Truett Wilson MS ORCHESTRA

1. Truett Wilson MS ORCHESTRA Parent Meeting

2. Michelle Gauthier and Shannon Stevenson • Our Background • Our Student Teachers  Welcome & Introduction

3. Our Philosophy • Why a quality music education can change your child’s life The Why

4. Students of the arts learn to think creatively and to solve problems by imagining various solutions, rejecting outdated rules and assumptions. Questions about the arts do not have only one right answer. Benefits of Music in Schools

5. Students of music learn craftsmanship as they study how details are put together painstakingly and what constitutes good, as opposed to mediocre, work. These standards, when applied to a student's own work, demand a new level of excellence and require students to stretch their inner resources. Benefits of Music in Schools

6. Music study enhances teamwork skills and discipline. In order for an orchestra to sound good, all players must work together harmoniously towards a single goal, the performance, and must commit to learning music, attending rehearsals, and practicing. Benefits of Music in Schools

7. Music study develops skills that are necessary in the workplace. It focuses on "doing," as opposed to observing, and teaches students how to perform, literally, anywhere in the world. Employers are looking for multi-dimensional workers with the sort of flexible and supple intellects that music education helps to create as described above. In the music classroom, students can also learn to better communicate and cooperate with one another. Benefits of Music in Schools

8. SAT Scores 2012 Orchestra Kids are SMARTER

9. Currently, there are 200 students enrolled in the Truett Wilson Orchestra – a 54% increase over last year! • Four Orchestras • Beginner Orchestra • Concert Orchestra • Symphonic Orchestra • Chamber Orchestra State of the Orchestra

10. Available for pickup tonight • Dates will continue to be added (end of year party, social events, field trips, etc.) • Concert dates are set for the year Calendar of Events

11. What and who • Sectional schedule (on the back of the calendar) • Boot Camp All Region

12. Outlines specific policies and procedures for the Orchestra program. • Available on our website as well as via netSchool. • http://www.nisdtx.org/Page/39418 • Please sign and return the last page ASAP (picked up tonight) Handbook

13. They are our “Unit Test” • Mandatory for all students • Dress: • Beginners should wear their orchestra T-shirt, ALL BLACK PANTS, nice shoes (no tennis shoes, no flip flops) • Symphonic and Chamber Orchestras will be issued a uniform. You will need to provide ALL BLACK (preferably close toed) shoes and socks (for boys). Concerts

14. Playing a stringed instrument requires you to play on your fingertips…with short nails. • No acrylic nails, no press on nails…sorry ladies. Fingernails

15. Concert: -$15 T Shirt -$4 Binder-$10 Solo and Ensemble-$10 Uniform Fee-$10 Festival-$9 Sound Innovations =$58 TOTAL • Chamber and Symphonic: -$15 T Shirt -$4 Binder-$12 All Region Entry-$10 Solo and Ensemble-$10 Uniform Fee-$10 Festival-$9 Sound Innovations =$70 TOTAL • Beginner: -$15 T Shirt -$10 Solo and Ensemble-$10 Festival=$35 TOTAL Fees

16. Fundraiser is OPTIONAL to allow you to fundraise your child’s fees. • Fees can be fundraised OR just paid directly. • We are looking at selling Mixed Bag Designs. • More info to come Fundraiser

17. Cellos/Basses • If you are unable to afford to rent an instrument for home use, there are school owned instruments available to use. You will have to take it back and forth from school to home. • Cost: $100 to district per year, payable to NISD • Violins/Violas • There are a few school owned instruments available. Please check with the directors if you are in need. • Cost: $100 to district per year, payable to NISD • We don’t want parental finances to prevent a student from doing orchestra! District Owned Instruments

18. For extra enrichment • Take place during the orchestra class, once a week • $18 per lesson • Private Teachers are screened and interviewed • To sign up your child, return the form tonight. Private Lessons

19. Practice Cards

20. 100 minutes of practicing is required for all students. • Practice cards will be checked on Monday in class. • Parent signature is required this year. • Counts as a formative grade. Practice Cards

21. Instrument (at school, in good working condition) • Violins/Violas: Shoulder rest (Kun) • Cellos/Basses: Rock Stop • Metronome, music stand, cleaning cloth • Music • Beginners: Sound Innovations, NISD Edition • Concert, Symphonic, and Chamber: Method book, black music binder What does my child NEED to be in orchestra?

22. Program makes life MUCH easier for everyone! • You can double check financials and sign up to help! • www.charmsoffice.com • Our login is TWMSOrch • Please login and update your information Charms

23. Organized Parent Group – Wilson String Society! • Concessions: Liz Love , Veronica Warren , & SimranAtwal • Social Events: Pamela Frank   • Uniforms: Tricia Hogan • Fundraising: ?? Opportunities to Help

24. Sign up in any area you wish to assist with! • MUST fill out a NISD Background Check Form • Biggest need: Concession Stand! Opportunities to Help

25. Be positive! • Give them time and space to practice. • Remind them to log their practice minutes. • Set a timer. • Ask to hear them play, but don’t push. • Understand that it is a process. All you want to hear is IMPROVEMENT. What can I do to help my kid be successful?

26. Apps for download: • Note Squish (99cents – apple store) • GREAT for beginners • ClearTune (99cents – apple store) • Easy to use tuner for older kids who need some assistance/confidence tuning their own instruments at home • Metronome Apps (lots of different ones) Great for all levels • Rhythm Cat What can I do to help my kid be successful?

27. Our Website: LINKS TO EVERYTHING! • Facebook: Truett Wilson MS Orchestra • Charms: Keep up with account balances • Email is easiest for us • Mrs. Gauthier: mgauthier@nisdtx.org • Mrs. Stevenson: sstevenson@nisdtx.org • Office: 817.215.0159 Stay in the Loop!

28. Receive Text Reminders: • Beginner Orchestra- text @65cc9 to 469-440-2845 • Concert Orchestra- text @twmsorch to 469-440-2845 • Symphonic Orchestra- text @twmsorch1 to 469-440-2845 • Chamber Orchestra- text @twmsorch2 to 469-440-2845 Stay in the Loop

29. Please sign the Signature Page and drop it in the box on your way out! • If you want to pay your fees, please paper clip your money/checks to the signature page • Sign Up for Private Lessons • Sign Up to Volunteer Thank you!