Hoover Orchestras Course Syllabus
Teacher: Lisa Fried
Teacher Contact Information:
Lisa Fried
Director of Orchestras
Hoover High/Meredith Middle Schools
4800 Aurora Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50310
Hoover Room 1395
(515) 242-7262 – orchestra office
www.hoovermeredithorchestras.weebly.com
[email protected]
(515) 314-6971 – cell
Teacher’s Educational Background:
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Lincoln High School, Des Moines, IA
Drake University
Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, ‘90
Teaching in the public schools for 21 years, private teaching for 31 years.
Teacher Office Hours:
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Teacher Office Hours are before school (7:30-7:40) and after school (2:40-3:30)
Appointments outside of the listed times are at the discretion of the teacher.
Students who need access to teachers before 7:25 must have a pass from the teacher
I do not have a planning period.
I am at school daily at least from 6:45 am – 3:30 pm. Please leave a phone message or send
an email to find out the best time for conferencing about your student.
It is the policy of Hoover High School to return parent communication within 24 hours during the work week, post
grades in Infinite Campus Every Thursday by 3:00, communicate with parents when grades fall into the D or F
range, and post major assignments in Infinite Campus when assigned. To facilitate this, it is the expectation of
Hoover High School that families will maintain current contact information (phone, address, e-mail). To update
contact information, please call 242-7302. Parents can learn how to access the Infinite Campus Parent Portal in
the parent handbook distributed at Registration and available on the Hoover website.
Course Description: The Hoover orchestra program is a performance based music program that
emphasizes interdisciplinary learning. The students will play their instruments in large groups, small
ensembles, and individually, while also acquiring a fundamental knowledge of music.
Daily class time will be structured using a rehearsal format. Rehearsals will be focused toward the
enrichment of students’ knowledge and preparation of music for a performance.
Major Course Objectives: Students will study and perform music from a variety of different time periods,
styles, and cultures. Students will learn technical and theoretical concepts of music.
Behavior and Attendance:
 All students are expected to follow the established building and district behavior, attendance and tardy
policies outlined in the student handbook.
 Regular attendance and being on time to class is key to success in this classroom.
Required Materials
 Instrument
 Bow
 Music
 Pencil
 Mute, if necessary
 Rock stop (cello & bass)
 Shoulder rest or shoulder sponge (violin & viola) REQUIRED, if you have trouble obtaining one, please
see Mrs. Fried for assistance.
Academic Dishonesty:
Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. Students
submitting plagiarized work will be assigned to re-do the work or complete an additional and/or alternative
assignment for a reduction in grade. Instances of plagiarism become part of a student’s permanent disciplinary
record. Students who plagiarize multiple times are subject to disciplinary action under level III or IV of the
DMPS Code of conduct for students. Common examples of plagiarism include:
1. Copying and pasting information from the internet into a paper
2. Using someone else’s words without referencing the source or including quotations
3. Using someone else’s ideas without referencing the source.
Re-taking Assessments (Providing Multiple Opportunities to Demonstrate Proficiency):
Students will be allowed to resubmit work for a second chance. Students will be allowed to edit and redo work. Students will be allowed as many opportunities as possible to improve provided the teacher is giving
appropriate feedback. The ultimate goal is student learning.
Due to the structure of our semesters and grading periods, there will need to be a cut-off date for
multiple opportunities. It is recommended that students submit their evidence at least one week prior to the end
of a semester.
Extra Credit:
To ensure that grades reflect progress toward an achievement of the standards, giving extra credit points will
not occur in this class.
Monitoring Student Progress
Students and parents are expected to be proactive in monitoring personal progress in this class. This includes
regularly checking Infinite Campus and contacting the instructor if there are concerns.
Concert Dress
Concert dress for concerts, unless otherwise announced, will be black tops, bottoms and shoes for both boys
and girls. Dress shoes are required. Girls’ skirts MUST be below the knees at all times. No tank tops, tube
tops, spaghetti straps, or other colored shirts under the black shirt. Failure to show up for a performance in the
proper attire will result in being sent home to change into the proper attire and return to school, or you will not
be allowed to perform in the concert, thus losing points for various standards. Please let me know if you need
help acquiring any of the necessary items for concert dress. Each student should also be prepared to wear a
Hoover orchestra shirt and black pants for more casual performances, as in tours.
