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I am thrilled to teach the 8th Grade Orchestra this year! We are going to have fun & make fantastic music!
All-State Orchestra Auditions
All-State Orchestra Auditions take place on October 19 & 20 (auditions typically take place at Mattawan HS). Auditions are voluntary, however, highly recommended! Students will need to prepare scales (from memory), an etude & sight-read! The scales and etude will be passed out to any student who chooses to audition.
There is a $15 audition fee (made payable to Portage Public School). This is due before on or before October 1.
***I can no longer take payment/registration after Oct 1!
More information will be sent home soon!
Uniforms
The 8th Grade Orchestra Students will wear the following at all concerts (concert black):
Black Dress Shirt/Top
Black Dress Pants or Black Skirt
Black Socks or Leggings
Black Dress Shoes
Be an Orchestra Olympian!
Orchestra Olympians are students who excel on our playing assessments throughout the school year. All of our students can become Orchestra Olympians with practice, hard work and dedication! Here's how it works:
All students will submit a playing performance, two-three times during each quarter, through Google Classroom.
NEW - students can perform their assignment in class, on Friday! Students who do this will not need to submit a video recording!!!
In order to earn Orchestra Olympian points, the assignment must be turned in on time (the students typically have 7 days to turn it in).
Students who score an 85% or higher on a playing assessment earn either a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal.
Gold Medal (95-100%) = 3 pts
Silver (90-94%) = 2 pts
Bronze (85-89%) = 1 pt
Students earn medals by performing a playing assessment with a beautiful tone (sound), as well as correct notes, rhythms, dynamics & articulations.
8th Grade Students who average 1.5 or more points per assignment at the end of each quarter will be given a party during XTS.
1st Quarter - Cider and Donut Party
2nd Quarter - Movie and Popcorn Party
3rd Quarter - Ice Cream Party
4th Quarter - Pizza Party
The Quarter Orchestra Olympians will have a special asterisk next to their name in the concert programs.
At the end of the school year, any 8th grade student that averaged 1.5 points per assignment will earn an after school party and becomes an ORCHESTRA OLYMPIAN!
All ORCHESTRA OLYMPIANS will earn a special Olympic–style medal at the final concert of the year
Students who turn in late assignments do not earn points toward becoming an ORCHESTRA Olympian
STUDENTS CAN ALSO COMP OUT OF PLAYING PERFORMANCES
You will not earn a grade in Skyward, however, you will be given 3 Orchestra Olympian points toward becoming an Orchestra Olympian:
Students who make the All-State Honors Orch are exempt from all playing performances during the 2nd semester!
Students who earn a 1st or 2nd division rating at Solo & Ensemble Festival are exempt from both playing performances during quarter 4.
***Other opportunities to earn exemptions may be included this year!
PERFORMANCES
Every performance is absolutely required. Every person in the orchestra is important, and when even one student is absent from a performance, the whole group will struggle.
If you know that you will be out-of-town for a performance, you must give the director a note no later than two weeks before the performance. Your child will make up the missed performance (see below). Please put all of the concert dates on your personal calendars!
Students who miss a concert will have the opportunity to perform a make-up assignment. The student will perform their concert music live after school for Mr. Kozian. The student will be assessed on tone quality, rhythmic precision, dynamic contrasts, correct notes and intonation. The student will be able to earn up to 80% of the concert grade.
ILLNESS:
Students who miss a concert due to ILLNESS will have the opportunity to perform a make-up assignment. The student will perform their concert music live after school for Mr. Kozian. The student will be assessed on tone quality, rhythmic precision, dynamic contrasts, correct notes and intonation. The student will be able to earn full credit.
Performances are the greatest reward any band member can receive.
Please do not let your child miss out!
