2022 - 2023 Handbook
Handbook 22-23
Once you have read through this with your parent/guardian click the google form link at the bottom and submit the form. This is Due by 8/31/22
Class Requirements
Focused participation at all regular rehearsals, extra rehearsals and sectionals are all a major part of each student’s daily coursework.
Instrument, music and accessories including rosin, shoulder rest/rock stop, extra strings, cleaning cloth, and pencil are required daily materials.
Participation in all Concerts and activities, except those noted as optional, are required and are a part of each student’s grade. Failure to participate without a parent note or phone call the following school day, will result in the lowering of a student’s grade (see Grade #4). All concerts and rehearsals are listed on our classroom website www.glendoraorchestra.com
. Additional dates may be added with advance notice. All Orchestra students are expected to maintain a 2.0 or higher Grade Point Average (G.P.A.). If a student’s G.P.A. drops below 2.0, according to Glendora Unified School District Policy, they are on Academic Probation and ineligible participate in Field Trips.
To receive full credit, students are to arrive at all performances on time and participate in complete formal concert dress (Remember to be early is to be on time). Any student not in complete concert dress, will not be allowed to perform and receive an unexcused absence (Grading #4). The Orchestra polo shirt and pants are required attire for casual performances.
Formal Concert Dress (for 2022-2023 school year)
Concert dress applies to live performances and any videos recorded for any virtual performance. All 9th, 10th, and 11th (12th grade students needing a uniform) will be going to the Friar Tux West Covina location from 8/29/22 - 9/12/22 during store hours to get fitted for and purchase concert uniforms. See Friar Tux Letter
9th & 10th Grade Students:
Tux Pants or Tux Skirt - All students will be going to Friar Tux to purchase either Tux Pants or a Tux Skirt. Please see Friar Tux Letter. All students will be getting the tux pants.
Tux Shirt/Bow Tie/Cummerbund - All Students will will be going to Friar Tux to purchase a Tux Shirt (with studs), Cummerbund, and Bow Tie.
Shoes - All students will need black closed toe shoes.
Black Socks or Black/skin colored Nylons
Accessories if necessary (hair items, etc.)- must be small and black. Hair style/color(s) must be natural and not detract from the group. Make-up, if worn, should be natural looking and not detract from the group.
11th - 12th Grade Students:
Ladies
Option 1: Southeastern Oratorio Dress (long velvet & crepe material) is only for 12th grade students. This is the dress students purchased in previous years. Ladies are to wear solid black shoes and solid black nylons.
Options 2: Same as 9th & 10th Grade Uniform with a tux jacket. There will be two styles of tux jackets offered. A higher cut one or a regular cut jacket. The choice is yours.
Gentlemen
Tuxedo Ensemble (jacket, shirt, pants, cummerbund, tuxedo shirt, bow tie)- Gentlemen are to wear solid black long socks, solid black dress shoes. Hair style/color(s) must be natural and not detract from the group. If you have outgrown your tux you may follow the 9th grade dress code for gentlemen.
All Students
Accessories if necessary (hair items, etc.)- must be small and black. Hair style/color(s) must be natural and not detract from the group. Make-up, if worn, should be natural looking and not detract from the group.
Instrument Use
Cellos and basses are available for loan through the music department. The recommended amount to offset the cost of maintenance is $90 for the full school year. Please submit a loan agreement and cash or check made payable to GHS Orchestra Boosters.
Grading
Students grades will be weighted with the following categories:
Concerts/Rehearsals/Performances 30%
Participation 30%
Playing Exams/Classwork 30%
Final Exam/Project 10%
Improvement and daily participation (unexcused absences and tardies will lower a students grade) are a majority of each student’s coursework.
Students will start each week with 100 points for class participation. Failure to participate during class meetings, handing in assignments on time, lack of adequate home preparation, etc. will result in points being deducted.
Playing and/or written testing and assignments will be given throughout the year. Playing tests are evaluated on an individual basis.
Any unexcused absence at a performance will result in the lowering of a student’s total grade by one letter grade (an A becomes a B). An excused absence consists of: serious illness or family emergency (parent note or phone call the following school day required).
