1. Materials
Instrument and bow in good playing condition
Cleaning cloth and rosin
Rock stop for cellos and basses
Shoulder rest for violins and violas
Mute for all instruments (7th & 8th grade)
Most of the above accessory items will be available in the Eagle Cash Store as the year progresses.
2. 6th grade – String Explorer, Volume 1 and 2
All for Strings Theory Workbook 1
7th grade – Essential Technique for Strings, Intermediate Technique Studies (green book)
8th grade – Essentials for Strings (brown book)
Published by Neil A Kjos Music Company
All of the above should be available soon from Haggerty’s Musicworks on W. Main St. behind Khoury’s Mediterranean restaurant.
Classroom Expectations
1. Respect one another’s personal space, personal belongings and personal beliefs.
a. Please refrain from using the any crude language. This is my policy and my personal belief for my classroom.
b. You will be expected to handle your equipment carefully and safely at all times. You should not handle other students' instruments without permission.
c. You should never play or handle any percussion instruments or other equipment that is kept in our room.
2. You are expected to enter the orchestra classroom quietly and on time. This means getting out your instrument, folder, notebook or workbook, and pencil as soon as you come into the room. There will usually be a bell assignment on the board to be completed within two or three minutes of the late bell.
3. Stamp cards will be stamped when you are seated with all of your equipment and supplies, while you are working on your bell assignment or two minutes after the late bell.
4. You will have two passes per quarter for using the restroom. The idea is that you should only leave the classroom to use the restroom if it is absolutely unavoidable. If you are ill or have some other issue, you can talk to me about it before class any day. I reserve the right to adapt the pass rule according to the situation, but in most cases expect that I will only allow you to go if you still have a pass.
Grading Policy
1. Class participation and preparation will be 75% or your grade. That means in order to get the full participation points for each day, you need to have your instrument in class, you need to be in your seat ready to tune within 2 minutes of the tardy bell, and you need to play when asked and stop playing and talking when I am giving instructions or explanations. Each day will be worth 10 points, 4 for bringing your instrument, 3 for being on time and 3 for cooperative participation during class.
2. Tests and Concerts will be 15% of your grade. We will have playing tests throughout the quarter. Some will be announced, others will be pop quizzes. Missing a concert will almost certainly deduct a full letter grade from your grade, unless you are excused in advance or are excused as sick on the day of the concert.
3. Practice records will be 10% of your grade. If you are practicing at home regularly, but do not hand in your practice record, you will only be able to earn a 90% which is a B. If you want an A, you will need to hand in a practice record regularly.