Orchestra Handbook
WELCOME
Hello and welcome to the Orchestra Handbook page! Ms. Miers and Mrs. Pakkebier are very excited for this new year of music and are looking forward to working with your students. This handbook is designed to introduce you to some guidelines, expectations and standards of the Granger Orchestra Program. Please read the entire webpage with your student to ensure a successful year.
REHEARSAL STRUCTURE
Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade orchestra classes meet five days a week for approximately 40 minutes.
During large group rehearsals, students will work on building musical ensemble skills through studying concert literature. Students will also build upon their knowledge of music history and theory through written assignments and projects.
ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES
Concert attendance is required of all students. If known in advance that your student will be missing a concert, please submit a signed excuse note to Ms. Miers or Mrs. Pakkebier at least 2 weeks prior to the orchestra concert. In the case of illness or family emergency, please contact the orchestra director as soon as possible. Each concert is worth 100 points. Please record all concert dates that your student performs at in your calendar.
Hello and welcome to the Orchestra Handbook page! Ms. Miers and Mrs. Pakkebier are very excited for this new year of music and are looking forward to working with your students. This handbook is designed to introduce you to some guidelines, expectations and standards of the Granger Orchestra Program. Please read the entire webpage with your student to ensure a successful year.
REHEARSAL STRUCTURE
Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade orchestra classes meet five days a week for approximately 40 minutes.
During large group rehearsals, students will work on building musical ensemble skills through studying concert literature. Students will also build upon their knowledge of music history and theory through written assignments and projects.
ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES
Concert attendance is required of all students. If known in advance that your student will be missing a concert, please submit a signed excuse note to Ms. Miers or Mrs. Pakkebier at least 2 weeks prior to the orchestra concert. In the case of illness or family emergency, please contact the orchestra director as soon as possible. Each concert is worth 100 points. Please record all concert dates that your student performs at in your calendar.
ORCHESTRA CONCERT DRESS
All members of the Granger Orchestra, Band and Chorus wear the music department uniform for all concerts and other events. As a department, we feel the uniform promotes unity and school spirit among our young musicians.
The uniform parts are:
Granger Gold Polo Shirt- must be tucked into pants, no alterations (ordering information located at the bottom of this page)
Black Dress Pants
Black Closed-Toe Dress Shoes
BLACK SOCKS
ORCHESTRA CLASS GRADING
All orchestra students receive a grade each quarter. Orchestra grades are updated weekly and are available for viewing with your student’s other grades on Home Access.
Students will be graded on the following:
♪ Daily work (participation and written assignments), 40% of total grade
♪ Technique Classes, 40% of total grade
♪ Concert Attendance, 20% of total grade
TECHNIQUE CLASS GRADING
♪ Attendance and materials are worth 5 points. Please see supply list for all Technique Class materials
♪ Quarterly Benchmark Solos, required of all District 204 Orchestra Students
Extra Credit Opportunities
♪ 10 points – Read an article about an orchestra related topic. Write a one-page review (12 point font, Times New Roman) that summarizes the article including what you found interesting about the article.
♪ 20 points – Attend a music concert (professional or student). Be a polite audience member. Turn in a concert program with your name on it and signed by a parent/guardian. If you are unsure if a performance applies, please ask your teacher.
♪ 5 points – Listen to a professional recording that uses violin, viola, cello and/or bass. Write a one-page review of the performance (typed, 12pt, times). Be sure to include the title of the piece, the performer/performing group, and where you found the recording. Remember, there are lots of CDs at the public library. You Tube and I tunes also have a great variety of recordings.
SUPPLIES
Needed for Daily Rehearsals
♪ Instrument and Rosin
♪ PENCIL
♪ 1 Inch Orchestra Binder with 5 dividers
♪ Technique Book
♪ Shoulder Rest (for violins and violas)
♪ Rock Stop (for cellos and basses)
♪ Mute only for 7th and 8th grade (violins click here, violas click here, cellos click here)
♪ Trimmed Fingernails
Required Technique Book Information
Each grade level requires a technique book. Simply find the grade of your student and click on the book title and the instrument of your student. Technique books are different according to what instrument your student plays. The link will lead you to the Quinlan and Fabish Music Co. website to order the books.
