2018 -2019 HANDBOOK
Kristin Rangel, Director of Orchestras
Dear Orchestra Member,
I want to welcome you to another year of school and an exciting experience of orchestral playing!
I know that there are always a lot of mixed emotions when the brand new school year starts. There are new classrooms to find and new people to meet, etc. Therefore I have put this handbook together so that you will know what I expect from you this year as well as answer some questions that you might have. Keep this handbook all year so that you can refer to it when you need to know a concert date, grading question, etc.
Please be assured that you have my complete devotion to our orchestral program. I very much enjoy what I do. I especially enjoy watching my students experience great success. I am excited to watch you grow, develop and succeed as an orchestral player in the near future.
My commitment to you is twofold. First, I will be the absolute best director that I can be. This is so that our orchestra program will develop to be the finest program it can be. Second, I will do whatever it takes to help any student accomplish their personal performance goals. So if you are in need of extra help for anything, then please talk to me and let me know what I can do for you.
If you have any questions throughout the year, please feel free to come talk to me, call me or email me.
Preston phone number: 488-7315 E-mail address: [email protected]
Musically,
Kristin Rangel
Director of Orchestras
Preston Middle School
ORCHESTRA MATERIALS
Materials that are needed for orchestra are as follows:
VIOLINS/VIOLAS
Instrument in good working order
Shoulder rest
Soft cloth (an old T-shirt works fine)
Rosin
Required books for your instrument and level
Three-Ring notebook with sheet protectors (non-glare, preferably)
Pencil and paper for class
Music stand – (not required, but extremely useful for your at-home practice)
CELLOS/BASSES
Instrument in good working order
Rock stop
Soft cloth ( a T-shirt works fine)
Rosin (Bass rosin will be different than the other instruments)
Required books for your instrument and level
Three-Ring notebook with sheet protectors (non-glare, preferably)
Pencil and paper for class
Music stand – (not required, but extremely useful for your at-home practice)
BOOKS
Essential Elements for Strings Book 1 – (1st year)
All For Strings Theory Book 1 – (1st year)
String Basics Book 2– Steps to Success for String Orchestra – (2nd year)
SHEET MUSIC
Ensemble music will be checked out to individuals and/or stand partners. This music is the property of Preston Middle School and students who lose or abuse the materials will be responsible for replacement costs.
INSTRUMENT RENTAL INFORMATION
Instruments can be rented at most music stores. I would recommend that you rent an instrument at first, because many instruments are smaller and as students grow they will need to exchange the instrument for a larger size. I suggest that you rent your instrument from a local music store such as Boomers or other local stores. However, if you decide to buy an instrument you can purchase one at a local music store or find one being sold through the newspaper. Please be aware that buying an instrument off of the internet can be very risky because a lot of them, though they can be inexpensive, can be very cheaply made. We have a limited selection of cellos and basses available on a first-come, first-serve basis. It may be possible for bass students to check out a bass at school as well as one for home if there are enough. Cello students may be required to rent their own instrument for home use. Remember that you are responsible for getting instruments to and from home, to and from off-campus events, and other events.
LOCAL SHOPS
Boomer Music
3761 South Mason St,, Fort Collins, CO 80525
970-223-2424
www. boomermusiccompany.com
Noble Brothers Violin Shop
263 Hunters Cove Dr, Mead, CO 80542
(303) 776-0091
http://www.noblebrosviolin.com/
Spotlight Music
4606 South Mason St., Fort Collins, CO 80525
970-377-8066
[email protected]
Music and Arts
238 E. Harmony Road,#D-10/D-12, Fort Collins, CO 80525
970-223-5837
Sol Vista Violins
100 S. Public Rd Suite B, Lafayette, CO 80026
720-365-0305
[email protected]
Online Shops
Southwest Strings www.swstrings.com
Shar Music www.sharmusic.com
ORCHESTRA RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
Respect yourself, respect others, and respect the property of others.
