Welcome to String Orchestra 2015-2016! Rehearsals: String Orchestra rehearses each Tuesday and Thursday in room 410 at Northbrook Junior High. In addition, there will be split sectional rehearsals every other Monday – a violin/viola rehearsal on the stage with Ms. Hockensmith, and a cello/bass rehearsal in the orchestra room 404 with Mrs. Stanley. A detailed schedule through December is included in this letter, and will always be available on the String Orchestra webpage. The junior high opens at 7:30 A.M., and orchestra students should be dropped off at the front entrance starting at this time. Elementary students should go straight to room 410 when they enter. Junior high students may go to their lockers at this time to drop off books, coats, etc., as well as get materials for their first period class. Junior High students who arrive after 7:45 A.M. may not be allowed to go to their lockers. All String Orchestra students should plan to be in room 410 by 7:40 a.m. The downbeat will be at 7:45 a.m.; which means students are to be in their chair, have instruments out, bows rosined and ready to play. Students arriving to rehearsal at 7:45 a.m. or later will be marked tardy and may lose points for the rehearsal. Tuesday/Thursday rehearsals end at 8:20 a.m., and Monday sectionals end at 8:15 a.m. Buses will take elementary students to school following rehearsals. NBJH students will go to the gym to wait for the passing bell for first period. NBJH violin and viola students will be issued a music locker and lock in room 410 for storing their instrument during the school day. Cellos and basses will be provided for students at rehearsals.

Lesson Grades: Lesson grades are determined by use of the lesson goals and progress sheet provided by the lesson teacher. All students are responsible for the work they miss in their classroom during their lesson time. Junior high lessons will be scheduled during the PE or Elective period. Elementary lessons rotate throughout the school day so that students do not miss the same subject each week. All students must bring their lesson sheet and materials to every lesson. Orchestra lesson schedules are available on the orchestra website: https://sites.google.com/a/northbrook28.net/orchestra-information/

Orchestra Grades:

All students will receive a grade for orchestra.

Junior High students will receive one grade each trimester that reflects the average of the lesson grade (50%) and the orchestra grade (50%). This grade will be included on the student’s junior high report card. Elementary students will receive an orchestra report card by mail, detailing their lesson and orchestra grades. Orchestra Grades will be determined by the following areas: Attendance 40% Performance 30% Materials Preparation 20% Behavior 10%

Attendance: All orchestra members are expected to attend all rehearsals, performances, and events throughout the school year. Each student will receive one “free” rehearsal absence per trimester. Students may not use the free absence two weeks prior to a performance. Absences, including the free absence, are excused only if Mr. Govert is notified in advance at 847-504-3526. Unexcused absences from a rehearsal will result in a zero grade for the rehearsal. All concert dates are listed on the school district calendar and on the String Orchestra Website:

https://sites.google.com/a/northbrook28.net/string-orchestra/. Students in String Orchestra are required to attend all String Orchestra performances. Any conflicts must be communicated to Mr. Govert two weeks prior to the performance. A student will receive 80/100 for an excused absence and 50/100 for an unexcused absence.

Tutorial at NBJH Music students may only attend tutorial on days they do not have rehearsal or with a pre-arranged pass from the classroom teacher or Mr. Govert. Absences due to tutorial that are not pre-arranged will result in a zero for the rehearsal grade that day. Students need to inform their teachers that they are a music student and are unable to attend tutorial. The teacher will then arrange a time to meet with the student outside of tutorial.

Performance: Performance quizzes may be scheduled throughout the year and will be performed on an individual basis or in a small group. Students will receive information on required performance selections in advance. Students are expected to fully participate in all orchestra rehearsals and performances, and use proper playing position and posture. Failure to do so may result in points being deducted from this area.

Solo and Ensemble: All String Orchestra students are required to participate in the Northbrook Solo and Ensemble Festival held this year on Saturday, November 7th from 9:00am-3:00pm at Northbrook Junior High. At the festival, students perform solos or ensembles for a judge and receive feedback. Students will receive a designated performance time for their event. More information about the event will be available this fall.

Materials and Preparation: Each section of the orchestra will be informed of what music they are responsible to practice and bring for rehearsals each week. Through observation and performance quizzes, Mr. Govert will evaluate student preparation. Students must bring required materials to rehearsal. Students who do not bring required materials to rehearsal or are not prepared will have points deducted from this area.

Behavior: Students must adhere to the following rules: 1. Listen and follow instructions. 2. Respect all orchestra members and their belongings. 3. No hats or food 4. All school rules are in effect. Behavior problems will be dealt with on an individual basis and may result in a deduction of points.

Concert Attire: String Orchestra members will wear black pants/skirt/shoes and solid white top for all formal performances.

Contact Information: Please do not hesitate to contact me throughout the year with any questions or concerns. Mike Govert 847-504-3526 [email protected] The String Orchestra website can be accessed at:

https://sites.google.com/a/northbrook28.net/string-orchestra/

The orchestra will have the BLUES this year! All orchestras will be working on blues style and technique this year. We have worked with the District 28 Music Parents Club to bring in Randy Sabien, a professional jazz/blues violinist to work with our students in October, and then (hopefully) visit again for our final performance of the year. You can learn more about Mr. Sabien at his website: http://www.randysabien.com

String Orchestra Performances Students are expected to attend all performances November 7 – Solo and Ensemble Festival (junior high students) @NBJH 9:00am-3:00pm (Students will receive a designated performance time for their event) December 3 – Cadet and String Orchestra Concert @ NBJH, 7:00 pm. March 4 – Concert Band and String Orchestra tour of District 28 Elementary Schools – during the school day. 15 – String and Philharmonic Orchestra Concert @ NBJH, 7:00 pm. May 9 – String, Philharmonic, and Chamber Orchestra Concert @ NBJH, 7:00 pm.

String Orchestra Rehearsal Schedule through December 2015 September 3 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 8 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 10 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 15 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 17 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 21 – MONDAY Sectional Rehearsals @ NBJH: violins/violas on stage; cellos/basses in room 404, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 22 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 24 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 29 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 October 1 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 5 – MONDAY Sectional Rehearsals @ NBJH: violins/violas on stage; cellos/basses in room 404, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 6 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 8 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 13 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 15 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410 WITH RANDY SABIEN, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 – rehearsal will be extended until 8:45. 6th grade students will have an extended lesson with Mr. Sabien during 9th & 10th period this day.

16 – Special Rehearsal WITH RANDY SABIEN for 5th grade students from 10:45 -11:45 in room 410 @ NBJH – buses will transport students to and from their schools. 20 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 22 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 26 – MONDAY Sectional Rehearsals @ NBJH: violins/violas on stage; cellos/basses in room 404, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 27 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 29 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 November 3 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 5 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 9 – MONDAY Sectional Rehearsals @ NBJH: violins/violas on stage; cellos/basses in room 404, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 10 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 12 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 17 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 19 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 30 – MONDAY Sectional Rehearsals @ NBJH: violins/violas on stage; cellos/basses in room 404, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 December 1 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 3 – NO REHEARSAL – Concert this night with Cadet Orchestra, 7 PM @ NBJH Students should arrive at 6:30 dressed in black & white concert attire. 8 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 10 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 14 – MONDAY Sectional Rehearsals @ NBJH: violins/violas on stage; cellos/basses in room 404, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 15 – Full Rehearsal @ NBJH room 410, be in seat ready to play at 7:40 That’s all for 2015!