guidelines are included.

Web Assignment

All students need to complete the WEB ASSIGNMENT. Please click here to complete assignment (due Friday, September 11).

School Safety Procedures

Please make sure you review all the safety procedures posted here. We will be following these protocols in our orchestra classes for 2020-2021.

IMPORTANT DATES

Here are all of the important events and activities for this school year. Students are expected at each performance.

NOTE: ALL DATES FOR 2020-2021 ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON ALTERATIONS TO SCHOOL SAFETY GUIDELINES REGARDING AFTER SCHOOL EVENTS.

Our major performance and event dates are:

• • October 21: 2:00-7:00pm, 8th Grade String Extravaganza @ Fine Arts Center

  • October 22: 2:00-7:00pm, 7th Grade String Extravaganza @ Fine Arts Center

  • December 7: 7:00pm, Winter Concert @ Eastern Auditorium

  • February 17: 3:00-4:15pm, FHE Orchestra Booster Scholarship Auditions @ FHE Orchestra Room

  • March 9: 7:00pm, 8th Grade Orchestra Night @ FHE Auditorium

  • March 10: 7:00pm, 7th Grade Orchestra Night @ FHE Auditorium

  • April 17: Solo/Ensemble Festival @ Northpointe Christian; Times scheduled per event by MSBOA

  • May 24: 7:00pm, Spring Concert @ FHE Auditorium

ORCHESTRA GUIDE

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

CLASS ROUTINE & 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.

  • 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).

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. Ms. T 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 Ms. T 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. Ms. Thompson can replace any broken strings quickly, so please don’t leave your instrument at the dealer to have this done.

SUPPLIES

Students should own the following technique book:

• • Seventh Graders should own Essentials Elements for Strings, Book 2.

  • Eighth Graders should own Essentials Technique for Strings, Book 3.

NOTE: All books should be acquired by the third week of school (Sept. 14).

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).

  • 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 Ms. Thompson well in advance of the performance so she and you can plan ahead.

  • Emergency on the day of the concert? Please contact Ms. Thompson 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 Ms. Thompson 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 PLANS

Students will fill out and submit a quarterly practice plan. Each practice plan will require you to:

• • List six exercises or repertoire excerpts to focus your practicing

  • Rate your overall progress with each exercise/excerpt

  • Keep a practice log

Practice plans are due at the end of each nine week quarter. Practice plans must be signed by both student and parent.

Need another Practice Plan? Print out a blank practice plan from the Practice Forms page under Practice Resources

PLAYING TESTS

There will be quarterly playing tests on material you are learning in class. You’ll have advanced 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. An example of a semester project is working on an ensemble or solo.

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 & OPPORTUNITIES

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, EMS 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 NHMS 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 ($15 per solo; $10 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.

EIGHTH GRADE CHICAGO TRIP

Eighth grade orchestra members will once again make a trip to Chicago in the spring. The cost for this trip will be approximately $100. NOTE: OUR ANNUAL TRIP IS ON HOLD FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR DUE TO FHPS POLICY ON SCHOOL TRIPS.

Highlights:

• • Visit the Museum of Science and Industry.

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

  • Attend a Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance in the evening.

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 the list of private teachers on this website.

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 Ms. T if you are interested (preference will be given to students in their section based on their auditioned chair placement).