Embedded Files
Week 10
Week 10
Thank you so much to students and families for helping me through the past week. The past three years I have been communting to and from work on a bicycle. Last Monday I took a nasty fall and ended up fracturing both of my elbows and my wrist. I'm already seeing amazing recovery in the motion of my arms. However, full recovery will take some time. I hope to be back to playing the violin and conducting ensembles shortly. Until then, I've been urged to take it easy and prioritize recover.
First quarter ending
I have spent a lot of time going through student re-assignments last week. I have updated student grades. As we move forward I want to prioritize consistent practice time and to make sure not to turn in work that is not ready. I find many assignments that are turned in with a low grade. When I examine how much time a student spent on the assignment it is often less than five minutes.
The assignments I issue is always material I have already covered in class
Students can re-do the assigments as many times as they want before they click the submit button at home. This is just form of practice and It is encouraged that students spend the time over multiple days to get the grade they are proud of.
Students are generally given 4-7 days to practice and turn in an assignment to accomodate busy schedules and the need to practice.
With grades coming out soon, please use this as an opportunity to reflect on what daily practice looks like in your home.
Fall Orchestra Concert
Save the Date: October 28, 2026 @ 7:00
The fall concert will take place on Wednesday October 28, 2026. Students will have a chance to rehearse with Crestwood and Vallywood during the school day. Mr. Finley will walk to East Kentwood High School with the orchestra students during the school day for a during school rehearsal. That evening, students will have a masquerade concert. Students are allowed to dress up for this event in a costume. It must not restrict movement or cover the face. Any other school appropriate costume is permissible. Students should report to East Kentwood High School between 6:00-6:30. Mr Finley will help tune every student before heading to the stage/audience.
Cello and Bass students are expected to use their home instruments for this concert. Parents can drop this instrument off in the morning before school starts on the day of the event. Mr. Finley will be at the high school from 6:00 AM until 8:30 AM. Parents can drop them off at the office located at door D of the high school. High school volunteers will bring the instruments to the stage for the school rehearsal. All instruments MUST BE LABELED .
Upcoming Field Trip opportunity
21 spots remaining to attend our field trip downtown.
Those who would like to learn more about the optional field tirp can find out HERE for more details on the lineup and event put on by the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. It will be at the St. Cecilias Music Center in downtown grand rapids. This venue only has limited seating. We are limited to 100 students between all three middle schools. It will cost 20 dollars per student to attend the event. The price covers the ticket cost, bussing, and food. Students will be getting pizza in the orchestra room upon arriving back at Pinewood. Students will be required to pay online using the Revtrack payment system put out by the school system.
If a student would like to go, please make to to pay AND register as soon as you are able.
Click Here to Pay (This link is for Pinewood Middle School Students ONLY)
After Payment is submitted, complete this Registration
Our Chicago field trip parent meeting is set. This is chance for the field trip company we are using to meet with parents and give an overview of the trip. Parents and studetns can also ask questions and get iteneraries and learn about payment systems and get pricing information. For those who can not attend in person, we will produce the informaition digitally soon after the meeting.
PARENT MEETING NOV 3 @ 6:45. PINEWOOD ORCHESTRA ROOM. You can park in the parking lot by 60th street and enter through the orchestra room by door B. I will open the door. This meeting will take place right after the MS ABC Orchestra rehearsal.
Every two years the middle school orchestra program takes a trip to Chicago. This is an overnight field trip. Students visit the city, see the symphony, and engage in museums and other events around the city. We are planning a parent meeting for this in Early November. The date for the launch of this trip has not been determined by the field trip company, but I wanted to keep it on parents' radar so families can plan accordingly. Please click the Chicago Field Trip link to see all of our current details.
We will meet from 5:30-6:30. At this point students have all of the music that I intend to give out for the first concert cycle. We will be spending the next few rehearsals learning the music, rehearsing, and answering questions.
Orchestra Apparel
Orchestra Apparel
Orchestra apparel drive will take place starting on October 27 and will conclude on November 3. Links to purchase will be shared digitally.
Week 9
Week 9
First quarter ending
All students have had a full class period last week to submit backed work, get extra help, practice, and make up missing assignments. Students have also been given a chance to resubmit grades that were lower than they would like. The marking period will lock very soon. Please encourage students to look through their grade book and make up missing work or fix low grades ASAP. I would like all missing work and old grades completed no later than Wednesday. It will take me a minute to listen to student work and to update grades accordingly.
