Handbook

2024-2025
Dr. Will Whitehead
Director of Orchestras
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Class Descriptions............................................................................................. 1
2.0 Expectations ..................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Learning Objectives
2.2 Behavior Expectations
3.0 Instruments & Lockers ...................................................................................... 4
3.1 Violins & Violas
3.2 Cellos & Basses
3.3 Lockers
3.4 Where to Rent & Buy
4.0 Materials for Class ............................................................................................ 6
4.1 6th Grade Orchestra
4.2 7th Grade Orchestra
4.3 8th Grade Orchestra
5.0 Grades .............................................................................................................. 8
5.1 Grade Ranges
5.2 Grade Categories & Weights
6.0 Performance Attire ........................................................................................... 9
6.1 7th & 8th Grade Concert Attire
6.2 6th Grade Concert Attire
7.0 Orchestra Calendar ........................................................................................ 10

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1.0 Class descriptions
6th Grade Violin/Viola: For 6th graders interested in learning to play either the violin or
viola. Students are expected to obtain their own instrument. Focus is on establishing
basic posture, left hand frame, bow hold, basic bow strokes (detaché, staccato, portato,
slurs, marcato), aural skills, and music literacy. Students will give performances, at least
twice yearly, of Grade .5–1.5 music.

6th Grade Cello/Bass: For 6th graders interested in learning to play either the cello or
double bass. Students are expected to obtain their own instrument. Focus is on
establishing basic posture, left hand frame, bow hold, basic bow strokes (detaché,
staccato, portato, slurs, marcato), aural skills, and music literacy. Students will give
performances, at least twice yearly, of Grade .5–1.5 music.

7th Grade Orchestra: For 7th graders with at least one year of experience on violin,
viola, cello, or double bass. Students are expected to obtain their own instrument. Focus
is on developing/refining posture, left hand technique (shifting, basic vibrato motions,
multi-octave scales and arpeggios), bow technique (slurs, martelé, spiccato, and louré),
aural skills, and music literacy. Students will give performances, at least three times
yearly, of Grade 1–3 music.

8th Grade Orchestra: For 8th graders with at least two years of experience on violin,
viola, cello, or double bass. Students are expected to obtain their own instrument. Focus
is on refining and demonstrating mastery of all fundamental technique previously
discussed, while developing advanced techniques as necessary, such as being able to play
multi-octave scales, read and play music that requires a variety of positions and
articulations, and apply basic vibrato in a musical context. Students will also learn the
aural skills and music theory concepts necessary for successful participation in music at
the high school level. Students will give performances, at least three times yearly, of
Grade 1.5–4 music.

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2.0 Expectations
2.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Students will, as appropriate, establish, develop, refine, and/or demonstrate

mastery of the fundamental and advanced techniques that pertain to their chosen
instrument (violin, viola, cello, or double bass).
2. Students will, as appropriate, establish, develop, refine, and/or demonstrate
mastery of audiation and general musicianship skills, up to and including the
concepts of rhythm, pitch, music reading, and music dictation.
3. Students will demonstrate musicianship via the acts of creating and performing
music, responding to live and/or recorded music, and connecting their music
studies to other disciplines within and outside of music.
4. Students will achieve musical excellence as evidenced by participation in school
concerts, Orchestra Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE), Honor
Orchestra auditions, All-State auditions, and/or other performance opportunities
as they arise.
5. Students will develop and utilize discipline to practice and study independently
both in and out of the classroom setting.
6. Students will participate in a musical community wherein they will contribute to
a musical ensemble, uplift and support the learning of themselves and their peers,
and collaborate in small and large groups successfully.

2.2 BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

1. Respect the room.

Enter the Orchestra Room in an efficient and orderly way via the double doors inside the
building, unpack your instrument and materials, and begin tuning/warming-up.

2. Respect yourself.

Bring all of your materials, every single day. Prepare ahead of time for each class, as
much as is possible. (Don’t be the person that’s sight-reading their part at the 5th
rehearsal)

3. Respect each other.

Be a good colleague; support each other, be encouraging and constructive in your

feedback. Don’t touch what isn’t yours without permission. And remember: you have the
right to fail, but you do NOT have the right to interfere in the learning of others.

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 4. Respect the learning process.

