E. L. WRIGHT INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE SCHOOL

IB Mission Statement: “The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring IB young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”

WHAT’S INSIDE...

A note from Mrs. Gibbs... Welcome, or welcome back, to the ORCHESTRA!!! I hope everyone had a restful and exciting summer! Now, more than ever, research shows us why we do this demanding, yet rewarding, activity. Experts have concluded that the study of music positively effects spatial reasoning, test taking, and overall quality of life! Studies have also shown

My ultimate goal for our program is for our students to obtain a lifelong understanding and appreciation for quality music and music making. Here at E. L. Wright Middle School you will quickly find that our orchestra is truly a family, we work together to become better people, musicians, and to make beautiful music! Your success in orchestra depends on your understanding of how our orchestra program works. Be sure to read all the information in this handbook, and sign the contract (on pg. 6) by Monday, August 22th–

I would like parents to be eager and engaged in our orchestra program, because alone we achieve nothing! There are numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the year, forms will be sent out via email for any parents interested in volunteering! For additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me! We have a very busy and exciting year in the ELW Orchestra, we are going to learn a lot and make wonderful music!!!

Welcome

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Orchestra Dates

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What do you Need?

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Getting an Instrument

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Concert Attire

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Practice & Rehearsals

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Expectations & Discipline

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Grading

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Performance

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Private Lessons

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Fundraisers

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Field Studies

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E. L. Wright Mission Statement:

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“To provide an academically engaging environment that in three years will produce global citizens who are ready for high school.”

Handbook Contract

that participating in a music ensemble develops social skills, emotional maturity, leadership, teamwork, aesthetic perception and appreciation, and self-discipline.

this counts as a homework grade for all students. By

signing the contract you are signifying that you consent to following the expectations and guidelines of the ELW Orchestra Program.

Elizabeth Gibbs, Orchestra Director

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2016-2017

2016-2017 ELW Orchestra Dates

All ELW Orchestra dates can also be found on the ELW Orchestra website and monthly newsletter! Add the google calendar to yours! Please note: all dates are subject to change; additional dates may be added throughout the year

August

18…….7th & 8th Grade: Instruments in class 22……ALL GRADES: Handbook Contract Submitted to Mrs. Gibbs 22……6th Grade Instrument Night 31…...Deadline: Region Orchestra Audition forms and $10 fee due to Mrs. Gibbs (ANYONE can try out!)

January 7…….(Region Students Only) All-State Orchestra Auditions; Location and Times TBA 27…....Deadline: Solo & Ensemble Festival Registration forms with $5 fee to Mrs. Gibbs (ANYONE can perform!!)

September

February

October

March

1-2…..6th Grade: Instruments in class 1-2…..Madrigal Orchestra Auditions 10……SC Cello Choir at Furman University

1……..Region Orchestra Auditions; Location and Times TBA 10……Madrigal Tickets on Sale (Limited seats available; tickets will be sold through November 11th)

November 17……ELW Renaissance Madrigal Feast, 6:00pm in the ELW Cafeteria. More information to come. 18-19...Midlands Region Orchestra Rehearsals and Concert at Lexington High School 25……(Region Students Only) Deadline: AllState Orchestra Audition forms due to Mrs. Gibbs

December 8…...ALL STUDENTS REQUIRED: Winter Orchestra Concert, 6:30pm in the ELW GYM

24-26...All-State Orchestra Weekend at Irmo HS & Lexington HS; Times TBA TBA….SC Violin & Viola Workshop TBA….R2 8th Grade Honors Auditions

8…...7th & 8th GRADE REQUIRED: SC NAFME Orchestra Performance Assessment at Pelion MS; times TBA TBA...Swingin’ Strings Auditions

April

TBA...Richland 2 8th Grade Honors Orchestra; more information to come

May 7…….Solo &Ensemble Festival (ANYONE can participate!!)

11…...ALL STUDENTS REQUIRED: Spring Orchestra Concert, 6:30pm in the ELW GYM TBA...7th & 8th Grade: Carowinds Festival of Music Field Study; more information to come 22-26..END OF THE YEAR BENCHMARK TESTING (All Grades) 31……..7th Grade: 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony Performance & 6th/7th Grade Awards Ceremony Performances

2016-2017

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What do you need for Orchestra? 6th Grade Instrument and bow Rosin Essential Elements Book 1 (orange book)  Music folder (provided by Mrs.   

