High School
Orchestra Handbook
*Concert*
*Philharmonic*
*Symphony*
Instructor
Miss Dung
(pronounced “yoom”) Pham
Bachelor of Music
Education,
Master of Music
Education,
Contact Information
Office:
847-755-5802 E-Mail: dpham@d211.org
Student Expectations
As a student,
musician, and a member of the HEHS Orchestras, it is expected that you…
·
Bring
materials to class (instrument, music, pencil, rosin, mutes, etc.).
·
Attend
every rehearsal, sectional, and performance.
·
Be
committed to the preparation of the selected literature.
·
Maintain
a high level of focus throughout rehearsals.
·
Make
positive contributions to the ensemble and your section.
·
Be
considerate of the personal space and belongings of others.
·
Be a
good representative of the orchestra, music department, and
C124 Orchestra 1 – Concert Orchestra
Orchestra
1 provides instruction in violin, viola, cello, and string bass. Rehearsals will include technical studies,
concert preparation, chamber music, repertoire expansion, and basic
fundamentals of music theory and music history.
Individual talent is developed in daily rehearsals and weekly
sectionals, which are an integral part of the orchestra program. Using modern string methods, the course will
help prepare the student for participation in Orchestra 2. In addition, while not required, private
lessons are highly recommended, and most students in the more advanced
orchestras study with a private teacher. Students
enrolling in C124 Orchestra 1 must have previous orchestra experience or
consent of the instructor to enroll.
C224 Orchestra 2 – Philharmonic Orchestra
Orchestra 2 is open to all
intermediate string players. Rehearsals
will include technical studies, concert preparation, chamber music, repertoire
expansion, and basic fundamentals of music theory and history. Students are given a variety of performance
opportunities to increase musical tastes, nurture personal growth, and refine
technical abilities. Individual talent is developed in daily rehearsals and
weekly sectionals, which are an integral part of the orchestra program. Using modern string methods, the course will
help prepare the student for participation in Orchestra 3. In addition, while not required, private
lessons are highly recommended, and most students in the more advanced
orchestras study with a private teacher. Students
enrolling in C224 Orchestra 2 must have consent of the instructor to enroll.
C324 Orchestra 3 – Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra 3 is open to all advanced
string players. Rehearsals will provide
technical studies, concert preparation, chamber music, repertoire expansion,
and basic fundamentals of music theory and history. Students are given a variety of performance
opportunities to increase musical tastes, nurture personal growth, and refine
technical abilities. Individual talent
is developed in daily rehearsals and weekly sectionals, which are an integral
part of the orchestra program. In
addition, while not required, private lessons are highly recommended, and most
students in this orchestra study with a private teacher. In
addition, advanced string students will be auditioned for membership in the
District 211 Honors Symphony Orchestra.
The Honors Orchestra, which represents the highest level of
musicianship, presents an annual concert at one of the five high schools on a
rotating basis. Students enrolling in
C324 Orchestra 3 must have consent of the instructor to enroll.
Classroom Environment
In order to keep
our environment clean, please do not bring gum, food, or beverages into
the rehearsal area. Disregard of this
request will result in deductions from the daily participation grade.
Grading
Categories Grading
Scale
35% Preparation
& Daily Participation 90
- 100 A
20% Concert & Dress Rehearsal Attendance,
Participation and Behavior 80 -
89 B
20% Written Work (including homework and
concert critiques/reviews) 70 - 79 C
13% Lesson Grade 60
- 69 D
12% Quizzes & Tests 0
- 59 F
Preparation & Daily Participation
This category will
be based upon the following criteria:
- Preparation
·
Do you
have a pencil with you in rehearsal?
·
Do you
have your instrument in playable condition?
·
Do you
have your own copy of the music?
·
Have
you improved in your ability to play the music since the last rehearsal?
- Attentiveness in rehearsals and class
·
Are you
ready to play when the director is on the podium?
·
Do you
stop playing when the instructor stops?