If you need to ask a question, raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged unless
otherwise instructed. Whisper with your stand partner only when you need to discuss the
lesson or the music. Don’t interrupt the lesson or rehearsal with irrelevant comments.

5. Respect the equipment.

Playing an instrument in this class is a privilege that can easily be revoked. Do not
engage in any behavior that may risk causing damage to an instrument or classroom
equipment. If you damage an instrument or piece of equipment, you and your family
will be held liable for the cost of repair or replacement.

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3.0 Instruments & lockers
3.1 VIOLINS & VIOLAS

It is the expectation of all orchestra students that they will obtain an instrument for
home use. If you play the violin or viola, it is strongly recommended that you rent from
one of the shops listed in this section of the handbook. While a limited number of school-
owned violins and violas are available on a first-come/first-serve basis, it is preferable
that these instruments are available for students whose families cannot afford to rent or
purchase an instrument. Please consider renting or purchasing a violin/viola from a
music shop before applying for a school-owned instrument.

A form will be posted on CTLS for those who need a school-owned violin or viola.

All violin and viola players should transport their instrument to and from school – no
instrument should be left at school unless you have more than one instrument (i.e., you
own 2 violins and can leave one at school while still practicing at home).

3.2 CELLOS & BASSES

It is the expectation of all orchestra students that they will obtain an instrument for
home use. If you play cello or bass, you will be assigned a school-owned cello or bass for
use during class only. It is still expected that you will acquire a cello or bass for practice
at home and for use during concerts. Due to limited inventory, school-owned cellos and
basses may not be signed out of the room. Availability of school-owned cellos and basses
for long-term assignment to students who cannot rent or purchase their own for home
use is subject to class sizes and cannot be depended upon. For students who cannot
obtain an instrument for home use, accommodations will be made to facilitate
completion of online playing assignments.

3.3 LOCKERS

A limited number of storage lockers are available to violin and viola players ONLY. These
will be assigned on a first-come/first-serve basis only to those who can provide their own
combination lock. Students who are unable to obtain a locker will need to keep their
instrument with them during the school day.

3.4 WHERE TO RENT OR BUY

The following music shops are all good choices for acquiring an instrument. Many will
also provide the necessary method book and offer rent-to-own programs.

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Mandarin Strings
• 1735 Roswell Road
Marietta, GA 30062
• (678)401-5059
• www.mandarinviolin.com
Atlanta Violins (sells all orchestral stringed instruments, not just violins!)
• 387 South Atlanta Street
Roswell, GA 30075
• (770)642-8111
• www.atlantaviolins.com
The Harmony House
• 4496 Carnes Street
Acworth, GA 30101
• (770)422-0022
• www.theharmonyhouse.net
Jennings Music & Education Center
• 3595 Canton Road, Suite 308
Marietta, GA 30066
• (770)425-2560
• www.jenningsmusic.com
Ronald Sachs Violins
• 3100 Roswell Road, Suite 117
Marietta, GA 30068
• (770)485-8814
• https://ronaldsachs.com/store/marietta-east-cobb-ga/
Music & Arts
• Various locations. See https://www.musicarts.com/.
Dirt Cheep Pro Audio & Musical Instruments
• 2415 S Cobb Drive SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
• (770)433-0196
• http://www.dirtcheep.com/

This list is representative of the various music shops we have in town but is by no means
exhaustive.

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4.0 Materials for class
4.1 6TH GRADE ORCHESTRA

• All students must obtain a copy of Habits of a Successful Young String Musician,
Book 1, by Ball, Selby, Selby, & Rush, for their specific instrument.
(Link to purchase from J.W. Pepper | Link to purchase from the publisher)
• All students must obtain a black, 1-inch, 3-ring view binder.
o Get a pencil pouch for the front.
o Put in 4 tab dividers labelled “Rhythm”, “Scales”, “Theory”, and “Practice”.
• The necessary accessories for your instrument.
o Violin/Viola = purchase your own shoulder rest. Kun and Everest are
popular brands.
o Cello/Bass = purchase your own rock stop/endpin anchors. Xeros is an
excellent endpin anchor.