Be a valuable member of the classroom – strive for excellence!
Respect the contribution of others and work as a team.
Students will be expected to arrive to class on time and find their seats quickly - students will need to be in their seats and have their instruments and music ready for rehearsal within a designated amount of time. Rehearsal/class time consists of tuning, warmup exercises, singing exercises, stretches, work in the required books, work on sheet music, and music theory.
CONCERT ATTIRE
Concert Orchestra - black pants and white shirts for the gentlemen. You may wear a tie, but it is not required. Black pants or skirts and white shirts or blouses for the ladies. White shirts should be completely white, with no designs or color on them. Black dress shoes are also required (no tennis shoes!)
Symphonic Orchestra - All black pants and black shirts for the gentlemen. You may wear a tie, but it is not required. All black pants, skirts, blouses or dresses for the ladies. Black dress shoes are also required (no tennis shoes!)
Beginning Orchestra - will be the Preston Music T-shirt (order forms will be coming home soon) and black pants or skirts. Black dress shoes will also be required (no tennis shoes!)
FACILITY
Our orchestra room is in the music wing - Room #C-135 and is a wonderful facility. No drink, food or gum will be allowed in the classroom unless approved. Students will store their instruments in lockers. Lockers will be assigned the first week of school.
GRADING POLICIES
Grading will consist of the following areas:
WORK HABITS SAMPLE GRADING RUBRIC FOR ORCHESTRA STUDENTS
A “4” student:
Always brings music, instrument, pencil and accessories to all rehearsals.
Significantly improves on primary instrument.
Always plays with good posture.
Exemplifies excellent rehearsal conduct.
Is always on time for rehearsals and concerts.
Always does written work.
A “3” student:
Usually brings music, instrument, pencil and accessories to all rehearsals.
Improves on primary instrument.
Usually plays with good posture.
Exemplifies good rehearsal conduct.
Is usually on time to rehearsals and concerts.
Usually does written work.
A “2” student:
Sometimes has required materials for rehearsals.
Shows some improvement on primary instrument.
Usually plays with good posture.
Exemplifies average rehearsal conduct.
Is sometimes tardy to rehearsals.
Sometimes does written work.
A “1” student:
Rarely has required materials
Shows very little signs of improvement on primary instrument.
Posture is very inconsistent – poor posture most of the time.
Exemplifies below average rehearsal conduct.
Is tardy often to rehearsals.
Rarely does written work.
A “0” student:
Never has required materials for rehearsals.
No improvement on primary instrument.
Very poor posture – always slouches, always uses improper playing techniques.
Exemplifies poor rehearsal conduct
Is tardy and/or absent to rehearsals
Never does written work.
CONCERTS
Please see the Calendar Tab on the Website for the Calendar for all Orchestras for 2016-17. Make note of the explanation written below the concert date to know whether the concert is for your child’s orchestra or an orchestra your child is not in this year.
PRESTON JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Information will come home with your child about the Preston Jazz Orchestra in September. This is an audition-only group for anyone in grades 6, 7 or 8 that is in the orchestra program already. It meets only once a week on Thursday afternoons from 2:45 – 4:00. It will be necessary for students to be at all rehearsals for this group since it only meets once a week. This group may also have several concerts outside of the school day, so it will also be imperative for students to commit to these as well.
WELCOME ONCE AGAIN AND REMEMBER TO STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE!!!
Musically,
Kris Rangel
Director of Orchestras
Preston Middle School
Kristin Rangel, Director of Orchestras
Dear Orchestra Member,
I want to welcome you to another year of school and an exciting experience of orchestral playing!
I know that there are always a lot of mixed emotions when the brand new school year starts. There are new classrooms to find and new people to meet, etc. Therefore I have put this handbook together so that you will know what I expect from you this year as well as answer some questions that you might have. Keep this handbook all year so that you can refer to it when you need to know a concert date, grading question, etc.
