Felipe Morales-Torres Director of Orchestras

Lois Bell Assistant

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W I N T O N W O O D S H I G H S C H O O L

! !O R C H E S T R A H A N D B O O K

for students and parents

CONTENTS

Ensembles & Extracurriculars 3..............................................................................................Instruments 4.........................................................................................................................Expectations & Grading Policies 5.........................................................................................Concert Procedures & Attendance 7......................................................................................Required Materials 9...............................................................................................................Performing Arts Boosters 10...................................................................................................Season Calendar 11 (back).....................................................................................................

W W H S O R C H E S T R A H A N D B O O K

[ O U R ] C H E S T R ADear Students and Parents,! Welcome to another year in the Winton Woods Orchestras! Last year being my first in the district, our mission was to get to know one another and figure out what the future should hold. Together we explored our interests, identified our needs, and reflected on what it is we want orchestra to mean for this community. As the kids would say, it’s time for orchestra to “blow up.”! But that prompts an important question: how? How do we reach the next level given our limited resources? How do we get as good as our larger, wealthier neighboring districts? Shel Silverstein has a little insight to these questions:!

So you haven’t got a drum; just beat your belly. So you haven’t got a horn; I’ll play my nose.

So I haven’t any cymbals; we’ll just clap our hands together. And though there may be orchestras that sound a little better,

with fancy instruments that cost an awful lot, we’re making music TWICE as good

by playing what we’ve got. !“Ourchestra”, by Shel Silverstein!

Here on out, we are going to own our strengths and target our weaknesses through strategic learning and performance. It’s going to be a challenging, but enjoyable school year full of new opportunities and progressive accomplishments. This handbook contains information essential to making that happen.. Please read it thoroughly as some procedures and expectations have changed. Once you are finished, complete and return the appropriate Agreements with necessary signatures no later than August 29th. ! Join us for an informational meeting August 25 to learn about our upcoming trip to Miami, FL. Open house is August 27th.!Cheers,!!!!!Felipe Morales-TorresDirector of Orchestras morales.felipe@wintonwoods.org (513) 619-2466

String Orchestra This ensemble is the heart of the Winton Woods Orchestras. It offers string players the opportunity to perform music in many styles while learning many social and technical skills that cannot be accessed in smaller groups or individual lessons. The String Orchestra competes at OMEA contests and performs several times throughout the year. !Symphony Orchestra Wind and percussion players join the String Orchestra to perform repertoire with a fuller, more colorful sound. Symphony Orchestra comes together for various performances, including the Choral-Orchestral Winter Concert. Wind players and string players rehearse separately until the week of performances.!Pit Orchestra The pit orchestra consists of band and orchestra students who volunteer to perform for the annual musical theater production. Musical theater orchestra “books” span a variety of genres from classical to rock.!!!!!!!!Chamber Orchestra This ensemble of select students meets once a week after school to read and rehearse top orchestral repertoire. The WW Chamber Orchestra competes and performs independently of the other ensembles, and chamber players also have the opportunity to participate in performance tours throughout the Greenhills and Forest Park communities. Participation in this ensemble is earned by audition. Additional information will be made available to interested students.

H I G H S C H O O L E N S E M B L E S

E X T R A C U R R I C U L A R P R O G R A M S

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ALL students are expected to provide a quality string instrument for class throughout their studies. Instruments must be kept in good playing condition, including the bow and case. You will be instructed in proper instrument care, so it is expected that all instruments be maintained in top performance condition to ensure success and daily class participation.!!Violin & Viola Currently, we do not have enough instruments to provide for every player in our ensembles. Instruments can be rented or purchased at Baroque Violin Shop, Antonio Violins or A Violin Maker’s Workshop. All three vendors have excellent rental programs and may even provide some necessary accessories at no additional cost. You can also choose to purchase an instrument once you are playing on a full-sized instrument (approx. 15” for viola).!Avoid purchasing instruments online through discount sites like E-Bay or Craigslist. The quality of these instruments is often questionable and there is no support should a problem arise. Never purchase an instrument without consulting your director first!!We do have a small stock of more affordable instruments available to families with financial needs. Details are available upon request.!!Cello & Bass There is a selection of school-owned instruments available to cello and bass students for a rental fee of $25.00, which covers repairs and replacements attributed to normal wear and tear. These instruments will be for use in school and may not be taken home. !A second, stay-at-home instrument may be available to rent for an additional rental fee. You are responsible for transporting and storing these instruments safely, so please note that damages due to mishandling are not covered under our repair policy. !! !!

All school-owned instruments are subject to a $25.00 rental fee per instrument.Parents/Guardians must also commit to at least one Boosters volunteer opportunity.

Students using school instruments must complete a Rental Agreement once an instrument is assigned.

I N S T R U M E N T S

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!Be Safe

Stay seated during rehearsal.Handle equipment with care.

Think before you act.!!Be Respectful

Listen when adults are speaking.Follow all rehearsal procedures. Show support for your peers.!!

Be Responsible Come to class and be on time.

Complete all assignments.Practice individually.!!!!

