Orchestra Handbook Overview

Welcome to Orchestra at TJMS!

Room: 117    Email: lamorris@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Remind and Email is the best way to contact me.

Overview:

Orchestra is more than just another class.  We will have concerts, field trips, awards, and other events.  Orchestra is an exciting place where students develop talent and skill.  Daily practice is required to develop skills.  I hope your child will play through high school to get the most out of their experience.  There are so many benefits to playing an instrument and reaching an advanced level of playing.  There is a magic to playing your instrument every day.

Your child will be learning how to play an instrument correctly and use professional techniques.  They will learn how to read music and be expected to memorize some pieces.  They will have playing tests from "The Violin Fun Book" and "Essential Elements" Method Book that include posture checks.  Students will be required to prepare themselves for performances.  Students will also learn how to read music by doing theory lessons and games in class.

Contact:  

I will be sending out a weekly message.  This message will go out on the Remind app and email.  Please use the emails or Remind messages and the website.  If you are not recieving any messages, you can send me an email to be added to the list, or add yourself to Remind by using the code below.

Lisa Morris

lamorris@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

REMIND CODES

Temporary Remind Code for Summer/Fall 2025: Text @tjmsos to 81010

8th Grade Orchestra:  Code TBA

7th Grade Continuing: Code TBA

7th Grade Beginning: Code TBA

6th Grade 5th Period: Code TBA

6th Grade 6th Period: Code TBA

What Your Middle School Student Will Need:

Essential Elements Book 

The Violin/Viola/Cello/Bass Fun Book                  An acoustic instrument         

Shoulder rest or endpin anchor                            Possibly a music stand at home to practice          

Rosin                                                                     A mirror to practice in front of

1 black plastic folder--it does not matter if it has prongs

Possibly a practice mute                                       Cleaning cloth (can be part of an old soft shirt)

Accessories can be purchased at local music stores or Amazon.  Instruments need to be rented or purchased from recommended people.  Please purchase recommended brands that save money and are functional in the classroom.  See the pictures below.

Grading and Tardy Policies: 

 Students will be graded on participation and behavior in the classroom weekly. They will start with 100%. Points will be deducted 5 points each for the following, but not limited to; not being prepared for class, being late to class (Tardies), class disruptions, not participating, and/or having a phone out without permission. 

Students will also have pass-offs every week. Assignments will be given quarterly, so they know what is coming up for pass-offs. Students will receive a zero for missing pass-offs.

When the students have a performance in that quarter, that will be the largest percentage of the grade.  

Absences:  

Students need to be in class to be successful.  If they miss instructional time, it is difficult to make up.  Pass-offs are still required to be completed as soon as possible, even if the student is absent from the class where the skill was taught.  The cut-off time for pass-offs is the end of each quarter or the concert, whichever comes first.  If your beginning student has an extended illness (more than a week) please contact me for a plan to get caught up.

Tutoring:  

Students can stay after school for tutoring.  Please send me an email and I will schedule the time.  I teach at TJMS on A Days and Reynolds High School on B Days.  

Cell Phone Policy:

The district's cell phone policy has changed.  Cell phones have become a huge distraction to learning.  I will be following the district’s cell phone policy.  In the past, we have used our cell phones to tune our instruments.  Students may still use their phone to tune, but then will need to put it away.  In January, a state law comes into effect stating that cell phones cannot be used in schools.  At that time each student will need an electronic tuner.  We will also be matching pitch.  https://theonlinemetronome.com/instrument-tuner

Dates:

T-Shirt Design Contest!  Ends August 29th.  We will vote on designs the next week and the winner will be announced September 9th.

August 15th from 2:15-3:15 PM: MS Ice Cream Sandwich Social:  On the back lawn.  Bring your friends.  Volunteers needed.

TBA: Greensboro Middle School Tour and Clinic (All Students)

TBA: Beginning 6th and 7th Fall Concert

TBA: 6th, 7th, and 8th Continuing

TBA: Elementary School Tour Field Trips

Feb. 5th and 6th: All-County Orchestra Clinic (audition only)

Feb. 19th OR Feb. 20th: Guilford County Orchestra Festival for Orchestra Music Performance Adjudication and Clinic

April 17th and 18th: NC Junior Western Region Orchestra (audition only)

TBA: Spring Concert

TBA: University Field Trip

May 7th- 10th: 8th Grade Ohio Trip: (must complet passoffs and no major incident referrals)

May 16th: 7th Grade Carowinds (must complete passoffs and no major incident referrals)

Volunteers:

We need orchestra parents! The orchestra needs help with fundraising, library management, pictures, videos, and concerts.  Please email me if you can help.

Performances:

Are required.  Performances cannot be made up.  I can always give a make-up assignment for emergencies, but there is no substitute for the experience your child will get from performances. 

Donations:

We go through about 6 boxes of Kleenex a year.  Kleenex would be greatly appreciated.  Paper, please donate a ream of paper.  We need mirrors this year.  If you have a full-length mirror that you would like to donate, we would greatly appreciate it.  However, if you have one at home that your child can practice in front of, that would be more helpful.  We always need strings, instruments, and bows.  Please consider making a donation either during our fundraisers, at the beginning of the year, at a concert, or at your convenience. 

See the full middle school handbook here  **Students and parents need to sign the handbook acknowledgement form by August 30th.

ROSIN

Violin, Viola, and Cello Rosin: Magic rosin is always the best for violin, viola, and cello.  This is followed by Colophane Millant Deroux, followed by Kaplan.  As with anything for bowed strings, you can find non-usable junk, decent quality, and premium products that cost a lot of money.  Rosin breaks when it dries out and/or you drop it because you are young and drop things.  I have pictured a cheap alternative above called Sherman's.  

Bass Rosin: This is completely different and cannot be shared with the other instruments.  Please do not use Kolstien.  It has made a comeback and works great, but it leaves a big sticky mess on the basses.  If you need to purchase bass rosin, please use Carlsson or Pops.  Carlsson is darker, Pops is lighter.  You must keep bass rosin in its container.  Pops will eat things and destroy surfaces if left open.  Carlsson can also be sticky and be hard to get out of carpets.