Class Handbook

1.) Class Rules

- Students are to arrive at class on time with all necessary class materials in hand.

- Everyone is to be in their seat by two minutes after the class start time.

- Cases should be stored in designated areas before, during, and after each class.

- Students are to raise their hand during rehearsal for permission to speak or leave their seat.

- Do not leave personal items in the rehearsal room.

- Treat personal and school property with respect.

- Music and assignments should be kept in your folder.

- Students will be allowed to go to the restroom as needed. They must use the class restroom pass and sign out on the pad by the door. Anyone abusing this privilege (going every day, staying out for extended periods, etc.) will be restricted.

- School policy for tardies is as follows: 1 = warning, 2 = parent contact, 3 = lunch detention, 4 = referral.

- Under no circumstances should anyone bring food or drink (INCLUDING GUM) into the rehearsal room.

2.) Seating Auditions (7th and 8th grade orchestra only)

    Within one month of the start of the semester all non-beginning classes will have a seating audition. This will rank students by ability and determine seating order for concerts and performances. Each student will be assessed in three areas: scales, prepared music, and sight-reading. Materials for the audition will be given out at least one week in advance.

    There will only be one seating audition per semester. Students may, however, be allowed to challenge each other at the director’s discretion.

    Section Leaders/Principals will be determined by three things: the seating audition, their character, and their leadership abilities. These students will be important role models for the performing ensemble. Their duties will include some or all of the following:

- Assist in tuning instruments.

- Determine bowings/articulation/fingering for all music.

- Make sure that his/her section uses correct bowings, articulation, fingering, style,

dynamics, etc.

- Work with director and other principal players to implement strategies for

accomplishing musical goals.

- Assist with issues of classroom management (folders, instruments, etc.)

- Assist in maintaining good discipline at all rehearsals.

- Lead section rehearsals.

3.) Discipline

    An individual’s behavior and participation has a major impact on the class as a whole. Students are expected to exhibit their best behavior at all times. Many people will see our concerts and performances. Occasionally we will have visitors in class. One incident of poor behavior can ruin the public’s good impression of our orchestra and our school.

    Consequences for behavioral infractions will be handled on an individual basis. The consequence(s) will depend on the severity and frequency of the behavior. Consequences include but are not limited to the following:

- Verbal warning

- Conference with student

- Lunch detention

- Telephone call home

- After school detention

- Parent conference

- Administrative discipline referral

4. Instruments and Music

    Students are asked to purchase or rent an instrument for this class. If you cannot afford one please contact the director at dbwilson@wcpss.net. 

     Violin and Viola students should bring their instrument to school each day. Instruments can be stored in the orchestra room in the morning.

    Cello, Bass, Guitar and Percussion students should keep their personal instrument at home. They will be issued a school instrument to play during the day.

    The following is a partial list of instrument retailers in our area. I strongly encourage you to call around and find the best price on a quality instrument along with the best service. Additional retailers may be found in the online. 

Music and Arts

426 Crossroads Blvd. Cary (919-854-0024)

Instrument sales, repairs, private instruction, and method books

Guitar Center

3100 Capital Blvd, Raleigh (919-872-0331)

Instrument sales and method books

Sam Ash Music

3131 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh (919-855-9581)

Instrument sales and method books

John Montgommery

509 Hillsborough St. Raleigh (919-821-4459)

High end instrument and bow sales and repairs

Triangle Strings

4911 Waters Edge Dr., Raleigh (866-758-2081)

High end instrument and bow sales and repairs

School Owned Instruments

    The school owns a full set of basses, celli, guitars, and drums. The purpose for this is to keep students from having to transport these instruments from home to school each day. All necessary paperwork must be on file before any instrument can be used. Instruments must be cared for properly at all times. Abuse or poor treatment of equipment will not be tolerated. Students will be fined for repairs above and beyond normal wear and tear.

    The school also owns some violins and violas. The purpose for this is to provide a backup instrument in the case of an emergency. They are not to be used on a regular basis and are certainly not an excuse for forgetting to bring your instrument to class.

School Owned Music

    Occasionally students will be given original copies of school owned sheet music. They are responsible for returning all music handed out at the end of the term. A $5.00 replacement fee will be assessed for each missing original piece.

5. Required Materials 

    Most music stores will carry all required method books and supplies. You may wish to call ahead to make sure the desired item is in stock before leaving home. Materials required for the school year are as follows: 

- Method Book for 6th Grade Orchestra: Essential Elements Book 1 

* Be sure the method book you buy is for your instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass)

- Method Book Music Exploratory (Guitar) and Magnet Sounds (drums): Both classes will have a packet of music to be studied in class. Students may take these home as long as they are returned.

- Instrument (and bow if that applies)

- Pencil (not pen)

- Notebook Paper

- Folder devoted to music class only.

6. Grading Policy

    All grades for this class will be percentage based with a highest possible score of 100%. A student’s quarter average is based on the following grade categories. Please note the weighting of each category.

Home Work/Classwork (worth 15%) – These assignments will include all formative work completed at home and in class. They must be turned in on time for full credit. Often they will be graded in class for immediate feedback. As long as corrections are made and all assignments are turned in it will be easy to maintain 100% in this grade category.

Skill Checks (worth 15%) – These assignments will include regular "check-ins," during which students will be assessed on their progress with the music taught in class.

Minor (worth 30%) – These assignments will include both playing and written work.  They will be graded for accuracy. Written quizzes will sometimes be “open-book,” or “open-notes.” For playing quizzes, a rubric will be set so that students know what you will be graded on prior to the quiz. **This grade category will also include weekly practice charts to be completed by the student and signed by a parent.