Excellence is a choice that begins with an attitude of success. Choose wisely.!!!

Consequences for Misbehavior 1. Verbal warning2. Point deduction3. Parent conference (by phone, email, or in person)4. Office referral and Parent conference5. Suspension from orchestra activities and Office referral and Parent conference6. Removal from orchestra program

E X P E C T A T I O N S I N O R C H E S T R A

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Your grade in orchestra is a balanced reflection of musical achievement, technical skill, class participation, and overall effort. There are four components to your grade each quarter:!!Musicianship (55%) This category includes assessments from playing quizzes, homework exercises, written tests, and other assignments as assigned via BlackBoard. It is important that you complete all assignments to guarantee preparation and participation in class. Realize that your rehearsal grade could suffer if you are unable to participate because of missed work. !

Musicianship grades will be used to determine ensemble seating throughout the year.

!Rehearsals (30%) Each week you will begin with an “A” for preparation, participation, and attendance. Points will be awarded or deducted according to the following scale:! 20 - Music folder, book on stand 10 - Attentiveness 5 - Shoulder rest, rock stop, rosin, etc. 20 - Instrumentpresent 10 - Punctuality 5 - Attendance 20 - Playing well (evidence of practice) 10 - Pencil on stand !!Concerts & Contests (15%) Participation in concerts will determine up to 15% of your grade. Every performance is mandatory and attendance for the entire concert is required in the event of a joint performance with other ensembles. (Concert Procedures, pg. 9-10)!!!!!!!!There will be NO opportunities for extra credit. However, your lowest homework grade will be dropped before your final grade is calculated. Make-up assignments are available in the event of an excused absence. Students needing assistance with homework or playing are welcome to visit the orchestra office for help.

G R A D I N G P O L I C Y

E X T R A C R E D I T

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Performances constitute up to 15% of your grade. Our concerts are the culmination of your work throughout the quarter both in and out of class. This is why ALL ORCHESTRA CONCERTS ARE MANDATORY. They are your chance to show parents, friends, and community members everything you have accomplished!!!Attendance There are two types of absences for orchestra: excused and unexcused. Excused Absences constitute documented illness, death in the family, or emergency situations. Please contact one of your teachers as soon as possible in order for us to consider an emergency. Absences are considered unexcused if neither teacher receives notice prior to the concert. Excuses such as “I forgot,” I couldn’t find a ride,” or “I had to baby-sit” are not satisfactory. It will also count as an unexcused absence if you do not stay for the duration of a concert.!!Make-Up Performances In the event of an absence, you are required to complete a make-up assignment as follows:! Option 1: Perform an extra playing quiz featuring repertoire from the missed concert. Option 2: Attend a full-length performance of high school level or higher and write a review.!You will receive full credit for a make-up assignment if your absence was excused. Up to 85% of the concert grade can be redeemed if your absence was unexcused. In both cases, it is the student’s responsibility to approach the director for make-up work. Otherwise, you will receive zero credit.!!!Dress Rehearsals You must attend the dress rehearsal in order to perform in a concert. Dress rehearsals will usually be held during school the day of the concert unless otherwise noted. Failure to attend dress rehearsal will result in an unexcused absence from the concert. Emergency absences from these rehearsals will be considered individually.

C O N C E R T P R O C E D U R E S

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Concert Etiquette We will review proper concert behavior and procedure in class. It is up to you to behave appropriately when you are on and off the stage. Please remember that we lead the entire audience by example. If you behave inappropriately during a performance, you may be asked to leave and marked down for an unexcused absence. You will be expected to complete one of the make-up assignments described previously.!In addition to concert etiquette, students must observe the code of conduct laid out in the WWHS handbook.!!Concert Attire All members of high school orchestra ensembles are required to wear a uniform.!Men: White tux shirt Black dress shoes Black socks Tuxedo (Provided by WWHS) !Women: Black dress shoes Black dress (Provided by WWHS) !A complete uniform will be distributed to each student for their use. If a student damages or loses any part of the issued uniform, the student must pay for the replacement items as follows:! Men’s Jacket - $95 Cummerbund - $25 Women’s Dress - $80 Men’s Pants - $55 Tie - $15!!!Other Activities The same attendance procedures apply to any required activities laid out in our season calendar. District calendars have already been checked for school conflicts, so any dates listed take precedence over activities scheduled later in the year. Please review all dates now for possible personal conflicts. Should there be any, please contact one of your teachers before returning the Student-Parent Agreement. Accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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The most important materials for orchestra class are your instrument and a pencil, but there are a few other necessities that will help you succeed:!For Class 1. Instrument2. Cleaning cloth3. Pencil(s)3. Rehearsal binder (provided by school)!!For Personal Practice 1. Instrument2. Pencil(s)3. Metronome4. Tuner!You will have FREE access to several metronomes and tuners via EEI and our website, www.warriorstrings.org.

