FREE STATE

HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA

Student Handbook
&
Calendar
2015-2016

LAWRENCE FREE STATE HIGH SCHOOL

ORCHESTRA
STUDENT HANDBOOK & CALENDAR
2015-2016
Welcome to our Lawrence Free State High School Orchestra! The Free State
Orchestra program offers performing ensembles in string orchestra, full symphonic
orchestra, chamber orchestra, and small ensembles. The progress of each of these
ensembles depends on the work of each member. The following three characteristics
are the foundations of our success as an ensemble. It is important that each of us take
these to heart, they are the key to true success as an individual and as ensemble
musicians.

COMMUNITY
The Free State Orchestra community is meant to have a family atmosphere, is made
up of unique and talented individuals who come to perform with, support and
encourage each other. As you add your talents to the LFSHS orchestra, remember to
always work with a mature and positive attitude.

COMMITMENT
Being a part of the LFSHS orchestra community raises the level of your commitment
to others. Honoring that commitment by being responsible and reliable with
attendance and practice will benefit both you and your ensemble(s).

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
Every day we strive for excellence, whether in rehearsal or concert. Be enthusiastic,
focus, and always give 100% effort.

LFSHS Orchestra Website: https://fc.usd497.org/~JErpeldi/

Facebook: Free State High School Orchestras
Twitter: Free State Orchestra FS_Orchestra
Judy Erpelding, Director of Orchestras
jerpeldi@usd497.org, 785-633-1377
Andrew Shaw, Assistant Director
ashaw@usd497.org

OUR ORCHESTRAS

Freshman Orchestra: This non-audition orchestra is strings only orchestra for the entire
year and is for freshman only. Students will participate in the KSHAA Solo/Small Ensemble
Festival in the spring.
Concert Orchestra: Grades 10-12. This intermediate non-audition orchestra includes strings
only for the entire year. This ensemble will perform at concerts throughout the year, but will
not compete at contest.
Philharmonic Orchestra: Grades 10-12. This advanced audition orchestra will perform at
concerts throughout the year as well as contest in the spring.
Symphonic Orchestra: Grades 10-12. This elite audition orchestra will perform at concerts
throughout the year as well as contest in the spring. Winds, brass and percussion students
from the band program are also added to this orchestra for some performances to allow for
full orchestral music opportunities.
Chamber Orchestra: Open to all grades 9-12. This is an audition extra curricular orchestra.
Rehearsals take place out side of the school day, and are required for all selected members.
Literature performed will be of the professional level for concerts and this ensemble will
perform at a variety of venues throughout the year including: weddings, meetings, retirement
communities, etc.

GOALS
The goals for each ensemble member are:
1. Playing your instrument To daily build your skills as a musician and to share music with
your peers.
2. Technique Building To focus on advanced left and right hand techniques.
3. Literature To experience a wide variety of literature ranging in style and technical facility.
4. Musical Vocabulary To discover new terms and techniques and how they expand our
musical experience.
5. Performance To enjoy the rewards of hard work together in performance.

CLASSROOM REHEARSAL EXPECTATIONS

Before the bell:
1. Take out instrument, folder, and sharpened pencil.
2. Throw away gum.
3. Store or throw away all drinks and food.
4. Ask to use the restroom or see the nurse only in an emergency! Please be responsible and
take care of this during your own time, not during our class time.
At the bell:
1. Be seated.
2. End all conversation.
3. Focus your attention on the warm-up activities, which will begin immediately.
4. Listen throughout our rehearsal, especially to other sections when you are not playing.
When you do, sections that are similar will not have to be repeated for you and you can learn
even more by observing others while they rehearse.