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7th Grade

8th Grade

Instrument and bow Rosin Essential Elements Book 2 1 inch 3 Ring Binder Pencil Gibbs) Violin and Viola: Shoulder rest Pencil **Everest or Kun is the recomViolin and Viola: Shoulder rest mended brand **Everest or Kun is the recom-  Soft Cloth (can be a soft washmended brand cloth or old tee shirt from home) Soft Cloth (can be a soft washcloth  Folding wire stand for home or old tee shirt from home) use; recommended but not reFolding wire stand for home use; quired recommended but not required      

Instrument and bow Rosin 1 inch 3 Ring Binder Pencil Violin and Viola: Shoulder rest **Everest or Kun is the recommended brand  Soft Cloth (can be a soft washcloth or old tee shirt from home)  Folding wire stand for home use; recommended but not required     

Getting an Instrument... 7th & 8th Grade Students: Instruments must be in class Thursday, August 18. 6th Grade Students: Instruments must be in class Thursday/Friday, September 1-2.

* 6th grade students don’t forget to RSVP to attend the 6th Instrument Night Monday, August 22 OR make an alternate appointment with Mrs. Gibbs prior to the evening event to choose an instrument, be sized properly, and receive rental information. Email details were already sent out, if you did not receive the email please contact Mrs. Gibbs.

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Every student MUST have a personal instrument. Violins & Violas carry their instruments to & from school daily and must rent or purchase an instrument from a local music store. Cellos & Basses rent an instrument for home-use either from a local music store or from ELW based on ELW availability (cellos & basses can not be carried on the bus). Cellos & Basses are provided an instrument to use at school after signing a “school-owned instrument use contract” and paying the yearly maintenance fee of $40. The most cost-effective way to acquire an instrument is to RENT one from a local string instrument store; most music stores even offer a rent-to-buy option. All instruments used in Richland 2 orchestra programs must be on the R2 Approved Instrument List or approved by Mrs. Gibbs. Poor quality instruments, colored instruments, or other instruments that do not meet the R2 standards are not acceptable for use in any R2 orchestra program. For your financial safety, do NOT purchase any instrument before consulting the orchestra director. NEVER use online services, such as eBay or Amazon.com, to purchase instruments. It is important to have a physical inspection of the instrument before purchase to ensure quality.

Local Music Stores: Palmetto Strings

Music and Arts Center Pecknel Music Co.

Star Music

731 Elmwood Ave Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 929-6900

7201 Parklane Rd # C 732 Saluda Ave Columbia, SC 29223-7648 Columbia, SC 29205 (803) 865-1905 (803) 799-6860

9810 Two Notch Rd Suite J. (Inside Rice Music House) Columbia, SC 29223 470 Towncenter Place #16 (803) 699-5200 Columbia, SC 29229 (864) 777-0383

Musical innovations

2016-2017

Concert Attire

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A sharp looking performing ensemble adds to the overall aesthetic of the performance, boosts the confidence and the morale of the players, and leaves a positive impression on the audience. It is for these reasons that students wear a standard concert uniform worn at all performances. Details are below:

LADIES:  Solid Black dress shirt/blouse with sleeves  Solid Black pants/long skirt  Or Solid Black long dress  Dark hose or socks with black dress shoes GENTLEMEN:  Black collared dress shirt  Black pants  Black socks with black dress shoes NO extra colors, logos, other writing or sleeveless. ALL Pants/Skirts/Dresses must fall below the knee when seated, NO EXCEPTIONS! Neither denim nor athletic wear is acceptable.

Please Note: Students who dress inappropriately will not be allowed to perform.

Appropriate Finger Nail Length All orchestra students must keep their left hand finger nails cut short. Students with long nails, or wearing salon nails will be given 1 day to cut their nails to an appropriate length, after which they will not be allowed to practice with the group until the nails are cut or removed. Wearing salon nails to orchestra is like wearing high-heels to PE—just don’t.

Practicing…

“It’s not that I’m so smart. It’s just that I stay with problems longer.” - Albert Einstein, physicist and violinist

ALL MUSICIANS PRACTICE, THUS ALL MUSIC STUDENTS MUST PRACTICE! Practice is HOMEWORK in orchestra. Students are expected to do a minimum of 15 minutes of practice daily. Students are required to perform an unannounced daily or weekly practice check(s) during class for a 25 point homework grade. Students are responsible for keeping up with their practicing and coming to class with any material covered in pervious classes prepared. To receive full credit for practice checks, the student must be able to perform the excerpt with CHAIR SEATING at least 95% performance accuracy (fewer than 2 mistakes) and 100% correct instrument-body positions. If a student can play the excerpt, but does so with poor positions, they will only be eligible The orchestra director for half credit. If a student is absent for a practice check, they will be expected to perform upon their retains the right to deterreturn to school otherwise a zero will be given. mine student seating in the Students who have a regular time to practice every day are more consistent players, are better best way for the ensemble. prepared for tests, and perform at a higher level. Consistency is the key to success, the more you Seating is not personal; it practice the faster you will improve and the better you will play! is based on the needs of the ensemble and to provide Don’t have a place to practice? Need some help? PRACTICE IN THE ORCHESTRA ROOM! students with a learning Students can practice in the orchestra room before and after school!!! The orchestra room is open environment in which they from 7:10-7:20am and after school. After school practice times vary depending on Mrs. Gibbs can be successful. schedule, and can be found on the orchestra website google calendar and classroom calendar.

