WELCOME TO THE WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA Beginner Parent Meeting 2014

Introduction  Mrs. Gauthier (pronounced Goth-ier)  Mrs. Stevenson

Why Music is Important

Middle School campuses with a higher percentage of student enrollments in fine arts courses achieved higher academic ratings.

Research Conclusion: Students in Music Study Score Higher  Students in high-quality school music programs score higher on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient music education programs, regardless of the socioeconomic level of the school or school district.

SAT Average Scores

State of the Orchestra  Currently, there are almost 200 students enrolled in the Truett Wilson Orchestra  Four Orchestras  Beginner Orchestra  Concert Orchestra  Symphonic Orchestra  Chamber Orchestra AMPED – the district’s only electric string ensemble

What will my child be doing in class?  feature=BFa&list=ULcn_eOMqrIQ0 feature=BFa&list=ULcn_eOMqrIQ0

Year at a Glance  1 st Six Weeks:  Learning fundamentals of posture and position  Left and right hands are learned separately, D and A string only  Becoming comfortable with music reading, specific verbiage and procedures  2 nd Six Weeks:  Combining left and right hands  Building on foundations started earler  Fall Concert  3 rd Six Weeks:  Learning “real” piece of music outside of the book  Begin learning to tune their own instruments  Winter Concert

Year at a Glance  4 th Six Weeks  All 4 strings, adding different finger patterns, bowing techniques  Starting to work on Solos and Ensembles for contest in April  Mid Winter Concert  5 th Six Weeks  Participate in Solo and Ensemble Contest  More advanced right and left hand  Begin working on “real” music (5 different parts)  6 th Six Weeks  Audition for next school year  Participate in Spring Competition  Spring Concert  Introduction of advanced concepts necessary for 7 th grade orchestra, thinking about orchestra camp in the summer, summer lessons.

What do they need to do at home?  Practice…but only minutes at a time!  Where and what they need for effective practice  Chair/stool, music stand, metronome, CD player  What they do NOT need for effective practice  TV, siblings, distractions, pressure to perform

Note Reading Practice  Music reading is KEY to success – it’s like learning a new language.  Practicing notereading counts as practice time in the 1 st 6 weeks.  Note reading games available online  4&DomainID=4281&PageID=39984&ModuleInstanceI D=40637&ViewID=9d7780dc-000e-458b-ba39- cfc84059b040&IsMoreExpandedView=True 4&DomainID=4281&PageID=39984&ModuleInstanceI D=40637&ViewID=9d7780dc-000e-458b-ba39- cfc84059b040&IsMoreExpandedView=True

Apps that Help  Note reading Apps  Note Squish  Staff Wars  Treble Cat, Bass Cat (no Alto Cat – lame!)  Flash Note  Rhythm Apps  Rhythm Cat

Practice Cards  Due every Friday, SIGNED BY A PARENT  100 minutes a week are required for a weekly formative grade of 100.  83 minutes practiced = grade of 83  143 minutes practiced = grade of 143 (makes up for forgotten week, busy week, etc.)  Extra Practice Cards available on netschool and the orchestra website.

Practicing “Good practice will PERFECT something. Bad practice will only make you an expert at playing something BADLY.”

Supplies Needed Every Day  Instrument and supplies necessary to play instrument  Violin/viola: shoulder rest  Beginner Method Book/Music Folder  Pencil  A participation grade is taken every week.  20 points a day are earned by having supplies in order to participate You can help us by encouraging personal responsibility!

Care and Storage of the Instrument  They should treat their instrument like it’s their baby!  Instrument should always be in a case if you are taking it anyplace.  NO HOT CARS. NO MOISTURE.  Every instrument has a specific place in the orchestra room.  Can drop off instrument as early as 8am.

School Owned Instruments vs. Rentals  Rental instruments are through independent music stores (Bell’s Music Shop, Music and Arts, etc.)  For cellos and basses, the rental is kept at home to practice and the student is issued a school owned instrument for use at school.  School district owns instruments that are available for students to take home in the event that they cannot afford a rental.  $100 a year IF THE INSTRUMENT IS TAKEN HOME  Not an ideal situation, but certainly can work

What to Do if Something Breaks  No DIY attempts to fix it please  Just put everything back in the case, and bring it to us.  Some common issues that WE can fix:  Broken string  Bridge pops off (not broken)  Chin rest comes off  End pin comes out

Pass Off Ribbons  Reinforces fundamental skills while allowing for child’s personal learning potential/speed.  Emphasis on effort + attitude = success  Allows for weekly specific and individual feedback to student  Pass Offs happen on Fridays during class.  Pass Offs can also be done in the mornings if they are ready to move ahead (just for ribbon, not for a grade).

Private Lessons  For extra enrichment, not remediation  Take place during the orchestra class, once a week  $20 per lesson  Private Teachers are screened, background checked, and interviewed  To sign up your child, return the form tonight.

Concerts  A celebration of their work!  4 concerts a year:  October – Concert in the Courtyard  December – Holiday Concert  February – Mid Winter Concert  May – Spring Concert/Recognition Night  Attendance is Mandatory (for the students)

Attire for Concerts  Orchestra Shirt  Nice ALL black pants/capris/long skirt  No shorts, short skirts, or black jeans.  Nice shoes  No tennis shoes, flip flops, sneakers  October Concert is outside in the Courtyard – jeans for this concert instead of black pants.

Fee for Orchestra  $35 total for the year  PAYS FOR: $15 orchestra t-shirt $10 solo and ensemble contest entry fees $10 spring festival  Cash or make checks payable to Wilson Orchestra  Can do a payment plan if necessary  Communicate with the directors

Social Events  Part of the “family” atmosphere  Handful of events throughout the year:  “Family Picnic” and cookout – September  Trip to the Ft. Worth Symphony Trip – November  Trampoline Park – February  Water Park – Spring  Look for specific details about each event as they come up.  They are optional

Charms   Click Student/Parent login  Type: TWMSOrch for access  Password is your child’s ID number.  You can check fee balances, if money was turned in, etc.

Volunteers  Make sure you have filled out the NISD Volunteer Background Check (available online).  You CANNOT assist us in any capacity without being “on the list”  Concession stand help: Volunteers needed to work the concession stand at the home volleyball/basketball games.  Social events/Chaperones  Concert in the Courtyard Bake Sale

Stay in the Loop  and  Office Phone:  Facebook – Wilson MS Orchestra  #wilsonorch in all social media

Reminder Text Messages

Taking Instruments Home  VIOLINS AND VIOLAS  Instruments can go home tonight, but MUST come back tomorrow for class!  CELLOS AND BASSES  Instruments can go home tonight, please DO NOT bring them back to school!  MUSIC STANDS – in the green box. DO NOT bring them back to school.

THANK YOU  A program of this size is not possible without the support of our amazing parents.  Thank you for being here tonight, for renting the instrument, being excited for where their musical journey will take them, and keeping them accountable!