Orchestra Syllabus 2018-2019
Welcome to the South Mecklenburg High School Orchestra! My name is Cole Freeman and I am the Orchestra Director here at South Meck. The school and the program have consistently established themselves as a very well-rounded, comprehensive, and successful music program. I am incredibly excited to make music with you this school year!
Our orchestras have performed for many school functions including Open Houses, Department Concerts, Awards Ceremonies, Veteran's Day Concerts, and other important functions. There is also an option to play for the spring musical, which combines the talents of all the fine arts departments. Our only competitive performance (for ratings) is in early spring for the Western Regional Music Performance Assessment. Clearly, we are an active performing group.
There are many opportunities for performance outside the classroom. The Western Regional Honors Orchestra holds auditions in January with a February performance weekend in Greensboro, NC. The pieces and scales required are specific and can be obtained from Mr. Freeman. Students who place in the top of their section are selected, along with students from the Eastern Regional Orchestra, to form the North Carolina All State Honors Orchestra which performs the following November in Winston Salem, NC.
We are very fortunate in our area to have 3 Youth Symphony Organizations. The Youth Orchestras of Charlotte, the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Union Symphony Youth Orchestra. See Mr. Freeman for audition information for these groups.
I am available after school on A days for any student who wants help with school music, regional audition pieces, or general technical issues. I can also refer private teachers. A weekly private lesson could greatly improve a students’ playing ability.
Objective:
Students will have the opportunity to grow as musicians and as active and productive members of their community through the practice and performance of orchestral literature and chamber music from all periods and genres. The course will follow all the guidelines of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Common Core Standards, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Performing Arts Curriculum.
Required Materials:
Students are expected to arrive to each class period with their instrument in proper working condition, a pencil, all music, and a positive attitude!
The syllabus acknowledgement, musical instrument disclaimer, student information, and photo release forms must be signed and returned by September 4th.
Rules and Grades:
1. No eating, drinking (water only), or chewing gum.
2. Respect classmates and teacher by not talking excessively during rehearsal.
3. Observe school rules.
4. No cell phones visible during rehearsal!!! They should be used for tuning and then put away. The Piano Tuner app is free and very helpful for tuning. Our playing tests are done using Google Voice. My number is (980) 477-0046. There are at least 2 per quarter.
Grades will be determined by active rehearsal engagement and rehearsal preparedness (70%), performance attendance, and playing /written tests (30%). There will be an exam at the end of each semester and will cover material that we have worked on in class during that time. Students will lose points from their active rehearsal engagement grade for: not having an instrument, unnecessary classroom disruptions, excessive socialization, eating, drinking, chewing gum, cell phone use, or any other activity that results in disengagement for oneself or other members of the orchestra during rehearsal. All students are expected to focus in rehearsal and practice at home. Orchestra is a collaborative effort: everyone must contribute for the group to be successful.
CONCERT ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY! I MUST HEAR FROM A PARENT IF A CONCERT WILL BE MISSED!!!!
Important Information: 2018-2019
Please mark your calendars for the following dates:
Nov. 8th - Veterans Concert 7:00 PM Auditorium
Nov. 17th - All-County High School Orchestra auditions @ East Mecklenburg High School
Dec. 6th - Winter Concert 7:00 PM Auditorium
Jan. 22nd - Western Region Orchestra auditions @ Hough High School
Jan. 24th - All-County High School Orchestra rehearsal @ NW School of the Arts (for accepted students)
Feb. 8-9th - All County High School Orchestra clinic @ EE Waddell Academy
Feb. 22-24th - Western Regional Orchestra performance weekend @ UNCG, Greensboro, NC
March 13-15th - Music Performance Assessment, Atkins High School (TBD), Winston-Salem, NC
March 20-24th - Performing Arts Department Musical. Pit orchestra and cast opportunities.
May 30th - Spring Concert 7:00 PM Auditorium
GRADUATION June (Date TBA) Band and Orchestra students combine forces for a great senior send off!
Concert Attire
Looking nice on stage is a big part of our overall performance.
Men: white dress shirt, black jacket, black dress pants, black tie or bow tie, black socks and black dress shoes. If you have a tuxedo or black suit please wear them! If you do not have a suit, you can create one with separate pieces.
Ladies: Solid long black dress or skirt, solid black dress shirt with sleeves, or dress pants, black hosiery, black dress shoes. No skinny pants or leggings, they are not formal attire.
We can make this work if everyone takes pride in their appearance on stage. We should not have black jeans, tennis shoes, short skirts, or revealing tops.