·
Are you
actively listening to directions and rehearsal critiques,
·
Do you
then follow the directions?
- Focus
·
Do you
write in fingerings and rehearsal notes in your music?
·
Are you
actively playing your instrument?
- Posture
·
Sitting
posture: Is your back straight in your chair?
·
Are
both your feet flat on the floor with your legs uncrossed?
·
Is your
instrument positioned in the proper place on your body?
·
Do you
demonstrate a proper basic arm/hand/finger posture?
Parent Expectations
Parents are
encouraged to attend the performances to support the students' efforts. In addition, parental support on a routine
basis (i.e. asking students to perform at home, checking students' practice
habits) will enable the student to progress more quickly in class. The instructor also requests the assistance
of parents throughout the year in the various fundraising events and in
chaperoning field trips.
Lessons
All Concert Orchestra students will receive a weekly twenty minute
instrumental lesson during a seminar period or a fifteen minute lesson during
part of their lunch hour. The lessons
may be individual or in small groups.
The content of lessons will be technique, solo repertoire, and
orchestral material. Lessons are an
important part of the school program and attendance is required. Excessive absence or failing to bring and
prepare materials shall result in a quarter grade no
higher than a C.
Quizzes & Tests
- One major playing exam will be given at
the beginning of the semester, plus additional playing quizzes as
needed. Most exams will be
announced in advance.
- There may be unannounced playing
quizzes throughout the quarter on musical selections rehearsed in class
and/or etudes.
Auditions and Seating
All District 211
string players are subject to audition or re-audition at any time, at the
discretion of the directors. Playing
tests may include scales, sightreading, and prepared orchestral excerpts.
District 211
employs a system of rotational seating in which players will share leadership
responsibilities. Violinists will play
in both the first and second violin sections during the school year. All players will be listed in the concert
programs alphabetically with no distinction between first and second
violins. Section leaders and concertmaster
or mistress will be identified. Section
leaders, in cooperation with their directors, will be responsible for bowings
and other markings in their section.
There are no
“chairs” (as traditionally defined) and no challenges. All orchestra seating is determined
exclusively by the directors, and is subject to change at any time.
Concert Attire
District 211 will provide each male student with a cummerbund, and
tuxedo jacket. Gentlemen must provide
their own black trousers, black dress socks, and black dress shoes. In addition, each male student must provide
his own wing collar tuxedo shirt and black bow tie. Students are responsible for dry cleaning at
the end of the year and as needed.
Ladies are asked to purchase the concert dress. Checks in the amount of $60 should be made to
“HEHS Orchestra” and are due by
·
Please
note - students not properly attired for any event will not be allowed to
perform, and will consequently drop one letter grade level.
Concert and Dress Rehearsal Attendance & Behavior
A public performance is the culmination of many hours of work and
cooperation by many individuals. It is,
in effect, the “final examination” for several weeks of preparation--an exam
that cannot be “made up.” In order for
the ensemble to perform at its best, every member must be in attendance at
every performance. Members who miss a
performance without just cause jeopardize the entire group. In addition to concerts, it is also necessary
to schedule rehearsals outside of the school day. Understandably, the rehearsal will not be
effective if all are not in attendance. Employment IS NOT an acceptable
excuse for absence.
Excused Absences for Concerts and Dress Rehearsals include
- Death
or illness in the family or other family emergency
- Personal
illness
All other excuses, such as conflicting
family trips, must be negotiated IN ADVANCE
In the case of #1 & #2, a note written by the parent
outlining the reason for the emergency must be given to the instructor within
two class meetings of the missed event.
For non-emergency conflicts with a performance date,
parents must contact the instructor AT LEAST two weeks before the conflict and
follow up with a written note detailing the plan decided upon for making up the
performance.
Unexcused absences from any one of the
following will result in a reduction of the QUARTER GRADE:
1.
General evening rehearsal
2.
Dress (final) rehearsal
3.
Concert--If you have an unexcused absence
from a concert, you will play through the entire program for a test grade.
