Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
2019 - 2020
Ms. Danielle Darrigo, Head Director
Danielle.Darrigo@cfisd.net
Mr. Luis Baston-Pita, Assistant Director
Luis.bastonpita@cfisd.net
Mr. Luis Perez, Assistant Director
Luis.perez@cfisd.net
The Orchestra Contract, Health, Medical Authorization, and Field Trip forms in the back of the
Handbook are to be signed and returned by Friday, September 6th.
Introduction
Welcome to the 2019-2020 orchestra program! Please take some time to thoroughly familiarize
yourself with this handbook. The Orchestra Contract, Health, Medical Authorization, and Field
Trip forms at the back that need to be signed and returned by September 6th. Without these
forms, students will be unable to participate in orchestra functions.
Forms and letters will frequently be sent home with information about concerts, special events,
etc. These will need to be signed and returned promptly. Parents should check binders and the
orchestra website to make sure they are up to date with everything that has been sent home.
Daily Expectations
1. Student is to be in his or her seat with all supplies (instrument, binder, pencil) by the
bell.
*Everyone must have his/her OWN music at their stand.*
2. No gum, food, or drinks allowed in the orchestra room.
Any food or gum seen during class will be thrown in the trash.
3. The orchestra starts together and stops together.
You need to be ready to start when the director’s hands go up, and you need to stop
IMMEDIATELY when the director signals you to stop.
4. Raise your hand for permission to speak or leave your seat.
Respect Yourself
Work hard. Come to class prepared. Bring all your supplies every day. Be attentive. If the director
is working with another section, find something to shadow bow practice. If you have a problem, come
talk to your teacher. We are here to do whatever we can to help make you the best musician we can!
Students will be allowed to pack up 2 minutes before the bell. This is the time to turn in
all paperwork, ask questions, have things signed, etc. These 2 minutes are NOT a right,
but a privilege. If students cause unnecessary interruptions during class (talking, rude or
disruptive behavior, etc.), rehearsal will continue up until the dismissal bell.
Fingernails
It is a daily expectation that students keep their nails trimmed short enough to be able
to place their fingertips on the string. Playing a string instrument with long nails can cause
difficulty, poor intonation, and poor tone. Students are expected to trim nails at home. Failure
to do so will lower the student’s participation grade. Long nails may result in a phone call home
or the student may be asked to trim their nails in class. If a student must have false nails for a
special event, there will a grace period of 2 days before and 2 days after the event. During
certain event dates, such as contests and competitions, long nails will be unacceptable. (There
will be no exceptions.) Please check the orchestra calendar in advance.
Consequences
Warning- Verbal or Visual correction (exceptions will be made if negative behavior
warrants immediate action).
Isolation and/or phone call home. If negative behavior continues regularly, office
referrals may be written. Students that are a major disruption may also be sent directly
to their grade level principal, and their conduct grade will be lowered.
A behavioral contract may be drawn up to address any ongoing negative behavior,
outlining specific expectations and consequences.
Any student who receives a third level offense or more than two discipline referrals for
the entire school year may forfeit their opportunity to participate in the end of the year
Spring Trip. The directors reserve the right to determine whether a student may
participate in the Spring Trip in the matter of overall citizenship, behavior, and attitude
displayed throughout the entire school year.
Sponsors and coaches of extracurricular activities may develop and enforce standards of
conduct that are higher than the District's general standards and may condition membership or
the student's participation in the activity on adherence to those standards. Extracurricular
standards of behavior may take into consideration conduct that occurs at any time, on or off
school property. However, no provision of an extracurricular behavioral standard shall have the
effect of discriminating on the basis of gender, race, disability, religion, or ethnicity.
Organizational standards of repetitive behavior of an extracurricular activity are independent of
the Student Code of Conduct. Violations of these standards of behavior that are also violations
of the Student Code of Conduct may result in separate, independent disciplinary actions. A
student may be removed from participation in extracurricular activities or may be excluded
from school honors or activities for violation of organizational standards of behavior of an
extracurricular activity or for violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
All students are expected to maintain the highest level of discipline and decorum at all school
functions. Failure to comply with administrative directives promoting order and respect may
result in the student being removed from participation in school activities, including, but not
limited to, commencement exercises.”
Orchestra Materials
All students in the orchestra program will need to be prepared for class every day. Remember
to record your practice time on your weekly Practice Log to earn credit for your hard work!
*Items marked below with an asterisk are considered required.
