Welcome to the John Jay High School Orchestras. What follows is a description of
expectations, policies, and outcomes for the orchestra and each individual
participant. Please read through this packet, sign and return the final page. I ask
that each student try their personal best and in return I promise to give you what
ever I can to help you be successful. I am looking forward to working with you and
having another great year.
 It is important that you understand your role in this ensemble. Your
actions or lack of action (i.e. practicing, attending rehearsals, lessons
and concerts) affect the entire ensemble, not just yourself.
To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and
not quite enough time.
Leonard Bernstein
Be Prepared
Every student is expected to be prepared for each rehearsal and lesson. EACH
STUDENT must bring their instrument, music, method book and a pencil to
every rehearsal and lesson. Please have some blank loose-leaf paper in your folders
for when we take notes. Cello/Bass students who borrow a school instrument
during the day must bring their own bow to use at school. The district does not
supply bows to use with instruments.
Please come to class prepared. Failure to come prepared will result in losing points
off of your grade. Do not rely on your stand partner to bring in their music and
books. It is important to mark things that happen each rehearsal into your own
parts. Please be on time and ready to play. Please act professionally and
respectfully to others. As fellow members of the musical community we should
show respect by acting in a professional manner toward one another, the classroom
and equipment. I understand that each person learns at their own rate. Come
prepared and try your best. It’s very simple.
 String Orchestra is period 4
 Chamber Orchestra is period 2
Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and
commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal- a
commitment to excellence that will enable you to attain the
success you seek.
-Mario Andretti
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind,
flight to the imagination and life to everything.
-Plato
Where to get supplies/repairs
 www.sharmusic.com
 www.swstrings.com
 Amadeus Strings
845-486-7617
 Barcone’s
845- 331-6089
 Joe Regh Violins
845-297-2521
 Stamell Strings
7 Garden St.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845-337-3030
 Alto Music
287-0011
 D&M
845-635-1120
Attendance
All students are expected to attend all rehearsals and lessons. The only excuses for a
missed lesson are 1) absence from school 2) TESTS/LABS. Review and taking notes
are NOT AN EXCUSED LESSON. If you have a test or a lab during your lesson you
must notify me ahead of time. In order to be excused from a lesson you must fill out
a missed lesson form and hand it in within one week of the missed lesson. After one
week the missed lesson form will not be accepted and a zero will be given for the
lesson. It is your responsibility to get the missed lesson forms from the string closet
and hand them in. Failure to attend a lesson will also count as a cut. This will result
in a phone call home and detention. After the first cut formal referrals will also be
written. If you would like to schedule a make-up lesson please see me. Please do
not wait until the last week of the quarter to schedule make-up exams. You may not
make up more than 2 lessons per quarter.
 Three lates to any class will equal one cut. Any cut to class will result
in detention.
 Concert Attendance
Concerts are an important part of our program. It is the culmination of all
our hard work and dedication as musicians. Each person plays an
important role in our ensemble. If someone is missing it affects the entire
ensemble. SCHOOL CONCERTS ARE MANDATORY!! In the event of an
emergency where it is impossible for the student to attend the concert
you must notify me immediately at JJ (leave a message) 897-6700 ext.
30066. In order to make-up a missed concert for ANY reason you must
play all of your concert music for me and do a written assignment that
will have to do with the music from that concert.
Please post the concert dates at home and add them to your calendars.
Often the conflicts that arise in our schedules we know about ahead of
time, with the exception of circumstances such as medical emergencies.
Please make your plans accordingly so that a conflict does not arise right
before a concert.
***See the attached sheet for important concert and performance
information.
Lesson Schedule
A lesson schedule will be provided in a few days. Lessons will begin by the next 6
day cycle. Every student is required to attend all lessons. Every lesson students will
receive a lesson grade for that day. The grade will be out of 100 points and based
on preparedness of homework from the previous week, effort, technique, progress
and preparedness of supplies. Your top 5 lesson grades for the quarter will be
averaged together and count as 50% of your final grade. Failure to attend a lesson
will result in a grade of zero for that lesson. Students who have missed a lesson due
to a test or lab must fill out a missed lesson form and turn it in within 7 days of the
missed lesson in order to prevent receiving a zero. Late missed lesson forms will
not be accepted. The following procedures are a district-wide policy:
1. Students must remind/notify classroom teachers one day prior to the
scheduled lesson and discuss the next day’s assignment.
2. Students are expected to report directly to their lesson room from their
previous class.
3. Instrumental teachers will notify the attendance office of absences.
4. Unexcused/illegal absences will be treated as cuts.
5. Students will be excused from lessons for tests administered by the
classroom teachers (see number 7 below)
6. Classroom teachers should notify the music teacher prior to the testing day.
7. Students must arrange for make-up of lessons missed.
8. The building principal and department coordinator will be notified if any
scheduled lesson group cannot meet.
Tests and Quizzes
There will be playing tests and quizzes throughout the school year during lessons
and orchestra. Some will be announced and some will not. Tests and quizzes will be
graded using rubrics and Leichert-type scales (similar to NYSSMA) and count as
30% of your quarter grade.