4.2 7TH GRADE ORCHESTRA

• All students must obtain a copy of String Basics, Book 2, by Shade & Woolstenhulme,
for their specific instrument.
(Link to purchase from J.W. Pepper | Link to purchase from the publisher)
• All students must obtain a black, 1-inch, 3-ring view binder.
o Get a pencil pouch for the front.
o Put in 4 tab dividers labelled “Rhythm”, “Scales”, “Theory”, and “Practice”.
• The necessary accessories for your instrument.
o Violin/Viola = purchase your own shoulder rest. Kun and Everest are
popular brands.
o Cello/Bass = purchase your own rock stop/endpin anchors. Xeros is an
excellent endpin anchor.

4.3 8TH GRADE ORCHESTRA

• All students must obtain a copy of Habits of a Successful Middle Level String
Musician, Book 1, by Selby, & Rush, for their specific instrument.
(Link to purchase from J.W. Pepper | Link to purchase from the publisher)
• All students must obtain a black, 1-inch, 3-ring view binder.
o Get a pencil pouch for the front.
o Put in 4 tab dividers labelled “Rhythm”, “Scales”, “Theory”, and “Practice”.
• The necessary accessories for your instrument.
o Violin/Viola = purchase your own shoulder rest. Kun and Everest are
popular brands.

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o Cello/Bass = purchase your own rock stop/endpin anchors. Xeros is an
excellent endpin anchor.

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5.0 Grades
5.1 GRADE RANGES

A 90–100%
B 80–89%
C 70–79%
D 60–69%
F 0–59%

5.2 GRADE CATEGORIES & WEIGHTS

Formative Assessments 70%

Includes music theory assignments, listening assignments,
performance assignments via MusicFirst, and in-class quizzes.
All formative assessments are pass/fail. Any formative
assessments that have been failed may be re-attempted until
they are passed up to the end of the grading period.
Performance assignments are worth five (5) points each; all
others are worth three (3) points each.

A minimum of 9 formative assessments will occur each grading

period

Summative Assessments 30%

Includes music theory tests, aural skills tests, in-class playing
tests, and other large projects as assigned. All summative
assessments are graded as a percentage of points earned out of
total points possible. Summative assessments may NOT be re-
attempted except under extenuating circumstances or in the
case of an excused absence. (NOTE: Forgetting your materials at
home does not constitute “extenuating circumstances” for the
purpose of this policy.)

A minimum of 2 summative assessments will occur each grading

period.

TOTAL 100%

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6.0 performance attire
6.1 7TH & 8TH GRADE CONCERT ATTIRE

Black long-sleeved button-down dress shirt with collar, tucked into black dress pants with a belt,
black socks, black shoes or flats with heels less than 1-inch. Black dress shirts can be purchased
from the Fine Arts department; purchase instructions will be forthcoming. Black pants should be
provided by the student/family.

6.2 6TH GRADE CONCERT ATTIRE

Daniell Middle School Performing Arts t-shirt with jeans or khakis and closed-toed shoes (t-shirt
will be available for purchase later in the school year). Purchase instructions will be forthcoming.

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7.0 Orchestra Calendar
Calendar is subject to change with notice.

Month Date Time Grades Event Details

Aug ‘24 7 5-7pm (6) Instrument Test Drive @ Orchestra Room
10 10-1pm (6) Instrument Test Drive @ Orchestra Room

Sept ‘24

Oct ‘24 19 TBD (6,7,8) All-State Auditions Round 1 @ Pope HS

Nov ‘24 2 TBD (6,7,8) District 12 Solo & Ensemble @ Osborne HS

11 7:00pm (8) Joint Concert w/ Sprayberry HS @ Lassiter HS (TBD)

Dec ‘24 12 4:30pm (6,7,8) Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal @ DMS Gym
7:00pm (6,7,8) Winter Concert @ DMS Gym

Jan ‘25

Feb ‘25 8 TBD (6,7,8) MS Honors Orchestra Auditions @ TBD

27 7:00pm (7,8) Pre-LGPE Concert @ DMS Gym

Mar ’25 5-7 TBD (7,8) LGPE Performance @ Harrison HS (exact date TBD)
14-15 MS Honors Orchestra @ Wheeler HS

Apr ‘25

May ‘25 6 4:30pm (6,7,8) Spring Concert Dress Rehearsal @ DMS Gym
7:00pm (6,7,8) Spring Concert @ DMS Gym
15-16 (8) Universal STARS Workshop w/ DMS Band & Chorus

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