Welcome to the South Mecklenburg High School Orchestra! My name is Cole Freeman and I am the Orchestra Director here at South Meck. The school and the program have consistently established themselves as a very well-rounded, comprehensive, and successful music program. I am incredibly excited to make music with you this school year!
Our orchestras have performed for many school functions including Open Houses, Department Concerts, Awards Ceremonies, Veteran's Day Concerts, and other important functions. There is also an option to play for the spring musical, which combines the talents of all the fine arts departments. Our only competitive performance (for ratings) is in early spring for the Western Regional Music Performance Assessment. Clearly, we are an active performing group.
There are many opportunities for performance outside the classroom. The Western Regional Honors Orchestra holds auditions in January with a February performance weekend in Greensboro, NC. The pieces and scales required are specific and can be obtained from Mr. Freeman. Students who place in the top of their section are selected, along with students from the Eastern Regional Orchestra, to form the North Carolina All State Honors Orchestra which performs the following November in Winston Salem, NC.
We are very fortunate in our area to have 3 Youth Symphony Organizations. The Youth Orchestras of Charlotte, the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Union Symphony Youth Orchestra. See Mr. Freeman for audition information for these groups.
I am available after school on A days for any student who wants help with school music, regional audition pieces, or general technical issues. I can also refer private teachers. A weekly private lesson could greatly improve a students’ playing ability.
Objective:
Students will have the opportunity to grow as musicians and as active and productive members of their community through the practice and performance of orchestral literature and chamber music from all periods and genres. The course will follow all the guidelines of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Common Core Standards, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Performing Arts Curriculum.
Required Materials:
Students are expected to arrive to each class period with their instrument in proper working condition, a pencil, all music, and a positive attitude!
The syllabus acknowledgement, musical instrument disclaimer, student information, and photo release forms must be signed and returned by September 4th.
Rules and Grades:
1. No eating, drinking (water only), or chewing gum.
2. Respect classmates and teacher by not talking excessively during rehearsal.
3. Observe school rules.
4. No cell phones visible during rehearsal!!! They should be used for tuning and then put away. The Piano Tuner app is free and very helpful for tuning. Our playing tests are done using Google Voice. My number is (980) 477-0046. There are at least 2 per quarter.
Grades will be determined by active rehearsal engagement and rehearsal preparedness (70%), performance attendance, and playing /written tests (30%). There will be an exam at the end of each semester and will cover material that we have worked on in class during that time. Students will lose points from their active rehearsal engagement grade for: not having an instrument, unnecessary classroom disruptions, excessive socialization, eating, drinking, chewing gum, cell phone use, or any other activity that results in disengagement for oneself or other members of the orchestra during rehearsal. All students are expected to focus in rehearsal and practice at home. Orchestra is a collaborative effort: everyone must contribute for the group to be successful.
CONCERT ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY! I MUST HEAR FROM A PARENT IF A CONCERT WILL BE MISSED!!!!
Important Information: 2018-2019
Please mark your calendars for the following dates:
Nov. 8th - Veterans Concert 7:00 PM Auditorium
Nov. 17th - All-County High School Orchestra auditions @ East Mecklenburg High School
Dec. 6th - Winter Concert 7:00 PM Auditorium
Jan. 22nd - Western Region Orchestra auditions @ Hough High School
Jan. 24th - All-County High School Orchestra rehearsal @ NW School of the Arts (for accepted students)
Feb. 8-9th - All County High School Orchestra clinic @ EE Waddell Academy
Feb. 22-24th - Western Regional Orchestra performance weekend @ UNCG, Greensboro, NC
March 13-15th - Music Performance Assessment, Atkins High School (TBD), Winston-Salem, NC
March 20-24th - Performing Arts Department Musical. Pit orchestra and cast opportunities.
May 30th - Spring Concert 7:00 PM Auditorium
GRADUATION June (Date TBA) Band and Orchestra students combine forces for a great senior send off!
Concert Attire
Looking nice on stage is a big part of our overall performance.
Men: white dress shirt, black jacket, black dress pants, black tie or bow tie, black socks and black dress shoes. If you have a tuxedo or black suit please wear them! If you do not have a suit, you can create one with separate pieces.
Ladies: Solid long black dress or skirt, solid black dress shirt with sleeves, or dress pants, black hosiery, black dress shoes. No skinny pants or leggings, they are not formal attire.
We can make this work if everyone takes pride in their appearance on stage. We should not have black jeans, tennis shoes, short skirts, or revealing tops.