Lettering
Every student enrolled in orchestra is eligible for a letter or award. Points are accumulated yearly from June 1
– May 31. Lettering requirements are posted in the classroom.
Private Lessons
All Students are encouraged to take private lessons. These lessons aid in your personal and
musical development, as well as earning points toward lettering. The success of the orchestra is solely
dependent upon the effort each member gives. I have a list of lesson teachers in the area. Teachers may also
found through local music stores, Des Moines Symphony Academy, and Universities. Private lessons will earn
a student letter points.
ORCHESTRA “FRIDGE”
PAGE
Hoover High School Orchestra
2015 – 2016 Schedule
2015
Wed., September 2
All State Audition application deadline
Monday, September 14
Orchestra Parent Meeting, Orchestra room
6:00 p.m.
Wed., September 23
Academic Awards (those selected to perform)
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 14 – Sunday, October 18
Orchestra/Choir Trip to New York
Saturday, October 24
All-State Auditions @ Indianola (not everyone)
All Day
Saturday, November 7
Fine Arts Gala, Hoover cafeteria and student center
Morning
(those selected to perform)
November 19 - 21
All-State Music Festival in Ames (those selected)
All Day
Monday, December 14 Hoover Orchestra Winter Concert, Hoover Auditorium
7:00 p.m.
2016
Friday, January 15
Saturday, February 27
Tues, March 1
Tuesday, March 10
Saturday, April 16
Wednesday, May 4
Friday, May 6
Tuesday, May 10
Wednesday, May 11
Thursday, May 12
TBA
1st Semester Lettering Forms Due
DMPS Solo & Ensemble Festival @ Hoover/Meredith
Registration deadline for State Solos & Ensembles
Once Upon a Melody, Hoover Aud
State Solo/Ensemble Festival @ TBA, not everyone
NHS Induction Ceremony (those selected to perform)
2nd Semester Lettering Forms Due
Hoover Orchestras Concert, Hoover Aud
Senior Awards (those selected to perform)
Meredith Orch. Concert, Hoover Auditorium (letter pts)
Commencement @ Knapp Center
All day
7:00 p.m.
All day
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
All performances & rehearsals listed above in bold are
a requirement of the program. Dates may be changed.
Other dates may be added.
Student Information
Student Name ___________________________________________________________
Instrument ______________________ Grade __________________________________
Instrument brand, size and serial number: ________________________________________
Is this a school instrument? Yes/No
Home Phone _____________________ Student cell ____________________________
Can you receive texts? Yes/No
Guardian name & work number ___________________________________________
Guardian cell phone number _________________Can you receive texts? Yes/No
Guardian name & work number __________________________________________
Guardian cell phone number _________________Can you receive texts? Yes/No
Student e-mail address
________________________________________________
*Parent e-mail address
__________________________________________________
*(Guardian e-mail is a necessary means of communication that I will use frequently to keep
you updated.)
We have read the Orchestra Student Handbook and understand that all performances are a
requirement of the course. We also understand that failure to perform in a required performance will
result in a lowered grade for that grading period.
Signing this document does not mean that you agree with the grading practices, just that you have
received them and understand. Please acknowledge this below:
___________________________________
Guardian Signature and Date
___________________________________
Student Signature and Date
________I consent to allowing my child to be videotaped while at school and their photo taken by
district employees to be used for district related purposes, as well as our Orchestra website.
____________________________________________ (signature of guardian)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I understand that as part of the educational process, Hoover/Meredith Orchestra students are often
transported by bus or other means to attend educationally related field trips. I will advise
parents/guardians of specific trips, but as parent/guardian of ___________________________,
I provide my consent for my child to be transported in a school bus or other district approved vehicle
to attend class field trips.
_______________________________________________(signature of guardian)
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