Fall Orchestra Concert
Save the Date: October 28, 2026 @ 7:00
The fall concert will take place on Wednesday October 28, 2026. Students will have a chance to rehearse with Crestwood and Vallywood during the school day. Mr. Finley will walk to East Kentwood High School with the orchestra students during the school day for a during school rehearsal. That evening, students will have a masquerade concert. Students are allowed to dress up for this event in a costume. It must not restrict movement or cover the face. Any other school appropriate costume is permissible. Students should report to East Kentwood High School between 6:00-6:30. Mr Finley will help tune every student before heading to the stage/audience.
Cello and Bass students are expected to use their home instruments for this concert. Parents can drop this instrument off in the morning before school starts on the day of the event. Mr. Finley will be at the high school from 6:00 AM until 8:30 AM. Parents can drop them off at the office located at door D of the high school. High school volunteers will bring the instruments to the stage for the school rehearsal. All instruments MUST BE LABELED .
Upcoming Field Trip opportunity
Thank you to all of those who signed up so far for the field trip. My appologies as I am aware that the payment system did stop working for us near the end of the week. We allerted the folks in charge and hope this is sorted out quickly.
Those who would like to learn more about the optional field tirp can find out HERE for more details on the lineup and event put on by the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. It will be at the St. Cecilias Music Center in downtown grand rapids. This venue only has limited seating. We are limited to 100 students between all three middle schools. It will cost 20 dollars per student to attend the event. The price covers the ticket cost, bussing, and food. Students will be getting pizza in the orchestra room upon arriving back at Pinewood. Students will be required to pay online using the Revtrack payment system put out by the school system.
As of Sunday Evening we have 33 students registered for this event. If a student would like to go, please make to to pay AND register as soon as you are able.
Click Here to Pay (This link is for Pinewood Middle School Students ONLY)
After Payment is submitted, complete this Registration
Our Chicago field trip parent meeting is set. This is chance for the field trip company we are using to meet with parents and give an overview of the trip. Parents and studetns can also ask questions and get iteneraries and learn about payment systems and get pricing information. For those who can not attend in person, we will produce the informaition digitally soon after the meeting.
PARENT MEETING NOV 3 @ 6:45. PINEWOOD ORCHESTRA ROOM. You can park in the parking lot by 60th street and enter through the orchestra room by door B. I will open the door. This meeting will take place right after the MS ABC Orchestra rehearsal.
Every two years the middle school orchestra program takes a trip to Chicago. This is an overnight field trip. Students visit the city, see the symphony, and engage in museums and other events around the city. We are planning a parent meeting for this in Early November. The date for the launch of this trip has not been determined by the field trip company, but I wanted to keep it on parents' radar so families can plan accordingly. Please click the Chicago Field Trip link to see all of our current details.
We will meet from 5:30-6:30. At this point students have all of the music that I intend to give out for the first concert cycle. We will be spending the next few rehearsals learning the music, rehearsing, and answering questions.
Orchestra Apparel
Orchestra Apparel
Orchestra apparel drive will take place starting on October 27 and will conclude on November 3. Links to purchase will be shared digitally.
Week 8
Week 8
Fall Orchestra Concert
Save the Date: October 28, 2026 @ 7:00
The fall concert will take place on Wednesday October 28, 2026. Students will have a chance to rehearse with Crestwood and Vallywood during the school day. Mr. Finley will walk to East Kentwood High School with the orchestra students during the school day for a during school rehearsal. That evening, students will have a masquerade concert. Students are allowed to dress up for this event in a costume. It must not restrict movement or cover the face. Any other school appropriate costume is permissible. Students should report to East Kentwood High School between 6:00-6:30. Mr Finley will help tune every student before heading to the stage/audience.
Cello and Bass students are expected to use their home instruments for this concert. Parents can drop this instrument off in the morning before school starts on the day of the event. Mr. Finley will be at the high school from 6:00 AM until 8:30 AM. Parents can drop them off at the office located at door D of the high school. High school volunteers will bring the instruments to the stage for the school rehearsal. All instruments MUST BE LABELED .