Assignments/Projects
In an effort to help you, the student, manage your time better I am setting a consistent due date for all assignments. Below is the policy for your assignments and classwork in orchestra.
In Class Assignments
Any assignment/test done during class is due that class period. These consist of in class playing tests, written assignments, or group work. If more time is needed on the assignments, as determined by the instructor, it will become a regular assignment and follow the weekly assignments due date.
Weekly Assignments
All weekly assignments will be in your modules on the first class of the week.
Any assignments created during the week will default to the following week.
For example something assigned on a Thursday/Friday will default to the first lesson of the next week.
All assignments and tasks that are assigned on the first lesson of the week will be due the following Wednesday by 11:59 PM.
This will give you approximately 1 1/2 weeks to work on and submit any assignment.
Projects
Project due dates will be given at the start of the project.
The due date for all projects will be on Wednesday's at 11:59 PM
Late/Missing Assignments
Missing assignments will be given an automatic 50%.
Though I am not a huge fan of giving someone something they did not earn, I do not want one assignment to ruin your grade. Therefore, missing assignments will be given a failing grade but not a zero.
Late work will be accepted till the last day of the month they were due in.
All work handed in after the due date will receive a 10% reduction in the grade.
Please note the resubmission of an assignment for a better grade is not considered late, so long as the original submission was on or before the due date.
Attendance
Attendance will be taken at the start of each class, concert, and rehearsal. Students must be in their seat, instrument out, music and all materials set up, and ready to tune or they will be marked tardy. Daily participation grades will be lowered for students who are tardy.
Students who are consistently tardy (3 or more times in one semester) will be required to come in during tutorial (online office hours) to make-up the time missed in class.
It is the student responsibility to come to me after class when they are tardy to make sure they were not marked absent.
Concert Attendance
Orchestra is a performance-based course. Therefore, students are REQUIRED to attend all performances listed on the Calendar of Events. Students will receive a grade based upon attendance at these concerts. This grade will be based purely upon the level of participation in the performance. It is expected that students stay for the entirety of the concert to receive credit.
2022 - 2023 Concerts
October 28
6:30 PM Fall Orchestra Concert
In the Pavillion at GHS
December 8th
7:00 PM Orchestra Winter/Holiday Concert
GHS Event Center.
March 10th
7:00 PM Tartan Orchestra Festival (GHS, SMS, GMS).
GHS Large Gym
May 9th Ross Festival
May 16th
7:00 PM GHS Orchestra Curtain Call Performance.
GHS Event Center
Absence Policy
All students are REQUIRED to attend all sectionals, after school rehearsals, and performances. I realize that some situations warrant an excused absence from events. Excused absences will be considered for the following reasons:
Medical Emergency
Death in the family
Religious Holiday
Excused school absence
One time family event such as a wedding (Must be approved, in advance, by the director)
Excused absences are granted at the discretion of the director. Please adhere to the following timeline when requesting excused absences:
Rehearsal outside of the school day – 3 school days in advance
Concerts and Major Performances – 10 school days in advance
Contest or Festival – At least 1 month in advance
All absences require communication between the parent and director. Verbal or written excuses from students are not acceptable. If you have an unexcused absence from either a rehearsal or concert, you may not be eligible to attend non-mandatory orchestra trips.
Awards
Students who participate in Orchestra for three years qualify for a G.H.S. Orchestra Letter. Students qualifying for the Letter must perform in all concerts, rehearsals, and participate each year in the fundraiser with no unexcused absences. Letters will be presented at the End of the Year Awards Reception. Students will also receive awards for dedication, outstanding achievement, and improvement.
Communication
When sending emails to your teacher you need to include the following:
A clear subject line
A properly formatted email (Salutation (Hello/Dear) Mr. Nelson, complete sentences, and a complimentary close such as Sincerely)
All emails should be written in a professional and respectful manner. Remember you are emailing your teacher and not texting a friend.
DO NOT SHARE DOCUMENTS WITH Mr. Nelson via email. All assignments need to be turned into their proper turn in locations. See the original assignments for that info.