Required Performances
All of our performances are required! Excellent attendance is key to having terrific performances. Our concerts will take place on:
Oct 26, String Clinic - Portage West Middle School, 845a-2:45p
Dec 16, WMS 8th Grade Holiday Concert, Northern High School Auditorium-7:00p
Dec. 20 WMS 8th Grade Holiday Assembly, WMS Gym - 1:55-2:40p
Feb 14, Band/Orch Lock-in, 6-10p, WMS
Mar 3, Pre-Festival Concert, Northern High School Auditorium-7:00p
Mar 6, 7, 8 - MSBOA Orchestra Festival, Date & Site - TBA
April 12, Solo & Ensemble Festival (voluntary), Site-Gull Lake Middle School
June 3, Spring Spectacular, West MS Gym - 7:00p
String Clinic
The 2024 String Clinic takes place on Saturday, October 26, at Portage West Middle School!
Our students will rehearse from 9:15-1:45 with a guest conductor. The final performance begins at 2:00p.
This performance is REQUIRED!
We will prepare two pieces for the event, beginning in September. We will perform both pieces at the String Clinic as part of the final concert.
LUNCH: Students can bring their own lunch or have lunch provided. The cost for lunch is $5.
INSTRUMENT LOCKERS
Students will select a instrument locker (located in the band/orch room) the first week of school. Your child can keep their string instrument & supplies in the locker any time the instrument is not being used.
The lockers can be secured with a master-lock. Please have your child bring one from home. This will keep your investment safe!
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
The Instrumentalist Magazine Musicianship & Merit award—given in recognition of outstanding musicianship and distinguished musical contributions.
Director’s Award-given to the outstanding eighth grade musician who exhibits dedication and motivation to the field of music and who possesses strong musicianship.
MSBOA Scholar-Instrumentalist Award-given to an eighth grade student who possesses strong musicianship and excels academically at WMS.
4. Orchestra Olympian Medals-Given to those students who consistently perform at a high level on playing assignments.
ORCHESTRA JAM
Orchestra Jam is our after-school practice club. The club meets on Tuesday & Thursday, from 2:40-3:25.
Orchestra Jam is open to any West Middle School band student.
The purpose of Orchestra Jam is for students to seek extra help from Mr. Kozian!
No signup is necessary! Just show up & practice!
GRADES
The following is the approximate breakdown for grading in Orchestra:
Assessments/Playing Performances - 40%
Classroom Engagement - 30%
Classwork - 30%
PLAYING PERFORMANCES-All Orchestra students will take 2-3 playing performances per marking period. The students will be assessed on scales, exercises from our band books and concert music. All of the musical exercises found on the assessments are performed daily in orchestra class. The students will be evaluated based on their overall musical performance. All playing assignments will be recorded & submitted using Flipgrid!
PLAYING PERFORMANCE RETAKES-All Orchestra students can retake the playing performance one time. However, only those students who submitted a Playing Performance on time can do a retake! Students will record & submit retakes using Flipgrid!
LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Late assignments can be submitted up to two weeks after the original due date.
***SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO SKIP (be exempt) FROM A PLAYING PERFORMANCE:
Students who go above and beyond outside of daily class can be exempt from taking Playing Performances throughout the year. The student will not earn a letter grade in Skyward, but will be given full Orch Olympian credit for the assignment (3 points - Gold Medal). Here is the complete list:
Students who make the All-State Honors Band are exempt from all playing performances during the 2nd semester!
Students who earn a 1st or 2nd division rating at Solo & Ensemble Festival are exempt from both playing performances during quarter 4.
***Other opportunities to earn exemptions may be included this year!
Classroom Engagement (playing and behavior) is 30% of each student’s total grade.
All students may earn up to 3 classroom engagement points a day. Points are deducted for any behavior that hinders the progress of the individual student or the entire orchestra:
· Any disruptive behavior (talking, not being attentive, not ready to play, etc.) - students loses 1 point
· Tardiness (including not being prepared to play at the beginning of class) - loss of 1 point
· Unprepared for class (no music, pencil, rosin, etc.) - loss of 1 point
· No Instrument - loss of 3 points
· Chewing Gum—loss of 1 point
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