Upcoming Field Trip opportunity
I'm finalizing the details for an optional field trip that will take place on November 13th. Click HERE form more details on the lineup and event put on by the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. It will be at the St. Cecilias Music Center in downtown grand rapids. This venue only has limited seating. We are limited to 100 students between all three middle schools. It will cost 20 dollars per student to attend the event. The price covers the ticket cost, bussing, and food. Students will be getting pizza in the orchestra room upon arriving back at Pinewood. Students will be required to pay online using the Revtrack payment system put out by the school system.
Click Here to Pay (This link is for Pinewood Middle School Students ONLY)
After Payment is submitted, complete this Registration
Every two years the middle school orchestra program takes a trip to Chicago. This is an overnight field trip. Students visit the city, see the symphony, and engage in museums and other events around the city. We are planning a parent meeting for this in Early November. The date for the launch of this trip has not been determined by the field trip company, but I wanted to keep it on parents' radar so families can plan accordingly. Please click the Chicago Field Trip link to see all of our current details.
MS ABC resumes this week. We will rehearse on Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 in the orchestra room. If you have not come by yet, please feel free to come on by. We are playing a fiddle tune medley, Lady Gaga hit mix, and a hip hop fiddle tune called Ab so far. Our first concert will be on November 17th at Pinewood Middle School for the 6th grade concert.
Orchestra Apparel
Orchestra Apparel
Orchestra apparel drive will take place starting on October 27 and will conclude on November 3. Links to purchase will be shared digitally.
Week 6-7
Week 6-7
We had 3 students register for Mid Level String Clinic. Students will receive their music in class and should use MAKEMUSIC to practice and prepare the music before the festival.
MS ABC Orchestra
Remember!!!! There is no MS ABC Orchestra this Tuesday because of Parent Teacher conferences. Instead I hope to see parents come by the Pinewood Orchestra room.
Parent Teacher Conferences
This week is parent teacher conferences. I will in the Pinewood Orchestra room on Tuesday from 4:30-8:30 to meet with any parents who would like to learn more about their child's progress in the orchestra program. On Thursday, I will also be available for virtual conferences as well. If you are not able to make the conferences, I'm always happy to respond about your child's progress through email or phone.
Midori is coming to Grand Rapids
Midori is one of the greatest violinists on our generation and will be making an appearance with the Grand Rapids Symphony on November 6 and 7th. Tickets will only bet 12 dollars for 2 for students! The details are provided in this link. Please reserve yours early while they are available.
CAMPUS CLUB TICKETS TO SYMPHONY
8th Grade Orchestra
This past week we expanded our understanding of vibrato, worked on sight reading, had a major take home test on Second Position, and spent the week doing small group performances. Students are doing a great job. Please make sure students are completing work ON TIME. It is not just hard, but nearly impossible to build on Skill A and move on to skill B if students are not completing and practicing at home. Many students wait to turn in work until the last minute or wait until the day before the concert and try to turn in months of backed work. The more we stay on track the easier things will be in the long run.
7th Grade Orchestra
Students are deep into learning the orchestra repertoire this week. We have read through 2 of our 3 pieces completely. the other piece is almost done. I encourage students to go onto MAKEMUSIC and use it for daily practice.
One thing I'm noticing, students are submitting work that does not sound like the reference recordings and are wondering why it is so hard. The answer is that it takes practice! Students should practice daily to develop the skills needed to sound like the reference recordings found on MAKEMUSIC. They can then play with the recordings, listen back and compare. Please note that our district has a policy that allows for students to REDO an assignment if they are not happy with the grade. I apply this principal by allowing students UNLIMITED redo's on the makemusic platform. They can then submit the score that they are satisfied with. This is just disguised practice, but it also applies to our school district redo policy.
Grades have been updated and synced from MAKEMUSIC to Synergy. Please check your child's progress to see how they are doing. Even better, ask to hear their recordings on Makemusic and listen to how they are doing!
If a students is interested in private lessons, Here is a document with lesson teachers in the area that you can consider. Please let me know if you are considering this and have additional questions. We encourage every student to study privately to get 1:1 attention and tailored guidance through solo repertoire and studies that go beyond the scope of our orchestra ensemble but will certainly make students an overall better musician.