REMEMBER: Each of you is essential to the success of the orchestra! You are all
aware of the importance of these expectations; your compliance is crucial for our
growth and success. Now lets work together to make our orchestra the best it can be,
something we can take pride in.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION

Students will accumulate credit each semester from four sources:
Daily participation
30%
Concert participation
30%
Playing tests &/or written work
30%
Community Support Project
10%
Daily participation points are earned for positive work in daily rehearsal. Students who are absent,
including excused absences and school activities, tardy, or who are missing materials like music or
instrument will lose daily participation points. These points may be made up through rehearsals
with the teacher before or after school, or at home with signed parent sheet. Tardies and unexcused
absences cannot be made up.
Tardies are unacceptable and impede the rehearsal of the ensemble. They will be dealt with as
follows:
Unexcused tardies will be dealt with according to school policy as well as a reduction in daily
participation points. Points deducted may not be made up.
Excused tardies once per quarter will pass without incident because everyone has a slow start once
in a while. After your second excused tardy, however, your parents, and your administrator, will be
contacted to help find a solution, along with reduction in daily participation points.

To be early is to be on time!
Concerts are the main assessment of our work each grading period. Our concerts are a
demonstration of the performance skills weve rehearsed. We also put into practice respectful
listening skills and the ability to show appreciation for the efforts of others. Concert participation
is required: students and families should make note of all required dates on the attached calendar.
If a concert is missed with an excused absence (to be excused, notice must be given prior to the
concert and must be of extreme circumstances), students have two options to make up the missed
credit:
1. Perform a solo on your instrument for your orchestra class.
2. Write a research paper (3-4 pages minimum) on an assigned topic, due before the end of the
grading period.

Playing assessments will evaluate performance skills including tone production, left and right hand
techniques, rhythm, intonation and interpretation. Written tests and worksheets will evaluate
listening skills, knowledge of the fundamentals of music and other pertinent material covered in
class.
Community Support Projects are designed to help you get involved in the broader orchestral
community here in Lawrence as well as in your own school. To earn these points you may do one
of the following projects each semester and write a brief report on your project:
1. Adopt an Orchestra buddy give two lessons or one lesson and attend one concert of a 6th or
7th grade orchestra student. This project must continue for a semester to ensure continuity
for the younger student. Notice must be given prior to lessons beginning to Mrs. Erpelding
of your intent to give lessons.
2. JH Concert Assistance help tune and set-up for a junior high you will need to contact the
orchestra director to arrange for this project at least one week in advance.
3. Concert Attendance attend two concerts at the high school, collegiate or professional levels
and compare the two.
4. Contribution to the FSHS Orchestra Set up the orchestra room before your first class for a
week, help with concert set-up after school, work on the FSHS Orchestra web-site, or other
projects as they arise.
5. Public Performance A performance as a soloist or small ensemble member at a church,
school or retirement community. A program must be provided as proof of such a
performance.
The semester grade will be determined by calculating the average score of the two combined
quarters. The grading scale (expressed in percentages) is as follows:

100-90: A

89-80: B

79-70: C

69-60: D

CONCERT ATTIRE
Freshman Orchestra
Men: wear black trousers/dress pants (no denim), black socks, and black dress shoes (no athletic
shoes) with a black, button-down long-sleeved dress shirt (no prints), which shall be tucked in.
District will provide green satin neck tie that will be worn at each performance, student is
responsible for tie throughout the school year. If tie is lost or damaged there is a $15 fee.
Women: wear black dress pants (no jeans or leggings). Black dress shirt, short-sleeved or longsleeved only. No sleeveless, no tanks or straps. Layering in dressy black to cover arms is acceptable.
Absolutely no print allowed on shirt or pants. Shoes should be black low-heeled comfortable dress
shoes. NO FLIP FLOPS.

CONCERT ATTIRE (CONT.)

Concert, Philharmonic, and Symphonic Orchestra
Men: will wear district-provided tuxedos and must supply their own black dress shoes and black
socks. Students must present themselves in a professional manner and with a professional
appearance. Tuxedo WHITE shirts should be washed at least twice during the school year.
Women: will wear the district provide black formal top and pants, and must supply their own black
dress shoes. NO FLIP FLOPS. Students must present themselves in a professional manner and
with a professional appearance. Tops and pants should be washed at least twice during the school
year.
All Musicians
-No jewelry (except small earrings)
-No large, brightly colored bows in hair.
-Hair must be a natural color to perform in concerts (no pink or blue, etc and
no Mohawks). Please plan ahead.
Uniforms are to be returned no later than Friday, May 13 following our final performance. They
do not need to be dry cleaned. Uniforms received after Monday, May 16 will be subject to a $20
late fee.