Auditions
All students will be auditioned for orchestra seating. Auditions will be on orchestra
music and graded on a Leichert-type scale. Auditions are mandatory and will be
weighted twice as high as other playing tests for the quarter. If a student does not
feel the grade achieved on their audition is up to their playing ability the student
will have the chance to raise their grade, but seating will not be changed due to a
retest. Auditions will be held a minimum of twice per year. It is up to the discretion
of the director to change seating at any time throughout the year! It is imperative
for all students to understand that every member of the ensemble pays an
important role. Every seat and every section plays an important part of the group. I
expect that every student be a leader, not just the first chair. I am always willing to
give extra help.
If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a
great way.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Evaluations
You may be given a written assignment where you will be asked to reflect on your
musical experiences and participation for the quarter.
Grading Summary
Lesson Grades 50%
Tests and Quizzes 30%
Concerts and Class Participation 20%
Concert Dress
Concert Dress is formal black.
Ladies:
 Black pants or a long black skirt. Skirts/dresses should be floor length
or halfway past your knee. If you cannot find a skirt or dress that is
mid-way down the calf or floor length, then wear pants. ** NO
LEGGINGS. Please dress up and wear a dress or dress pants.
 Black shirt, black stockings or black socks and black shoes.
 Spaghetti straps and strapless shirts or dresses are not permitted. If
your dress is strapless or has no sleeves then get a black sweater to
wear with it.
Gentlemen:
 Black Tuxedo. White tuxedo shirt, black bow tie, black socks and
black dress shoes.
 There are many places where inexpensive and very reasonable
tuxedos can be acquired.
 Vinnies in the Poughkeepsie Mall
 Marshalls has some inexpensive tuxes
 Students have had success getting tuxedos through E-bay
 I also have various catalogues and a few other options if this is
an issue. Please see me for options available.
You all know what is considered appropriate attire. How we look as an ensemble
affects our concert performance and is a reflection of our efforts. I know that we are
going to have a great year and wonderful concerts. Please take the pride in our
ensemble, which is deserved. You have plenty of time to acquire the needed
clothing either by looking in your closet, going to the store, or borrowing clothes
from family or friends. If there are any questions or problems with the concert
dress, please contact me before the concert date.
I would teach children music, physics and philosophy; but
most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all
the arts are the keys to learning.
- Plato
Instruments
It is expected that each violinist and violist provide their own instrument for class
each day. Cellos and basses will be supplied by the school on a first come first serve
basis (depending on supply.) Cello and bass players must bring their own bow to
school. If you are using a school owned instrument you must complete and sign a
loan agreement form accepting responsibility for the safekeeping of he instrument.
It is expected that ALL students will have an instrument at home for practice. (This
means that many students will have to take their instrument back and forth to
school.) Please contact me if this is an issue. Please make sure to have your
shoulder rest or rockstop.
Purchasing an instrument
Purchasing an instrument is a big decision. It is a commitment to playing for an
extended period of time. Since buying an instrument is not a cheap endeavor it
deserves a good deal of thought. I am happy to help in pointing you in the right
direction regarding this big decision. Please let me know if and when this becomes a
part of your interests. If you are interested in purchasing an instrument please
see me first.
Private Lessons
Students are not required to take private lessons. However, students receiving
private instruction will tend to be better players, and better prepared for tests and
quizzes. I highly recommend private lessons to any student who has an interest in
excelling on their own instrument. Please see me for suggestions regarding private
instruction.
I am always available to talk about any issues you feel need discussing. If you have
any questions about anything please feel free to contact me. In an effort to stay in
contact with parents I am asking that you fill out a phone number and email address
I can reach parents at. Confidential student information will not go to any other
student or parent.
If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician.
I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I
see my life in terms of music.
-Albert Einstein
The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach
your full potential…These are the keys that will unlock the
door to personal excellence.
The best way to reach me is via email or at JJHS.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: John Jay HS 897-6700 ext. 30066
Thanks,
Mrs. Cupano
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
(Please detach and return)
I have read the orchestra course outline. I agree to come prepared and follow the
set rules and guidelines stated in the syllabus.
_____________________________________________
(print student name)
___________________________________________
(print parent/guardian name)
_____________________________________________
(student signature)
___________________________________________
(parent/guardian signature)
_____________________________________________
(date signed)
___________________________________________
(date signed)
_____________________________________________
(parent phone number)
___________________________________________
(alt. phone number)
(parent email) please print
Do you currently take private string lessons?_____________________
If yes, what is the name and number of your private teacher?
_______________________________________________________________________________
How long have you been taking lessons?
What positions can you shift to comfortably?
Do you play any secondary instruments? If yes what? __________________________________
Please name at least one thing that you would like to learn this year in orchestra?
(ex. shifting, a technique, a specific piece, etc...)
What are your favorite music/artists on your playlist right now?
What are your favorite and least favorite activities?
Things I would like to do/learn in orchestra this year are…
I learn most when the teacher…
I learn most when I…
After high school I will probably…