PHILOSOPHY OF McLEAN HS ORCHESTRAS

It is the special function of the arts to strengthen, extend, illuminate, transform and ultimately make life worth living. Art intensifies and draws together mere experience into aesthetic experience. When it is over, one feels a jolt or awakening in another world, not because the world of art is less real, but because it is more real, vivid, alive, highly integrated and structured than most of our daily experience. Throughout history, civilizations have turned to the arts for expression. Although some cultures have been found to exist without reading and writing, not one has been found without the arts. As a fine art, music is "feeling" intelligence. Musical intelligence is a unique dimension of every human being. It teaches people to feel and care and puts them in touch with some of the highest achievements of humankind. In other words, art music is part of what makes people well educated!

Playing a string instrument enables students to unlock some of the great stored wisdom of the ages. The majority of great Western art music was written for strings. This longstanding history includes the music of Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler (and many others too numerous to list) plus works of great American composers such as Copland, Bernstein and others. String music is so prevalent that lifelong opportunities for playing string instruments abound. Community orchestras, sacred orchestras and amateur chamber music groups welcome capable string players. There is also a large field of opportunities for those interested in Pop, Jazz and Bluegrass or Country. For some individuals, playing a string instrument can become a very meaningful hobby well into their retirement years.

All children should be provided with opportunities to pursue their musical interests and talents. That is why every young person, without exception, should study music. While all students will not become professional musicians, all will be wholly human and wholly educated.

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GOALS

The McLean HS Orchestra Program seeks to develop individual musical artistry, ensemble excellence and promote a life-long enjoyment of music in each young person. This important goal cannot be attained without a sincere desire, effort and commitment from each orchestra member.

The purpose of the orchestra program is to provide a stimulating orchestral experience for each student in the program. We provide an environment for students to explore music as a life skill, either as a vocation or as an avocation. Students can also explore the opportunity to participate in chamber music. It is our hope that each student will leave McLean HS with a desire to continue their music throughout their life.

 REHEARSAL PROCEDURES & ATTENDANCE

EXPECTATIONS
For us to be an ensemble it is important that we respect one another and act in the most appropriate ways to further our time together and music making. In doing so I ask the following:

• Be responsible for your own parts (the music). Please take the time to practice on your own.
It is your daily homework to practice!

• Be responsible for your own parts (the physical music). Original music should stay in the
appropriate folder and the folder in it’s slot. I will provide copies for home practice use.
Only use pencil to mark in music - DO NOT USE PEN!

• Come to rehearsal prepared: Bring your instrument, your orchestra binder, a PENCIL, music, rosin, shoulder rests, rockstops and any other accessories

• Be respectful – create a positive learning environment by encouraging your fellow musicians
and not putting anyone down for their playing. We are all here to learn and improve.

• Absolutely no other homework, cell phones, texting, or eating will be tolerated in class.

• Ask questions

• Listen to each other, work together and make music!

NOTEBOOKS
Each orchestra student should obtain a 1 inch black three-ring binder. This binder should be able to stay open by itself on a music stand (so do not buy a flimsy one). This will be used in class daily for practice music, music theory and history assignments and other important documents.

REHEARSAL PROCEDURES
• Tuning will commence one minute after the bell. Students should be in their seats with music, instruments, their notebook and a PENCIL.

• If your section is not playing please respect the others’ time by staying quietly in your seats. This is a great opportunity to look over fingerings for tricky passages in your own parts. Try to do this silently without pizzing by shadow-bowing or tapping.

• We will have student and/or teacher run sectionals periodically for passing bowings and fingerings around. Section leaders should be given the same respect as you would a teacher, and they should respect their classmates in return.

•Rehearsal will end a few minutes before the bell to give you ample time to pack up. We all want to have good performances and need to use our time - your time - in the most productive manner, so please respect our time by not packing up until you are dismissed.

These expectations and procedures should foster a great learning environment and music-making experience. Failure to meet these guidelines or neglecting important classroom rules will result in points being deducted from your participation grade, and warnings given. If more than three warnings are received in a term parents and/or administrators will be contacted.
 

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

EVENING REHEARSALS
The Chamber Soloists will have a rehearsal on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. These rehearsals are mandatory.
The Concert and Symphonic Orchestra will meet on regularly scheduled evening rehearsals (usually two rehearsals before a concert). The dates for these rehearsals will be posted well in advance - these also are mandatory.
SEATING PROCEDURES
Seating in my view is designed to help each of you progress with the help of your stand partner, not to cause headaches and heartaches. Throughout the year I will hold playing test to acquaint myself with your playing. After hearing everyone in the orchestra at seating auditions I will seat the first chair or stand of each section as the section leader(s) for the upcoming concert or possibly the year. After the section leader students are seated in a rotating fashion. Seating will rotate after each major concert.

Being a section leader is a privilege not a right. Section Leaders are responsible for meeting with the director to discuss bowings and fingerings, and it is their responsibility to communicate those to their section. In the event of a sectional they will be responsible for leading the section with the tasks set by the director. A student may opt to not be section leader if they so desire.

