• String Orchestra Syllabus/InfoViolin
     

     

     
    LIST OF INSTRUMENTS BEING OFFERED-Violin, Viola, Cello (these are rentable
                                             from local music stores).  Upright Bass can be offered but
                                             they are harder to rent.
     
    Instructor: Mr. Toby Lambert-761-1517       

     

    Class Meets: A day-Monday, Wednesday and Friday  (note: this is subject to change with schedule still in progress).  PleaseNOTE: The beginning and advance groups are in the same class.  I will be rehearsing with one group at a time while the other group will be practicing in small groups in practice rooms in the classroom.  Students need to have their stuff every day, even if I am not working with them that day.
     

    Materials for class:

                1. Instrument (with all accessories)

                2. Folder with music (New books/equipment needed by August 26, 2022)

                            Beginning Orchestra: All for Strings Book 1

                            Advance Orchestra: All for Strings Book 2

                3. Pencil
     

    Classroom expectations:

                No one has the right to interfere with the learning, safety or well being of others.                 Students will be treated respectfully, firmly, and fairly

                Other class procedures that will be expected are:

                1. No gum, food or drink in the classroom.

                2. Do not play other people’s instruments (many serious diseases such as

    mono, colds, flu, and pneumonia can be passed between people through   sharing instruments, even if the instrument has not been used in days).

                Consequences will be the step system of “Knights Code of Conduct”

                            1.Stand away from group                 2. Stand away from group (with warning)

                            3. Report to SRC Rm (follow that procedure)     4. Referral to Office

     

    Grading system:

                Grades are based on:

                            -Attendance-50 pts of 100 Points a week

                            -Performance ability-50 pts of 100 Points a week

                            -Auditions Playing Tests-100 Points

                            -Practice Charts-35 Points each

                            -Additional activities-50-100 Points each

                            -Concert Grade-250 pts

               

    Attendance: You are required to be in class, on time with all of the materials needed except
                 in excused absences (an excused absent is family emergency, sickness, school
                 activities, approved family trip (with a letter from a parent)).  If you are late to class
                 without a pass in hand, you will not earn attendance grade (10pts per day). You are
                 to be at all concerts (no excuses).  Failure to attend concerts will result in not
                 earning your concert points (student will be having to make-up the concert).  If
                 they do not complete the make-up concert, they will not be remaining with the
                 group after the quarter is over.  Remember, music is a performance and it
                  requires everyone to make it happen.  

     

               

    Forget your instrument/music:  I combine performance ability with attendance for a
                weekly grade worth 100 Points.  If you forget to bring your instrument or music, I
                mark that as a no instrument day (you have to make a phone call home).  You will
               not be able to earn your participation points for the day (10 pts).  If you
                forget your instrument/music 3 times during the quarter, you will be choosing
                to have a SRC with me.  So remember your instrument.

     

    Performance ability:  I realize that each of you play and understand music at different

    levels.  I am looking for  improvement in your own playing based on your own

    technical and musical ability.  If you show interest, dedication (including

    practicing), and are always giving 100% effort, you will earn an A in this category. 

    You will be doing two auditions a year for a grade as well (one for each semester)

     

    Practice charts: Practice charts are due weekly (filled out properly, or you will                              not receive any pts.).  They are worth up to 35 pts (5 pts for every 20                                   minutes of practice).  In other words:

                            0-19 min-5pts,     20-39 min-10pts,     40-59 min-15pts,     60-79 min-20pts

                            80-99 min-25pts    100-119 min- 30pts    120+min-35pts

     NOTE:            no practice charts are graded if turned in after the final due day (normally last day of the quarter at 2:30PM).  Yes, I don’t take them after 2:30 PM.-Check my website or newsletter for final turn in times.
     
    Additional activities: These are the following items that you will be doing:

                            -Auditions  Playing Test                  -Worksheets               -Projects         -Tests

                           

    Extra Credit: With each extra credit, you must see me for instruction on your                               project (you can also propose additional projects).

                                        -Attending professional concerts (with program).

                                        -Helping out around the classroom.

                                        -Performing community service (ie. playing for a nursing home).

                                        -Research a musical topic and give a presentation.

                            Each extra credit is worth 25 points each.

     

    Concert requirements:

    Concert dates are listed on the following sheet.  All concerts are required because they are the “tests” for this class (like a test for any other class) (see “Attendance”).  Concerts will be grade as well (besides an Attendance grade) in the following method (out of 250 pts):

                                        1. Attendance  (showing up, getting there in time): 50 pts

                                        2. Dress (black and white): 50 pts

                                        3. Posture and stage presents: 50 pts

                                        4. Warming up (being there and warming-up): 50 pts

                                        5. Listening to other performance group: 50 pts

     

    Passes: There will be no passes to a classroom for regular class help.  If you need to 
                 stay in the classroom, you will have to bring a pass from the teacher at the 
                 beginning of the class.  No pass, no go!  Please note,  I have the right not

    approve a pass to another class (even with a note from a teacher) if you have

    not keeping up in class.

     

    As for emergency passes (for things like using the restroom), you will be given
    4 passes for each quarter (when they are used up, there are no more till the next
                quarter).   You will be require to sign out before using the classroom pass.  
     
     

    Locker Room:  Students are to take home their instruments every night.  This is expected so that Mr. Lambert can clean/disinfect all lockers a couple times a week.  Students who don’t take their materials home every night will loose their instrument locker.  NOTE: CMS is NOT responsible for lost or stole items.  As parents, you need to make sure you have the serial number and model number of your child’s instrument for your personal insurance information.

     

    COVID 19 issues: 

    I will be still maintain an enhance cleaning in the room (chairs, stands, lockers, etc..), use the air filters that we bought last year during class, possilby keep doors open to let fresh air in and try to space people out a little if I can do it.  If school is “shut down” due to an out break, then we will be having zoom classes during the normal class time each day.  Zoom links will be posted in google classroom and attendance is manadory (just like attend school in person).   Links/times for zoom classes will be post in google classroom.   Students need to sign up and have access to google classroom. 

     

    Concerts/performances will still be aimed at on the dates given but they may have to move a little as needed.   I will send out communication to families if changes occur.      


    I will be following what the district tells schools what to do along with what CMS admistration expects in a COVID event.  My hope is that we will never deal.

     
     
     
    For all  Beginning Orchestra players, after you have registered, you will be having a "fitting meeting" with Mr. Lambert.  The meeting will take about 15-20 minutes.  This will be schedule before school year starts so that we can get an instrument properly fitted to the student.  A fitting is for me to see what their jaw structure looks like (do they wear braces), how do mouthpiece fit, can they move their hands and finger on the instrument or sticks, test to see if they can keep a steady beat, try some tonguing exercises, try some sticking exercises on drums and mallets, try to use the bow and move on the next of a string instrument, etc.... .  Students will be trying at least 2 instruments.  There are limitation on how many students can be on an instruments (partically percussion due to how the parts are arranged in the music).   Mr. Lambert wants to meet each family, get to know a little about what the child and family want to do, discuss what will be needed and what the school has available to use, get paperwork for the class and get to generally see the classroom.  Below is the list of supplies they will need for classes for instruments.  I need to get this done before school so that when the school year start, we are not spending time on this, but rather starting to learn how to play the instrument they choose.  
     

    Stuff needed for instruments for Beginning Orchestra:

          Violin, Viola: Rosin for bow, neck pad to lift the instrument on the student's neck, humidifier, extra set of strings

          Cello, Bass: Rosin for bow, humidifier, extra strings (for cello especially)

    MORE INFO ON THE OVERVIEW PAGE