Required Supplies and Equipment
- Instrument – your own or rented – only use this instrument – never anyone else’s
- Shoulder Rest – for VIOLIN and VIOLA players to prevent neck injury
- Rock Stop – for CELLO and BASS players to prevent instrument slippage
- Rosin – a few swipes a day will do the trick
- Mute – in case the music says con sordino
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloth – wipe the rosin off your instrument each day you play
- New Strings – need to be replaced each year and sometimes more frequently
- New Bow Hair – like car tires that go bald, bow hair needs to be replaced every year
- Three-Ring Binder – for music (included in New Student Fee)
- PENCILS – never use pen in your music
- Music Stand – for practicing at home and performances away from school
- Brookwood Orchestra Formal Uniform (included in New Student Fee)
- Brookwood Orchestra Informal Uniform (Bronco Orchestra polo and jeans)
- Short Fingernails – so you can play in tune!
Calendar / Important Dates
Be sure to check out the Calendar page and find the performances for your orchestra.
You can even sync with our brookwoodorchestra@gmail.com Google Calendar!
Dates in BOLD are required.
You can even sync with our brookwoodorchestra@gmail.com Google Calendar!
Dates in BOLD are required.
Attendance
Attendance is required at every rehearsal – Rehearsals take place every day during your orchestra class period, and occasionally after school hours or weekends. Required out-of-class activities, as stipulated by the teacher, will determine a portion of the student’s grade (GCPS policy).
- Students must be present for 70% of rehearsals to be eligible to perform in the upcoming concert. If a student fails to attend the minimum required amount of rehearsal (excused or unexcused), he or she will not be permitted to perform with the orchestra at the concert and an alternate performance will be assigned – attendance at the concert is expected and required.
- MiniCamp is a required outside-the-school-day rehearsal in preparation for LGPE. Depending on your orchestra, you may be in rehearsal after school on Friday or on Saturday.
- Failure to attend MiniCamp will result in a grade of zero. In the event of an excused absence, students have five school days to perform their part for the class as a make-up assignment for a grade of up to 89%.
Attendance at concerts is required – Check the calendar for when your orchestra is performing.
- Photo Attendance will be taken at the pre-announced arrival time prior to each concert. Students not present in the photo may receive performance credit if present but will lose Punctuality Points from their Concert Professionalism Grade.
- Failure to attend a concert will result in a grade of zero. In the event of an excused absence, the student will have five school days to perform their part for the class for a grade up to 89%.
- Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) is a required performance that takes place away from Brookwood High School. The weekend and location is on the calendar, however, please reserve the entire weekend as we will not know our performance times until February.
- Failure to perform at LGPE will result in a grade of zero. In the event of an excused absence, students have five school days to perform their part for the class as a make-up assignment for a grade of up to 89%.
Excused Absences and Make-Up Assignments - Alternate assignments may be allowed for students with absences due to the following reasons:
- Personal illness or attendance in school endangering a student’s health or the health of others. (In case of an emergency, a written note must be provided within five school days of the absence to be excused.)
- A serious illness or death in a student’s family necessitating absence from school.
- A court order or an order by a governmental agency, including pre-induction physical examinations for service in the armed forces, mandating absence from school.
- Celebrating verifiable religious holidays necessitating absence from school (with advanced notice).
- The cancellation of school by GCPS due to conditions rendering attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety.
- A period, not to exceed one day, is allowed, at the discretion of the local unit of administration, for registering to vote or voting in a public election.
Student Progress
Students will receive Progress Reports at the 6-week and 12-week mark during each semester and will receive a Report Card at the conclusion of each semester. Student grades are available on the Parent Portal and eClass (Gwinnett’s digital content, learning, assessment, and support system). Students and parents are advised to check the academic progress of students throughout the semester. Parents may request access to the Parent Portal by visiting the Brookwood High School Main Office. Students who do not meet the academic requirements of passing their classes may be assigned mandatory Academic Intervention which meets during Extended Lunch periods.
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Maroon and Gold Orchestras,
Concert Strings and Symphonic Strings Classroom (35%)
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Philharmonic Orchestra and
Chamber Orchestra Classroom (35%)
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Rehearsal Skills – Students will receive points for each of the following categories: Punctuality, Preparedness, Participation, and Professionalism. Points may be deducted for the following reasons:
Playing Tests – Students will be asked to perform alone and with others excerpts from their concert music and assigned technical exercises. Playing tests are how we measure skill development. The goal is always improvement, therefore, students are allowed to re-play any playing test within the concert cycle. Once that concert has passed, reassessment will no longer be an option. Students will be assessed in the following categories:
Assignments – Assignments in class and online are designed to prepare students for written exams. Point break-downs and rubrics for these will be present at the time of assignment.
