CRAIGMONT
SENIOR HIGH ORCHESTRA
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
ORCHESTRA CLASS
&
ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES
FOR
2001-2002
ORCHESTRA CLASS POLICIES
There will be no food, drinks, or gum allowed in the orchestra room.
The equipment room is for storage of musical instruments only, not for textbooks and students’ personal belongings.
Students are expected to participate in rehearsals during class time every day.
Students should have their instruments, music, and a pencil for every rehearsal.
Students receive a daily grade, which counts toward the six weeks grade. Failure to participate in class or bring necessary equipment to class will result in lowering of the daily grade. Chewing gum during rehearsal will also lower the daily grade.
Students are expected to be on time for class. Tardies will affect the daily grade in orchestra as well as result in appropriate consequences according to school policy.
Students returning to class following an absence must show an admit slip to the orchestra director for a signature. Unexcused absences will affect the daily grade and the opportunity to earn a grade for assigned material for the day. Unexcused absences will also deny Seniors an exemption from semester exams. Class cuts, home suspensions, and board suspensions are considered unexcused absences.
Talking, doing homework for other classes, or other such unproductive behavior is inappropriate during rehearsal time.
Playing tests and individual check-offs may be part of the six weeks grade as well as daily work. Students should plan to spend a small amount of time after school on a weekly basis to take care of this class requirement.
Afternoon rehearsals are sometimes called prior to important performances and competitions. Advance notice will be given.
‘BAND AND ORCHESTRA NEWS OF THE WEEK’ is given to students each Monday. This page of information contains important dates, times, and reminders that students and parents need to know to stay current in the orchestra program. Students and parents can also get important information from the calendars and bulletin board announcements posted in the orchestra room.
It is the students’ responsibility to get the information and act on it accordingly. Verbal announcements interfere with rehearsal time and will be kept to a minimum.
Check http:/www.geocities.com/craigmontband/bandpage.html for the latest information.
ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE POLICIES
All scheduled performances are course requirements for orchestra members.
Participation in performances is part of the six weeks grade for orchestra.
Absences from performances must be documented with a note from a parent or guardian.
Excused absences include:
***personal illness resulting in an excused absence from school on the day of the
performance
***death in the family
*** conflicting school activity discussed with orchestra director prior to the event
(may entail make up work)
***special circumstances as determined through private discussion between orchestra
director and student or guardian--documented with a note
CONFLICTS WITH WORK SCHEDULES WILL NOT RESULT IN EXCUSED ABSENCES!!
PERFORMANCE GRADES THIS YEAR WILL REFLECT STUDENTS ATTENDANCE, PUNCTUALITY (WARM UP TIME IS USUALLY BETWEEN 30-45 MINUTES BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE ACTUALLY BEGINS), PREPAREDNESS (HAVING ALL NECESSARY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES), AND ADHERENCE TO THE SPECIFIC UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS (SEE PAGE CONCERNING UNIFORMS).
ORCHESTRA UNIFORM POLICIES
CONCERT UNIFORM
Ladies will wear a solid black dress or pant suit, black hose, and black shoes. The dress should not reveal the shoulders, back, chest, or knees (while student is seated). Large, flashy jewelry is inappropriate.
Gentlemen will wear black dress pants, pleated tuxedo shirt, black cummerbund and bow tie, black socks, and black shoes. The tux shirt must be neatly ironed, and a colorful T-shirt should not be seen through the back.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION AND/OR REMOVAL FROM THE PERFORMING ORCHESTRA.
FUNDING OUR PROGRAM
ORCHESTRA FEE
The Memphis City Schools Board of Education provides little funding for orchestra programs, except for the director’s salary and a small allowance for equipment.
Therefore, in order to maintain the expected quality of excellence in instructional materials and performance opportunities for our young musicians, we must rely on support from the families.
Instead of charging the students small amounts of money throughout the year, I am offering the opportunity to pay a onetime sum of $50.00 to cover our operational expenses for the year. This amount will cover:
*transportation to all performances requiring a bus
*use of classroom technique books, newly purchased and previously purchased
*new music arrangements for concerts and contests
*entry fees and other costs surrounding orchestra contests *miscellaneous maintenance of our equipment and facilities
*two entry fees to WTSBOA events (All-West auditions, solo &
ensemble, etc.)
This amount does not cover events such as All-West trips, optional activities, Spring orchestra trips, and fees for additional individual competitive events not covered above.
Students may, if they wish, prepay additional entry fees to All-West auditions and up to three Solo and Ensemble events to avoid the hassle later in the year.
Please pay the orchestra fee by October 1 (or October 20 if you are purchasing a jacket this year). If you would prefer to pay in installments, I will be glad to work with you about such arrangements.
CRAIGMONT IS ACCEPTING CASH ONLY THIS YEAR. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS ADJUSTMENT.
JOINING CIMA, THE BAND AND ORCHESTRA BOOSTER ASSOCIATION, AND ASSISTING IN AGGRESSIVE FUND RAISING EFFORTS MAY REDUCE OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR COMING YEARS!!
THE FIRST BOOSTER MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 AT 7:00 PM IN THE HIGH SCHOOL BAND/ORCHESTRA ROOM AT CRAIGMONT. PLEASE ATTEND, MEET THE OTHER PARENTS, AND BE PREPARED TO LET US KNOW HOW YOU CAN HELP!
ORCHESTRA JACKET INFORMATION
(PURCHASE IS OPTIONAL)
Students are offered the opportunity to purchase an orchestra letter jacket, similar to those worn by the athletic teams.
The price of the jackets this year is $90.00. (Add $20.00 for 4XL.)
The jacket money must be paid in full on or before September 20, 2001 so that we may have the quickest delivery time and receive the jackets by the time colder weather sets in.
Payment is accepted in cash only.
I cannot place the order without payment in full.
Each year students can earn letters, citation bars, and merit medals to wear on their jackets for maintaining good grades (A’s and B’s) all year and participating in school and West Tennessee Orchestra Association events.
All-West and other honor patches as well as Solo and Ensemble medals can be displayed on the jacket.