Class Information

Instruments

All students should have an instrument.  First year students have the option of renting an instrument from Newport News Public Schools.  Second and third year students should purchase or rent their own instrument.  After all first year students have had the opportunity to rent an instrument from NNPS, second and third year students will be given the opportunity to rent an instrument as well.

Rental Fees and Information

1st Year Students:  $35.00 (beginner students who have not played before this school year)
Returning Students:  $50.00 (non-returning students who have played an instrument before this school year)

Rental Information

  • A Rental Agreement Form must be completed, signed and returned before an instrument may be assigned to you.
  • Payment is due in full before a student may take possession of an instrument.
  • If you cannot make the payment in full up front, please contact me to create a payment plan.  No student will be turned away from orchestra because of their inability to pay.
  • Checks can be made to Dozier Middle School.  

**Please submit your payment directly to Mr. Roberts and NOT your homeroom teacher. 

Storage

Students may store their instruments in the orchestra room during the school day, on days they have Orchestra class.  Violin and viola students must take their instruments home every afternoon.  To avoid having to transport large, heavy instruments to and from school each day, students who play cello and bass will be assigned an instrument to play at school as well as one to keep at home, if available.  If renting a NNPS instrument, we will make arrangements with parents to come and transport the instrument home.  Cellos and basses that are assigned to stay at home will need to be brought to school, every so often, to be tuned.  At no time should a cello or bass be taken on a school bus.  Please see me if you have any questions.

 

 

Fees

Students are required to pay certain fees throughout the school year.  Also, for the studentcertain supplies may be purchased from the Dozier Middle School Orchestra Program.  See the Fees page for all orchestra fees.

 

 

Class Supplies

  • Please bring the following supplies to every orchestra class:
  • BLACK three ring binder (1/2 or 1 inch) with plastic sheet protectors and approximately 50 sheets of blank notebook paper.
  • Pencil with eraser.
  • Orchestra method book and sheet music**.
  • Instrument
  • Rosin, cleaning cloth, shoulder rest (violin/viola) and rock stop (cello/bass):  These supplies can be purchased from Music & Arts Center
  • Extra set of strings (can also be purchased from Music & Arts Center)


**Method books and sheet music are provided to students who pay their related arts fee.  If you lose or destroy your method book, you may pay a $10.00 replacement fee, or purchase a new book from “Music & Arts Center.”

Music and Arts Center  
Location:  Yorktown. Kiln Creek Shopping Center
Address:  209 Village Ave Ste I, Yorktown, VA 23693-5639
Phone:  (757)988-3970

 

 

Grading Policy

All grading policies are consistent with NNPS Policies.  The following is a breakdown of your grade:

  • Participation (15%):  Includes in-class participation, at-home practice, spot checks, and after-school rehearsals.
  • Quizzes (20%):  Includes written and playing quizzes.
  • Tests (25%):  Includes written and playing tests, as well as notebook checks.
  • Performances** (40%):  Includes all performances.

**When a performance does not occur during a grading period, the other categories will absorb the performance portion of the grade.

 

 

At-Home Practice

Students are expected to practice at home at least twenty-five minutes per night, five nights per week (approximately two hours per week).  Students will NOT complete practice records as a part of their grade.  Rather, random spot checks will be completed each week to see who is practicing at home.  During a spot check, students will be asked to play a brief portion of the music they have been assigned to practice from the prior class.  The timing of spot checks will NOT be announced, so please make sure your child is following the practice guidelines.

 

 

Tests and Quizzes

Announced written and playing tests and quizzes will occur throughout the grading period.  As well, unannounced written and playing quizzes may occur.  It is important for students to be prepared for orchestra class daily to do well on tests and quizzes.

 

 

Performances

Please see the "Performances" Section for all information regarding student participation in performances.

 

 

After-School Rehearsals

After-school rehearsals will be scheduled as we get closer to each concert.  After-school rehearsals are mandatory, and students will be graded as usual.  Students who are going to be absent from an after-school rehearsal must notify me in writing at least one week prior to the rehearsal.  Students who participate in other after-school activities will need to make appropriate arrangements with me at least one week in advance.  Please mark on the membership agreement form which after-school activities you intend to participate in.

 

 

Fundraising

Fundraising opportunities may become available throughout the year.  Although fundraisers are NOT mandatory for participating in the Orchestra, it is important for all students to participate to lower costs for all students throughout the year.