Orchestra Syllabus 2024-2025
Dear Hillcrest Middle School Orchestra Parents and Students,
I would like to welcome you and your child to the 2024-2025 HMS Orchestra. This handbook is intended to help explain the Orchestra program and what is expected of the students. Every student will need to review the following policies with their parent/guardians and both will need to sign the attached Parent Input Form and return to Mrs. Hawks.
Expectations:
For all concerts, classes, and rehearsals, students are expected to arrive on time, with the appropriate materials, and to respect and work positively with everyone involved. Students are reminded that performances are major assessments which are 50% of their grade. Students will not be excused from concert attendance unless there is a death in the family or the student is sick as verified by a doctor’s note. If there is a conflict, the teacher must be notified at least one month in advance and an alternate assignment will be given per district policy.
Students are expected to PRACTICE what we go over in class at home so that they can progress. Daily practice is best. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you will be in class.
Fingernails need to be kept short throughout the year. It is impossible to play a string instrument properly with long nails. Acrylic nails are not allowed at any time. If a student shows up with acrylic nails, they will be unable to play due to potential damage of the instrument and will receive a zero for class participation until they are removed.
Materials Needed
Students are expected to bring the following materials to EVERY orchestra class. Materials are needed by all students by the second week of school.
Instrument of appropriate size and quality
Shoulder rest (for violin or viola) or rock stop (for cello or bass)
Rosin, cloth
½-1 inch binder for orchestra music
Essential Elements Book
Orchestra music
PENCIL
Instruments
Every student is required to have an instrument. There are many stores in Greenville that have rental plans for our students. No instrument should be purchased online as these are generally of poor quality and cannot be serviced locally. Please do not purchase an instrument unless your child has played for at least a year and wants to continue playing. If you are looking into buying an instrument, please consult your child’s private teacher or orchestra director. In order to make it easier on our cellists and bassists, we have cellos and basses at school for school use only. Cello and bass students are expected to have an instrument of their own to use for home practice and concerts.
Grading Policy
Orchestra students earn their grade by the following:
In-Class Performance (Playing Test/Pass Offs)—Students will demonstrate their mastery of the skills and concert music taught in class by playing individually or in small groups as requested by the teacher. They will be evaluated on their pitch accuracy, rhythmic accuracy, tone quality, bowing/ articulation, tempo, posture, hand position, and musical preparation.
Homework —Students are expected to practice 20 minutes a day (100 minutes a week). Students who have a regular time and place to practice every day will be better prepared for class and for tests.
Notebook Checks—Students will start each day with a warm up activity that should be completed in their composition notebook. On Friday, the entire week of bellringers will be checked and recorded as a Notebook Check grade.
Concerts—Students are expected to attend all school concerts. If a student must be absent, a note must be given to the teacher explaining why the student was absent. Absences are only excused for severe illness or emergency. Transportation problems, sporting events, or homework are not viable excuses. Please plan ahead. The concert schedule will be available starting at the beginning of the year.
Ensemble Skills and Participation ---Bring the appropriate materials to class, hold the instrument with the correct posture and hand position, and rehearse and perform responsibly without creating distraction.
Online Work- Online work counts just as much as in person work. Just because you are doing school from home does not mean that it is not required. Each Friday we will have a scheduled classroom GoogleMeet. You MUST attend this googlemeet or you will be counted absent for the day. Every other day of online work you must complete the assigned tasks or you will be counted absent for that day of class.
Instrument Drop-Off
You will be given a Hillcrest Middle School Strings sticker for your ID Badge. This sticker allows you to walk down the hall in the morning and place your instrument in the string room. This is a privilege not a right. Use it wisely and do not abuse it. Walk down the hall and place your instrument in its spot in the morning then walk straight to your homeroom. If you cannot follow the expectations for the morning you will lose your privilege to store your instrument in your strings room.
Classroom Expectations
Bellringers- Each day we will start with a bellringer. This is a required assignment at the beginning of class. This is an individual assignment you are to do on your own.
Instruments and stands- You must wait to be told you can get your instrument and stand and take them to your spot
Materials for class- You are responsible to be prepared for class! You must bring your instrument, your music, essential elements, rosin, and pencil to class every day. If you are not prepared for class you will lose points for your daily participation grade.
End of class- Wait until you are instructed to pack up and leave class. Your chair and stand must go in the dirty chair spot.
Classroom Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
Bring your materials
Raise your hand when you have a question
Play your instrument when instructed
Smile!
Don’ts
Chew gum
Have long fingernails
Play when I’m talking
Talk when I’m talking
Play my piano
Sit in my chair
Go behind my desk
Concert Uniforms
Gentlemen
-Black dress shirt
-Black dress pants
-Black dress shoes
-Black socks
Ladies
-Black shirt
-Black pants
-Black dress shoes
NEITHER DENIM NOR ATHLETIC WEAR IS ACCEPTABLE CONCERT ATTIRE.
Private Lessons
Students who enjoy orchestra and want to improve their skills may be interested in taking private lessons. Private teachers teach one on one and help students to develop skills specific to their instrument. Private teachers charge $30-$60 an hour. Lesson lengths vary with teacher. If you are interested or have any questions see me for a list of teachers.
Region Orchestra and All-State Orchestra
These orchestras are for students who have achieved a considerable skill on their instrument. Students who are chosen by audition must be at every rehearsal on time with music prepared. This is a very rewarding opportunity for all involved. Please see me for music for the Region Audition.
Solo and Ensemble Festival
Students are encouraged to perform a solo and or an ensemble piece with other students for this festival. Students receive written comments on their playing and a certificate and medal if they make a superior. If you are interested, see me for a form and help finding a piece.
Questions and Concerns:
Please do not hesitate to ask or share any questions and concerns you may have
You are welcome in my room before school or after school please come by and see me
Feel free to send me an email at chawks@greenville.k12.sc.us
I want to do everything I can to help you succeed!