Instructor:  Mr. Torretta

Materials:  Instrument, music, folder, 2 pencils

Courses: 

Chamber Orchestra is a performing ensemble made up of students in all grades. Students will have multiple performances throughout the school year and will learn and study different playing techniques, music history, music theory, and rehearsal techniques with several different styles of music. Students in this ensemble may choose to participate in additional playing opportunities such as Metro 8 Honors Orchestra, Solo and Ensemble, Youth Orchestra and All State Auditions. While not required, private instruction enhances the playing ability of those who participate and is high encouraged. Field trip opportunities will be available as well.

Symphonic Orchestra is a select string ensemble whose membership is based on audition every spring. Students will have multiple performances throughout the school year and will learn and study different playing techniques, music history, music theory, and rehearsal techniques with several different styles of music. Students in this ensemble are strongly encouraged to consider participating in additional playing opportunities such as Metro 8 Honors Orchestra, Solo and Ensemble, Youth Orchestra and All-State Auditions. While not required, private instruction enhances the playing ability of those who participate and is high encouraged. Field trip opportunities will be available as well.

 Grading:

 You will be graded daily on participation in class, rehearsal etiquette, and technical ability and improvement. Each week you will have the opportunity to earn ten points for those class expectations. If you fail to meet those expectations, points will be deducted. In addition, periodic playing tests will be assigned, as well as written assignments. All assignments and tests are expected to be complete, on time, and without excuses. Performing in a concert is worth fifty points. There will be a written final at the end of each semester that will be ten percent of your semester grade. The other ninety percent will be split evenly between the two quarters.

First Quarter = 45%

Second Quarter = 45%

Final Exam = 10%

Extra Credit

Pencil Check –Mr. Torretta will periodically ask to see everyone’s pencils, not pens, in their music folder or on the stand. If you or your stand partner is able to come up with sharpened pencil, then you are given 2 extra credit points.

Attending Extra Performances – If you attend another performance, whether it is a band concert, choir concert, play, musical, or other orchestral performance, bring a copy of the program and type a single page interpretation of what happened and what you thought of the performance.

-First half of the page (your observations): How many people were performing? What instruments were used, if any? Was the performance exciting or laid back? Was there a theme or story? Did the people performing look like they were having fun and how? Did they look proud after the performance?

-Second half of the page (your thoughts): Did you like it, why? Did anything impress you? Did anything disappoint you?

*There is a limit of three per semester. Each one is worth up to 10 points, depending on the details displayed and interpretations given in the paper.

Rehearsal Attendance

You are expected to be in the room when the bell rings. The first two minutes of class will be for retrieving materials, tuning, and reading the board. Before rehearsal is not the time to spend chatting, it is your time to get your instrument and music out, rosin your bow, and look at the board to see what music you will need for the day. We have a limited about of time in class and we need to utilize it properly. If you are not being diligent in getting to class on time, you will be counted as tardy and they will accumulate faster than you think.

Concert Attendance

CONCERT ATTENDANCE IS MANDITORY. You are part of a team that works together and needs every member present to achieve excellence. This is also a class, and is PART OF YOUR GRADE.  If you have a job, please notify your boss of the concert dates well in advance so you can make arrangements to get off work that date. Working is not an excuse for missing a concert or a dress rehearsal.

If you miss a concert, and the absence is excused (sick, out of town with advance notice, disciplinary, etc.), then you will need to find two articles about string musicians or string instruments, write a one page (typed and double spaced) summary for each, and submit that to Mr. Torretta by the day of the concert. If the absence is unexcused, you will be assigned to write a research paper that will be due one week after the date of the concert. The research paper must be at least three full pages long (double-spaced), must include a separate bibliography with at least three sources, and the paper must be on a topic related to orchestra and approved by Mr. Torretta. If you have not turned in this paper one week after the performance, will loose all credit for that performance. All scheduled performances are mandatory unless Mr. Torretta says otherwise.

Solo and ensemble:

Students are encouraged to work on a solo piece or ensemble during the middle part of the school year. This is your opportunity to prepare something outside of the orchestral environment. Chamber playing, playing in a smaller group of musicians, gives you the chance to play parts individually, take charge of your part, and broaden your musical foundation. On March 3, students will have the opportunity to perform their solo or ensemble in a concert at FZE. They will also have an opportunity to perform in the solo and ensemble festival on March 28 at Warrenton High School. If you are playing a solo, you may need to arrange for a pianist to accompany you.

Concert dress:

Ladies:

Formal solid black full-length dress slacks or pants (no jeans) and a solid black top. The top must have a modest neckline (meaning high cut), and sleeves need to be three quarter length to long. The top must tuck into the slacks or, if worn out, must be long enough so as there is no gap between the two pieces when you are seated and playing your instrument.

** Note that skirts are no longer allowed. If this is a problem due to religious or family reasons, please speak with me privately. Please also keep in mind that your feet need to match the rest of your ensemble. You need to wear black dress shoes and matching accessories. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum and should be tasteful.

Gentlemen:

Your concert attire is a black tuxedo (if you have a black suit your are comfortable with, it will do) and black bow tie. These items will be provided through the school. You will provide a white tuxedo or dress shirt, black dress shoes with black socks, and a black belt.

If you come to perform in a concert in something other than concert dress, you may not be allowed to perform and possibly loose credit towards the performance. The purpose of concert dress is to display a professional and organized appearance, so as to compliment the sound we will produce.

Class rules:

1.      You must be on time for class. On time means inside the orchestra room doors. After the bell, you have two minutes to retrieve your materials for class and take your seat.

2.      Treat others with respect. WE ARE A TEAM.

3.      No gum, food or drink in the orchestra room. A water bottle (with a top) is permissible.

4.      All school and school district rules regarding conduct and behavior apply in the orchestra classroom, on field trips, and at performances. 

Playing tests:

For playing tests, we will have several short tests, many of which will be in front of the class and will involve playing one scale or one excerpt of something from class. You will be graded on overall musicality: intonation, dynamics, articulation, phrasing, etc. This format will take some class time, but the individual tests will be shorter and more focused.

Sections leaders:

Each section leader will have the responsibility to help organize and lead his or her section. Sections leaders must know all music in case they are asked to lead a sectional. A section leader is required to be knowledgeable, but not arrogant while fulfilling this position. Other members of the section are expected to listen to the section leader as an extension of the director. If you have concerns, please speak to Mr. Torretta privately so any concerns can be addressed.

Lettering in orchestra:

Each student enrolled in an orchestra class has the opportunity to earn a letter award for his or her participation, as do those who participate in sports. A student must accumulate 600 points in order to earn a letter.

The events for which points are awarded are listed below. Letter points may be carried from one school year to the next, and once a letter is earned, points begin accumulating for the next year. Points earned through the summer will go towards the following school year. Letter awards will be presented at the end of the school year in which the letter is earned.

The director will award points. Such things as extra sectional rehearsals, other concerts attended, and community performances will require the participation of fellow students, ticket stubs, or a printed program in order to receive points. Forms to log the points will be available in the orchestra room. Log and turn in requests for points as soon as you think you have earned them.