High School Handbook

Introduction

All participants in the Orchestra Program pursue their desire to expand fluency, breadth of knowledge, and be exposed to scenarios that stretch their current abilities as string musicians.

Students will be exposed to opportunities in a class setting to participate in large and small group music ensembles and individual performances on stringed instruments.  Students will also be provided opportunities to expand their understanding of music theory, history, culture, and science throughout the course.  Participants will also grow in experience and maturity as they are provided opportunities to serve and lead others.

About the Director

My full name is Stephen Finley.  I am starting my fourth year in the Kentwood School system and have been teaching orchestra since 2011. My wife and I moved to Michigan in 2022.  I began playing the violin in the public-school system when I was in 5th grade in New Jersey.  I continued all through High School and played in youth orchestras and college symphonies as a teenager.  Even though I never planned to study music when I was younger, I always had a passion for it.  It was not until I auditioned on a whim and got into music school that I decided to take that career path seriously.  Up until then I had planned to study history and maybe even become an archeologist!  I eventually graduated from the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam with a Bachelor of Music Education.  I taught for a year outside of Syracuse, NY before going to graduate school at the University of Buffalo.  It was there that I earned a Masters of Violin Performance and a Master of Education in Music Education. I am currently working on my Doctorate of Musical Arts through Boston University.  My hobbies include video games, cycling, and hanging with my son Arthur.

Grading

Learning Process 30%   |   Learning Mastery 70%

The learning process will constitute most of the process based assessments in this course. Assessments may include but are not limited to performing in rehearsals, minor quizzes, performance feedback, pre-tests, project check-ins, peer reviewed assessments, and other assessments which are considered part of the learning process.

Learning Mastery will be assessing skills after instruction and practice. It should reflect an in depth knowledge and application of curricular content. This content could include concerts, major quizzes, tests, post-tests, playing  or written tests, and major projects.

Practice includes both rehearsal practice and at home practice. This is weighted as part of the “learning process.”  Students will be expected to put in concerted time using the techniques we learned in class to improve ability. Practice will be graded as part of the learning process.

Concert attendance is mandatory and is considered in the grading for this course.  If a student is not on time or in appropriate dress points will be deducted.  Please see the teacher for details.  Students should attend all rehearsals. Please note that it is expected that students arrange work, study, and other athletic practice schedules around the orchestra performance schedules as soon as you receive the calendar.  Extraneous circumstances may still occur, please discuss this with the teacher to arrange accommodations if necessary. If you are unable to make a rehearsal, and I know ahead of time, we will be able to work out a way for you to know what you missed and prepare accordingly. A parent email must be sent to the director to qualify for a makeup assignment.

Orchestra Honors

To qualify for an award students must have no record of disciplinary action within the instrumental music department. Students must have participated in their school music group for the entire year. Instrumental technique participation does not count toward performance credit.
Yearly participation --- Department Certification
Senior participation --- Departmental Plaque and Mug

Varsity Letter

To receive a varsity letter a student needs to earn eight points. Each semester a student is enrolled in a performing ensemble they are awarded 1 point. Students who excel in instrumental music can earn their varsity letter earlier by participating in the following:

All State Groups…Automatic Varsity Letter
District Solo & Ensemble…1 point
State Solo & Ensemble…2 point
Michigan Youth Arts Festival Honors Groups…3 point
GRYSO/ST. Cecilia… 1 point
Private lessons during full academic year…2 point
2nd Instrumental Ensemble…1 point
Pep Band…1 point
Pit Orchestra…1 point
Marching Band Leadership Staff…2point
District or Collegiate Honors Group…2 point
Service…1 point for every 8 hours served

After the issuance of the varsity letter, students who earn additional honor points in multiples of 6 will be awarded a Falcon pin. Students will be given an application to record their points earned for their varsity letter. It is important for students to keep documentation (Programs, rating sheets, etc.)to verify their eligibility.

In addition, there are several special awards that are given to students based upon musical contribution, spirit and student nominations. Some examples are the John Philip Sousa Award, The National School Orchestra Award, and the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award.

Classroom Expectations

Students should ultimately be respectful to each other and the instructor.  Students should expect to perform in orchestra class every day. 

Cell Phones have great potential to assist in education.  They also have an incredible tendency to distract.  Cell phones are permitted and used from time to time in the classroom when specified in a teacher’s lesson plan. It is a sign of great maturity to know the right time and place to use a cell phone.  When cellphones are not included in the lesson play they will be stored safely in a spot designated in the classroom away from the student. If a student is found using the cellphone during class time, the teacher is instructed to complete a major referral.