Concert Professionalism – Students are expected to be well-prepared for concerts, arrive dressed and on time and behave in a professional manner.
Concert Performances – Performance Quality as gauged by the Directors or, if all Playing Tests have been passed, a student may earn the grade of 100.
Performance Midterm and Final Exam – Students will perform an etude or piece of music for the directors to demonstrate mastery of a skill required for their orchestra class. Tone, Rhythm, Articulation, Pitch and Expression are always important but special attention will be focused on the development of new skills.
Final Exams – The written final exam will be administered on the scheduled final exam day for each class period. These multiple choice questions will relate to the AKS as stated for each orchestra. [Graduating Seniors may be able to exempt their 2nd Semester local final exams if they meet Academic, Attendance, and Behavior criteria.]
- Punctuality – absent, late, packing up early
- Preparedness – no instrument, no music, fingernails are too long
- Participation – not participating, doing other work, sleeping
- Professionalism – talking, causing a disruption, phone is out
Playing Tests – Students will be asked to perform alone and with others excerpts from their concert music and assigned technical exercises. Playing tests are how we measure skill development. The goal is always improvement, therefore, students are allowed to re-play any playing test within the concert cycle. Once that concert has passed, reassessment will no longer be an option. Students will be assessed in the following categories:
- Tone – bow usage (Weight, Angle, Speed, Placement)
- Rhythm – pulse is steady, note and rest durations as presented in the music
- Articulation – each note is “pronounced” as indicated in the music
- Pitch – notes are correct and well in tune
- Expression – dynamic levels are obvious, appropriate, consistent and contrasting
- Artistry – perform with creative nuance and appropriate style
Assignments – Assignments in class and online are designed to prepare students for written exams. Point break-downs and rubrics for these will be present at the time of assignment.
Concert Professionalism – Students are expected to be well-prepared for concerts, arrive dressed and on time and behave in a professional manner.
Concert Performances – Performance Quality as gauged by the Directors or, if all Playing Tests have been passed, a student may earn the grade of 100.
Performance Midterm and Final Exam – Students will perform an etude or piece of music for the directors to demonstrate mastery of a skill required for their orchestra class. Tone, Rhythm, Articulation, Pitch and Expression are always important but special attention will be focused on the development of new skills.
Final Exams – The written final exam will be administered on the scheduled final exam day for each class period. These multiple choice questions will relate to the AKS as stated for each orchestra. [Graduating Seniors may be able to exempt their 2nd Semester local final exams if they meet Academic, Attendance, and Behavior criteria.]
Academic Knowledge and Skills
Maroon Orchestra
Gold Orchestra |
Concert Strings
Symphonic Strings |
Philharmonic Orchestra
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Chamber Orchestra
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Procedures, Rules and Consequences
Brookwood Expectations
- Students are expected to exhibit the characteristics of an UPSTANDER: Citizenship, Advocacy, Respect, and Engagement. Therefore, students are expected to conduct themselves as mature young adults while on the BHS campus.
- Students are expected to comply with reasonable requests of staff, including identifying themselves by name when asked.
- Students are expected to remain seated in The Commons before school and during lunch and not roam.
- Students are expected to behave appropriately in the hallways.
- Students must exit the building by 2:25 in the afternoons unless at a school-sponsored activity and supervised by a teacher or coach. Orchestra students staying at school on concert days are expected to remain in the orchestra room until the concert.
- Students should remain in supervised areas once they arrive to and while they are on campus. Students are not to loiter in the restrooms, stairwells, or outside the building.
- Students are expected to be in class when the bell rings. Students must have a hall pass to be in the hall when class is in session.
- Students may not wear anything which may make them unable to be identified.
Rehearsals in the Orchestra Room
- Come immediately to your seat after you enter the orchestra room.
- Attendance will be taken at the sound of the tardy bell. Students not present or not in their assigned seat at this time will lose Punctuality Points.
- Announcements. Listen quietly as the directors share reminders and new information.
- Joys and Concerns. Students have time to share with the class.