After-School Rehearsals

Due to our current schedule, orchestra classes are split into multiple sections. It is imperative for an ensemble to rehearse as one group before any performance, therefore, orchestra students will have mandatory afterschool rehearsals throughout the year. All students involved are expected to attend. Rehearsal information, schedules, and times will be announced throughout the year.

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2016-2017

Grading Policy

Discipline Policy

Orchestra Grades are calculated based on a total points system. Grades are based on the NEW 10-point grading scale. Grades are updated in PowerSchool. Concerts (300points)

Student Expectations

Winter Orchestra Concert, Spring Orchestra Concert, and Performance Assessment (7th & 8th grade) are mandatory; no exceptions. All students are required to participate in concerts, students who do not participate will receive a failing grade for the grading term. Students who arrive to concerts on time, in appropriate dress, using appropriate concert etiquette, and demonstrating a complete knowledge of concert music will earn full credit. Failure to fulfill any of these requirements will result in a point deduction. A Concert Evaluation rubric will be given before the first concert and will be filled out for all students after each concert. The Concert Evaluation rubric can be found on the ELW Orchestra website.

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End of Course Benchmark Exam (200-300 points) All Richland 2 orchestra students are required to take the end of course Richland 2 Orchestra Benchmark Test at the end of the year. There is a written and playing component to this exam.

Daily Participation (50 points per week) This grade reflects a student’s ability to meet current class standards on their instrument. Students are graded on technique and musical performance. Class participation is a key characteristic of participating in a performing ensemble. Students who consistently demonstrate incorrect posture and positions will receive a lower grade. Inappropriate clothing and long fingernails inhibit student’s ability to perform with correct posture and positions and will result in a lower grade. Students who do not come to class prepared with all materials cannot meet the standards of this class and will receive a lower grade. Students who are consistently late to class, or are not in their seat within 2 minutes of the late bell will receive a lower grade. Students who are disruptive to the class and cannot control their behavior during class will be removed from rehearsal and will receive a ZERO for their participation grade for that day and/or week. A daily participation rubric can be found on the ELW Orchestra website.

Tests (100points) & Quizzes (50points) Students will be periodically quizzed and tested on their playing ability and written knowledge. All quizzes and tests will be announced ahead of time. Students will be graded with a performance rubric for all playing tests and quizzes. Rubrics can be found on the Orchestra website. Test and Quiz rubrics can be found on the ELW Orchestra website.

Pass-Offs (50 points) Students will perform alone or in groups to demonstrate their mastery of necessary performance skills, tetrachords, and scales. Students will be graded according to a performance checklist rubric. Performance checklist rubric can be found on the ELW Orchestra website.

Class Work (10-50 points per assignment) Students will complete theory and aural skills work during the class period and reflect in their IB Developmental Workbook. Work will be monitored and checked for completion; incomplete work will receive a zero.

Homework (25 points) Students are required to perform daily and/or weekly practice checks. Refer to pg. 4 of the orchestra handbook for more information. Weekly homework assignments can be found on the Orchestra website. Students who do not receive a passing grade of 60% or higher for each quarter and/or the final yearly grade will not be recommended for the next level of orchestra for the following year.

Students must complete all 3 consecutive levels of orchestra to continue with orchestra at any R2 High School.

All orchestra students are expected to: Follow our SOCIAL CONTRACT Follow all school rules Follow all classroom procedures Come to class prepared to learn and participate with all materials 5. Follow all instructions the first time they are given 6. Keep self and instrument quiet during tuning, instruction, and rehearsals 7. Stay seated in your assigned seat at all times 8. Be a positive and productive ELW Orchestra team member 9. Respect others’ property, space, & feelings 10. Practice

Student Consequences Students who choose to break a rule will receive the following disciplinary action(s): 1. Non-Verbal Warning 2. Verbal Reminder of Social Contract 3. Removal from rehearsal/Parent Contact 4. Removal from classroom/ ISD 5. Personal Assistance from Administrator/ Discipline Referral Students who consistently disrupt classroom learning AND/OR have received a school suspension within in the current 9 weeks will not be allowed to participate in any orchestra sponsored afterschool ensembles, events, or any field trips.

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Performance Opportunities NAFME Region and All- State Orchestras

Every year the South Carolina Association of Music Educators hold auditions in every region of our state to find exceptional student performers. Students audition, and if accepted, are invited to participate in a weekend performance experience with their peers. Students who are accepted into the Region Orchestras are then able to audition for the All-State Orchestra. Performing in these groups is a honor. Audition and performance dates and registration deadlines are on the ELW Orchestra Calendar. Audition registration fee is $5 per event. Students can NOT register after the registration deadline.