Please be assured that you have my complete devotion to our orchestral program. I very much enjoy what I do. I especially enjoy watching my students experience great success. I am excited to watch you grow, develop and succeed as an orchestral player in the near future.
My commitment to you is twofold. First, I will be the absolute best director that I can be. This is so that our orchestra program will develop to be the finest program it can be. Second, I will do whatever it takes to help any student accomplish their personal performance goals. So if you are in need of extra help for anything, then please talk to me and let me know what I can do for you.
If you have any questions throughout the year, please feel free to come talk to me, call me or email me.
Preston phone number: 488-7315 E-mail address: [email protected]
Musically,
Kristin Rangel
Director of Orchestras
Preston Middle School
ORCHESTRA MATERIALS
Materials that are needed for orchestra are as follows:
VIOLINS/VIOLAS
Instrument in good working order
Shoulder rest
Soft cloth (an old T-shirt works fine)
Rosin
Required books for your instrument and level
Three-Ring notebook with sheet protectors (non-glare, preferably)
Pencil and paper for class
Music stand – (not required, but extremely useful for your at-home practice)
CELLOS/BASSES
Instrument in good working order
Rock stop
Soft cloth ( a T-shirt works fine)
Rosin (Bass rosin will be different than the other instruments)
Required books for your instrument and level
Three-Ring notebook with sheet protectors (non-glare, preferably)
Pencil and paper for class
Music stand – (not required, but extremely useful for your at-home practice)
BOOKS
Essential Elements for Strings Book 1 – (1st year)
All For Strings Theory Book 1 – (1st year)
String Basics Book 2– Steps to Success for String Orchestra – (2nd year)
SHEET MUSIC
Ensemble music will be checked out to individuals and/or stand partners. This music is the property of Preston Middle School and students who lose or abuse the materials will be responsible for replacement costs.
INSTRUMENT RENTAL INFORMATION
Instruments can be rented at most music stores. I would recommend that you rent an instrument at first, because many instruments are smaller and as students grow they will need to exchange the instrument for a larger size. I suggest that you rent your instrument from a local music store such as Boomers or other local stores. However, if you decide to buy an instrument you can purchase one at a local music store or find one being sold through the newspaper. Please be aware that buying an instrument off of the internet can be very risky because a lot of them, though they can be inexpensive, can be very cheaply made. We have a limited selection of cellos and basses available on a first-come, first-serve basis. It may be possible for bass students to check out a bass at school as well as one for home if there are enough. Cello students may be required to rent their own instrument for home use. Remember that you are responsible for getting instruments to and from home, to and from off-campus events, and other events.
LOCAL SHOPS
Boomer Music
3761 South Mason St,, Fort Collins, CO 80525
970-223-2424
www. boomermusiccompany.com
Noble Brothers Violin Shop
263 Hunters Cove Dr, Mead, CO 80542
(303) 776-0091
http://www.noblebrosviolin.com/
Spotlight Music
4606 South Mason St., Fort Collins, CO 80525
970-377-8066
[email protected]
Music and Arts
238 E. Harmony Road,#D-10/D-12, Fort Collins, CO 80525
970-223-5837
Sol Vista Violins
100 S. Public Rd Suite B, Lafayette, CO 80026
720-365-0305
[email protected]
Online Shops
Southwest Strings www.swstrings.com
Shar Music www.sharmusic.com
ORCHESTRA RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
Respect yourself, respect others, and respect the property of others.
Be a valuable member of the classroom – strive for excellence!
Respect the contribution of others and work as a team.
Students will be expected to arrive to class on time and find their seats quickly - students will need to be in their seats and have their instruments and music ready for rehearsal within a designated amount of time. Rehearsal/class time consists of tuning, warmup exercises, singing exercises, stretches, work in the required books, work on sheet music, and music theory.
