|

Welcome: Congratulations! By choosing strings as an elective class, you have become a member of the Langley High School Orchestra. Participation in a music program provides an excellent opportunity to develop individual talent, to expand intellectual abilities, and to make new acquaintances while representing our school in the community. The purpose of this syllabus is to familiarize you with the goals and expectations of the orchestra program and to clarify your role as an orchestra member or parent. If at any time during the school year you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. I look forward to a productive and enjoyable year with you all.

Director background: Dr. McCormick, “Doc,” is in his ninth year of teaching with the Fairfax County Public school system. He was recently invited to join the music faculty at Patrick Henry College, where he serves as director of instrumental music and theory. He is also conducts the summer orchestra program at Shenandoah University. Dr. McCormick and his wife Rebekah live on Second Fiddle Farm in Loudoun county where they train and board dressage horses. Their spunky three year old daughter, Norah, recently welcomed a brother, Hugh, to the family.

Website: You can learn more about our orchestra program and get the latest updates on schedules and events at our website: www.langleyorchestra.org

Concert dress: Wearing appropriate concert attire is an essential component of performance as it sets a professional atmosphere and shows respect for the great tradition of classical music. Each string player is required to dress in appropriate concert attire in order to perform:

Ladies – Perform in the glamorous Saxon Green dresses that have become the signature of our orchestra over the years. You will also need black dress shoes that are close-toed. (No Flip-Flops!) Mrs. Theu Nguyen is the seamstress who makes the concert dresses. She works out of her home in McLean. After you have been measured, you will be called for a fitting when your dress is nearly completed. (Her English is very limited, so her husband, Mr. Lee To, will probably call.) Please take the black shoes you would wear for concerts with you to your fitting. This will ensure the dress is hemmed at the right length.

Mrs. Nguyen’s address is:

1600 Dolley Madison Blvd (Route 123, behind the Langley School and police station)

McLean, VA 22101

Phone: 703-749-9535

Dresses cost $160 each. Checks should be payable to Theu Nguyen and presented at time of measurement. (Bring checkbook to orientation)

Gentlemen – Perform in a solid black tuxedo and tux pants, black cummmerbund, solid white wing collar tux shirt, black bow tie, black socks, and black dress shoes. Tuxes are to be ordered online at Superior Band Supply.

Before ordering, please note that you must know your student's measurements. It is the decision of the parents and students to either measure to fit OR measure to accomodate anticipated growth. If you are not sure how to measure you may have your student measured by a tailor before you order, or view the measuring guide. It is important to note that tuxedo pants will be delivered unhemmed. Please remember to have your student's pants hemmed before the concert!

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Vaughan C. Sawdon from Superior Band Supply at 1-877-822-2766.

Class Rules and Procedures

The Orchestra Room

Hertzler Hall (named for Langley’s first principal) is the home of the Langley orchestra. It is the largest and brightest room in the school, and it is very important that this room can be a place that orchestra students feel comfortable spending time together. The chairs are set in an orchestral formation for rehearsal, and additional seating is available for study and listening around the sides of the room – these should not be moved under any circumstances.

The way that our orchestra keeps our rehearsal space is a reflection of the integrity of our program. The room can only maintain its professional appearance if each student takes pride in their surroundings and defends Hertzler from those who do not share our priorities. This year, the room will be used by orchestra students who are rehearsing -- including lunch, Saxon Time, and late opening. Any students who cannot abide by the rules of Hertzler will not be permitted to continue abusing our home.

New policy for this year: Due to the enormous class sizes in Hertzler Hall (and the size of the backpacks that students carry around like turtles) it is becoming evident that there is not room for book bags, cases, and students in the orchestra formation – particularly if we had a fire drill or emergency. Please put these bags on the chairs on the perimeter of the room, or even better in the locker where you keep your instrument. This would also be a great place to store the cell phone that you might be tempted to use during class.

Instruments

Every student is expected to have their instrument for each rehearsal. Violin and viola players must bring their own instruments to school for use in class. A list of local vendors is available with information about the rental and/or purchase of string instruments. Cello and Bass players may also rent school instruments to play in class, although they will need their own instruments for practice at home. Any student who wants to use an LHSO cello or bass will need to pay a $46 rental fee (payable to Langley High School – not the Langley Orchestra Society). Any student who does not bring their instrument will not be given a holiday from rehearsal, but will instead use one of the “Instruments of Shame” that are available for emergencies. Repeated use of these instruments will greatly affect your participation grade.