ORCHESTRA FOLDERS AND MUSIC

Orchestra members are issued folders and are responsible for all music and materials assigned to
that folder. The orchestra member will pay for lost or badly damaged music. Failure to pay for lost
or damaged music will result in fees being reported to the district and potentially sent to
collections. INK should never be used to mark music!
Rehearsal Reminder: Always mark your part when you are given an instruction. Use a pencil.
Failure to do so will result in loss of daily participation points.

AUDITIONS AND FESTIVALS

Students are required to participate in a number of activities during the year in addition to school
concerts. They are grouped here by sponsoring organization. The dates, locations and times for
each event can be found on the annual calendar on the website and in this handbook.
KMEA District and State Auditions (Kansas Music Educators Association):


District Auditions: The KMEA sponsors 6 District Orchestras across the state of Kansas. FSHS is
in the Northeast District. FSHS students in grades 10-12 attend the District auditions in early
November in Olathe, KS. All Symphonic Orchestra students are encouraged to participate in

District auditions. All Chamber Orchestra members are required to participate in District
auditions.
KMEA also sponsors a Freshman District Orchestra. FSHS is given a select number of participants
who are selected by Mrs. Erpelding. Students selected will perform with the District Freshman
Orchestra in early November in Olathe, KS.
A bus is provided for all students, leaving from FSHS early on a Saturday morning and returning
by mid-afternoon. The audition music is provided on the KMEA website:

www.ksmea.org. The top-performing students are named to the KMEA District Orchestra. They
perform with that group in December in Olathe.
State Auditions: Students who qualify for the District Orchestra may audition for the KMEA State
Orchestra. Those auditions are held in January in Salina, KS. A bus is provided, leaving from
FSHS very early on a Saturday morning and returning late in the evening. Those named to the
State Orchestra perform with that group at the KMEA Conference in Wichita in February. They
will spend 3 days rehearsing and then play a performance at State.
KSHSAA State Large Ensemble Festival: All Philharmonic and Symphonic orchestra students
participate in this event which is held during the school day. The orchestras are given a rating
based on their performance. Parent volunteers are needed to chaperone for the day.
KSHSAA Solo and Small Ensemble Festival (Kansas State High School Activities Association):
The KSHSAA sponsors this judged event on a Regional and State level. Students are asked
to play a piece and are rated by a panel of judges. All students in Symphonic, Philharmonic, and
Freshman Orchestras are required to prepare at least one piece for this event (small ensemble) to
be played as an audition and for a grade prior to this event.

ORCHESTRA FEES
USD497 Participation Fee (Pay to Play) All students performing in the LFSHS
Orchestra must pay a $25 participation fee each year they are a member of the orchestra. All
members will also be expected to purchase an LFSHS activity ticket. These funds go towards
transportation of the orchestra throughout the school year.

USD497 Instrument Maintenance Fee LFSHS provides the opportunity for cellists,
bassists, and a few upper strings to rent an instrument through the school district. Maintenance
fees for the year are $50. The student and parent must sign an Instrument Agreement form and the
maintenance fee will be assessed to the students account.

LFSHS Orchestra Uniform Fee Below is a list of all possible uniform fees.
$15 T-Shirt Fee For all 9-12 LFSHSO Members
$11 Dry-Cleaning Fee For all 10-12 Members who checked out a uniform
$20 Tuxedo or Black Dress Shirt Fee For all male members purchasing a new shirt.