Week 5
Week 5
Mid Level String Clinic Deadline is this week on Thursday! The actual clinic takes place on October 17, but the registration deadline is September 24th. Please register on the Mid Level String clinic section of this site and pay Mr. Finley with $20 cash to cover registration costs and lunch. Afterwards, students will get sheet music get to start practicing.
All State applications for any interested are due this week as well. The deadline is Friday, September 25. The registration can be found on the All State section of our orchestra website. If you are interested please see a private lesson teacher or Mr. Finley for private lessons ASAP.
Our first week of ABC Orchestra was great. We had about 23 students come out to our first rehearsal. We were exposed to our first piece which is actually a combination of three pieces strung together. Road to Lisdoonvarna, Swallow Tail Jig, and Fiddle Funk. If yuo are interested in doing ABC Orchestra, please join us this Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 in the Pinewood Orchestra room. Come as you are, no level requirement is needed and students are not required to get every note. This is supposed to be a fun place to learn, meet new folks from all of the other middle schools, and an outlet for to play something outside of the school repertoire. See you there!
Please join the MS ABC Orchestra Google Classroom to get information, music, and stay up to date! Class Code: paae4th7
This past week
This past week
8th Grade: The 8th grade orchestra has learned the final finger pattern for their instruments! They now know it all! Well almost. Students are working on half position and will have a new playing quiz due this coming week. Students should be practicing this new finger pattern very diligently every day in order for it to become second nature. We play it in class EVERY day but it is not enough to make sure it becomes second nature. Additionally, students are learning to shift, vibrato, and our orchestra repertoire.
7th Grade: This week the 7th grade orchestra finished up the review lessons from 6th grade and started working on their orchestra repertoire music. I was able to introduce the brand new method book to students. We will learn technique through the method books, but the orchestra music part of rehearsal will be different than the past. In 7th grade, students will have a massive shift in how they will be successful in class. Unlike the past where everybody in the class is working on the same part, we now have 5 different parts and different instruments all coming together at the same time. Student must learn to practice their part at home by themselves. I will teach HOW to do the notes and rhythms, but I will not be able to take a class to drill notes and rhythms all class like students might be used to. Every student is expected to learn their part outside of class through daily practice so they can put it together with their friends in class. I will keep assignments short and manageable, but it will build up quickly IF students don't keep up with the practice. Students will receive practice assignments on MakeMusic. Please encourage students to log in and practice a little bit as often as possible.
Week 4's assignment was Night Rider Measures 1-18.
Practice Mutes for Quieter Homes
Practice Mutes for Quieter Homes
Some students expressed an inability to practice because they might not be able to make loud noises at certain times. There is a tool that I personally use when I need to turn the volume down on my instrument. It is called a practice mute. Students can order these through Meyer music and have themdelivered to the school, use the website linke below, or go to any other website or music store to order. I just wanted to provide an example if this is a product that a student is interested in.
Violin/Viola Practice Mute
Cello Practice Mute
Bass Practice Mute
Week 4
Week 4
An optional performance opportunity is taking place on Saturday October 17, 2026. This is called an Honors Orchestra. Any student interested may register to spend the day performing in a middle school orchestra with other students from around West Michigan in a one-day event which includes rehearsal and a concert.
Students must bring $20 cash to Mr. Finley AND register online no later than October 1st 2026. The event is located at Portage West Middle School (7145 Moorsbridge Rd, Portage, MI 49024).
Students must arrange their own transportation to and from this event. Lunch is provided to students. For more information, please see the details on the Mid-Level String Clinic section on this website or reach out to Mr. Finley directly.
ABC stands for anything but classical. If students are interested in joining an afterschool orchestra club that gets together and jams, we meet on most Tuesdays at 5:30-6:30. (Last year we met on Monday's. Please note the schedule shift. This was to accommodate a change in my personal schedule.) This group will also have students from Vallywood and Crestwood middle schools. It is a great way to meet up with other orchestra students and to make friends across the other middle schools.
Who can join? Any member of the 7th or 8th grade orchestra program.
When and Where? Pinewood Orchestra Room on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30pm
What do we play? Anything but classical. This includes Irish fiddle music, jazz, funk, pop, rock, and even improvisations.
