High School Orchestra Program

Thank you for wanting to participate in the HS Orchestra Music Program. The following are expectations for all members regardless which ensemble(s) you are participating in.

Personal Conduct:

• Act in and out of rehearsal in a way that puts the group first.
• Come with a positive attitude.
• Accept responsibilities and part assignments.
• Communicate with director(s)in a professional and timely manner.
• Electronic devices will remain in “silent” mode during rehearsal.

There are four orchestras in Spring-Ford High School.

9th Grade Blue Orchestra: This is for 9th grade students who are in class.

10-12 Gold Orchestra: This is for 10-12 grade students who are in class.

Honors Orchestra: This is the audition ensemble. This is a much smaller ensemble which will be kept balanced from year to year. At the beginning of each school year there will be an open audition held for any student who would like to be apart of this group. Students must be able to make the weekly after school rehearsal. *you must be in class to participate in the honors orchestra and try out for District Orchestra

Symphonic Orchestra: This is the band/strings combined orchestra. All students in 9-12th grade may participate. Rehearsals are for 1 hour, once a week.

9th Grade Orchestra, 10-12 Grade Orchestra, Honors Orchestra

• Winter Concert: December 10th
• Spring-Ford String Jamboree Dress Rehearsal March 11th
• Spring-Ford String Jamboree (4^th-12^th graders) Concert: March 12th
• Pops Concert (9-12 strings combined) April 1st
• Spring Concert: April 29th
• Outdoor Performance at the Upper Providence Town Center May 9th

Symphonic Orchestra

• Winter Concert: December 10th
• March Concert: April 1st

Dress Code for All Ensembles

Either:

1. Long black dress (specific dress which may be purchased or rented through SF Music Association)
2. Black pants, socks, shoes and white dress shirt with a bow tie.

Concert attire may be purchased or rented through the SF Music Association. Form available at www.springfordmusic.org

Remind: We have discovered a really handy app to help your child remember their instruments for lessons! To receive text or email notification as to when 4th Grade lessons are, please follow the pdf instructions below for the following schools. Your cell phone number will be kept private -- it will never be seen by anyone. This is a great reminder because it is so easy to forget the cycle day during a busy morning when you are getting ready for school! You may unsubscribe whenever you like if you change your mind. This is not mandatory, but strongly encouraged if you would like to sign up!

Send the following message to the number 81010:

• Orchestra: @mrsmcgrana
• Symphonic Orchestra @sfsymorch
• Honors Orchestra @sfhonors

Email: Please always feel free to email us with questions and/or concerns.

• Mrs. McGranahan - emmcg@spring-ford.net

Practice/Expectations: In order for students to meet their full potential and to have success in strings, it is suggested that they practice 15-30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

Practice Tips:

1. Use a stand for proper posture.
2. Designate a specific time and place.
3. Set a goal for each practice session. “I will be able to play the notes to exercise #2 correctly.”
4. Speak the note names and finger numbers to each song.
5. Circle questions, problems, or areas of difficulty.
6. Practice slowly; you’ll play better.

Students do not have traditional lessons like in grades 4-8. Orchestra is a class during the school day. Class meets as a minor, which is every other day of the entire school year.

Students may come down during study halls to practice if Mrs. McGranahan is avaliable.