NAFME Solo and Ensemble Festival Every year the South Carolina Association of Music Educators hosts a Solo and Ensemble Festival which allows students to perform a solo piece and/or a small ensemble piece of their choosing and be scored based on SC state standards for musical performance. All students are encouraged to perform in the Festival. The event date and registration deadline is on the ELW Orchestra Calendar. Registration fee is $5 per participant.

SC Philharmonic Youth Orchestras The South Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestras provide a quality education in classical music through the performance of symphonic and chamber music to as many talented young musicians as possible from the Greater Columbia area and surrounding counties. All three orchestras meet on Sunday afternoons and perform three concerts a year at the Koger Center. For information, please contact Orchestra Manager, Judy Lawrence at 788-8442.

USC String Project

Private Lessons

All students are encouraged to take private lessons. Private instruction is one-on-one, at the student’s pace, and it helps each student develop technical music skills specific to their instrument. Please visit the “Private Lesson” tab on the ELW Orchestra Website to find a list of private instructors and other available options.

The mission of the USC String project is to create a partnership of providing teaching experience for University of South Carolina students who value string education and encourage talented young persons to pursue a career in teaching. They also strive to provide accessible string education for community children and adults and support area school music programs. Contact the String Project office for more info: 777-9568.

ELW Honor Orchestra Ensembles

The Madrigal Orchestra and Swingin’ Strings are auditioned ensembles that meet once a week after school. Anyone in the ELW Orchestras can audition, and is highly encouraged to, plus there is no cost to participate in either ensemble!! These ensembles are a tremendous opportunity for our young musicians to develop and gain experience in the performing arts, and have a lot of fun doing it!

Renaissance Madrigal Orchestra (August-December)

The Madrigal Orchestra is a featured ensemble on the ELW Madrigal Feast, a fundraiser the Orchestra does each year. The Madrigal is a sensational evening for our school and our students incorporating music, art, costumes, and food. Tickets for this event go on sale at the beginning of October, seats are limited. Event information can be found on the ELW Orchestra website.

Swingin’ Strings (January-May)

Swingin’ Strings is our after school “pops” orchestra where students get the opportunity to play popular music.

Fundraisers The orchestra hosts two fundraisers every year; one in the fall and one in the spring! Our fall fundraiser is the Madrigal Dinner held in December each year, see above for more information. Our spring fundraiser includes a variety of on campus sales. Each student has the opportunity to participate in an orchestra fundraiser! All fundraisers directly affect the students as the funds are used to purchase music and instrument accessories Field Studies and supplies, and Field Studies offer the opportunity for students to learn outside of the classroom. most importantly to Field studies are a privilege and only students with excellent behavior, no suspenhelp fund field sions for the marking period will be permitted to attend. This year our 7th & 8th studies. grade orchestras will be attending two Music Festivals: SC NAFME Orchestra Performance Assessment (March) & Carowinds Festival of Music (May)!!

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ELW Orchestra Handbook Contract Contract Due by August 22th for a homework grade. My orchestra student and I have read the E. L. Wright Orchestra Handbook and understand the rules contained therein. We understand involvement with the orchestra program will be governed by the rules and regulations established in this handbook and agree to support the enforcement of the policies contained within this document. I understand that my child is expected to fulfill all obligations to the orchestra program including but not limited to rehearsals and performances. Finally, my orchestra student and I agree to be a proud and productive members of the ELW Orchestra. REQUIRED EVENTS ♫ Thursday, December 8, 2016…..… ALL GRADES: ELW Winter Orchestra Concert, student report time 5:45/6:00pm, ELW Gym ♫ Wednesday, March 8, 2017…….7th & 8th Grade Only: SC NAFME Orchestra Performance Assessment, Pelion HS; Time TBA ♫ Thursday, May 11, 2017…… ALL GRADES: ELW Spring Orchestra Concert, student report time 5:45/6:00pm, ELW Gym

Contact Information:

Elizabeth Pilot Gibbs Orchestra Director E.L. Wright Middle School

2740 Alpine Rd. Columbia, SC 29223 Phone: (803)736-8740 ext. 3703 Email: [email protected]

Submit this form electronically!! Go to: https://goo.gl/forms/jNSgvl0grO9aT0ff2 Or follow the QR Code! Stay in the know… If you do no have internet access, sign here and return this page to Mrs. Gibbs acknowledging that you and your student have read and understand all the policies and expectations as described in the 2016-2017 ELW Orchestra Handbook.

Printed Student Name: _____________________________ Student Signature: _________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________ Date:_______________________ Most checked Email: __________________________ Phone number: ______________________

We’re on the Web!! Check us out at… https://sites.google.com/a/richl and2.org/elwrightorchestra/

Be on the look out for the ELW monthly Orchestra Newsletter!!