How good do I have to be? You need to be as good as you are today. There is no level requirement for this ensemble. Just come and have fun with your peers. No pressure if you don't get every note.
How much does it cost? It costs 3 payments of ZERO Dollars. This is a free club that students in the orchestra program.
Please see the schedule found on this website under ABC Orchestra ---> ABC Middle School Club
Students interested in auditioning for the All State Orchestra may register for an audition time. Please visit the ALL STATE section of the website for more information. This is incredibly competitive and is not for all students. It is highly encouraged that students who do attempt this are taking private lessons. The materials for this audition are well outside of the scope of a normal middle school curriculum. However, I do encourage those looking for a challenge to give it a shot. If nothing, it is a great way to get extra practice and get experience auditioning. I did have a double bass student make All State 2 years ago from Pinewood Middle School. If you would like more information on this competition, please reach out to Mr. Finley. Auditions cost is $15. Cash may be delivered to Mr. Finley. Parents should also complete the registration document found on the All State Section of our website so that I can register students accordingly. The deadline is September 25.
Weekly Practice
Students should be practicing often at home. Students have generally been doing a great job completing assignments and preparing for playing quizzes this year. Please encourage students to prepare for online as well as in person quizzes.
7th Grade Orchestra finishes their review unit this week and has already been given their sheet music for the year and switched from row seating to traditional seating. I encourage students to not lose their music. The easiest way is to get a small binder to keep their music safe. I recommend a 1/2 inch binder. I have a hole punch in class that makes it easy to get holes in their music and to keep it safe. Starting this week the 7th Grade Orchestra will begin the standardized curriculum and start progressing through the next level method book. This book is called Habits of a Successful Middle Level String Musician. Students will use this book for the next two years. If a student would like their own book they are welcome to purchase it from a local music store or online. However, we have a class set and students can practice at home using MakeMusic.com which also contains the same material.
8th Grade orchestra has already had 2 playing quizzes. Students are allowed as many re-do's as they want before submitting an online make music playing quiz. Please encourage practice and submitting quality work. For in person quizzes, students are given an additional week to re-take the test if they are unhappy with their initial score. They have learned two new finger patterns last week. After this they will officially know ALL of the finger patterns for their instrument. We have also begun shifting up and down the fingerboard and learning vibrato exercises. I'm excited to see students finish up the basics and start seeing how they apply it to all of the amazing music they are now capable of playing.
Week 3
Week 3
An optional performance opportunity is taking place on Saturday October 17, 2026. This is called an Honors Orchestra. Any student interested may register to spend the day performing in a middle school orchestra with other students from around West Michigan in a one-day event which includes rehearsal and a concert.
Students must bring $20 cash to Mr. Finley AND register online no later than October 1st 2026. The event is located at Portage West Middle School (7145 Moorsbridge Rd, Portage, MI 49024).
Students must arrange their own transportation to and from this event. Lunch is provided to students. For more information, please see the details on the Mid-Level String Clinic section on this website or reach out to Mr. Finley directly.
ABC stands for anything but classical. If students are interested in joining an afterschool orchestra club that gets together and jams, we meet on most Tuesdays at 5:30-6:30. (Last year we met on Monday's. Please note the schedule shift. This was to accommodate a change in my personal schedule.) This group will also have students from Vallywood and Crestwood middle schools. It is a great way to meet up with other orchestra students and to make friends across the other middle schools.
Who can join? Any member of the 7th or 8th grade orchestra program.
When and Where? Pinewood Orchestra Room on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30pm
What do we play? Anything but classical. This includes Irish fiddle music, jazz, funk, pop, rock, and even improvisations.
How good do I have to be? You need to be as good as you are today. There is no level requirement for this ensemble. Just come and have fun with your peers. No pressure if you don't get every note.
How much does it cost? It costs 3 payments of ZERO Dollars. This is a free club that students in the orchestra program.
Please see the schedule found on this website under ABC Orchestra ---> ABC Middle School Club
Students interested in auditioning for the All State Orchestra may register for an audition time. Please visit the ALL STATE section of the website for more information. This is incredibly competitive and is not for all students. It is highly encouraged that students who do attempt this are taking private lessons. The materials for this audition are well outside of the scope of a normal middle school curriculum. However, I do encourage those looking for a challenge to give it a shot. If nothing, it is a great way to get extra practice and get experience auditioning. I did have a double bass student make All State 2 years ago from Pinewood Middle School. If you would like more information on this competition, please reach out to Mr. Finley. Auditions cost is $15. Cash may be delivered to Mr. Finley. Parents should also complete the registration document found on the All State Section of our website so that I can register students accordingly. The deadline is September 25.
