EAGLE COLLEGE PREP MIDDLE

SCHOOL
ORCHESTSA HANDBOOK
2015-2016

Mr. Jared Bader, Orchestra Director

Email: jared.bader@eagleprep.org
Orchestra Website:
Eaglepreporch.weebley.com

Table of Contents
Introduction
General Information
Purpose
National Standards
Description of Orchestra Classes
Course Requirements
Method Books/Course Equipment
Sourcing of Instruments
Grading Procedures
Grading Scale
Homework
Classroom Rules and Procedures
Miscellaneous Information
Parent Support & Involvement

Introduction
I would like to welcome you to the EAGLE COLLEGE PREP Middle School Orchestra Program
for 2015-2016. I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of
my students and their parents and forming a solid orchestral program at our school.
This handbook is designed with both the student and parent in mind. Please read
it carefully.

About the Orchestra Director

This is my 7th year teaching general music at EAGLE and my second year
teaching orchestra. My music education started at the Los Angeles Music
Academy in Pasadena CA. There I completed the 6th month program for
guitar performance and studied under Grammy Award winning jazz/fusion
guitarist Frank Gambale. In 2009 I graduated from the University of
Nebraska- Lincoln with a bachelors degree in music education with the
guitar as my principal instrument. During my time at UNL I had extensive
practicum and student teaching experiences in general music, orchestra,
and concert band. The best years of my life have been teaching music to
EAGLE scholars and I am so very excited to have the opportunity to help
our scholars grow musically in this wonderful ensemble.
Mr. Jared Bader
EAGLE College Prep
General Music, Choir, and Orchestra Director.

Purpose
Our Orchestra's purpose is to:
-Serve the school and community through quality concert performances
- Furnish members with an invaluable experience in music as an art form.
- Develop individual responsibility and self-discipline.
- Further school spirit.
- Encourage and develop leadership and teamwork.

Goals and Objectives in line with National Standards

1. Singing alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments
4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines
5. Reading and notating music
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
7. Evaluating music and music performances
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture

Description of Orchestra Classes

This group has members that have several years of instruction to no string experience. This group
will learn foundational string techniques. The following topics will be covered as our skills develop
through the year: Characteristic tone quality of string instruments, rhythmic studies, bowing
technique development, left hand finger patterns, scales and arpeggios, ear training, music reading,
music vocabulary, shifting, orchestral literature, and musical creativity.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Method Books
Essential Elements for Strings Book 1 (violin, viola, cello or bass)

NB. These are required texts for this course. Students are asked to purchase their
own books since classroom resources are not intended for take home use and
the classroom budget is not enough to cover method books.

Other Course Equipment

Students must bring the following to class EVERY DAY:
1. Instrument in good working order.
2. Please have a nametag on each case.
3. A soft lead pencil (not a pen or a mechanical pencil).
4. Your method book(s).
5. Any sheet music or written materials handed out in class. Be careful not to fold, crumple
or damage music.
6. Accessories:
Rosin All instruments must have a cake of rosin on hand every day. Violins and violas
should purchase violin/viola rosin and celli should purchase cello rosin. Rosin must be brought
to class every day. Basses must use bass rosin. Most private rental instruments come with rosin.
Cleaning Cloth All students need to have a small soft cloth every day to wipe down their
instrument as well as wiping off rosin that has built up on the strings and fingerboard.
Rubber Rock Stops/Straps All celli and basses need a rubber rock stop or a cello/bass
strap. This item is used to stop the instrument from slipping, thus providing poor playing
position. Students should label items with an identifying mark on the top of the rock stop.
If your instrument slips, it could crash to the floor, causing it serious damage!
Shoulder Pad/Shoulder Rest All violins and violas must have some type of shoulder rest
device (e.g. Zaret style shoulder rest sponge or better quality shoulder rest such as Kun, Everest
or Wolf brand). Shoulder rests are used to keep the instrument in good playing position.
Spare Set of Strings Since the school does not provide spare strings, it is up to the
student to have spare strings on hand. Violins need a spare E and A, violas need a spare A
and D. Cellos need to bring a spare A and D. These are the strings that break the quickest.
Basses do not need to purchase any spare strings.
Folding music stand For home practice

Sourcing of instruments
Students are responsible for providing their own instruments. In addition to ensuring that the
instruments are of good quality, parents are responsible for maintaining the instruments. This
includes providing strings, rosin and re-hairing of bows as necessary. It is recommended that you
utilize Milanos Music in Mesa for instrument rental and maintenance/repairs.

