WSHS Orchestra “Clef Notes” #2 – September 8, 2021
Abbreviated updates for WSHS Orchestra students and parents It is SO nice being in the building and rehearsing together! On Friday, September 3, both orchestras had their first “performance preview” of the music we’ve been studying. While not quite concert-ready, it did show the students how much we’ve already accomplished in three weeks of group rehearsals and independent preparation. Our first public performance on Monday, October 4 at WSHS! 1. Parent-Teacher conferences are this Thursday afternoon, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. In-person meetings are being scheduled through the office. I can meet virtually with you (using TEAMS). Please contact me if you would like to meet virtually. 2. Assignments and Grades. The What’s New?/Assignments page on our website has assignments posted by category. We’re still using TEAMS for some work, especially Practice Plans. Grades are also posted chronologically in Powerschool. The listed assignments in boldface have been collected, graded, and posted. These are the grades that will be calculated for the first Progress Report. With a limited number of assignments spread across several categories, the first Progress Report tends to be and “all or nothing” grade. If the student has completed all assignments, then the grade is very good. But if they have not turned in just a couple of things, their Progress Report grade is drastically affected. Late work is almost always accepted (for a reduced grade, of course) because I want the students to learn the material, and a late grade is always better than a zero. The most important thing is to make sure students are completing ALL assignments by the due dates, of course! Please check Powerschool, TEAMS/assignments, our website, and then contact me if you notice any inconsistencies. Homework (10%) • Practice Plans (the “homework” of orchestra). These cover 2 to 3 weeks of practice activities, with student-determined goals in three distinct areas: Technique, Repertoire, and Personal Growth. If you have not watched the first three Videos about Practicing – found here on our website – please do so soon: https://whitestationorchestra.weebly.com/videos-about-practicing.html , Plan 1.1, 9/3; Plan 1.2, 9/17; Plan 1.3, 10/1. Classwork (35%) • 12 Questions about yourself (8/10) • How do you take care of your instrument? Article worksheet (8/12) • Student/Parent Information MS Form • Weekly Classwork Activity Grade. 8/13, 8/20, 8/27, 9/3, 9/10, 9/17, etc. Assessment (40%) • Individual Performance Assessments: Flipgrid submissions are assigned at least one week before the due date. 1. Introduce Yourself 8/21; 2. A Major Scale and Arpeggio 9/1; 3) F Major Scale & Arpeggio, 9/10; • Concerts. Our Fall Concert is October 4, WSHS at 7:00 p.m. (6:30 on-stage call). Please review the syllabus (can be found on our website’s homepage) for appropriate concert attire requirements. Class Participation (5%) • Have all of your supplies in class every day. Spot checks for different supplies occur throughout the year. Project/Portfolio/Presentation (10%) • This is a stand-alone activity. The students chose one of eight options. A writing component is part of each of these activities. Due 9/29. 3. Our Remind codes are: 6th period: @wshsorc6 7th period: @wshsorc7, and, for all parents: @wsorchpar. Text your code to 81010 or 901-881-9447. You may also register at “rmd.at/classcode.” You can send text messages to me through Remind. You are welcome to sign up for your child’s class code, too. 4. The U. of Memphis will host its annual high school honors orchestra clinic October 27-30. 5. The All-West Auditions are Nov. 20. Information has been posted at WTSBOA.website . |
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