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Class Schedule
Orchestra meets two times per each 6 day cycle during Enrichment Period. (CD Middle orchestra meets on days 1 and 2). Lessons are scheduled once every 6 days and will be assigned on a rotating schedule where students are excused from 1/2 a period of a class.
Orchestra Attendance
Orchestra is a class and you are required to be in orchestra as assigned on your schedule. This class period should not be used to make up work in other classes. Your responsibility is to be in rehearsal. If a class emergency happens you should check into orchestra first and present your pass to Mrs. Smith. An unexcused orchestra rehearsal is considered a skipped class and will be treated as such and will result in an F for that day. Also, students are required to participate in all orchestra activities as scheduled. Prior to the concert date, we may have an after-school rehearsal. Advance notice will be given for these rehearsals and the student is responsible to take paperwork home and inform parents of these rehearsals. Late buses will be available for transportation on these dates if needed. An unexcused absence from an after school rehearsal or performance will result in a lowered grade. All possible attempts should be made to attend the activity, but if an excused absence is unavoidable, the absences must be approved before the orchestra event. Students are also excused from an after school rehearsal if there is a conflict with a school sports team.
Discontinuing Orchestra
The continued success of the CDMS orchestra depends on the cooperation and commitment of its members. If it is necessary for a student to drop orchestra, the student’s parents must send a note to the orchestra director and the Guidance Office. Students may only drop during two specific timeframes within the school year. The first is at the beginning of the school year during the first four weeks of school and the second is after the winter concert at the end of the second marking period for the beginning of the 3rd marking period. Students experiencing severe academic difficulties may be permitted to drop at other times. These academic difficulties will be evaluated by the principal, the music director, the guidance counselor, and the student’s team upon the receipt of a written parent request addressed to the Music Director and the guidance counselor. This team will work towards the best decision for the student. Submission of this request does not guarantee that the student will be given permission to drop the course. However, I highly encourage all students to give orchestra a try. When a student is undecided at the beginning of the year on what to do with orchestra, I find that those who stay with the group are happy they did so.
If a student drops orchestra all music department property must be returned prior to his or her release from the program. This includes instruments and music which must be returned in the condition in which they were issued.
School Instruments
The Central Dauphin School District has a limited number of musical instruments to loan to students. There is an extremely limited supply of violins and violas and students are highly encouraged to obtain their own instrument. If you receive a school instrument it is on a temporary basis and cannot be guaranteed that the instrument will be available the following year or in the High School. If a personal or school instrument is not acquired by the end of September, students will be dropped from orchestra. Please talk to Mrs. Smith if you would like help or suggestions of where to look for quality and affordable instruments. Please avoid purchasing an instrument from the internet without discussing it with Mrs. Smith first.
All attempts will be made to issue cello and bass players a school instrument when needed. Especially in the case of cello players, if they have their own instrument, they can use that instrument for home practice and concerts and will not need to bring their own instrument to school on a regular basis and can use the school cello at school. If a student does not have a cello at home, they must see that the school instrument is transported safely to school each week. When possible, bass players are issued a bass to play at school and one to keep at home to practice.
Responsibilities
1. FOLLOW all middle school orchestra and middle school procedures.
2. RESPECT those in authority and your fellow classmates.
3. COOPERATE with others in the orchestra and the music program. The better we work together and get along, the more success we will see.
4. PRACTICE regularly. Our ensemble will only be as good as the members in it. Orchestra is a team sport, and we need everyone to participate to the best of their ability.
5. SHOW proper care and respect for your instrument and the instruments of others. You do not want to have to repair your instrument or the instrument of someone else.
6. BE RESPONSIBLE by attending all lessons, rehearsals, and concerts. Please make sure you keep track of your calendar dates, lesson schedule and rehearsal schedule.