6th Grade Jumpstart - Orchestra Syllabus

Building​: Eastmont Junior High

Course Title​: Beginning Orchestra

Teacher​: Mika Armaly

Email​: armalym@eastmont206.org         Phone​: 509-888-1300 (email or ParentSquare is best)

Course Description​: 6th grade students will have the opportunity to explore the stringed instruments of a traditional string orchestra (violin, viola, cello, bass). Students will have the opportunity to choose one of the listed instruments to explore in-depth for the remainder of the school year. Students will learn the fundamentals of their chosen instrument as well the fundamentals of musical performance as an ensemble. Students will participate in 2 formal performances per year.

Textbooks and Instructional Materials​ (bring to class EVERY DAY):

1. Printed music - provided.
2. Folder - provided.
3. Pencil for class EVERYDAY.
4. Instrument - EJHS has a LIMITED supply of available instruments for loan. PLEASE rent your chosen instrument from the listed local music shops if you are able to do so as we prioritize EJHS instruments for families who are unable to rent an instrument.

Performance Dates for Orchestra Concerts:

March 22, 7:00pm, EJHS Auditorium - EJHS + EHS Orchestra Concert

May 23, 7:00pm, EJHS Auditorium - EJHS + EHS Orchestra Concert

Call time is at 6:30 for all 7:00 performances

Calendar is subject to change and additional information will be sent through email and Parent Square

Grading​:

6th grade students will not be graded during Trimester 1 (student exploration time).

6th grade students will be graded on a pass/fail basis for Trimester 2 and 3 based on daily attendance and participation, including the listed concerts.

Accommodations and/or modifications​: Appropriate accommodations and/or modifications will be provided for students with documented disabilities. Specific accommodations and modifications are determined by the student’s Section 504 team or Individual Education Program team.

Concert Attire Requirements: For formal performances, students will be expected to wear specific concert attire. This is part of experiencing a formal performance as an ensemble. Dressing in the expected concert attire allows performers and audience members alike to simply focus on the performance.

All students: Black pants, black long-sleeve shirt (no other writing or colors on the shirt), black shoes and socks.

Missed Performance Policy: A concert is a very special interaction between performer and listener that cannot be duplicated or re-created in any other setting.  Concerts are an essential part of the life of a young musician.  Students’ progress is very evident to the audience from one concert to the next.  Concerts are comparable and equal to final exams.  Students are expected to attend all concerts.

Make-up Policy: Sometimes in life, things happen that make it impossible for a student to attend a concert.  Missed concerts will affect a student’s grade, but some absences are eligible for make-up. Students may make-up a concert IF:

1. Parents/guardians (NOT students) contact the director in advance of the absence

AND

2. The absence was for the student’s own severe illness or a death in the family

Concert Make-Up Options:

1. Perform a solo in class
2. Perform a solo or with another ensemble at an event outside of school (church, at a camp, at someone’s birthday, etc.).  You must have a written note from whoever was in charge of the event (Pastor, community center coordinator, etc.).

Local Music Stores:

1. Chinook Music: 199 Eastmont Ave, East Wenatchee, WA  509-886-8800
2. Avalon Music: 532 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA   509-663-7300