CONCERT ATTIRE
Concert Orchestra - black pants and white shirts for the gentlemen. You may wear a tie, but it is not required. Black pants or skirts and white shirts or blouses for the ladies. White shirts should be completely white, with no designs or color on them. Black dress shoes are also required (no tennis shoes!)
Symphonic Orchestra - All black pants and black shirts for the gentlemen. You may wear a tie, but it is not required. All black pants, skirts, blouses or dresses for the ladies. Black dress shoes are also required (no tennis shoes!)
Beginning Orchestra - will be the Preston Music T-shirt (order forms will be coming home soon) and black pants or skirts. Black dress shoes will also be required (no tennis shoes!)
FACILITY
Our orchestra room is in the music wing - Room #C-135 and is a wonderful facility. No drink, food or gum will be allowed in the classroom unless approved. Students will store their instruments in lockers. Lockers will be assigned the first week of school.
GRADING POLICIES
Grading will consist of the following areas:
- Daily Assessments – Students are assessed (formative and summative assessments) daily, contributing to their assessment grades
- Tests/Assignments – Students will be responsible for any written assignments or tests, and will also be responsible for any playing tests that are required. Some playing tests will be recorded and uploaded to Google classroom using students' laptops.
- Practicing– Students will be responsible for practicing a minimum of 90 minutes a week. Assessments will be used to monitor whether students are practicing enough to learn their material.
- Concerts – Concerts are the culmination of our learning process. Participation in concerts is required. Students and parents that know of a conflict will need to notify Mrs. Rangel in writing in advance of the concert so that a makeup assignment can be assigned for the grade. Please do not notify me the day of the concert that you will not be there - you are letting down yourself and the entire group if you do this!
- Google Classroom – will be used mostly for assignments as well as a resource for the student. Playing tests will be submitted through Google classroom this year in the form of a recorded video.
WORK HABITS SAMPLE GRADING RUBRIC FOR ORCHESTRA STUDENTS
A “4” student:
Always brings music, instrument, pencil and accessories to all rehearsals.
Significantly improves on primary instrument.
Always plays with good posture.
Exemplifies excellent rehearsal conduct.
Is always on time for rehearsals and concerts.
Always does written work.
A “3” student:
Usually brings music, instrument, pencil and accessories to all rehearsals.
Improves on primary instrument.
Usually plays with good posture.
Exemplifies good rehearsal conduct.
Is usually on time to rehearsals and concerts.
Usually does written work.
A “2” student:
Sometimes has required materials for rehearsals.
Shows some improvement on primary instrument.
Usually plays with good posture.
Exemplifies average rehearsal conduct.
Is sometimes tardy to rehearsals.
Sometimes does written work.
A “1” student:
Rarely has required materials
Shows very little signs of improvement on primary instrument.
Posture is very inconsistent – poor posture most of the time.
Exemplifies below average rehearsal conduct.
Is tardy often to rehearsals.
Rarely does written work.
A “0” student:
Never has required materials for rehearsals.
No improvement on primary instrument.
Very poor posture – always slouches, always uses improper playing techniques.
Exemplifies poor rehearsal conduct
Is tardy and/or absent to rehearsals
Never does written work.
CONCERTS
Please see the Calendar Tab on the Website for the Calendar for all Orchestras for 2016-17. Make note of the explanation written below the concert date to know whether the concert is for your child’s orchestra or an orchestra your child is not in this year.
PRESTON JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Information will come home with your child about the Preston Jazz Orchestra in September. This is an audition-only group for anyone in grades 6, 7 or 8 that is in the orchestra program already. It meets only once a week on Thursday afternoons from 2:45 – 4:00. It will be necessary for students to be at all rehearsals for this group since it only meets once a week. This group may also have several concerts outside of the school day, so it will also be imperative for students to commit to these as well.
WELCOME ONCE AGAIN AND REMEMBER TO STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE!!!
Musically,
Kris Rangel
Director of Orchestras
Preston Middle School