6th Grade
1. Essential Elements 2000 Book 1 (instrument specific books)
2. Orchestra Expressions Book 1 (needed in January)
7th Grade
1. Orchestra Expressions Book 2 (instrument specific books)
8th Grade
1. Expressive Technique for Orchestra (NEW BOOK)
ADDITIONAL ORCHESTRA OPPORTUNITIES
There are many additional opportunities for performance outside of orchestra class. Here are just a few of our exciting activities:
♪ Select Strings- An advanced, auditioned orchestra that meets on Tuesday and Friday mornings
♪ Groovin’ Grizzlies- A non-auditioned orchestra that meets on Monday and Thursday mornings (pop, fiddle, jazz and other types of music)
♪ Solo/Ensemble Festival- A festival where musicians can perform for judges to receive constructive criticism
♪ ILMEA- A highly competitive, auditioned orchestra that contains musicians from all over the region. This orchestra meets once a year for a day long festival. Private practice and tutors are highly encouraged for this event
PRIVATE LESSONS
Students are highly encouraged to take private lessons to further their musical education
Click here for the Metea Private Lesson Faculty list
Click here for the Waubonsie Valley Private Faculty List
Click here for the Neuqua Valley Private Faculty List
All members of the Granger Orchestra, Band and Chorus wear the music department uniform for all concerts and other events. As a department, we feel the uniform promotes unity and school spirit among our young musicians.
The uniform parts are:
Granger Gold Polo Shirt- must be tucked into pants, no alterations (ordering information located at the bottom of this page)
Black Dress Pants
Black Closed-Toe Dress Shoes
BLACK SOCKS
ORCHESTRA CLASS GRADING
All orchestra students receive a grade each quarter. Orchestra grades are updated weekly and are available for viewing with your student’s other grades on Home Access.
Students will be graded on the following:
♪ Daily work (participation and written assignments), 40% of total grade
♪ Technique Classes, 40% of total grade
♪ Concert Attendance, 20% of total grade
TECHNIQUE CLASS GRADING
♪ Attendance and materials are worth 5 points. Please see supply list for all Technique Class materials
♪ Quarterly Benchmark Solos, required of all District 204 Orchestra Students
Extra Credit Opportunities
♪ 10 points – Read an article about an orchestra related topic. Write a one-page review (12 point font, Times New Roman) that summarizes the article including what you found interesting about the article.
♪ 20 points – Attend a music concert (professional or student). Be a polite audience member. Turn in a concert program with your name on it and signed by a parent/guardian. If you are unsure if a performance applies, please ask your teacher.
♪ 5 points – Listen to a professional recording that uses violin, viola, cello and/or bass. Write a one-page review of the performance (typed, 12pt, times). Be sure to include the title of the piece, the performer/performing group, and where you found the recording. Remember, there are lots of CDs at the public library. You Tube and I tunes also have a great variety of recordings.
SUPPLIES
Needed for Daily Rehearsals
♪ Instrument and Rosin
♪ PENCIL
♪ 1 Inch Orchestra Binder with 5 dividers
♪ Technique Book
♪ Shoulder Rest (for violins and violas)
♪ Rock Stop (for cellos and basses)
♪ Mute only for 7th and 8th grade (violins click here, violas click here, cellos click here)
♪ Trimmed Fingernails
Required Technique Book Information
Each grade level requires a technique book. Simply find the grade of your student and click on the book title and the instrument of your student. Technique books are different according to what instrument your student plays. The link will lead you to the Quinlan and Fabish Music Co. website to order the books.
6th Grade
1. Essential Elements 2000 Book 1 (instrument specific books)
2. Orchestra Expressions Book 1 (needed in January)
7th Grade
1. Orchestra Expressions Book 2 (instrument specific books)
8th Grade
1. Expressive Technique for Orchestra (NEW BOOK)
ADDITIONAL ORCHESTRA OPPORTUNITIES
There are many additional opportunities for performance outside of orchestra class. Here are just a few of our exciting activities:
♪ Select Strings- An advanced, auditioned orchestra that meets on Tuesday and Friday mornings
♪ Groovin’ Grizzlies- A non-auditioned orchestra that meets on Monday and Thursday mornings (pop, fiddle, jazz and other types of music)
♪ Solo/Ensemble Festival- A festival where musicians can perform for judges to receive constructive criticism
♪ ILMEA- A highly competitive, auditioned orchestra that contains musicians from all over the region. This orchestra meets once a year for a day long festival. Private practice and tutors are highly encouraged for this event
PRIVATE LESSONS
Students are highly encouraged to take private lessons to further their musical education
Click here for the Metea Private Lesson Faculty list
Click here for the Waubonsie Valley Private Faculty List
Click here for the Neuqua Valley Private Faculty List