Students must have short fingernails.  Regardless of any social events that may traditionally encourage long fingernails, students in the orchestra must always have short fingernails.  This is also very important to the maintaining of correct playing posture, sound, and dexterity on a stringed instrument.  If a student has artificial nails or excessively long fingernails which the teacher deems detrimental to performance, the student should not perform and will not be able to perform quizzes and practices.  This is because, even though a student may attempt to perform to the best of their ability, practice with this handicap will create poor habits which may require more remediation in the future to undue bad habits.  Fingernails must be an appropriate size.  The instructor has the right to request artificial nails be removed.  This is a standard across every orchestra and we seek to maintain high standards here at Kentwood Public Schools and prepare students for real world experiences.

All students must remember to adhere to the school district’s dress code policy.  Cellist should pay close attention to wear clothing that accommodates holding a cello.  Some skirts, especially shorter designs, fail to facilitate playing the cello.  If a student is unable to perform because of a wardrobe limitation, the student will not be able to practice with the group and may lose performance opportunity.

Students must be in class before the bell rings.  Rehearsal will begin three minutes after the bell sounds.  This is time allotted for students to get instruments ready, prepare music, warm-up, complete any preliminary assignments, and set up their seat and stand as needed.  Students not prepared to perform 3 minutes after the bell may meet disciplinary infractions. 

Practice

Practice is integral to the ensemble progressing to a higher level of artistry.  The bulk of experience students will encounter in this course will come through individual practice.  Students must find time to practice frequently.  This is a serious and non-negotiable requirement for any musician to become a stronger player.  Playing quizzes may be given to assess a student’s practice.  Students will also use Make Music to assist practice.  Upper strings will bring instruments home frequently to accommodate learning thoroughly the materials learned in class.

Each student must obtain a subscription to an online music practice and assessment software called Make Music.  Kentwood Public Schools pays for student subscriptions and provides a Chromebook in order for students to use this technology.  Students may practice and submit their assignments through this platform.  Please allow technology to help where it can while being aware that there will inevitably be shortfalls. Do not panic if you have technological problems. Try to google it first, and then if contact your teacher describing the issues. You are most likely not the only one having these problems.

Concert and Rehearsal Policy

Students must arrive to the concert a minimum of 30 minutes before the concert’s scheduled rehearsal time.  A student who arrives late will not know where to unpack, sit during rehearsal, or have enough time to get their instrument in tune.  Please show up early.

If a student is unable to make a concert owing to a legitimate emergency, such instances will be handled on a case by case basis.  Please discuss these scenarios with your instructor in private.

All concert schedules in the curriculum are mandatory and considered major tests for our course.

All seating is determined by the instructor.  Seating may not be based on ability, but on the instructors needs, pairing up players, seniority, rotating players, and a host of other factors.  The top player may not sit first stand for a concert.  It may also be that you are a good player but are sitting in the back of the ensemble. Your seating in this ensemble is in no way connected to your value in the ensemble.

Instrument Guidelines

Each student is responsible to provide their own instrument to participate in the program.  Because cellos and basses are too large to transfer back and forth to school each day, the school district will provide cellists and bassists instruments to use for school rehearsals. A responsible use form must be signed in September to gain access to these instruments.  Lower string students can keep their personal instrument at home for daily practice.  Violin and viola students are expected to bring their instrument home for personal practice daily.  Lockers at school are meant for storage of instruments during the school day only.  Please bring instruments home over night.  The school district does not take responsibility for instruments that have been stolen. Combination locks are provided with a 5 dollar deposit.

Daily Supplies

      Instrument, clean and in working order.

      Bow, with full set of clean hair in working order

      Rosin

      One Extra set of strings

      A Music Stand for home practice

      Rock Stop for cellists and bassists

      Shoulder rest for violinists and violists

      Microfiber cloth to keep instrument clean

      Sheet Music

      Metronome/Tuner

Do not purchase instruments off eBay or Amazon without consulting the instructor.  Many of these instruments are of inferior quality.  Avoid painted instruments, too-good-to-be-true deals, and any online retailer that does not specialize specifically in string instruments. 

Please note that Bows must be loosened after each practice.  If a bow is not loosened the wood will become warped and the bow will not serve its purpose well.  It may look like a bow, but it will not feel or behave like a true bow.  I may request that bows that have not been taken care of be replaced.

Also, it is important that bows have a full head of hair.  A bow re-hair is something that a string player should invest in annually as a matter of routine maintenance or as often as the hair has thinned and become dirty.  Care and proper maintenance can reduce the frequency of this maintenance.

