1. Contact the Director Orchestra Websites: Check out the Orchestra hub on the web at: https://www.essentialelementsinteractive.com School Code: SISDOrch328 (Password is your student I.D. number) KMS Orchestra: http://sheldonisd.com/Domain/1448 http://sheldonisd.com/Domain/1448 NMS Orchestra: http://sheldonisd.com/Domain/1609 http://sheldonisd.com/Domain/1609 Madeline Horrell M.R. Null Middle School (281) 436-2865 (office) C.E. King Middle School (281) 727-3648 (office) madelinehorrell@sheldonisd.com Remind app: Text your code below as a message and send to “81010” Codes: KMS Beginners: @kmsbeginn KMS Symphonic: @kmssymph NMS Beginners: @nmsbegi NMS Symphonic: @nmssy NMS Suzuki: @nmssu NMS Chamber: @nmscha Welcome to Middle School Orchestra! By accepting membership in Orchestra, you agree to perform to the best of your abilities and to work together with all team members to achieve the highest levels of musicianship and performance. You are expected to: 1. Report consistently and promptly to all Orchestra rehearsals, performances, and other activities; arrive early and prepared with the proper attire, equipment, and needed supplies; be ready to put forth committed effort needed to accomplish excellence. 2. Practice sufficiently to be prepared to rehearse and perform at the highest level according to your capabilities. 3. Cooperate to the fullest with your leaders knowing you will be accountable for your actions and your contribution to the success of this organization. Every year is a new opportunity for us to create music and you should know that you will be an important part of our success. We're delighted you have chosen to become part of the Orchestra Program, and we're looking forward to another exciting year. 2015-2016 Sheldon I.S.D. Middle School Orchestra Handbook Updated 8/19/2015

2. Class Supplies (Needed at every rehearsal) *Please do not let a financial situation prevent a student from joining Orchestra. Contact the directors if we can be of help.* Suzuki Violins Books: Essential Elements Book 1 (Gold/orange cover, not red), Essential Elements Book 2 (2 nd semester; Gold/purple cover, not blue) For All Students Black, 3-ring binder Notebook paper Pencils Rosin Music stand (for home practicing) Violins/violas: Shoulder rest or sponge Cellos/basses: Endpin rest All Supplies and Materials are due by Friday, September 11 th. Symphonic Orchestra Essential Elements Book 2 (Gold/purple cover, not blue) Chamber Orchestra Essential Technique (Gold/green cover) Orchestra Fees All Students Orchestra T-Shirt $15.00 (to be collected later in the year) Instrument usage fee $50.00 ( see below for explanation) Instrument Usage Fee** All students using school owned instruments are required to pay a $50.00 instrument usage fee. This fee goes towards yearly maintenance and cleaning of the instrument. This does not cover minor day-to-day repairs. This fee is per student and not per instrument. **School Board approved August 21, 2012 *You may use items from the previous year if in acceptable condition as determined by the directors. * Fees & Supplies Page 2 Beginner Orchestra Book: Essential Elements Book 1 (Gold/orange cover, not red) Fingernails must be kept short in order to play a string instrument. It is literally impossible to press down on the string and create a good quality sound with long fingernails. Students with long fingernails or fake nails in class will be asked to cut them or get them removed.

3. For Winter and Spring Concerts, students will wear the required uniform below: Beginners, Symphonic, Suzuki: Men White dress shirt Black dress slacks Black dress socks Black dress shoes Black belt Ladies White dress shirt Black dress pants or LONG skirt (skirts must be ankle length) Black closed-toe dress shoes Black tights/black socks Formal Uniform All Orchestra students are required to have a current Orchestra t-shirt as a part of their uniform. Orchestra shirts and dress code approved jeans will be worn at all pep- rallies and other less formal performances throughout the year, as well as field trips. Orchestra shirts will be compatible with the current SISD dress code and may be worn any time. Informal Uniform The Sheldon ISD Orchestras may be purchasing a concert uniform in the spring. The fee will be around $30. More information will come in the spring semester. Accessories, including but not limited to, jewelry, earrings, watches, etc. will not be worn while in uniform. Makeup should be conservative and not distracting. Hair should be neatly styled with hair clips kept in low profile. Performance Attire Page 3 Chamber Orchestra: Men White dress shirt and tie Black dress slacks Black dress socks Black dress shoes Black belt Ladies Black shirt Black dress pants or LONG skirt/dress (skirts and dresses must be ankle length) Black closed-toe dress shoes Black tights/black socks

4. Parent Drop Off/Pick Up Parents must make accommodations for transportation of their children to and from sectionals and to and from the Orchestra hall during trips and special events. Lack of transportation will not be an accepted excuse for missing a Orchestra function. To ensure the safety of their children, parents are encouraged to have a plan for drop-off and pick-up of students in a timely manner from Orchestra events. Directors will only be at the Orchestra hall during times listed for sectionals and during trips for the times listed in the itinerary. Attendance, Grading, & UIL Eligibility Page 4

