The Orchestra Program

How often should I practice?

All orchestra musicians should practice five days per week.  If you want to practice more than that, feel free.  However, please make sure you take a little bit of time for your other activities and family time.

How long should I practice for?

Practice times are based on the grade level:

• 6th Graders:  A minimum of 20 minutes per night.

• 7th Graders:  A minimum of 25 minutes per night.

• 8th Graders:  A minimum of 30 minutes per night.

If you want to practice longer than this, that is fine.  However, your grade is based upon completion of the minimum practice time per evening.

When should I turn in my practice record?

Practice records should be submitted by Monday evening at midnight. 

Where do I turn in my practice record?

Practice records may be submitted electronically on the Orchestra Website.  You can access the practice record by clicking here.

What if I forgot to turn in my practice record by Monday at midnight?

Practice records may be submitted up until Friday evening at midnight.  Late practice records may be penalized at the Director's discretion.

I have a lot of homework this week. Can I skip practicing my instrument?

Yes…but only for two nights.  This is why you are only required to practice five nights.  If you need to skip a night or two, that’s fine.  But, you must still practice for five nights.

Where can I find the performance dates and times?

Performance dates and times can be viewed in the Performing Arts Handbook, as well as by clicking here (when the information becomes available).

When should I purchase my concert attire?

NOW!  Do not wait until we get close to a concert because, often, stores run out of the proper clothing. 

What is the attendance policy for performances?

NNPS School Board Policy allows all performing arts teachers to require students to attend performances outside of the school day.  Therefore, all students are required to attend all performances.  Absences are excused or unexcused.

• Excused Absences

  • Illness:  Students who are ill and cannot attend the performance may be excused by properly documenting the absence.

  • Death in the Family:  Students who have a death in the family may be excused by propertly documenting the absence.

  • Other Reasons Excused by the Director:  Students who have other conflicts may be excused at the Director's discrution by the student's parent notifying the Director in writing at least 30 days in advance.

• Unexcused Absences

  • Any other absence not listed above.

I have a baseball game at the same time as a performance. Can I miss the performance?

While we are supportive of students being involved in many different activities, a performance is an experience that cannot be recreated.  Therefore, students are expected to make a performance the priority when choosing between a performance and other events. 

I have a really important event that I really cannot miss, and it’s at the same time as a performance. Are you sure I can’t miss the performance?

If you have an important conflict, the parent must communicate this conflict with Mr. Roberts at least thirty days in advance of the performance or it cannot be excused.

What activities are graded in orchestra?

To make this answer simple, the answer is EVERYTHING!  If I am going to take the time to assign something to you, then I am going to take the times to grade it.

Most of your graded assignments are a result of your participation (being ready to go on time, playing when instructed to do so, following are classroom procedures, and completing any written assignments during the class period).  However, you should understand that Daily Participation only accounts for 20% of your overall grade.

The rest of your grade comes from practice records (15%...see above), tests and quizzes (25%...tests counting as double grades and quizzes counting a single grades), and performances (40%...see above).

NOTE:  Even when a substitute teachers comes to teach for me when I am out, you are being graded.  So, be sure to do your best, even when I am not at school.

It is Saturday morning, at 12:01am (or, some would say, really, really late on Friday evening). Can I turn in my practice record from last week?

No.  The due date was Monday evening at midnight.  As a courtesy, I accept practice records until Friday evening at midnight.  Even one minute after that I will not accept the practice record.  Please make sure it is submitted on time.

A project that was assigned to my class was due two weeks ago. Can I turn it in now?

All assignments, other than practice records, will be accepted late.  Assignments that are not turned in on time will be marked as a "0" in the grade book.  When it is turned in, I will update the grade.  Students who turn in an assignment late may have points deducted at the Director's discretion.

When is the latest I can turn-in an assignment?

Other than practice records, you can turn-in any assignment at anytime.  Your grade will be a "0" until it is turned-in.  If the end of the marking period comes, and you have not turned the assignment in, it will be reflected as such on your report card.  If you choose to turn it in after the end of the marking period, I will update your grade (if possible), and the updated grade for the marking period will be reflected on the next report card.

Student: I looked at my grade online, and I believe it is incorrect. What should I do?

I believe in the importance of students taking initiative to ensure they are being treated fairly and equitably in all of their classes.  Therefore, the first step would be for the student to either email me or come see me to discuss the grade.  If there is an error, I will certainly correct the grade.  If there was not an error, I can more adequately explain why the student's grade is correct.

Parent: I looked at my child's grade online and believe that it is incorrect. What should I do?

First, ask your child why they believe their grade is what it is.  If they do not know why their grade is what it is, then ask them to contact me via the instruction above.

I always love to hear from parents.  However, at the middle school level, students are transitioning into high school, and thus should take responsibility for their grade.  If I receive an email from a parent regarding a student's grade, I will speak with the student before I respond to the parent.  Then, I will respond to the parent's email with the results of the discussion.

Parents, please have your child contact me first.  Many times, an error in a student's grade is my fault.  It is easier for me to correct a grade with the student present than it is without the student being there to look with me.  I promise I will take great care of your child...please encourage them to see me anytime there is an issue that needs to be resolved!  :)

Parent: Okay, my child came to see you, and I don't think your explanation was correct. What do I do now?

Please, please, please...contact me right away!  It will usually not get to this point.  But, if it does, please contact me so we can figure out the correct solution.  The teacher / student / parent relationship is too important for problems to fester, so please let me know if I did not resolve the grade issue to your satisfaction.

When a parent contacts me, and I have already tried to work it out with the student, I will usually set-up a conference so we can look together to see what the issue is.  This way, we can resolve the issue together, and try to come up with a plan to avoid the problem in the future!