Orchestra Handbook

Cedar Valley Orchestra Program

 

Welcome to the Cedar Valley Orchestra.  I wish to make your participation in Orchestra an experience that not only is one of the highlights of your middle school years, but also leads you to lifelong enjoyment of and participation in music.

 

 

Included in this packet are the following forms:

 

1.                  The Most Important Orchestra Dates 2012-2013

2.                  Orchestra Classroom Supply List

3.                  Orchestra Expectation (Please sign and return)       

4.                  Cedar Valley Orchestra T-Shirt Order Form

 

 

 

Feng Zhao

Director of Cedar Valley Orchestra

512-428-2351

Feng_zhao@roundrockisd.org

 

 

 The Most Important Orchestra Dates 2012-2013

 

The Most Important Orchestra Dates 2012-2013

 

October

3rd                    I st Orchestra Practice Sheet due day !!!

12-13               TMEA ALL-Region Orchestra String Auditions

                        Friday, and Saturday at Canyon Vista MS

November

7th                    2nd Orchestra Practice Sheet due day !!!

 14th                 Cedar Valley Middle School Orchestra Fall Concert

                        Wednesday, 7:30

15-17               TMEA ALL-Region Orchestra Clinic/Rehearsals and Concert

15-16               Thursday, and Friday rehearsals RRISD PAC/McNeil High School

17                    Saturday, Concert       RRISD PAC

 

December

6th                    Holiday Music Performance

                        Thursday, Retirement Center

18th                  3rd Orchestra Practice Sheet due day!!!

 

February

13th                  4th Orchestra Practice Sheet due day!!!

20-21               Pre-U.I.L. MS Orchestra Concert

                        Wednesday, and Thursday      RRISD PAC

 

March

6-7                   U.I.L. MS Orchestra Contest

                        Thursday and Friday   RRISD PAC

 

April

3rd                    5th Orchestra Practice Sheet due day!!!

13                    RRISD Orchestra Solo and Ensemble Festival at Deerpark MS

 

May

16th                  Cedar Valley and McNeil Orchestra joined Spring Concert

                        5:30pm RRISD PAC (5:30 to 6:30 Rehearsal and Concert at 6:30)

 18th                 Cedar Valley MS Choir, Band and Orchestra Schlitterbahn Trip

                        Saturday, 8:30am-6:30pm

22nd                  6th Orchestra Practice Sheet due day!!!

Feng Zhao

428-2351 or feng_zhao@roundrockisd.org

         


Orchestra Classroom Supplies

 

 

·       Instrument and bow

 

·       Pencil

 

·       Rosin

 

·       Essential Elements 2000(Book 1)

 

·       Violin/Viola: Shoulder rest and extra set of strings

 

·       Cello/Bass:     Rock Stop for home and concert use

 

·       Black 1 inch 3 ring binder

 
  Orchestra Expectations

The Beginner Orchestra is open to students at Cedar Valley Middle School.  The Intermediate and Honor Orchestra are open to students by audition.  Instrument needs of the ensemble, student attitude, conduct and existing openings in the orchestra determine membership.

 

Student Expectations:

 

1         Be on time

2         Only one person talk

3         Raise hand for question

4         Ready to play when the baton up

5         Respect to other and others’ properties

6         Never forget instrument otherwise points will be deducted and follow by phone call to parents

 

Consequences:

1         Detentions may be assigned for failure to meet these expectations.  A student who engages in persistent infractions will be referred to an assistant principal.

2         Orchestra is a performing class and the absence or negative contribution of even one member can greatly affect the group as a whole.  Each member must pull his/her own weight.  Students affect every member of the group with each action, and for this reason the Texas Education Agency has stipulated that behavior, self-discipline, and responsibility are essential elements and must be graded accordingly.  Students who repeatedly cause disruptions or fail to meet obligations may have their grade adversely affected.

Concerts:

The Round Rock ISD and the Texas Education Agency have determined that orchestra is a performing art and that performances are an extension of class time.  The Students is required to attend all performances.  Unexcused absences from any performance will be considered a zero on the performance grade.  

Concert Dress:

A pleasing appearance builds pride in an organization, and pride will improve the quality of the performance.  Orchestra students should not deviate from the required chothing as this will defeat the purpose of having a uniform.  If this will cause a financial problem, please contact the director, as funds are available for assistance.

Boys:

Black dress shoes and long black socks (please no tennis shoes or white socks)

Black dress slacks (or black jeans)

Black Cedar Valley Orchestra T-shirt (except UIL competition with white shirt)

Girls:

Black low –heeled dress shoes and black hose (no white socks of very high heels)

Black dressy knee-length or longer skirt or evening pants.  Please do not wear tight fitting pants or mini-skirt as this is not appropriate attire for the concert stage!

Black Cedar Valley Orchestra T-shirt (except UIL competition with white shirt)

No Pass /No play

Students and parents should be aware that state law limits participation in any out-of-school activity to those receiving 70 or below in every class during the six weeks prior the event occurs.  This law applies to Region Orchestra Auditions, Region Orchestra Clinic/Concert, UIL Orchestra Contest, and the Round Rock Solo and Ensemble Contest.  The law does not apply to school concerts as they are an extension of the classroom activities.

Grading:

All orchestra members are evaluated using a three part grading system.  The first part of the system allows us to evaluate the student’s progress in the technical aspects of playing and caring for the instrument and the amount of energy the students expends toward that goal. The second part of the policy evaluates development of necessary rehearsal skills such as responsibility, self-discipline, self-control, and ensemble participation.  The third part, a practice record will be used to evaluate student’s home practice and must be signed by a parent or guardian each week. 
  
 
Grading policy:  

         Performance Participation                                           25%

         Practice at home (practicing sheet)                             25%

         Class Participation                                                        25%

         Instrument and Music for class                                     12%

         Lost Music                                                                      5%

         Exam                                                                               8%

         The grades’ scale for each category is 100% points

 

         Parent or Guardian signature ___________________________________________________

Cedar Valley Middle School Orchestra

2012-2013

 





Orchestra Shirt Order Form

 

Order Deadline is September 28th, 2012

 

 

·       Submit payment in an envelope with student name printed clearly on the outside and hand to the director

 

·       If paying with cash please submit exact amount and hand your order to the director

 

·       Check payable to Cedar Valley MS Orchestra (include drivers license number) and hand to the director

 

 

 

Black short sleeve Hanes Comfort-T, 100% $9.00 (Adult sizes S, M, L, XL)

                                                                                     $10.00 (size XXL)

                                                                                     $11.00(size XXXL)

 

 

Student Name_____________________________Class Period___

 

Short Sleeve (Adult) S___ M___ L ___ XL___ XXL ___ XXXL___

 

 

 

Cash/check amount enclosed $____________

Check payable to Cedar Valley MS Orchestra