5. Orchestra Performances and Events Excused Absence An excused absence happens whenever a Orchestra member is not present at a scheduled Orchestra activity due to illness or injury, major family event or emergency, or important unavoidable conflict, to be determined by the director. A parent/guardian note or email explaining the reason for your absence is due before any absence or upon your return to the next event if the absence is unexpected. If an illness or injury keeps a student out of school, we cannot permit them to come to a performance. If your absence from school is not due to illness or injury please bring a note stating that you are allowed to attend. Rehearsals Consistent attendance at rehearsals is necessary in building a foundation for excellence. Excused and unexcused absences parallel the Sheldon I.S.D. Middle School attendance policy. Students will be responsible for any missed information and for individual practice necessary to learn the material missed. Students who cannot demonstrate proper performance due to excessive absences will not be able to keep their performance privilege. *If you are well enough to attend school, you are well enough to attend and participate in all Orchestra activities.* Electronic devices, including but not limited to cell phones/MP3 players/video games/etc., are not allowed during performances, or during rehearsal. Attendance Page 5

6. This is the privilege to perform with the Orchestra in an performance. The director and staff will take into account all information before performance privileges are lost to any member. Excessive absences, discipline problems, and poor performance could cause the loss of performance privilege. More than one unexcused absence can result in the loss of performance privilege. The director and staff reserve the right to select the event for loss, and what capacity you serve in the Orchestra when not performing. Each additional absence will result in another loss of performance privilege. Fairness to the Orchestra and the individual student will always be considered. Repeated loss of performance privilege is grounds for dismissal from the Orchestra program. Performance Privilege It is extremely important to the success of the entire Orchestra that every member participates in every performance. An absence by any individual hurts the entire group. As a result, we must be very strict with these performance and attendance guidelines. An unexcused absence from a performance will result in a ZERO being recorded for a performance grade, and may cause a student to lose their performance privilege. Repeated problems will cause a student to be removed from Orchestra altogether. Excused absences will only be granted for illness/injury with medical documentation or emergency situations with parent/guardian communication. Performances Attendance cont’d Page 6

7. As a representative group from a Sheldon I.S.D. Middle School, the Orchestra must adhere to the latest Code of Conduct. Students should be familiar with the contents of the Code of Conduct since it is distributed each year. Additional copies can be obtained at the front office. The Sheldon I.S.D. Middle School Code of Conduct will be in effect at all scheduled Orchestra activities. Disrespectfulness toward any staff member, parent volunteer, or fellow student will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action. Students are to remain in designated areas during ALL scheduled Orchestra activities. Any departure or absence without parental or staff permission is grounds for permanent dismissal from the Orchestra. If a Orchestra member separately attends an event where the Orchestra is performing, he/she will be dismissed from the Orchestra. Discipline Any Orchestra member who possesses alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, or who is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs: WILL be suspended immediately and indefinitely from the Orchestra. WILL be reported to the school district administrative authorities. The report will be in writing and will describe the behaviors and conditions surrounding the circumstances. WILL be reported and turned over to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco Discipline Page 7

8. Instrument Storage & Equipment Page 8 Instrument Storage will be checked out to students based on the needs of the instruments being used in Orchestra classes. The following guidelines will apply to all students: Instrument storage will only be used by the student to which they are assigned Students will keep area free of trash and non-Orchestra related items Students will not share with other students Instruments will be properly stored with cases closed and latched securely. Sheldon ISD and the Middle School Orchestra Departments are not responsible for any personal items stored in the orchestra room. Instrument Storage School-owned instruments and other equipment will be issued to students at the discretion of the directors based on the needs of the program. By using school-owned equipment, students agree to be responsible for care and maintenance of that equipment while it is assigned to them. Students further agree to check-in equipment when requested. The current condition of all equipment should be listed on the check-out form by the student when it is assigned.

9. Music Supply Companies Lisle Violin Shop 4510 Burke Rd. Pasadena, TX 77504 281.487.7303 www.violins.com lisleviolinshop@gmail.com Shar Music Supply www.sharmusic.com Student Fundraising Fundraising projects will be scheduled periodically in order to raise funds for the support of the Orchestra program. The Orchestra will conduct one to two fundraisers each year. All money collected will be used to meet the needs of the Orchestra program. Fundraising and Music Companies Page 9

10. Qualifications 1.) Must be passing all classes 2.) Must be passing Orchestra Class with 75 or higher 3.) Must attend all sectionals and rehearsals 4.) Must attend all performances 5.) Must have no disciplines issues in Orchestra Class 6.) Must not be repeatedly placed in I.S.S. If a refund is approved, it will come in the form of a school check and will be mailed home. There are no Cash Refunds. Orchestra Trips and Qualifications Page 10

