PCSC Orchestra Handbook

Welcome to Orchestra!
Greetings and welcome to orchestra here at PCSC. It will be an exciting year of great music,
learning and personal growth. Not to mention fun!! In this handbook you will find all the
information you will need to be a happy and successful member of your orchestra.

www.pcscorchestra.weebly.com

Concerts 
This is a participation based class. Concerts are the way we evaluate ourselves and share what
we do. They are all required. In this handbook there is a calendar of every event that we have
scheduled at the moment. This does not mean that we will not be asked to play at other events
throughout the year. Please put these on your family calendar NOW so that we will not have
conflicts. ​There are no excused absences aside from emergencies or extreme illness.

Concert Attire 
(please be sure to read the section for 
your school) 
RIS/LJH​:
Concert dress will be black pants and the orchestra polo. The Orchestra polo is $25. This fee
is due no later than September 10. If you would like to purchase a used polo please let me
know as soon as possible as these are available on a first come first serve basis only. Not all
sizes may be available. Used shirts are available for $15 each.
PHS​:
Black, black and black. You will need to make sure now that you have a black shirt, black pants
and black shoes. Ladies, you must have black tights or leggings under skirts. I do not want to
see the color of your legs:) Men, you will need a white button down shirt. This will be our
standard uniform for concerts, unless the venue calls for something different.

ALL SCHOOLS
Proper concert attire is required as a part of this class. If finances are not such that you can
secure this, there is assistance available. I need to know no later than September 10 so that
arrangements can be made prior to our first concert. If your student shows up to a concert in
less than appropriate attire, I reserve the right to adjust their grade accordingly.

Grades 
(Please be sure you read the section for your school!!!!)
40% Playing Tests
40% Concerts/Rehearsals
10% Particitude
10% Assignments

RIS
Playing Tests: There will be two playing tests each quarter. They will be worth 32 points each.
Concerts/Rehearsals: There are 4 annual concerts. Each concert will be worth 100 points
Particitude: This is a combination of Participation and Attitude. Points are awarded each
quarter based on class behavior, being prepared and overall attitude. Every time a student
forgets their book or instrument, points will be deducted. There are 200 total points per quarter.
Assignments: Occasionally I will assign worksheets in order to reinforce Theory concepts and
test students written knowledge of music.

LJH
Playing Tests: There will be a playing test twice a month. They will be worth 40 points each.
Some will be in class test, some will be recorded and submitted online.
Concerts/rehearsals: There are 5 annual concerts. Each concert will be worth 100 points. 3 of
the 5 concerts WILL HAVE DRESS REHEARSALS. These are also required as a part of the
concert. These will be worth 60 points each.
Particitude: This is a combination of Participation and Attitude. Points are awarded each
quarter based on class behavior, being prepared and overall attitude. Every time a student
forgets their music or instrument, points will be deducted. There are 200 total points per quarter.
Assignments: Most weeks there will be a written assignment that students will have to
complete. These are generally related to music theory or some other aspect of string playing.
PHS
Playing Tests: There will be four playing tests each quarter. They will be worth 32 points each.
Some will be in class, some will need to be recorded and submitted online.
Concerts/rehearsals: There are 6 annual concerts. Each concert will be worth 100 points. 2 of
the 6 concerts WILL HAVE DRESS REHEARSALS. These are also required as a part of the
concert. These will be worth 60 points each.
Particitude: This is a combination of Participation and Attitude. Points are awarded each
quarter based on class behavior, being prepared and overall attitude. Every time a student
forgets their music or instrument, points will be deducted. There are 200 total points per quarter.
Assignments: These will be assigned as needed.

Website 
The website is something that you should have bookmarked... NOW. I frequently have sign-ups
and other resources posted on the website. Bookmark it. ​ ​www.pcscorchestra.weebly.com
Have your parents bookmark it too!

Fingernails 
I love fancy fingernails! Really I do. However, long fingernails can seriously impede your
progress on an instrument. I ask that you please understand that these nails cannot be worn for
more than one week. This is not only something that will prevent you from learning and
progressing as you should, but it can be physically damaging since it creates a stressed posture
with your hand. It would be like letting you play basketball in high heels. Possible, but not a
good idea.

Communication
I send emails... And emails... And sometimes text. High Schoolers: I expect you to be checking
your email to get various information. Sometimes I send them to parents as well as the student
just so that everyone is informed. I am at three school buildings during the day and do NOT
always have time to make phone calls or take phone calls. Please EMAIL!!!! There is also a
contact form on the website that goes directly to my email.
 Strings 
If you OWN your own instrument, you are responsible for providing all of your own strings.
Please be sure that you have an extra set of strings at all times.

After School 
Each year I will establish a schedule of when I will be available to stay after school for extra
help. If these times do not line up with when you can stay, let me know and I may be able to
arrange an extra time to stay and help with tricky music.

Practice
Orchestra requires some work outside of class. Learning an instrument is not a simple task! I
expect that students are taking their instruments home on a regular basis. Instruments should
NEVER stay at school over long breaks. This is more for the protection of the instrument.
Parents should be encouraging practice and helping students remember to bring their
instruments home for practice.

“Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them -
a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation
depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music.” - Gerald
Ford.