FSHS ORCHESTRA CONCERT & REHEARSAL DATES

2015-16 Season
August
Tue. 8/11
Wed. 8/12
Wed. 8/19
Friday 8/21
Friday 8/21
Friday 8/21
Mon. 8/24
Tues. 8/25

Orchestra Enrollment Days

Orchestra Enrollment Days
Concerto/Aria Auditions
New Orleans Trip Meeting
Freshman Parent Meeting
FSHS Orchestra Fun Night
$150 New Orleans Trip Payment
Chamber Orchestra Auditions

8-3
8-3
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
6:45 pm
7:15 pm
Due
3:15-5:00

All Groups
All Groups
All Interested
All Interested
Freshman
All Groups
All Interested
All Interested

Orch. Room
Orch. Room
Auditorium
Commons
Commons
Commons

$150 New Orleans Trip Payment

Due

All Interested

Marathon Concert/Fall Pops

FSHS Homecoming Parade
$150 New Orleans Trip Payment
Freshman Fall Concert

1pm-4pm
2:30
Due
7:00pm

Conc, Phil., Sym.

Commons
All Interested (limited)
All Interested
Cancel Deadline
Freshman
Auditorium

KMEA District Auditions

$150 New Orleans Trip Payment

All Day
Due

All Interested
All Interested

Olathe East

KMEA District Mini Convention

Winter Orchestra Concert
$150 Final New Orleans Payment

All Day
7:00 pm
Due

All Selected
All Groups

Olathe South
Auditorium

KMEA Live Auditions

All Day

All Interested

Salina

Mattress Fundraiser
Freshman Orchestra Tour
Mid-Winter Orchestra/Band
New Orleans Trip Meeting
KMEA State Convention

8am-5pm
TBA
6:30
After Concert
All Day

All Groups
Freshman
All Groups
10-12 Groups
All Selected

Commons
TBA
Auditorium

FSHS Placement Auditions

Regional Festival Auditions
New Orleans Trip
North Area String Festival
Pre-Festival Concert

TBA
TBA
5 Days
7:30 pm
7:00 pm

All Groups
Fr, Phil, Sym.
10-12 Groups
Symphonic
Phil. & Sym.

FSHS
FSHS
New Orleans!
FSHS Gym
Auditorium

Solo/Small Ens. Fest.

State Large Ens. Festival
State Solo/Small Ens. Fest.

All Day
TBA
All Day

All Selected
Phil & Sym.
All Selected

Shawnee Hts.
LHS

AWARDS CONCERT
Uniform Turn in

6:30
All Day

All Groups
All Groups

FSHS
FSHS

Auditorium

September
Tue. 9/15

October
Sat. 10/3
Fri. 10/9
Thu. 10/15
Thu. 10/22

November
Sat. 11/14
Mon. 11/16

December
Sat. 12/5
Tue. 12/15
Tue. 12/15

January
Sat. 1/9

February
Sat. 2/6
Fri. 2/19
Tue. 2/23
Tue. 2/23
2/25-2/27

TBA

Wichita

March
2/29-3/4
2/29-3/4
3/5-3/9
Tue. 3/29
Thu. 3/31

April
Sat. 4/9 Reg.
Thu. 4/14
Sat. 4/23

May
Thu. 5/12
Mon. 5/16

Other performance opportunities may become available as the year progresses. Students will be
given at least two weeks notice of service dates and times as they arise.
After both student and parent/guardian have read the handbook together, please sign both
names below indicating the understanding guidelines and responsibilities of the orchestra year.
The deadline for returned signed agreements is Tuesday, AUGUST 25th. Following this date
students will not receive full credit for this assignment.

I, ___________________________________________________ have read and

(STUDENTS NAME)

understand the guidelines of the 2015-2016 Orchestra Handbook, and will refer to it for
questions as the year progresses.

_____________________________________________________
(STUDENTS SIGNATURE)

_____________________________________________________
(PARENT/GUARDIANS SIGNATURE)

___________________________________________________________________________
Best parent email address for regular communication (please write legibly)

___________________________________________________________________________
Best STUDENT email address for regular communication (please write legibly)