Lower Strings getting instruments from Pinewood
Those students who are getting instruments from Pinewood Middle School, we are doing our best to accomodate. There are more that 18 cellists in the 6th grade class that all need cellos during the school day, not to mention the current 7-8th grade classes. It is not possible to provide every cellist and bassist with a school and home instrument, but we are doing our best to accomodate those who request them. I have been pulling instruments aside preparing them for this week. Students who filled out an instrument request form and have parent permission to get an instrument will be able to bring home instruments this week. I highly encourage those who can afford to rent to consider this option. Just a few points to consider if any parents are on the fence concerning renting an instrument:
Students may keep the same instrument from year to year
Rent to own means all payments go to owning a instrument
The quality of the instrument is substantially better with rentals that school offerings
If a student needs a new bow or a bow rehear it is included in the rental contract
If a student breaks an instrument, repairs are included in the rental contract
Size upgrades are included as part of the rental agreement
Broken strings are included in the rental contract
Thank you to parents who have been keeping in touch, making inquiries, and finding errors in my emials from time to time. If you need anything don't hesitate to reach out.
Week 2
Week 2
This week our 8th grade students started learning an Irish Jig called Murphy's Jig getting ready for the Masquerade Concert already. Our 7th graders have completed their first pre-test in class learning how to submit an assignment on our online music submission portal called makemusic.com.
8th grade updates
8th grade updates
This week the 8th grade students will be getting the next two pieces for the masquerade concert. Students are learning half position and working through our method book learning flat keys as well as learning more shifting into third position.
Here are recording links for all of our repertoire for the 8th grade orchestra.
Murphy's Jig Zombie Tango La Mia Forza
Assignments for this week will include a practice activity in Muphy's Jig where students will learn to perform with a metronome. Students will create a practice journal and learn how to make incremental progress on difficult passages over time and how to record their practice over time.
7th Grade Updates
7th Grade Updates
Students in the 7th grade began reviewing the 6th grade year. However, we are moving much faster through the material than last year. We have already reviewed how to hold our body without tension, how to hold the bow without tension, and reviewed some simple bow exercises. We are spending a lot of time reviewing how to compare pitches and to hear sharp vs flat sounds. This is so students can learn to tune themselves effectively. Students were even introduce to how to tune with the pegs of their instruments and not just the fine tuners.
Due Tuesday September 1 - #14 on Make Music
We covered Exercise 1-20 last week and were assigned exercise 14 on Make Music as our first practice quiz. Students should complete this quiz at home. There are few students who play lower strings who may not have instruments. These students may complete the assignment in class until instruments are assigned. Students that have instruments at home, I'm asking that students use this assignment as an opportunity to begin integrating daily practice into their schedule. This assignment is a way to check in on that daily practice.
This week's plan is to cover up to exercise 60 or as close to it as we can get. Students should practice these review exercises on their chrome books by searching for the title Habits of a Successful young string musician.
While we 7th grade students did not yet receive their music for the upcoming fall concert, here are recordings of each piece if students would like to get a head start in listening to their future pieces.
Week 1
Welcome to Pinewood Orchestra
This week students received a copy of the Syllabus.
Please review the syllabus for important dates and policy information for the music program.
You can also find a complete list of every orchestra activity for the district on our home page
Students are given access to a powerful practice and assessment tool called Make Music. They can access this through the website www.makemusic.com. This is where students will recieve practice assignments. They will be counted for a grade and assessed by the teacher after submission. Students will be required to practice at home to master skills learned in class.
Upcoming Events
Mid Level String Clinic - This is an optional performing event students can elect to attend if they want to. We are actively working on getting bussing to the event. Parents will have to pick up students from the event which is hosted in Portage, Mi. More details are found on the Mid Level String Clinic Page.
Please feel free to reach out to me with questions
I'm looking forward to a fun year of music making!
Stephen Finley
stephen.finley@kentwoodps.org
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