Orchestra
Welcome to the Swatara MS Orchestra Program!
There are three different orchestras at Swatara:
6th Grade Orchestra
7th and 8th Grade Orchestra (grades rehearse separately)
Panther Strings Select Orchestra (by invitation, in conjunction with CD East MS)
Children get a small group lesson and two large group rehearsals every cycle.
Class Schedule
Orchestra meets two times per each 6-day cycle during Enrichment Period. Lessons are scheduled once every 6 days and will be assigned on a rotating schedule where students are excused from ½ a period of a class.
Orchestra Attendance
Orchestra is an academic and practical class; you are required to be in orchestra as assigned on your schedule. This class period should not be used to make up work in other classes. Your responsibility is to be in rehearsal with your materials, including a pencil. If a class emergency happens you should check in to orchestra first and present your pass to Dr. Nyce. An unexcused orchestra rehearsal is considered a skipped class and will be treated as such and will result in 0 points for class participation for that day. Also, students are required to participate in all orchestra activities as scheduled. Prior to the concert date, we may have an after-school rehearsal (7th and 8th grade students). Advance notice will be given for these rehearsals and the student is responsible to take paperwork home and inform parents of these rehearsals. Late buses will be available for transportation on these dates if needed. An unexcused absence from an after-school rehearsal or performance will result in a lowered grade. All possible attempts should be made to attend the activity, but if an excused absence is unavoidable, the absences must be approved before the orchestra event. Students are also excused from an after-school rehearsal if there is a conflict with a school sports team and there is adequate communication with me in advance.
Lessons
Our school music program offers instrumental lessons for all students scheduled for orchestra. These lessons count as part of your orchestra class grade.
All students will receive a lesson schedule that will be used as their pass for lessons. Lesson schedules will also be posted on the Canvas software program. This lesson schedule should be presented to the classroom teacher before leaving for a lesson. The teacher should sign the schedule (which is used as your pass) at the beginning of class, and then the student should leave for lessons immediately or half-way through the class period (depending on the scheduled lesson time). All lessons are ½ a class period. Lessons rotate between four class periods. Therefore, a student will only miss ½ of a class every 30 days. In the event of a quiz, test, or class project, teachers may hold a student in class. In this case, a make-up lesson should be scheduled. If a student knows of a conflict prior to the lesson, a possible make up may be available that day on a different period. Students should check the availability of make-up lesson times as soon as possible. Dr. Nyce is usually available in the morning in the auditorium or the 6th Grade hallway on lesson days. Make up lessons are also announced in orchestra rehearsal frequently. Make-up lessons should be kept to a minimum and used only when needed. Make up lessons do not allow for the same small group instruction as regular lessons. However, knowing that there are events that prevent students from attending lessons, each student is excused from one lesson each marking period. In addition, students are still responsible for the material that their group worked on even if one cannot attend the regular lesson. Please check with Dr. Nyce on your assignment. Students are responsible for all class work they miss during the lesson time.
Cell Phone Policy
District cell phone policy will apply during class and any after school rehearsals. However, tuning apps may be used during tuning at the beginning of class and then the phone must be put away.
Lesson Material
Students will need to buy an Essential Elements for Strings lesson book(s) and bring it with them to lessons. The book costs about $13. Depending on the level of the student, they may need book 1, 2, or 3. If a student does not have this book or is ready for the next book, it is the student’s responsibility to secure the book. Please check with me before you buy the book to make sure we have the correct level. In the case of more advanced students, other repertoire may be selected for lesson materials.