GMS Orchestra Handbook

2022-2023
Hello Geisler Family!
Welcome to Geisler Middle School Orchestra!
My personal teaching philosophy is to encourage freedom of expression, support individual
growth, and build a strong musical community. I am incredibly passionate about these goals, and
hope orchestra is a place where everyone can find a home. Students should feel free to express
themselves and make mistakes! Encouraging students to support this growth in one another creates a
strong bond that glues orchestra students together for life! Once an orch dork, always an orch dork.
If you ever need to contact me, email is the best method.

Ms.Burdek
[email protected]
gmsorchestra.weebly.com

Course Objectives
1. Demonstrate appropriate posture, instrument position, and holding position.
2. Produce a characteristic tone on their instrument.
3. Perform with good pitch accuracy.
4. Perform with accurate rhythms and a steady tempo.
5. Read musical notation, terms, and symbols.
6. Demonstrate proper care of their instrument.
7. Demonstrate proper rehearsal and performance skills and protocol.
8. Perform a variety of music from diverse cultures.

Required Materials For Class - EVERY DAY

● Instrument ● Bow ● Shoulder rest/ ● Sheet Music ● Tuner

Rockstop (handouts)

● Class Book ● Rosin ● Folder ● Highlighter ● Pencil

Class Books
6th grade students - will be working out of the method book “Essential Elements 2000” book 1.
You will receive this book with your rental instrument. If you are not renting, you will need to
purchase this book on your own.
7th grade students - will be working out of “Essential Elements 2000” book 2. You will need to
purchase this book on your own.
8th grade students - will be working out of books provided by Ms.Burdek in class. You may purchase
“Essential Elements 2000” book 3 for personal use if desired.
Grading
10% Performances (concerts, in class performances)
10% Benchmark Assessments (written and playing demonstrations)
10% Tests and Quizzes (playing tests, written tests)
50% Rehearsal Skills (daily participation points)
20% Homework (practice journals and other assignments)

Concerts
All concerts on the Orchestra Calendar are mandatory for your grade unless labeled optional. Failure
to attend a concert or provide notice from a parent prior to the concert will result in a zero.
Concert attire
● Black on bottom - black pants, black knee length skirt or longer with black tights, black socks,
black dress shoes, black belt if needed
● White on top - white button down shirt, tucked in
● DO NOT WEAR- black sweatpants, loose sleeves, excessive jewelry
● Our goal is to look professional and dressed up. You do NOT want to stand out for a
mismatched outfit, you want to stand out by your amazing playing!
Concert Etiquette
Students will be expected to behave appropriately at all concerts. This will include the following:
● Students are expected to attend the entire concert.
● Students will sit quietly with their ensemble while other musicians are performing.
● Students will refrain from having gum, candy, etc. during the concert.
● Students will be expected to applaud at the appropriate times.
● Students will be expected to care for their instrument before, during, and after the concert
Concert Grading
Each concert is worth 100 pts
● 50 pts for attending
● 20 pts for performing
● 15 pts for audience participation (quiet, not on cell phone, not eating)
● 10 pts for reflection sheet
● 5 pts for proper concert attire

Benchmark Assessments
There will be one benchmark assessment per quarter, for a total of four benchmark assessments
throughout the year. Benchmark assessments will include concepts such as:
● Performing music
● Analyzing music in history and context
● Analyzing music through theory
● Creating music
● Analyzing music and making connections
Tests and Quizzes
All students will perform multiple playing tests throughout the year. Playing tests will be
administered:
● Individual performance in front of the class (as Ms. Burdek sees fit)
● Group performance in front of the class
● Individual performance for Ms.Burdek in her office
● Same instrument duet performance in Ms.Burdek’s office (as Ms.Burdek sees fit)
Written tests will happen at Ms.Burdek’s discretion and will include appropriate review time and
study material.

Rehearsal Skills / Class Participation

Students will receive five points daily on class participation. To receive full marks every day students
will need to achieve these five objectives:
1. Be on time
2. Have all materials
3. Play to the best of your ability
4. Be a helpful orchestra member
5. Be respectful of others
There are two scenarios where students will lose ALL of their participation points for the day.
1. Severe misbehavior that leads to a student leaving the classroom
2. Severe mishandling of an instrument (ex: tripping over a cello, swinging or dropping a violin)
Do not bring to class: gum, drinks other than water, cell phones, backpacks

Homework
Practice Journals:
● Must be kept in student folders at all times, as they are updated weekly
● Will be turned in once a month and MUST be signed by a parent or guardian. Unsigned
practice journals will NOT be accepted
● May be turned in at any time within the the next month. (ex: September practice journal can be
turned in during October. The earlier the better.)
● Practice journals will not be accepted over a month late
Written homework assignments will be assigned at Ms.Burdek’s discrecion

Misbehavior
1. Redirection (a reminder to stay on task)
2. Refocus
3. Referral to Ms. Rose
Instrument Repair / Purchasing Supplies
Shar regularly comes to the school. They will repair instruments purchased from any source. The cost
of repairs is billed to the owner. Loaner instruments are usually available during the repair time.
Students are not required to use Shar, but this company is the most convenient method and is trusted
by Geisler Staff.

Please never try to repair an instrument at home, no matter how small the damage. String
instruments are very fragile, and it is best to always ask the teacher or use a repair company.

All supplies needed are also available through Shar. Students can make orders and payment by
contacting the company. All checks should be payable to the company. Again, students are not
required to purchase their supplies from these stores.

Opportunities
Private lessons - provide an extremely valuable enrichment to the school music program. A private
teacher will spend 30-45 minutes of complete attention to the individual per week. The teacher should
be a specialist on the instrument being studied and serve as a role model for tone, technique, and
musical expression. Most of our finest musicians and scholarship winners have taken private lessons.
More information can be found on the orchestra website
Orchestra Website:
Orchestra Website - will have all important info, as well as links to documents and sites used in class.
Orchestra families should check the webpage often for updates and info.
http://gmsorchestra.weebly.com/