Written Work
Assignments consist
of handouts, article outlines, and concert reviews.
Additional Ensembles
Membership
is optional and open to all students enrolled in the orchestra program. Students will explore alternative music
styles in addition to a large portion of the standard orchestral works. The Chamber Orchestra will perform at public
events, functions, and the alternative school graduation ceremony.
In addition to the
school ensemble there are many opportunities to play with students throughout
District 211.
- District 211 Honors Symphony Orchestra
An
audition is required of students of advanced levels and is competitive for all
schools. String students rehearse four
to five consecutive rehearsals prior to concerts with selected Honors wind and
percussion members. Additional sectional
rehearsals with directors are arranged to fit available times. Playing is of the highest caliber, and only
original works of literature are selected, representing the landmarks of music
composition and performed by our district’s finest select
instrumentalists. Music is studied in
the weekly lesson by appointment with the director and must also be practiced
individually. Attendance at the
concert is mandatory for all orchestra students.
January
Tuesday 20
(selected students only)
Monday 26
(selected students only)
February
Tuesday 3
(selected students only)
Monday 9
(selected students only)
Thursday 12
(selected students only)
Friday 13
(selected students only)
Saturday 14
Orchestra Awards
Various orchestra
awards are given for participation according to years of service within the
District. The National School Orchestra
Association (NSOA) outstanding player awards may be given to a deserving senior
upon recommendation of the director.
The special Honors
Award is a music lyre in the school colors.
Requirements
include:
- No unexcused absences
- Three years enrollment in orchestra
class
- Participation in the District 211
Honors Symphony Orchestra, HEHS Chamber Orchestra, and Orchestra Retreat
for two units (one unit per year per organization for Honors Symphony
Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra; one unit per two years for the Orchestra
Retreat).
- Five Units (two may be surplus from
sections 1 and 2) from the following:
1 1/2 units All State Orchestra
1 unit Acceptance
into IMEA, one year private lessons, full recital, membership in a youth
orchestra program
1/2 unit Musical show orchestra, V-show,
solo/ensemble
1/4 unit Off-campus performance, concert
attendance (with approval), Orchestra student committee.
Compiling an
additional 2 units and completing another full year’s enrollment in orchestra
class may earn an attachment to the lyre.
** Required Events
September
Wednesday 24
(Chamber
Orchestra)
October
Tuesday 14 after school District
VII IMEA Auditions Wheeling HS
(selected students only)
*Wednesday 22
(All
Orchestras)
*Thursday 23
(All
Orchestras)
November
Saturday 15 All Day IMEA District VII Festival
(selected students only)
December
Sunday TBA
(Chamber
Orchestra)
*Tuesday
(Concert
Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra)
*Wednesday 10
(All
Orchestras)
*Thursday 11 Blocks 1& 2 Fine Arts Assembly HEHS
Gym
(All
Orchestras)
*Tuesday 16
(Symphony
Orchestra)
*Wednesday 17
(Symphony
Orchestra)
January
*Tuesday 27
Wed.
– Sat. 28 – 31 All Day IMEA
All-State Festival
(selected students only)
February
*Saturday 14
*REQUIRED
ATTENDANCE FOR ALL ORCHESTRA STUDENTS
March
Saturday 7 All Day IHSA Solo/Ensemble Contest TBA
(selected students only)
April
*Monday 20
(Symphony
Orchestra)
*Thursday 23
(Symphony
Orchestra)
May
Tuesday 19
(Chamber
Orchestra)
*Tuesday 26 TBA HEHS
Dress Rehearsal Instrumental
Room
(All
Orchestras)
*Wednesday 27
(All
Orchestras)
June
TBA
(Chamber
Orchestra)
Orchestra Handbook Contract
***Please return this form by
I, have read and
shared the
Student
Name
Orchestra Handbook with
my parents.
I understand the rehearsal and concert commitments required of me to be
successful in the music program.
Student
Signature Date
Parent Signature Date
Home Phone Parent
Work Phone Parent
Cell Phone
Best time to reach parents