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Here is the information for our year playing strings! Read the information below, or the document. They are the same! Make sure the concert dates are in your calendar. When that is done, fill out the form below!   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ WELCOME TO STRINGS 7TH GRADE Welcome Back…  We are going to have a great year.   We have new adventures coming this year.  They include Composition, Chamber Music and Junior. District Auditions. We will be using the Ipad again this year in class for composition and other handouts.  I can’t wait to walk with you all down this path.  Here are a few thoughts to help you have a successful year.   1. Be Prepared - Bring your instrument, music, Ipad, pencil and a good attitude to class each day.  - Practice your instrument at least 4 times a week. Practicing is easy, all you have to do is play it right!! 2. Be Respectful - Respect yourself: put thought into your words and actions, and believe in yourself.  Confidence leads to success.  -Respect your classmates: Treat others the way you’d expect to be treated, and give full attention when listening. - Respect the environment:  Enter the room calmly and appropriately.  Take good care of your instrument by handling it gently, cleaning it, and promptly take care of any repairs.  Label your case clearly with your name.  Always know where your instrument is.   3. Be dependable - As an ensemble we work as a team; your contributions to the ensemble should reflect your knowledge and understanding of the music we’re working on.  Spend focused time learning the music and contributing in rehearsals.  - Be Ready And Present For ALL Concerts.  Your Grade will be a reflection of the following: Participation - Taking a risk is never easy.  In strings, I encourage everybody to take risks.  I will NEVER judge you harshly if you give 100% effort.  Taking a risk, trying something new, offering to play a solo are the number one best thing anyone can do to improve themselves on their instruments.  The result is less important than the effort.  Taking a risk will NEVER lower your grade.   Behavior/Effort – Your behavior and effort can help raise the group to a higher level, or bring it down.  We all have a responsibility for the success of the group.  Performance – There will be playing tests throughout the year.  These tests will be done in class using both audio and video recording.   There will also be some in class performance assessments.   Concerts – Concerts are your “Final Exam”.  STUDENT ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED AT ALL PERFORMANCES.  I ask that parents contact me as soon as possible if there is a conflict.  Performances are a culmination of the hard work and preparation that has been done throughout the year, and are an essential aspect of the educational process.  Your concert grade will be made up of two elements.  One is pre-concert recordings and the  other is a written reflection of the concert itself. This reflection is of your own personal performance, as well as the group performance.   CONCERT ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY Concert Attire White collared shirt or blouse on top Black dress pants, slacks or skirt (knee length or longer) on the bottom  black socks and black dress shoes Town Orchestra will dress in ALL BLACK Private Lessons – While private lessons have nothing to do with your grade in strings, they have everything to do with your individual growth as a musician.  Private lessons provide detailed individual instruction, tailored to your own needs.  A good private teacher is invaluable.  Please mark the following Concert dates in your calendar: Monday November 18th - Middle School Strings Concert  7 PM (Newman) Wednesday December 11th - Town Orchestra Honors Concert 7 PM (Pollard) Saturday February 1st - Junior District Auditions (not required) Monday June 2nd - Middle School Strings Concert  7PM (Newman) Thursday June 5th - Great East Music Festival/Canobie (during the school day)                     We are going to have a great year.  I am really looking forward to what we can all do together.  Feel Free to contact me via email anytime.    Mr. Smith     (mark_smith@needham.k12.ma.us) Please fill out the form in Google Classroom