Instrument outfit*- instrument, bow, rosin, case, and clip-on tuner. Instruments must
have all 4 fine tuners installed.
The required instruction book, specific to each performing level.
Violins/Violas- Everest, Kun, or Fom shoulder rest*
Cellos/Basses- Rock Stop
A nametag* on instrument case
A ½ inch or 1-inch 3-ring black binder*
A pencil* to be kept in the orchestra binder.
An Orchestra t-shirt for orchestra uniform* (order form to come shortly)
A cleaning cloth (can be cotton washcloth, but absolutely no paper products)
A music stand for home practice
A clip on tuner or tuning app
A metronome for home practice. There are many free metranome apps that can be
downloaded on a smartphone.
A set of extra strings- check with your rental company. These may be provided as needed
from your instrument insurance!
Uniforms
Beginning Orchestra Uniform:
Students are to wear their Orchestra T-shirt and jeans for their concerts.
Grading Policy
Students are expected to practice at home every day, therefore all violinists and violists are
also expected to take their instrument home EVERY DAY! Cello and Bass students are expected
to have an instrument at home for their practicing. Students who leave their instrument or
music at school are obviously NOT practicing and are not reaching their full potential. As a
result, their grade may not reflect their actual ability and their performance may hinder the
progress and achievements of their orchestra. Parents will receive a phone call home if an
instrument is left at school or if a student is unprepared in class.
All classroom lessons must be mastered. Therefore, if a student fails a test, he/she is given the
opportunity to master the material and retest in order to remove the failing grade within that
grading period. It is the student’s responsibility to make up the grade and schedule a time to
retest at the director’s convenience (After school sectionals are great times to do this!).
PLEASE NOTE: In addition to the ensemble instruction during the school day, all Concert,
Philharmonic, Symphony, and Chamber members are expected to attend one afterschool
sectional per week. During this time, students will be quizzed or tested on music and will be
given a Quiz or Major grade. Students who do not consistently participate in afterschool
sectionals may be removed from the competition ensemble. Enrollment in private lessons is
strongly encouraged to further this individualized skill development.
**Please read this section carefully! This affects all UIL activities!**
Absence Policy
Because this is a performance class, all orchestra students are required to attend all rehearsals
and concerts. Beginning orchestra will be expected to attend one afterschool rehearsal in late
April, in preparation for the Spring Concert.
Attendance will be taken at all concerts, sectionals, and rehearsals. Students may make up a
sectional by attending another sectional during the same week. Unexcused absences from a
concert are unacceptable and will also result in a zero for a grade. Students that miss a concert
with a legitimate written explanation from home may be given an alternative assignment or will
perform their concert music during class. The student may forfeit their opportunity to
participate in the end of the year Spring Trip by missing concerts. Ms. Darrigo reserves the right
to make any final decisions on these matters.
Written notices from parents are required for all concert/sectional/rehearsal absences. Verbal
or written excuses from students are not accepted. It is the student’s responsibility to make
arrangements for any make-up work. Unexcused absences from concerts & rehearsals may
count as a ZERO AS A QUIZ OR MAJOR GRADE.
*We are attempting to schedule these programs at high school auditoriums, so dates may change.
*All dates and locations subject to change. Information on each event will be sent home for a parent
signature prior to the event.*
PLEASE CHECK CALENDARS CAREFULLY AND PLAN AHEAD TO AVOID SCHEDULING CONFLICTS
WITH CONCERTS & REHEARSALS.
Truitt Middle School Orchestra Contract
*************************************************************************
We have read and understand the orchestra handbook. We agree to abide by its expectations
and policies.
Consequences
Warning- Verbal or Visual correction (exceptions will be made if negative behavior warrants immediate action).
Isolation and/or phone call home. If negative behavior continues regularly, office referrals may be written. Students
that are a major disruption may also be sent directly to their grade level principal, and their conduct grade will be
lowered.
A behavioral contract may be drawn up to address any ongoing negative behavior, outlining specific expectations and
consequences.
Any student who receives a third level offense or more than two discipline referrals for the entire school year may forfeit their
opportunity to participate in the end of the year Spring Trip. Students with excessive tardies may also forfeit their chance to
participate in the trip. The directors reserve the right to determine whether a student may participate in the Spring Trip in the
matter of overall citizenship, behavior, and attitude displayed throughout the entire school year.
*********************************************************************************************
We have read and understand the orchestra expectations. We agree to abide by its
expectations and policies.