- Stretch and Unpack. Daily neck, shoulder and arm stretches are encouraged for string musicians. Students will have time to stretch and socialize but are expected to return to their seats, ready to focus with instrument, music, and pencil.
- Meditation and Tune. Start from silence and listen first.
- Technique-focused Warm-Ups including exercises from Habits of a Successful String Musician by Chris Selby (included in New Student Fee).
- Rehearse Concert Music. This will change day to day depending on what we need to work on.
- Pack up. The Director will dismiss students to unpack with at least one minute left in class. Students should not stand or leave rehearsal until dismissed.
Orchestra Room Rules
- Respect and exhibit an awareness of other people and their property.
- Do not disturb people who are working.
- Be responsible for your own learning.
- Come to class prepared to make music.
- Food and drinks are NOT allowed in the orchestra room. Anything other than water can be dropped off at the door.
- Only cellists are allowed in the cello room during unpack and pack-up time.
- Electronic devices should be off and packed away during rehearsal.
Consequences
Students who fail to abide by Orchestra Room Rules or otherwise cause a disruption to the learning and music-making environment will be asked to leave.
Students who fail to abide by Orchestra Room Rules or otherwise cause a disruption to the learning and music-making environment will be asked to leave.
- Students may receive a verbal warning
- Once asked to leave rehearsal, students find a place in the room to remain quiet while the ensemble continues.
- Students who continue to disrupt will be directed to an administrator.
Concerts at school are either in the Lindahl Performing Arts Theatre or in the Commons.
- Concert times are listed in this handbook, on our Google Calendar, accessible through e-Class, and are posted on the board in the orchestra room.
- LGPE is at Lanier High School. Performance times will be announced as soon as possible. Please do not schedule other events for the LGPE weekend.
- Performing students are expected to arrive and sign-in at least 30 minutes prior to concert time.
- LGPE call times for each orchestra will be announced.
- Concert etiquette: Let others enjoy the musical performance undisturbed. Respectful attentiveness is required at performances. Phone use is highly distracting to those around you.
- Students seen using their phones during performances, whether on-stage or as audience members, will be subject to a letter-grade deduction per offense.
- Clean up. Do not leave your instrument, music or other personal items in the Commons or Theatre. Please help stack chairs and stands onto the racks. BOLT can take it from here.
Academic Honesty & Honor Code
The Brookwood tradition of excellence requires an academic environment that rejects cheating or any other form of dishonesty. In addition, the academic integrity of all students is paramount in the pillars of citizenship and respect that describe a Brookwood UPSTANDER. An essential part of education is developing a sense of honor, responsibility, and ethical principles that extend to all facets of life. Our students can earn respect for themselves and their academic work through academic integrity and ethical conduct.
Cheating includes any attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead a teacher in arriving at an honest evaluation of student achievement. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Looking at another student’s answers or work or sharing answers on an independent assignment or assessment unless expressly permitted by the teacher.
- Attempting to communicate information in any way during an independent assignment or assessment unless expressly permitted by the teacher.
- Having cheat sheets or information written on the body or other personal objects.
- Using programmed calculators or other electronic devices unless expressly permitted by the teacher.
- Looking at quiz, test, or exam materials prior to their administration.
- Sharing or receiving information regarding an assignment or assessment.
- Failing to give credit when the ideas, words, or works of others are used. (See the information in your agenda book regarding Plagiarism.)
- Submitting work that is not created by the student. This includes, but is not limited, to file sharing (submitting the same work with different header, copying files to and from electronic devices and web tools, and/or receiving or purchasing solutions or works from others).
- Taking or transmitting photographs of secure assignment or assessments.
- ANY electronic device (including, but not limited to, cell phones and smart watches) visible during ANY assessment can be considered cheating. At no time during an assessment should an unauthorized electronic device be visible or accessible.
Cheating is inexcusable conduct and will be dealt with strictly. A zero will be given for the assignment. The teacher will contact the parent(s), and a record of the incident will be placed in the student’s disciplinary file. On the second and future offenses, students will receive consequences in addition to a zero. Students may lose other privileges, positions, or opportunities as determined by the administration.
Electronic Devices & School Technology
Being responsible stewards of electronic devices and practicing digital citizenship are important skills for students.
