Author: abarson

Anna Barson, Orchestra Director anna_barson@abss.k12.nc.us
Room 264

Dear Parents & Students,
I would like to welcome you to an exciting year in the
Turrentine orchestra program. This handbook should provide you with some information for the upcoming year.
Please read through this handbook with your Orchestra student and return the signed last page by Sept 2, 2016.
There will be a very important orchestra parent meeting for all TMS orchestra parents. This is a great time to meet me and learn more details about the school year, including: field trips, fundraising, concerts, class materials and more. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 31st at 6:30pm in the TMS media center.
Be sure to always check the orchestra web site for important information, practice assignments and many other updates, recordings & pictures. To access the web site, just go to www.turrentineorchestra.weebly.com . Or, go to the TMS home page, click on teacher web pages and click on Anna Barson. I will also be using Remind.com for important class updates. It’s free and safe to use, and parents and students can get messages by text, app, or email. See the attached flyer for more info on how to connect to your grade’s account.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns that you may have throughout the year. I’m more than happy to meet with students and parents before or after school for anything you may need. The best way to reach me is via e-mail at: anna_barson@abss.k12.nc.us . I do my best to respond to all e-mails within 24 hours.
Happy reading!

Meet Ms. Barson

Hey all! My name is Anna Barson and I’m very excited to be joining the team at Turrentine Middle School! I’m looking forward to meeting all of you and I wanted to share a little bit about myself.
I am a CA girl at heart, born and raised near Los Angeles. I started playing cello when I was 10 years old and the rest, they say, is history. I went to college at UNC Chapel Hill (go Tar Heels!), where I studied cello, violin and conducting. I have taught orchestra in both Chapel Hill and Rocky Mount, NC.
When I’m not teaching, I enjoy playing cello with local ensembles and even breaking out my ukulele from time to time! I love to cook, go hiking, and try new things. I am obsessed with coffee, puppies and UNC basketball (Duke fans, beware!).
I know we are going to have a fantastic year making music together and I can’t wait to get to know each of you!
Best,
Ms. Barson

TURRENTINE ORCHESTRA MISSION
The orchestra program at Turrentine will work to develop and advance each student’s playing ability and musicianship to a higher level. We will explore many types of music in our playing as we learn music fundamentals and string techniques. We will build a community of students who enjoy playing music together and performing, as they grow in their musical knowledge.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
RESPECT all members of our orchestra, including the director. Be polite to all students and staff. Talking in rehearsal without permission will not be allowed. A good orchestra requires good teamwork.
LISTEN to directions. Always stop playing when the conductor cuts off and listen to the instructions. Listen to the group, as well as yourself, during the rehearsal to improve the ensemble.
BE RESPONSIBLE for your instrument and music. Do not play other student’s instruments. Take proper care of your instrument and bow and make sure your case has a nametag with your name and phone number.
BE PREPARED by arriving to class and concerts on time. Always bring your instrument, music, pencil and a positive attitude.
ENJOY playing together and playing your best at all times. We will have a GREAT concert season if everyone has this attitude.
ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES
(See Concert Calendar for Concert Dates)
All students are expected to participate in all concerts as part of their class grade.
6TH GRADE SINFONIA will perform four concerts during the year at Turrentine Middle School, as well as at least one community performance. We will continue expanding basic instrument knowledge, as well as go more in depth with new music techniques.
7TH GRADE PHILHARMONIC will perform several concerts throughout the school year, including at least three formal concerts at Turrentine, a community performance, and participation in a festival competition. Philharmonic members will also have the opportunity to audition for the ABSS All-County Orchestra and the NC Junior All-State Orchestra, as well as the Turrentine Advanced Philharmonia Ensemble, which will meet on a weekday morning (more info coming soon)
8TH GRADE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA will perform multiple concerts during the 2016/2017 school year. They will perform in the community, travel to state festivals, and participate in the ABSS All-County Orchestra. All Symphony Orchestra members are also encouraged to audition for the NC Junior All-State Orchestra, as well as the Turrentine Advanced Chamber Ensemble, which will meet on a weekday morning (more info coming soon).

INSTRUMENT POLICIES
All students must have an instrument to participate in orchestra. Instruments can be rented or purchased from Artley violins or Music & Arts.
DO NOT purchase an instrument without consulting Ms. Barson first!!! Please do not purchase instruments from online sources (including Ebay, Amazon, etc), unless otherwise told. If a price looks too good to be true, it probably is!
A handful of violins, violas and cellos are available for rent from TMS. Please ask Ms. Barson for more details.
Students must bring their instrument to class every day, with no exceptions.
Students who play the cello may leave their personal instrument at home for practice (must bring to school for concerts). They can rent a school instrument for every day use during class.
Students who play the bass can also rent a school instrument for every day use during class. If a student does not own a bass, they will pay full rental. These instruments are available to take home and must be returned to school the next day. If take home is not an option, the student must workout with Ms. Barson a time during the day to practice.
SCHOOL INSTRUMENT RENTAL PRICES
Rental fees cover maintenance and upkeep of all school instruments.
VIOLIN/VIOLA $50/year, take-home use
CELLO $50/year in-class use only, OR $75/year take-home
BASS $50/year in-class use only OR $75/year take-home
CLASS MATERIALS
Method Book 6th Grade: Sound Innovations Book 1 7th Grade: Sound Innovations Book 2 8th Grade: Sound Development
Rosin
Full Set of Strings (I recommend the D’Addario or Dominant brands)
Shoulder Rest for Violin/Viola (suggested: Everest)
Endpin Cello Anchor (suggested: Xeros)
Portable Music Stand
Tuner/Metronome* (suggested: Snark for Tuners or Korg for tuner/metronome combos)
Shoulder Rest Bag for Violin/Viola* (suggested: ProTec)
Items marked * are optional, but strongly recommended

