(1st year Orchestra 2022-2023)
Instructor: Mr. Alan Watts Email: Alwatts@wsd.net
Roy High: Office phone: 801-476-3600
Roy Junior High: Office phone: 801-476-5260
Sandridge Junior High: Office phone: 801-476-5320
Introduction: 1st year Orchestra is a wonderful experience. We will learn to play violins, violas, cellos, and basses. These four instruments create the majority of the stringed instrument family. We can expect to work hard, be on time, and to have a lot of fun.
COVID-19 & WELLNESS
COVID-19: TBA, any information from Weber School District will be relayed in a timely manner.
Orchestra Class
Expectations:
-To prepare students for a basic beginning level of playing achievement.
-To learn confidence in performance.
-To increase our musical knowledge.
- Daily Practice
- Performing acceptably in ensembles and in-front of audiences.
- Be at your own concert.
Class Rules: Be on time 2. Be Prepared 3. Follow Class Procedures 4. Be Respectful 5. Be Productive 6. Be dismissed.
Class procedures: Arrive on time. 2. Set up chair and stand. 3. Get out instrument, music, book, pencil and prepare to tune. 4. Immediately bring your instrument to Mr. Watts for tuning. Sit down and quietly review what you practiced at home. 5. Rehearse with the class. 6. Put away instruments, music and equipment in its proper place.
Cellular phones: May be used to find recordings for the class when Mr. Watts requests. Cellular phones may also be used to tune your instruments. Please take care of business such as texting family or friends for rides or other business BEFORE or AFTER class.
Instrument: If you are unsure which instrument you want to play, please consider the following: To have a balanced orchestra, there should be enough lower and higher sounding string instruments in each section. If there are too many of one instrument, the others may be difficult to hear.
Store Rentals:
Summerhays Music: 801-546-4446 / Riverton Music 801-773-5800/ Music Village 801-399-1418/
Classical Strings 801-786-1605/ Bert Murdock Music: 801-225-7922 / Peter Prier and Sons: 801-364-3651 Equipment: School Rentals are currently $85.00 for the school year, and $30.00 for summer rentals. School books, strings, rosin, rock stops, etc… should be taken good care of to keep them in good condition.
· Instrument: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass (Instruments need to be in good repair at home and at school, if you are using a school instrument, you must fill out an Instrument Rental Agreement.) NOTE THAT REPAIRS FOR BROKEN INSTRUMENTS CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE. (See Orchestra Instrument agreement)
· Bow: A bow must be re-haired when the hair is too old or the hair has mostly broken off.
· Strings: Strings are expensive, please be careful with your instruments to avoid breaking strings.
· Rosin: Rosined bows make beautiful sound. No rosin on the bow creates airy/scratchy sounds.
· Cloth: Cleaning Cloth (100% Cotton) to wipe dust and rosin off our instruments.
· Rock Stop: Cello/Bass, helps keep the instrument in place.
· Pencil: Keep a pencil on your stand to write notes in your music, pens are not acceptable.
Essential Elements for Strings, Book 1(Orange) & Book 2(Purple): By Michael Allen, Robert Gellespie, Pamela Tellajohn Hayes. Published by Hal Leonard. Provided by the school.
· Book: Essential Elements Bk 1 (1st half of the year)
· Book: Essential Elements Bk 2 (2nd half of the year)
These books will be checked out to students using the Music Inventory Sheet.
Music Inventory Students will fill out an inventory of each piece of music (or book) they have received. Students who have lost or damaged their music will be responsible to replace/compensate for it. If working from home, Mr. Watts will fill out the form and you will need to come pick up the music.
Performance Dress: Black on Black (Girls, Black top and Bottom, Black Shoes, if Hoss [Skin Color]. Boys, Black long-sleeve button up shirt, Black pants, Black Belt, Black Shoes, Black Socks: Concert Apparel will be ordered via the school. According to new district guidelines Uniform cost is up to $150.00)
(Fees)
(“Up to”) means, we cannot charge over the stated price. Absence of (“Up to”) means a set price.