Major (worth 20%) – This category includes performances which will be based on a students’ preparation and musical accomplishment (in class and via concert recordings) and on a students’ procedural compliance at the show. (see #7 Performances for more details), There will only be one or two "major" grades per semester. They may be playing, written, or both. There will be no books or notes allowed. 

*Makeup work, for all absences, should be initiated within 24 hours of returning to school. Student will have one day for each day of absence, not exceeding one week, to complete makeup work for excused absences.  Full credit will be given for all makeup work completed within the prescribed time limit.

    Teachers are not required to provide makeup assignments for unexcused absences.  Makeup assignments may, however, be provided at the teacher’s discretion.

    Absences that are considered excused would include:

• Student illness 

• Death in family  

• Family emergency

• School related activities have been approved by the DDMS Administration

Grading Scale

90-100: A

80-89: B

70-79: C

60-69: D

Below 60: F

Honor Code: Dillard Drive Middle School is a school community that is committed to integrity and excellence in academics and in personal accountability.  Because of this commitment, it is imperative that all members of the Dillard Drive Middle School community embody personal honor, personal integrity, and personal responsibility.  Any student not in compliance with these will be referred to administration. Therefore, it is expected that each person at Dillard Drive Middle School will uphold the honor code and will refrain from the following:

Plagiarism and copying:  Plagiarism is the use of words, ideas, and/or information that is not your own. Copying includes using another person’s work as your own.  Copying is not limited to “word for word” action but can apply to reading another person’s idea and paraphrasing his or her idea as your own. Copying applies not only to formal assessments but also to homework and in-class work.  

Cheating: Numerous behaviors will be considered cheating. Some of these areas include, but are not limited to, the following: using cheat sheets; using former students’ notebooks; using internet resources without citing them as appropriate sources; misrepresenting something as being real and actual; using cell phones to create images of tests, quizzes, and/or other assignments; and text messaging with other students regarding a test or quiz. The use of technology in cheating can occur on small assignments such as homework assignments as well as on more formal tests, essays, and projects. Students can be guilty of cheating if they give out or are in receipt of the material.

Discussions of material:  Discussions of tests and quizzes with other students when it is not specifically allowed by the teacher and when it is intended to give an unfair advantage to that student are prohibited under the Dillard Drive Middle School Honor Code.  

Lying and fraudulent behavior: Lying and fraudulent behavior occurs when one intentionally deceives another through words, actions, or omissions.  

Veracity and integrity of work: All work must be completed by that individual to whom it was assigned. A parent, friend, or tutor cannot complete the work for the student.  The work or the project must be under the “direct control” of the student and not under the control of the parent, friend, or tutor.  Inappropriate help occurs when suggestions and/or support provided exceeds the help and guidance a teacher might give in class or during a tutorial session.

7. Performance and Rehearsals

**Performances will be optional in semester long classes and manditory in year long classes.

    Performances are integral part of a music student’s education. They are meant to be tests of responsibility and critical thinking as well as the technical and aesthetic skills practiced in class. An unexcused absence from any performance will result in a maximum possible grade of 50%. The only acceptable reasons for absence are those listed above. These are in accordance with WCPSS policy for school absences.

    Absences due to conflicts outside of school are considered unexcused.  Teachers are not required to give makeup work for these absences. They will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Absences due to conflicting athletic and school related events will be handled as follows:

Performance  vs. Practice Go to performance

Rehearsal vs. Game/Match Go to game/match

Rehearsal vs. Practice Split ½ and ½

Performance vs. Game Student must choose (makeup work will be offered)

* In the event of a Performance vs. a Game it should also be noted that the first event scheduled has precedence. Most concert dates are set at the beginning of the year. If you join another organization during middle of the year please remember that your orchestra commitments come first. You should be sure to tell your coach about your prior commitments before accepting a spot on the team. Whatever the case please don’t wait until the last minute to resolve these conflicts.

8.) What to Wear

Attire for performances is as follows: 

Gentlemen: Black pants, black socks, black shoes, white collared (preferably button down) shirt. Black tie is optional.

Ladies may choose to wear a black concert dress or black skirt with a black or white dress shirt. If this option is chosen your outfit should cover the shoulders and the chest modestly. The length of the hem should extend at least to the middle of the calf. Black closed toe shoes are the required footwear. 

**If you have the slightest doubt about your concert attire it should be brought to the director for approval. Outfits that do not meet the above standards may result in a lower performance grade.

    Occasionally, after school rehearsals may be necessary. This will allow us to have combined rehearsals (i.e. 7th and 8th combined or orchestra and band, etc.) and to prepare for upcoming events as necessary. Since it is imperative that we have 100% attendance, you will be given ample notice when these rehearsals are called.

9.) Home Practice 

    Students are expected to practice on a regular basis at home. This is the only way to maintain a high level of student learning and performance in the classroom. Students should be committed to practicing 20 minutes each weekday (total of 100 minutes per week). When practice records are sent home this will be the requirement for an grade of 100.

    Furthermore, it is much better to practice 20 minutes each day than it is to practice 100 minutes once per week. Effective practice is a matter of forming good playing habits. Good habits cannot be formed with infrequent practice.

10.)  Private Instruction

    A good private teacher is one of the most valuable investments you can make for your music education. A conductor is trained in the instruction of every instrument in the orchestra, but their knowledge cannot compare to that of a professional who makes a living performing on one instrument. Private instruction also means one on one attention which is not possible in a large orchestra. You will find a list of area private instructors on the orchestra course website.

In Closing

    Striving to become a good musician has the added benefit of teaching many important skills and life lessons. Orchestra students will learn about discipline, patience, and teamwork. They will also gain a creative outlet that they can use for the rest of their lives. 

    Parents, please remind your child, when things get challenging, that teachers set high standards because we care. Thank you very much for your support. Best wishes for a safe, happy, and successful school year!