Music

Every student will need a black 3-ring binder for orchestra. Make the cover easily identifiable with your name and orchestra class. Philharmonic and Symphonic I players will also have folders available in Hertzler where they can keep their music. Practice copies of our repertoire will be available for each student for use in class and at home so that they can be marked up for educational purposes. (Original parts will be used in concert and festival competition.) Consistent failure to bring music to class will result in a lower participation grade.

Storage

Hertzler Hall has some lockers that are available for students to secure their instruments. There are unfortunately not enough to go around – priority will be given to Seniors, Philharmonic players, and students with large cases. These students will need to register their lockers with a student assistant and bring their own combination lock. The rest of our students are welcome to use the student lockers that they have been assigned just outside of the orchestra room. It is very important that all our instruments are secured – do not just leave them open lying around Hertzler Hall or out in the hallway. Do not share your combo with others, close your lock at all times, and be forewarned that belongings have gone missing from lockers that were not used diligently.

Start Time

Langley HS is emphasizing their new Tardy Policy this year, which will be enforced in every classroom. Each student will be expected to be inside the classroom at the time the bell rings for their designated class. Repeated tardiness will not only lower your participation grade, but will also bring disciplinary action from the school administration. As you begin to understand the priorities of this director, you will learn that an efficient start makes a big difference to the tone of each rehearsal.

Roll & Announcements

Once the bell rings and you are seated, the student assistant will help take roll call. Take a moment to read important information that will be displayed (in brilliant colour) on the whiteboard. Silence will be necessary for the "State of the Orchestra Address”, after which we will tune and begin to rehearse.

Playing Tests

During each grading period, students will be asked to prepare sections of their music for playing tests. These excerpts will be performed with your stand partner, often in a small group with two instruments of each type. The purpose of these exams is not to expose and terrorize string students -- this is an occasion for you to demonstrate that you have prepared sufficiently to perform our repertoire. I will be listening for improvement over the course of the year, and will look for the student to incorporate my suggestions into subsequent playing tests.

Seating

I believe that teamwork is the most important ingredient for a successful orchestra and for that reason I discourage direct competition through 'challenges' in my classes. My seating order reflects a combination of factors: playing ability, preparation, rehearsal attitude, maturity, and leadership. I also make an effort to pair students on a stand who enjoy working together so long as they do not abuse that privilege.

Leadership

Students who wish to make their way to the front stands of our large orchestral classes need to realize that this comes with some additional expectations – there is more required of a successful principal player than just executing their part well. Instead, these players need to make a larger investment in the success of the entire group. They should make it a priority, to attend additional “Saxon Time” sessions, to connect with every member of the section, to prepare for playing tests, to mark their parts and share bowings and fingerings, and to make an impact on each rehearsal. Please be sure to let Doc know if this is a commitment you are willing to make, or if you would rather be a regular member of the section.

Cell Phones

The other big initiative at Langley this year is for all teachers to have a consistent approach to monitoring student cell phone usage at school. Fairfax County policy dictates that out of respect for your teachers and fellow classmates, cell phones may not be used during class time.

D'Orchwear

The orchestra is proud to offer its clothing line as a method to display orchestra pride and to advertise our burning violin logo – particularly on the day of concerts and orchestra events. Every student will need a T-Shirt and a polo shirt for informal performances. There are also bumper stickers, lanyards, sweats, hoodies, and groupie gear available for order.

Private Instruction

Although this is not mandatory for participation in the orchestra, private lessons can make an enormous difference to the musical development of a student. With large, energetic classes, it is very difficult for one teacher to give the kind of individual attention that is required to refine string technique. The combination of an effective private instructor and an ambitious performing ensemble is an ideal circumstance for orchestral growth. Please do not hesitate to ask me for recommendations if you need help looking for a private string teacher in your area.

Sectional Coaches

Every year, we have an exciting list of professional coaches who have agreed to come in and share their expertise with our students. They include members of the National Symphony, the National Ballet, The U.S. Army Strolling Strings, the Baltimore Opera, and the Levine School of Music. Students should recognize what a privilege it is to work with these distinguished musicians and will be expected to treat them with utmost respect.

The Langley High School Orchestra . Post Office Box 1442 . Great Falls, VA 22066