R E Q U I R E D L E A R N I N G M A T E R I A L S

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Introducing a larger, stronger boosters group... In past years, the performing arts departments each had their own parent support organization. Now, Music Boosters has merged with Friends of the Theatre to create a unified support organization called the Winton Woods Performing Arts Boosters. Participation is free and open to all parents of students involved in music, theatre, or both!!Get involved – we can’t do this without you! Parent support is critical for a student to succeed at anything, but especially in the performing arts. Supporting your child’s teachers also ensures that they have the resources and the manpower to give your student the very best education possible.!As teachers, we know that everyone has gifts and talents, including you. Please consider whether you might be able to contribute to one of these efforts:!

CommunicatingCoordinatingFundraising

Event PlanningChaperoningConcessions

Sewing/TailoringRecruitingDecorating

Photographing!You are invited to attend regular booster meetings, which occur every other Monday as outlined below. These meetings are typically an enjoyable and relaxed setting in which you can meet other parents and keep informed. Please visit the booster webpage at http://arts.wintonwoodsboosters.org/ for more information.!! General Meeting Monday, September 08 at 7:00pm General Meeting Monday, November 03 at 7:00pm General Meeting Monday, January 05 at 7:00pm General Meeting Monday, March 02 at 7:00pm Music Awards Night Monday, May 11 at 7:00pm ! All booster meetings take place at the WWHS Cafeteria

P E R F O R M I N G A R T S B O O S T E R S

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Please mark these dates on your home calendar and notify one of your teachers right away if you anticipate any conflicts. District calendars have already been checked for school conflicts, so any dates listed below take precedence over activities scheduled later in the year. !!

All concerts begin at 7:00pm unless noted otherwise. Remember: you will lose points for ANY type of absence during a concert.

Full make-ups only permitted for excused absences. !!DATE EVENT LOCATION ENSEMBLE August 27* Open House HS Auditorium All Students Gr. 9-12 !October 18** String Fest Northern Kentucky Univ. String & Chamber Orchestras !October 29** CSO Outreach Event GH Community Building Chamber Orchestra !December 11 Winter Concert HS Auditorium String & Symphony Orchestras !January 31** S&E Contests TBD Chamber Orchestra, Volunteers !February 10 Orchestra Night HS Auditorium All Orchestras Gr. 5-12 !February 20** OMEA State Contests Kettering, OH String Orchestra !Aprill 17-18*** Spring Musical HS Auditorium Pit Orchestra !April 23 Spring Concert & HS Auditorium All Orchestras Senior Recognition !May 19 Boosters Awards HS Auditorium All Students Gr. 9-12 !May 29 Commencement XU Cintas Center String Orchestra !!!* Open House is an optional (though encouraged!) event that begins at 6:00pm.** Schedules for these events will be released as soon as they are available.*** Spring Musical performances begin at 8:00pm.

2 0 1 3 - 1 4 H S O R C H E S T R A C A L E N D A R

Winton Woods Orchestras Permission Signature Sheet

To be signed and returned immediately.

!I, the parent/guardian, give my permission for my child to attend school-sponsored music field trips arranged with the prior knowledge of school administration.

I, the parent/guardian, also give permission for my child to be videotaped, photographed or broadcast in conjunction with school related performances.

Communication/Technology Disclosures:Information pertaining to the orchestra program, its activities, and my child’s performance will be communicated in one or more of the following ways:

Progress Book BlackBoard Orchestra Webpage (www.warriorstrings.org) Email as listed in WWIS Database Phone as listed in WWIS Database Social media

My child DOES has access to the following in our household:

☐ Desktop computer ☐ Laptop computer ☐ Tablet/iPad ☐ Smartphone ☐ Internet

☐ Social media ☐ Printer

!Student’s Name:

________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Signature:

________________________________________________________________________

(Date)

Preferred Telephone Number :

________________________________________________________________________

Preferred E-mail:

________________________________________________________________________

Winton Woods Orchestras Parent Volunteer Form

!!WE NEED YOUR HELP! Several events depend on volunteer power from parents and guardians. Some of these are crucial fundraisers for the program, such as the outdoor concessions at HS athletic events. Your volunteerism directly benefits our students! !Please mark below the events for which you can volunteer. You will receive a phone call or an email from a director to confirm your commitment. A reminder call or email will also be given shortly before the event. !

CONCESSIONS VOLUNTEERS (Please report 45 minutes before the of your selected events.)

☐ Thursday, Aug. 27 – 4:30 PM – MS Football v Milford ☐ Thursday, Sept. 11 – 6:00 PM – Freshman Football v Mason ☐ Saturday, Oct. 11 – 7:00 PM – Varsity Football v Rock Bridge ☐ Friday, Oct. 24 – 7:30 PM – Homecoming !

ORCHESTRA NIGHT (Being a chaperone will not keep you from seeing your child perform!)

☐ Monday, Feb. 09 – 2-4:00 PM – Dress rehearsal chaperones ☐ Tuesday, Feb. 10 – 6:00 PM – Concert chaperones !

OTHER EVENTS (Field trips, special events, fundraising, etc.)

☐ I am willing to consider volunteering for misc. needs if contacted !Volunteer(s) Name(s) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ !Phone Number ____________________________________________ !Email ______________________________________________ !

Minimum ONE volunteer commitment required per school-owned instrument rental.