Welcome to SMS Orchestras! Gerry MacDougall x th year in Solon Two children still in district Master’s degrees in Cello Performance and Music Theory; PhD Studies at Eastman School

4 Concerts this year: Always 7pm at SHS Auditorium! 1. Thursday, 10/22 – Concert 1 Only 8 th Grade and SMS Chamber, performing with 8 th Grade Chorus! (NO 7 TH GRADE) 2. Tuesday 12/1 – Concert 2 With Orchard 6 th graders 3. Tuesday 2/2 – Concert 3 With Orchard 5 th graders 4. Tuesday 5/10 – Concert 4 (tentative date) Only grades 7 & 8! Please arrive by 6:30; will last about 1 hr; We do not do a dress rehearsal!

Concert attire! In general, I expect students to look nice: Boys – DO NOT WEAR TENNIS SHOES! Do wear dress shoes with matching socks, khaki or dress pants, and a collared shirt tucked into the pants. Ties are encouraged (as are suits if you so choose). Girls – dress pants or a skirt, dress blouse, dress shoes. Uniforms become a requirement in HS and are provided by your Solon Music Parents!

Cleveland Orchestra Concert! Friday, November 6 th, 2015 Shostakovich Violin Concerto, Rachmaninoff Concert at 11:00am Buses leave at 9:30, return by 1:15 to eat packed lunch in the cafeteria Solon Music Parents are paying for tickets! Must be dressed up, best behavior, etc. Permission slips will come home in October

Testing/Grading Procedures All grades are weighted equally, but Concerts and Quarterly Playing Tests are worth 200 points. Other in class tests are usually 50 points. Often this is just a completion grade – done well = full credit. Other times, 92% is good enough, any grade below that can be redone at least once for a better grade. Rarely am I crazy detailed and picky… I always welcome VIDEO evidence of improvement – we will (continue to) learn how to share video performances with me via YouTube Example – All students have done their first test (Alison’s Waltz or Old Joe Clark); both 7 th and 8 th graders must play their tune for parents and have them return a note saying they heard it and commenting on their performance; 8 th graders have a 100pt test Friday on Faust… Questions about what is due? Check the gradebook, ask them to play assignment for you.

How You Can Help… Playing is the most important thing your child can do to improve, so: Dinner prep time is a great time to have them entertain you! Next assignment: 8 th = Alison’s Waltz, 7 th = Old Joe Clark for YOU! Get private lessons – many ways to do this: from a Cleveland Orchestra pro to a High School student, occasionally or weekly – some is better than none. home/family event Join an outside group: BW groups, CIM, Akron or Cleveland youth orchestras, etc. Having friends join you increases the likelihood of success! Tutor a 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 th grader – teaching to others

My instrument needs help… It is common to have issues – getting them addressed is very important. Concerned? Ask me – nothing does more damage to skill development than a terrible instrument Take instrument to your rental company, but ask for a loaner if turnaround time will be more than 1-2 days Cleveland Violins in Cleve Hts Academy Music here in Solon Peter Zaret in Mayfield Peter Horn Brecksville

Best way to contact me? Gerry MacDougall Volunteer opportunities – Please help! I can’t wait to share our hard work with you on October 22 nd and/or December 1 st !