1. Course Fee: $30.00 Pay ASAP.
2. Transportation, bussing: $10.00 Pay ASAP.
3. *[School Instrument Rentals: $85.00 Pay ASAP. If you need a rental for the summer: $30.00] Outsourced companies $.___ .__ ? (Variable)
(If you own your own instrument, you do not need to pay a rental fee.)
4. Concert Dress (Uniform): Up to $150.00 (Price TBA)
5. Class/Group Banquet: $25.00 (Do not pay until instructed)
6. Clinics/Camps/Retreat: Up to $200.00 (Do not pay until instructed to.)
7. Spirit Clothing: Up to $50.00 TBA (Do not pay until instructed to.)
***Please respect and take care of ALL school equipment, Please REFRAIN from handling any instrument that does not belong to you!
Grading and Assignments
Grading:
A = 93% and above: (A-, 89-92), (B+, 83-88), (B, 79-82), (B-, 76-78%), (C+, 73-75) (C, 69-72), (C-, 66-68), (D+, 63-65), (D, 59-62), (F, 58 and below)
Categories:
1. TESTS 2. CONCERTS 3. HOMEWORK/PRACTICE 4. PROFICIENCY: All categories are weighted the same and will contribute to the overall grade.
Tests: Concerts/ Quizzes/ CANVAS Tests will be given with proper notice.
Concerts/ Performances: 100 points. Performances are our big test each term, please arrange your schedule to attend all performances.
Making up a concert:
Option 1: Students put on their own: 10-minute concert for at least 2-4 people. Students create their own program. The audience people who viewed the performance must sign the printed program.
Option 2: Students think of other alternative ways to make up this assignment and approve first with Mr. Watts.
Homework/Practice Records: Will be turned in via CANVAS at the beginning of the week and will be and will be available until Friday of that week. [:15-:20 daily for 5 days = 1:15-1:40 week]
Participation: 10 points per day. Students earn participation points by showing they understand and are keeping up with the given material.
Citizenship Grade: This will be based on attitude and participation.
Masks: Masks are optional. Teasing towards masks will not be tolerated.
Forgotten Instrument: If you have forgotten your instrument, you are expected to conduct an online search to help you review proper instrumental posture, read music theory/ music related information and hand-write or type a half-page report (including referencing where you obtained your information); due by the end of class. Community classroom service is the other option (Filing music, sorting music).
Playing Assessments, Music Theory Assessments, and Assignments: TBA. I will give fair warning for assessments and assignments. These are important ways for me to assess the students’ progress and understanding of the concepts and techniques I’m teaching in class. Available through CANVAS.
Late Work: If it’s late, please still turn it in. 5-10 points may be docked per day for late work.
Extra Credit: Showing extra effort, extra practice, having a positive attitude, and participating in extra concerts (Youth Symphonies), competitions (Fiddle Contests), and other venues related to your instrument (Quartets or Bands) where you use your Orchestra Instrument.
Behavior: Positive attitude and desire for orchestra is expected.
Restrooms: students will have a 4-minute time limit, once per day, to use the restroom.
Tardy: If you are Tardy, come in quietly and quickly.
Emergencies: Students who become ill or have a bloody nose will be excused as needed. If a bloody nose or vomit is inevitable, students may know they are encouraged to leave the classroom promptly without permission and return promptly as possible.
SICK, SICK, SICK!!!: If you are sick, DO NOT come to school
Accommodations: Students needing accommodations will please inform the office and the instructor to better assist individual needs. 504 and other accommodations are available in the counseling office.
Success: Successful students review this Disclosure often to succeed in Orchestra at Sand Ridge Jr. or Roy Jr. High Schools this year.
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
Trips/Festivals: By signing this document, you give your student permission to attend our trips and festivals for the school year 2022-2023. I will send out a schedule of our trips/festivals and reminders in advanced.
….SIGNING OF THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE DONE IN THE FORM OF AN E-MAIL or Picture, and then send DIRECTLY & ONLY FROM THE PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIANS E-MAIL……
DISCLOSURE CONFIRMATION
1st year SJHS/ RJHS
Students Signature:_________________________________________ I have read this disclosure and agree to it’s terms and conditions.
Parent’s Signature:_________________________________________ I have read this disclosure and agree to it’s terms and conditions.