Instrument Care and Maintenance

After Playing:
1. Use a clean, soft cloth to remove rosin from the strings, instrument, and bow stick.
2. Loosen the bow hair, but not so much as to allow the hair to touch the stick or for the
individual hairs to separate and hang loose.
3. Remove any sponge or shoulder pad you may use and keep it in the case if possible. If
not possible, a drawstring bag may be attached to the case handle to carry the shoulder
pad.
4. Place the instrument and bow in its case. Celli should put the bow in the case after the
instrument case is zipped closed. Use the cleaning cloth to cover the instrument and
close the case securely. BE CAREFUL NOT TO FORCE THE CASE OR ZIPPER TO
CLOSE!
Things to Avoid
1. Never bump or jar the instrument sharply even while it is in its case. Never attempt to
glue or repair cracks yourself. Only special glues should be used or an instrument can be
ruined. Take it to the repair store!
2. Be careful never to touch the hair of the bow, nor allow anything but rosin to come in contact
with it. Always loosen the bow before putting it away.
3. Do not put anything in the case with the instrument except what is meant to go there,
and this means no music in the interior of the case. Celli, Bass, and upper string cases
with exterior music pockets may be used for carrying music.
4. Check your bridge often to make sure that it is not leaning. Have your teacher straighten
it immediately if it is not straight or warping may result.
5. Do not allow the instrument to get too hot or too cold. Especially do not leave the
instrument in a closed automobile which is subject to the rays of the sun, or near a
heating/air conditioning outlet or fireplace.
6. NO ONE but the string student should handle the instrument, including brothers,
sisters, friends, and/or family pets! YOU are the expert.
Recommendations
1. Everyone should have a nametag attached to the outside of his/her instrument case
which includes: student name, address, phone number and school name and phone
number.
2. An extra set of strings should be in the case at all times. Your teacher cannot furnish
strings should they need replacing.

Remember The care and maintenance of your instrument is YOUR

responsibility! Repairs, string replacements, and bow re-hairs should be taken
care of by you or your parents immediately.

GRADING PROCEDURES
The evaluation is curriculum-and-standards-based and allows flexibility to grade each individual
student based on their own abilities on entrance and exit of the program.

Grading Policy
DAILY GRADES - (*Class Participation)
a. On time
b. Materials: Has present all sheet music, method book(s) and equipment (incl. pencil)
c. Posture and Correct technique
d. On task for the entire rehearsal
e. Prepared assignments
CONCERT PERFORMANCES
This year we have several scheduled performances. Please look for emails and papers sent
home announcing details on these performances.

INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE (*Homework)

Recommended minimums per week. 80 Minutes. You will need to keep a practice journal
of how many minutes you practiced and what you practiced. Journals will need to be
brought to every class. Journals will be provided for you.

CLASSROOM RULES AND PROCEDURES

Personal Conduct Rules
It is the right of every musician to learn, and it is the right of your director to teach. These

rules are to be preserved and respected.

A positive, hardworking, and respectful attitude is

expected at all times. Please Be Respectful to Yourself and
Others.
1. Always follow directions. Have a pencil on your stand to make notes.
2. Raise your hand when you wish to speak and wait for your director to call on you.
3. Show proper respect to other musicians and property. NEVER play any other
instrument but your own, even if invited to. You will be liable if you damage it!
4. Be seated with your instrument and music immediately upon arrival in class.
5. No food, candy, or gum may be eaten or chewed during orchestra.
6. All books, personal items, personal electronic devices etc. should be placed in
your back pack during class.
7. All Personal Electronic Devices must be turned off stowed away in your back
pack

Music Rules
1. Mark your music in PENCIL only. No erasable pen. Always mark instructions on
music as instructions are provided. Keep up with instructions as they are taught
3. You are responsible for your music. Please keep up with it and take good care of it.
Never fold it, crumple it or allow it to get wet or soiled!
3. Always put your instrument in the appropriate storage when not in use.
4. Instruments are required for class every day.

5. Students are responsible for re-setting and tidying the room after rehearsals.
Return all chairs and stands to their proper place.

Parent Conferences

Parent conferences are encouraged as needed. Please feel free to contact the Orchestra Director,
Mr. Jared Bader jared.bader@eagleprep.org

Parental Involvement
Involved parents are the key to successful students. Parents are an essential ingredient in a smoothly
operating program.
1. EAGLE Orchestra Program provides an outstanding musical experience for your musician.
Please read this handbook and discuss its contents with your child so that the programs
expectations are clear to both of you.
2. Provide your child with an instrument in good working condition and stay on top of
maintenance and supplies. Your child will stay more motivated as long as their instrument is
producing to its best capabilities.
3. Provide encouragement for your childs efforts during daily practice at home and ask
questions about the class. Please be sure to sign all weekly practice records. These form part
of the grade for this course.
4. Attend as many school performances with them as possible.
5. Provide a quiet place for music practice.
6. Communicate with the Orchestra Director as soon as any problems or concerns arise.
7. Regularly check orchestra email, read parent handouts, visit the orchestra blog and generally
stay up to date with orchestra announcements and information.
I encourage you as parents to get involved! If you would like to share your relevant talents,
experience and time with the program, I welcome you to do so!