CONCERTS
There are five main concerts given in the school year. You will be notified of these dates in the fall of the year. Please put these dates on your calendar right away, as these performances are MANDATORY. You will be given a ZERO for your concert grade if you fail to perform – this is 40% of your quarter grade! Only personal or family emergencies are an acceptable excuse and you must notify the director prior to the start of the concert. The school orchestra phone number is (703) 714-5817. Students must stay for the entirety of each concert to be considered present.

DISTRICT, REGIONAL, STATE EVENTS
Each string student is required to participate in one of these events offered each year. These include auditioning for Senior Regional Orchestra, Senior District Orchestra or participating in Solo & Ensemble Festival. All of the dates for these events are listed on the calendar. Students in the Chamber Soloists are required to audition for Senior Regional Orchestra - please check with the date of the actual event so that there are no conflicts!

SHEET MUSIC    
Each student will be provided with music for his or her use. One copy will remain in a folder at school for use in rehearsals and concerts. This folder is NOT to be taken home for any reason!
A practice copy will be provided for the students' use at home in a separate folder. 
Students will be charged $5.00 for ANY MISSING music from the "at school” folders. Students who use chamber music from the files will be charged accordingly for any missing parts.
 

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GRADING POLICY

GRADES 
Orchestra grades are based on four criteria.
Work Habits 20%
-Being punctual to class, extra rehearsals, sectionals and performances -Brings instrument, music AND A PENCIL TO ALL REHEARSALS!
-Cares for instrument and music
-Listens attentively and follows directions
-Positive & respectful attitude
-Actively Participates

Practice – 20%
Concert & Symphonic Orchestra Students will turn in two practice sheets per quarter (10% each). See Practice Sheet Section for more details.
The practice grade for Chamber Soloists will be based on their musical
preparedness in class and in tests.

Tests & Assignments – 20%
Each quarter there will be playing tests and scale tests as well as a variety of music theory and other assignments students will work on throughout the school year.

For playing tests you will be graded on a variety of musical categories including:
1) Tone - Factors that contribute to tone are bow hand shape, bow stroke, length of bow, left hand placement, dynamics, and vibrato
2) Rhythm & Tempo - Are you playing the correct rhythms?
Are you keeping a steady tempo?
3) Intonation - Factors include correct note names, pitch is centered, instrument is balanced (position). wrist is properly set
4) Musicality - Are you playing with dynamics and phrasing? Style? Articulation?
5) Posture and Appearance - Balanced posture, bow direction, feet set, confidence.

Concerts – 40%
As stated in the concert section all concerts are a mandatory performance grade and as such are a large part of each student’s grade.


Additional Requirements:
Each student must participate in at least one of the following: Senior District, Senior Regional or Solo & Ensemble Festival. 5% of their concert grade will go toward this requirement in the quarter that it is obtained.

Extra Credit:
Students may arrange for extra credit projects with the director. Please contact Ms. O’Hara for details at least 3 weeks prior to the end of a quarter.
 

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PRACTICING

Practicing is your daily homework.
You are expected to practice 200 minutes a week.

PRACTICE RECORDS
Concert and Symphonic Orchestras are required to keep track of their practice and turn in a practice sheet twice a quarter. Due dates are stated on the orchestra calendar. You should mark your family calendars now so you don’t forget to get your records signed and turned in. Practice Sheets Must Be Signed By A Parent To Be Accepted.

Grades will be based on how much the student practiced each week. To get an "A" for the week's practice, you must have 200 or more minutes and have a parent sign. Late practice sheets will be accepted up to one week after the original due date but not after that time. Your practice record counts for 20% of your grade. Missing one practice record will knock you down one letter grade.

Practice INTELLIGENTLY! Simply playing through your music is not considered practicing -- that’s rehearsing!! To practice intelligently think about what you need to get better at and use the practice techniques that will best help you obtain that goal. Create small goals and lots of them!

Practice sheets should be filled out EACH TIME YOU PRACTICE, not all at the end, as there is no way you can honestly remember a months worth of practicing.

Frequently asked questions:
Can I count time spent working on private lessons?
Yes, as long as some of the time is also spent on MHS orchestra music.
Can I count time spent in after school rehearsals or youth orchestra rehearsals?
No.
What if I’m really sick or on a trip and can not practice?
Please write “sick” or “vacation” on those days. Ms. O’Hara will take this into
account when grading.
What if I lose my practice record?
Create a new one to the best of your ability. There will be extra sheets available at school on the bulletin board and on the orchestra website.

Chamber Soloists are not required to fill out practice records. However, the director obtains the right to change this policy at any time for the group or for individuals if she feels they are not pulling their weight in the ensemble.

    200+ mins = A+            150- 159 mins = C+
190-199 mins = A              140-149 mins = C
180-189 mins = A-             130-139 mins = D+
170-179 mins = B+            120-129 mins = D
160-169 mins = B                 < 120 mins = F           
                                                 0 mins = 0

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