Edgewood Middle School Orchestra Syllabus: Grades 6, 7, and 8
Mr. Alex Hummel, Orchestra Director
Ms. Janet Elliott, Orchestra Lessons Instructor
651-621-6676
Alex.Hummel@moundsviewschools.org
Janet.Elliott@moundsviewschools.org
Course Description: Orchestra is a yearlong course in which students learn how to work together to create music. Students will develop basic skills on their instruments such as: scales, posture, bowing techniques, and aural skills. As students progress and achieve fluency in these skills they will learn more advanced techniques including vibrato, shifting, and musical phrasing. Students will also learn how to work together as a community through teamwork, leadership opportunities, and connecting through common goals.
Communication Plan: I am happy to discuss musical growth and progress with you throughout the year. Because I teach in multiple buildings throughout the week, email is the best way to reach me during the day, but I will return calls as soon as possible. I will also be emailing and sending information home with students about upcoming concerts and orchestra events throughout the year.
Required Materials:
Students are expected to have their instrument in working order at every orchestra rehearsal, and bring all necessary materials to class:
A dedicated orchestra folder or binder for all materials
Instrument accessories (shoulder rest, rosin, etc.)
Chromebook and Pencil
Rehearsal Schedule
Period 2, 8:41am-9:40am: 8th Grade Orchestra Rehearsal (daily)
Period 3, 9:34am-10:23am: 6th Grade Orchestra Rehearsal (B days)
Beginning Orchestra (A days)
Period 4, 10:27am-11:16am: 7th Grade Orchestra Rehearsal (daily)
Small Group Lessons:
Small group lessons will occur during your regular orchestra period. Lessons will include small group instruction, sectionals, and individual instruction throughout the school year. Ms. Janet Elliott will be teaching small group lessons this year.
Concert Dates for 2023-24 school year:
Make sure these dates are on your calendars!
EW Winter Concert for 6-8 grades: Thursday, December 7 @ 7pm
EW Spring Concert: Wednesday, May 21 @ 7pm
*Students enrolled in the Beginning Orchestra class are invited to, but not required, to participate in the Winter and Spring concerts.*
Each grade level may have additional separate performances throughout the school year (ie. field trips). Information regarding those performances will be communicated in advance.
Grading, Homework, and Attendance Policies:
Performance is roughly 80% of your grade and includes:
Assessments –Students will be assessed in various performance situations, including playing assessments in a large and small group setting. Written tests include assessments for music reading, literacy, and theory. Students will be allowed to re-asses any assessment once within 2 weeks of receiving their grade, and the highest score will be used to reflect their grade.
Lessons and sectionals Students will occasionally be pulled out of orchestra class to work on technique, duets, scales and/or solo repertoire for their specific instrument. Students are responsible for practicing all material covered in small group lessons in addition to regular rehearsal material.
Concerts -- Orchestra is a performance class. Concerts are mandatory for students in our music programs at Edgewood. Unexcused absences will result in a zero grade for concert attendance. An excused absence can only be gained through communication between a parent or guardian and Mr. Hummel. Students will then have two weeks from the day of the concert to complete a make-up assignment. A student with an unexcused absence will not be able to make up the credit.
Practice is roughly 20% of your grade and includes:
In class practice and ensemble etiquette – Rehearsal etiquette is key for ensembles to grow. This includes always making musical sounds, playing when it is appropriate, positive contribution, attitude, behavior, appropriate posture/playing technique, as well as having all required materials in class. Students will receive in class practice grades based on pre-established, and agreed upon, expectations.
Practice -- Students are expected to practice enough to stay caught up in the orchestra and be able to competently play their playing assessments. The goal for each week of practice should be at least 60-120 minutes (1-2 hours) per week outside of class.
Written Work-- Written work can include: a variety of worksheets, music compositions, short essays, and written assignments on music history, theory and performance.
Homework Policy:
Instrument practice IS your homework; however, written work not finished in class will need to be completed outside the school day. Students should also expect an average of two or three written assignments per quarter. Homework may also be given if a student needs to make up for in-class activities that were missed due to absence or missing materials (i.e. not having their instrument).
Student grades can be checked at any time through ParentVue.
Enrichment Activities
Chamber Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra is an opportunity for students to connect and play extra music after school. I strongly encourage 7th and 8th grade students to participate. 6th graders looking to challenge themselves and learn from the older students are also encouraged to participate. Chamber Orchestra begins in October, and performs for a variety of school/community events throughout the year. Information about rehearsals will be provided in class.
Instrument Rental:
Instruments may be rented/purchased from any music store, but the two listed below service our district and deliver the instrument to our school (they also provide a rental discount to new families in our district). A limited amount of school instruments are available for rental as well for families with financial needs; contact me for more information.
Call the stores for information on rental costs, and let them know you are from ISD 621:
All Strings Attached (763) 542-9542 www.allstringsattached.com
House of Note (952) 929-0026 www.houseofnote.com
***Additionally, Thursday Sept. 14 from 5:00 - 6:30 PM at Valentine Hills is set for an instrument display night for Beginning Orchestra students. All NEW orchestra students are welcome to get sized and arrange to rent an instrument during this time. We do NOT recommend purchasing an instrument through websites such as Amazon or Craigslist as quality is not guaranteed.***
All cellists/bassists will use EW instruments during class so transportation is not required. School use rental forms will be sent home during the first week of class.