GRADES, PLAYING TESTS AND OTHER EXPECTATIONS
GRADES
Participation—25%
Concerts—25%
Practice Records– 20%
Playing Tests—20%
Written Quizzes & Assignments—10%
PLAYING TESTS
Students will have two playing evaluations per grading period to help me assess their progress. Students will know what to prepare in advance of the test so that they will be able to do their very best. I will give each student feedback on specific areas of their playing so they will know strengths and weaknesses, and so they can make progress in their playing. The following areas will be evaluated: Correct notes and fingerings.
Correct rhythms and tempos.
Correct bowings.
Good tone quality and intonation.
Good hand position, bow hold, and posture.
PRACTICE RECORDS
Practice is an essential part of learning and improving on your instrument. We will use our class time to practice our music together, but individual practice is necessary to be prepared for each class. Practice records will be checked the first day of each week and must have a parent signature to verify the practice times. Practice records will not be accepted after Friday of the week they are due. The goal for practice time should be at least 20 minutes five days of the week. Students can work out with Ms. Barson a practice time at school– before, lunch, or after.
CONCERT EXPECTATIONS
Concert attendance is required and part of the student’s grade, so please mark down the dates that I have given you on your family calendar. Students are expected to stay for the entire performance, as listening to other groups is part of the learning process. If you know of a conflict, please let me know ASAP. It is crucial to our ensembles’ success to have each member present.
INFORMAL CONCERT UNIFORM
(wear during holiday tour, assemblies, etc)
Ladies & Gentlemen: Orchestra shirt, khaki pants or skirt, black/brown/navy shoes
FORMAL CONCERT UNIFORM
(to wear during state festivals, formal night concerts, etc.)
Ladies: White Blouse, Black pants/skirt, Black shoes
Gentlemen: White shirt, Black Pants, Black Shoes (tie optional)

2016/2017 CONCERT AND PERFORMANCES
AUGUST
*31st—Orchestra Parent Meeting, Media Center, 6:30pm
SEPTEMBER
*22nd—Orchestra Family Picnic, TJ Sports Shelter at City Park, 6-7:30pm
OCTOBER
18th—7th/8th Grade Fall Concert, WHS Auditorium, 7pm (w/ Band & Chorus)
27th—6th Grade Fall Concert, TMS Gym, 7pm
DECEMBER
1st— 6th/7th Winter Concert, TMS Gym, 7pm
6th—8th Gr. Winter Concert, WHS Auditorium, 4:30 workshop, 7pm concert
TBA- 7th & 8th Grade Elementary School Holiday Tour (day trip)
TBA—6th Grade Community Holiday Performance
FEBRUARY
10th—8th Grade & *Adv. 7th, All-County, 7pm concert
*TBA—Western Junior Regional Orchestra Auditions, Winston-Salem
MARCH
9th—5th/6th Grade String Jam, TMS Gym, 4:30 workshop, 7pm Concert
TBA 8th Grade orchestra, State MPA Contest, Charlotte
APRIL
TBA– Busch Gardens Musicale Festival Trip
MAY
*12th & 13th—Western Junior Regional Orchestra Clinic and Concert, Boone
16th—6th/7th Grade Spring Concert, TMS Gym, 7pm
24th—8th Grade Spring Concert, TMS Gym, 7pm
All concerts/events marked * are optional and not included in class grades

Thank you for taking the time to read through this
important Orchestra handbook.
I hope that you have found it to be helpful & informative.
Again, if you have any comments, concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me or express them in writing on the back of this sheet.
You will be receiving detailed progress reports throughout the year which will update you on your child’s progress.
After reading this handbook, please initial and sign below and return only this page to Ms. Barson by September 2nd.
_____We have read and reviewed this handbook online or on paper and understand the procedures for orchestra at Turrentine Middle School.
_____We have noted the dates for concerts for this year on our family calendar. By signing this form, you are verifying that you have noted the dates of concerts and your student will be attending all concerts, unless already discussed with Ms. Barson.
Student signature:___________________________________________
Parent signature:____________________________________________
Parent e-mail: ____________________________________________
Parent phone number:____________________________________________