11. Orchestra Membership Form Page 11 Student ID Number__________________________________________________________ Student First Name__________________________________________________________ Student Middle Name__________________________________________________________ Student Last Name__________________________________________________________ Student Grade Level__________________________________________________________ Student Date of Birth MONTH (Ex: March = 03)____________________________________ Student Date of Birth DAY__________________________________________________________ Student Date of Birth YEAR__________________________________________________________ Student Gender:MaleFemale Instrument: ViolinViolaCelloBass Orchestra Class: Chamber Orchestra Symphonic Orchestra Beginner Orchestra Suzuki Vln. Student Street Address (Ex: 1234 Main St) _____________________________________________ City (Ex: Houston)__________________________________________________________ State: TexasOther:__________________________________________ Zip Code_____________________________________________________________________ Student HOME Phone Number_______________________________________________ Student CELL Phone Number_______________________________________________ Student E-mail Address__________________________________________________________ Internet Access: (please check one): ____ I have a computer with reliable Internet access at home ____ I have a tablet with reliable Internet access at home ____ I have a smartphone with reliable Internet access at home ____ I have one or more of the above, but the Internet is not reliable/I have little to no data ____ I do not have a way to connect to the Internet at home Student T-shirt Size (in adult sizes): SmallMediumLarge X-Large 2X-Large3X-Large Student’s Instrument is: From a rental companyA personal instrument A school owned instrument

12. Orchestra Membership Form Cont’d Page 12 Adult 1 Relationship to Student ______________________________________________________ Adult 1 First Name ________________________________________________________________ Adult 1 Last Name _________________________________________________________________ Adult 1 Street Address (Ex: 1234 Main St) ______________________________________________ Adult 1 City (Ex: Houston)__________________________________________________________ Adult 1 State: Texas, Other__________________________________________________________ Adult 1 Zip Code __________________________________________________________________ Adult 1 WORK Phone Number _______________________________________________________ Adult 1 HOME Phone Number _______________________________________________________ Adult 1 CELL Phone Number _________________________________________________________ Adult 1 E-mail Address__________________________________________________________ Adult 2 Relationship to Student ______________________________________________________ Adult 2 First Name ________________________________________________________________ Adult 2 Last Name _________________________________________________________________ Adult 2 Street Address (Ex: 1234 Main St) ______________________________________________ Adult 2 City (Ex: Houston)__________________________________________________________ Adult 2 State: Texas, Other__________________________________________________________ Adult 2 Zip Code __________________________________________________________________ Adult 2 WORK Phone Number _______________________________________________________ Adult 2 HOME Phone Number _______________________________________________________ Adult 2 CELL Phone Number _________________________________________________________ Adult 2 E-mail Address__________________________________________________________

13. [Parent/Guardian MUST complete and sign this form for their child to travel] SHELDON I.S.D. ORCHESTRA TRAVEL PERMISSION FORM (Please tear out, sign, & return) I agree to allow my child to attend ALL ORCHESTRA ACTIVITIES FOR WHICH HE/SHE IS ELIGIBLE. I understand that while student safety is a high priority for the District, under State Law, the school is not responsible for medical costs associated with a student injury. I expressly waive all claims for medical expenses, loss of services, or other claims, and I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the District, its Trustees, employees, and agents from all claims made against it or them on behalf of my child. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the District, its Trustees, employees, and agents from all claims made by third parties against it or them which result from my child’s actions on each trip. I understand that the District, its Trustees, employees, and agents are not waiving any sovereign or governmental immunity which it or they have under Texas law. I have read and understood this release and sign it voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance. STUDENT NAME:_____________________ ADDRESS:___________________ PARENT PHONE:_________________CELL PHONE:_____________________ PARENT ALTERNATE PHONE:______________________________________ (Office phone, pager, another cell phone, etc.) PERSON (OTHER THAN PARENT) TO CONTACT IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: NAME:_________________________ PHONE:________________________ (This information is very important. Please provide the name and phone number of a relative or family friend who will know how to find you in an emergency. Please do not use any of the phone numbers listed above. If your child is injured, or becomes ill while away from school, it is vital that school personnel are able to contact you as quickly as possible.) KNOWN ALLERGIES OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS: _______________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ MEDICATIONS CURRENTLY USING:_________________________________ INSURANCE CARRIER:__________________ POLICY #:_________________ (To be used for emergency treatment only. Parent and school administrators will always be notified of emergencies.) PARENT SIGNATURE: _____________________________________________ DATE SIGNED: ___________________________________ Date _________________________________________________________________ SISD Orchestra Travel Permission Form Page 13

14. Acknowledgement This acknowledges receipt of the Sheldon Independent School District Middle School Orchestra Handbook. The handbook should be kept for reference throughout the year for both parents and student. In accepting this Orchestra handbook, I accept the privileges and responsibilities as a member of the Sheldon I.S.D. Orchestra Program, and promise to uphold in my actions and attitudes those qualities which will honor the Orchestra and school. Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________ Student Signature:_____________________________________________ Date:________________________________________________________