Uniform

The East Kentwood HS Orchestra uses a uniform for major performances. Students who do not have the appropriate attire will not be permitted to perform in the concerts. The school district will pay for every student to have one uniform. Fittings for this uniform happen on November. See your yearly calendar for dates. Please aim to get bigger sizes than you might need, as high school students will grow from year to year. Replacement garments may be purchased at student expense. There is a yearly expense associated with this uniform issuance which covers part of the drycleaning costs.

In addition to the standardized uniform:
Please do not wear high heels, foam sandals, sneakers, or white socks.

Schedule of Events

This is a list of the main required or major optional events for this coming academic year.  Please see the Kentwood District Orchestra List of Events for a complete list of all scheduled events for the year. 

• September 19 – CMU Honors Orchestra Field Trip

• October 23 – High School Masquerade Concert 7:30pm

• November 7-9 – Uniform Fittings

• December 12 – Mandatory After School Rehearsal

• December 14  - Collage Concert 3:00pm or 5:00pm

• February 12 – Pre-Festival Concert 7:30 pm

• February 24 – Adjudicated Orchestra Festival

• April 23 – Spring Concert 7:30pm

• May 18 – Optional Recitals

Make Music Cloud

Make Music Cloud

What class should I join?

Make Music Cloud is a helpful practice tool. It will allow you to hear the music at home at various tempi. You will be able to toggle the ensemble or just your parts, you may follow a curser to get timing, and both see and hear your success and mistakes in performing parts along with the computer. It is not always perfect, but it is a great way to get immediate feedback. Please note, there are cases where Make Music Cloud  does not pick up your sound.  It is advised that you do not record with other noises, including other background tracks playing in the background.  The fault could also be because your tone quality being weak. Consider this when submitting assignments.

When you enroll in the EKHS 2025-2026 Academic year class, you will be given access to many pieces and method books. Please feel free to browse the library and use this as an opportunity to find new pieces which you may want to perform with our ensemble.

Make Music Registration Codes

EK Concert Orchestra – MGA7C-YMXGW

EK Philharmonic Orchestra – U4Y6T-ECHER

EK Symphony Orchestra – NEAT6-YKKNR

Kentwood School District Orchestra Dates

Kentwood School District Orchestra Schedule
(Highlighted Dates are Mandatory HS dates)

September
          8 – Central Michigan University Honors Orchestra Field Trip  Registration Deadline
          19 – CMU Honors Orchestra Optional Field Trip
          26 – All State Orchestra Audition Registration Deadline
October
          8 – All State Audition Schedule Posts
          15 or 16 – All State Audition @Creekside MS, Zeeland MI
          17 – Orchestra Social 2:20 - 4:00
          22 – 7-8 Middle School Masquerade Concert (CW, PW, & 
  VW) @7:00, EKHS Fine Arts Auditorium
          23 – High School Concert @ 7:30, EKHS Fine Arts Auditorium
November
          7-9 – Uniform Fittings at EK, Door E
           12 – District Solo and Ensemble Festival Registration Deadline
          14 – Orchestra Social 2:20 – 4:00
           18 – 6th Grade Winterfest concert featuring ABC @ Crestwood
December
          4 – 7-8th Gr. Pinewood MS Orchestra Concert @PMS Gym 7:00
          Date TBD - Play-A-Thon Fundraiser @ Horrocks Market, Sign Up for Times
          9 – Vallywood MS Orchestra Concert
          12 – Mandatory After School Rehearsal for all HS fine arts students
          14 – Collage Concert 3:00pm or 5:00pm
          18 – Crestwood Middle School Concert
January
          23 – Sphinx Concerto Competition Field Trip to Detroit (7-12th Grade), Optional
          22-24 – All State Orchestra Rehearsals
          24 – All State Orchestra Concert
          31 – District Solo and Ensemble @ Wyoming HS
February
          3 – Pinewood 6th Grade Solo Night
          4 – Crestwood 6th Grade Solo Night
          5 – Valleywood 6th Grade Solo Night
          12 – Pre Festival Orchestra Concert 7-12th Grade, HS @7:30, EKHS Fine Arts Auditorium
          20 - Orchestra Social 2:20 – 4:00
          24 – Orchestra Festival – Adjudication (Times TBD)
March
          20 - Orchestra Social 2:20 – 4:00
April
          17 – ABCDEFG Orchestra Fundraiser @Freshman Campus 7:00
          23 – Spring Concert @ 7:30, EKHS Fine Arts Auditorium
          25 – Middle School S & E @ Northpointe Christian
May
          12 – Pinewood MS Pops Concert
          14 – Valleywood MS Pops Concert
          16 – HS Senior BBQ
          18 – High School Recitals @ 6:00pm, orchestra room
          19 – Crestwood MS Pops Concert

Kentwood School District Orchestra Schedule 2025 v.1 (Updated June 2025) 

Calendar