Equipment
Students must bring their instrument, music, rosin, and pencil to every rehearsal. Students will need a 1 inch three-ring BLACK binder or folder for all music. Please note that Seaholm High School cannot be responsible for theft or damaged student-owned instruments (please check your home owners policy for coverage options). Make sure that your instrument is clearly labeled and that you are able to identify your instrument by serial number.
Home Practice Expectations
PRACTICING occurs at home. REHEARSAL involves those tasks which you cannot accomplish yourself on your own time. Therefore, it is expected that musicians of the orchestra spend the necessary amount of time at home learning their individual part. The length of time needed for practice will vary amongst each student, but all students should make a personal goal to incorporate daily home practice into their schedules.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are HIGHLY recommended for ALL orchestra students and serve as an excellent supplement to daily orchestra rehearsals. Private lessons offer students the opportunity to work on specific solo repertoire, learn advanced positions and technique, and refine and develop playing ability. Students may take private lessons to fulfill the “Individual Project” grade requirement or may choose to count it as extra credit. Please contact Mr. Karpinsky if you have questions or concerns about selecting an appropriate teacher.
Chair Seating
Chair seating in the Seaholm Orchestra Program models how professional orchestras function. Every musician is a vital member of the ensemble. Students will perform playing tests on excerpts from concert repertoire. Based on the repertoire and playing test, I will assign seats within each section. Seating is not a numerical order of test scores. I determine the seating by trying to create the correct musical balance for that specific section. Principal seats will be assigned at the director’s discretion. The concertmaster and principal chair musicians will be responsible for writing in bowings/fingerings and leading sectionals.
Grading
The majority of the student’s grade will be based on individual playing tests and concert performances. Individual playing tests can be taken as many times as the student desires. Daily participation and being prepared for rehearsals are classroom expectations and can affect a student’s grade if they begin to detract from them having a successful rehearsal.
Performances
Most concerts and performances occur in the evening or on weekends, therefore time outside the school day is required. By enrolling in orchestra, you have made a commitment to the organization and have a responsibility to be in attendance at every concert. The orchestra can only perform at its best when all members are present. Missing a performance is a very serious offense in a musical ensemble at any level. A concert/performance is like a test or final examination but cannot be made up.
Please contact Mr. Karpinsky as soon as possible regarding any schedule conflicts with concerts.
Students must bring their instrument, music, rosin, and pencil to every rehearsal. Students will need a 1 inch three-ring BLACK binder or folder for all music. Please note that Seaholm High School cannot be responsible for theft or damaged student-owned instruments (please check your home owners policy for coverage options). Make sure that your instrument is clearly labeled and that you are able to identify your instrument by serial number.
Home Practice Expectations
PRACTICING occurs at home. REHEARSAL involves those tasks which you cannot accomplish yourself on your own time. Therefore, it is expected that musicians of the orchestra spend the necessary amount of time at home learning their individual part. The length of time needed for practice will vary amongst each student, but all students should make a personal goal to incorporate daily home practice into their schedules.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are HIGHLY recommended for ALL orchestra students and serve as an excellent supplement to daily orchestra rehearsals. Private lessons offer students the opportunity to work on specific solo repertoire, learn advanced positions and technique, and refine and develop playing ability. Students may take private lessons to fulfill the “Individual Project” grade requirement or may choose to count it as extra credit. Please contact Mr. Karpinsky if you have questions or concerns about selecting an appropriate teacher.
Chair Seating
Chair seating in the Seaholm Orchestra Program models how professional orchestras function. Every musician is a vital member of the ensemble. Students will perform playing tests on excerpts from concert repertoire. Based on the repertoire and playing test, I will assign seats within each section. Seating is not a numerical order of test scores. I determine the seating by trying to create the correct musical balance for that specific section. Principal seats will be assigned at the director’s discretion. The concertmaster and principal chair musicians will be responsible for writing in bowings/fingerings and leading sectionals.
Grading
The majority of the student’s grade will be based on individual playing tests and concert performances. Individual playing tests can be taken as many times as the student desires. Daily participation and being prepared for rehearsals are classroom expectations and can affect a student’s grade if they begin to detract from them having a successful rehearsal.
Performances
Most concerts and performances occur in the evening or on weekends, therefore time outside the school day is required. By enrolling in orchestra, you have made a commitment to the organization and have a responsibility to be in attendance at every concert. The orchestra can only perform at its best when all members are present. Missing a performance is a very serious offense in a musical ensemble at any level. A concert/performance is like a test or final examination but cannot be made up.
Please contact Mr. Karpinsky as soon as possible regarding any schedule conflicts with concerts.