AHS Orchestra

Welcome to orchestra at Ashland High School! This page is to share the important information that you need to know. If you have any questions, you can contact me using my email or Bloomz.

Class Location and Time

Students have Arrow Time and 5th period. The main location is the Little Theater, however if conflicts occur, the alternative locations are either the Choir Room, Band Room, Lobby Commons or Archer Auditorium, depending on the need.

M/W/F Students will have regular Arrow Time and 5th period at their normal time.

T/Th Students will have orchestra during Arrow Time and have 5th period as a study hall/make-up Arrow Time in the KIVA (or alternative location, which will be communicated). Students are expected to follow the expectations set by the teacher who is supervising them.

Alternate schedules such as delays, Arrow Time being in a different place in the day, etc., may affect where students go on occasion. Those changes will be communicated as soon as they are known.

What is needed for class

• Music: students will practice music that is provided to them. This is what we play for our concerts. 

  • Any music that is an Original and not a photocopy must be marked gently with no. 2 pencil so it can be easily erased, and music be returned to the director at the end of the concert cycle

  • All Originals, and at least one copy of each piece needs to be kept in the black folder provided. There is one folder per stand and this folder must be in the classroom for every class (do not leave it at home, but it may be agreed upon between stand partners to be brought home) Any student who damages a black folder must replace it.

• Instrument

• The necessary accessories for the instrument (this includes rosin, a cleaning cloth, violins and violas need a shoulder rest or sponge, cellos need a rock stop, etc.)

• school issued Chromebook

• Clipped Fingernails: Long nails and fake nails can lead to repetitive stress injury. Students must have their nails clipped for orchestra.

• A pencil

Grades

• Daily: 5 points

  • Having your instrument, having your music/materials, participating as expected in class, putting in the appropriate amount of effort, and being respectful during rehearsal are each worth a point each day. Failure to do any of these will result in a loss of that point

  • No instrument is an automatic 0 for the day

  • Students will complete makeup assignments to make up 3/5 points for the day in the event that a student does not have their instrument/does not play. Failure to complete these assignments within the class period will mean 0 points for the day

• Sightreading Factory: 50 points

  • Students will have a quarterly sightreading assignment to complete

  • There will be a Pre-Test at the beginning of the quarter which will be graded on completion worth 10 points

  • Students are required to submit at least 2 practice assignments from sightreading factory worth 10 points each

  • There will be a Post-Test at the end of the quarter that will be graded on accuracy worth 20 points

• Other Assignments (concert reflections, playing tests, etc.): 25 points

• Concert Attendance: 250 points

  • all absences will be required to complete a concert make-up assignment

  • excused absences can make up 100% of the points for the concert

  • unexcused absences can make up 70% of the points for the concert

  • all performances are required

Expectations in class

• Class will begin within five minutes of the bell ringing. In those five minutes, students should completely unpack, get all materials for class and warmup/tune during that time.

• Participation expectations as outlined in the grading policy

• Respectful noise in the classroom includes only playing when expected to, silently listening while instruction is happening, and avoiding being disruptive with inappropriate playing (intentionally bad, screechy, etc.)

• No materials will be left out and all instruments, folders, music, and other materials will be put away at the end of class

Concerts

Please refer to the orchestra boosters calendar for concert dates. All performances for your grade level are required.

Students will need to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the concert. Students will meet in the Little Theater at the High School, the performance will take place in Archer Auditorium.

Students need to wear all black to the concert. This is called concert black attire, and is our “dress code” for concerts. High school students will be fitted for their concert attire and will be provided their attire courtesy of the Ashland Orchestra Boosters. Students are expected to wear this attire to all performances unless otherwise noted, and will return them at the end of the school year.

OMEA Large Group or other Adjudicated Events

The Ashland High School Orchestra participates in an annual OMEA Large Group Competition or similar Adjudicated Event. This is an event where adjudicators rate a performance put on by the orchestra. This is event is required. Details will be provided by the director as the date changes each year. All concert policy applies.

Excused vs Unexcused Absences and Concert Makeup Policy

Request for an excused absence (omitting emergencies) should be given at least 2 weeks in advance of the concert to the director via the Absence Request Form in order to be considered an excused absence.

Unexcused Absence- Missing a performance or outside of the school day rehearsal with no communication and/or approval of the director. Emergencies will later be excused if there is communication from the student and adult-at-home to the director. Please plan accordingly with work schedules. Missing because of work will not count as an excused absence.

Make-Up Assignment- Students will have the opportunity to complete a make-up assignment with an excused or unexcused absence. Students will receive the make-up assignment form from the director.

Students with approved absences can receive full credit for missed rehearsals/performances for completing the make-up assignment.

Students with unapproved absences may only achieve up to 70% (175/250) of the missed points for completing the make-up assignment.

If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at any time. We’re so glad to have you as a member of the Ashland Orchestras, and I look forward to teaching you as a part of your musical journey!

-Ms. Taylor