Personal Electronic Devices
1. Students are extended the privilege of possessing and using electronic devices on school grounds in the following situations:
1. Students are extended the privilege of possessing and using electronic devices on school grounds in the following situations:
- During classroom instruction when explicitly authorized and supervised by the classroom teacher during that specific class period.
- It is expected that students unplug when speaking to any adult. Students must be able to respond to an adult when spoken to.
- To film or take pictures
- In a way that can cause disruption or distraction to the learning environment
- In any assessment. ANY electronic device (including, but limited to, cell phones and smart watches) visible during ANY assessment can be considered cheating. At no time during an assessment should an authorized electronic device be visible or accessible.
- Violations of the electronic device policy will result in consequences as determined by the administration.
- Upon request, failure to surrender a device to an administrator or staff member may result I additional disciplinary consequences, including Out of School Suspension.
- At the third violation, the electronic device will be confiscated and the parent/guardian must collect it.
Exceptions, changes, and additions to the Brookwood High School Electronic Device Policy may be made by the Principal or his/her designee for specific reasons. Brookwood High School is not responsible for loss or theft of electronic devices. It is the responsibility of the student to secure these items of value.
Student Opportunities
Brookwood Orchestra Leadership Team – a volunteer student organization committed to serving the Brookwood Orchestra program and its students.
Tri-M National Music Honors Society – seniors who have been actively involved in their school performance class (band, chorus, or orchestra) are eligible to apply for this nationally recognized honor society. Accepted students will be inducted and must complete a list of set requirements in order to be a recognized member at graduation.
Fine Arts Diploma Seal – students who complete 4 years of fine arts classes (3 of which in the same discipline) are eligible for a Fine Arts distinction for their diploma. Students must have completed 20 hours of fine arts community service, apply for the seal, and be recommended by their teacher.
Catherine R. Hudnall Honorary Scholarship – students interested in furthering their individual musical study through private lessons or music camps may apply for this annual scholarship.
Honor Orchestras – Gwinnett County Youth Symphony, Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Georgia Symphony Youth Orchestra, and others (audition required).
All-State Orchestra – an opportunity for students to perform with other outstanding high school musicians across the state under the direction of nationally-recognized conductors. County level auditions are held at BHS in October (audition required).
Brookwood Honors Recital – Students are encouraged to learn solo and chamber music repertoire outside of school orchestra music. Students who perform for their class may be selected to perform at the Honors Recital. This performance also acts as the audition for the CRH Scholarship.
Awards Ceremony – Brookwood students will be recognized for their hard work and achievement at the end of the school year. For each class, we award certificates for Most Improved, Most Dedicated, Best Attitude, and for Outstanding Musicianship.
Tri-M National Music Honors Society – seniors who have been actively involved in their school performance class (band, chorus, or orchestra) are eligible to apply for this nationally recognized honor society. Accepted students will be inducted and must complete a list of set requirements in order to be a recognized member at graduation.
Fine Arts Diploma Seal – students who complete 4 years of fine arts classes (3 of which in the same discipline) are eligible for a Fine Arts distinction for their diploma. Students must have completed 20 hours of fine arts community service, apply for the seal, and be recommended by their teacher.
Catherine R. Hudnall Honorary Scholarship – students interested in furthering their individual musical study through private lessons or music camps may apply for this annual scholarship.
Honor Orchestras – Gwinnett County Youth Symphony, Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Georgia Symphony Youth Orchestra, and others (audition required).
All-State Orchestra – an opportunity for students to perform with other outstanding high school musicians across the state under the direction of nationally-recognized conductors. County level auditions are held at BHS in October (audition required).
Brookwood Honors Recital – Students are encouraged to learn solo and chamber music repertoire outside of school orchestra music. Students who perform for their class may be selected to perform at the Honors Recital. This performance also acts as the audition for the CRH Scholarship.
Awards Ceremony – Brookwood students will be recognized for their hard work and achievement at the end of the school year. For each class, we award certificates for Most Improved, Most Dedicated, Best Attitude, and for Outstanding Musicianship.
- Varsity Letter in Orchestra – Students who complete all requirements for our “varsity-level” orchestras (Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras). Upon subsequent years, students are eligible for a varsity pin.
- Maroon and Gold Award – 9th grade students who complete varsity letter requirements in their orchestra are eligible for this pin.
- Classroom Plaques – Students may also have their name forever engraved in the orchestra room: the Students’ Choice Award, the Spirit Award, the Directors’ Award, and the National School Orchestra Award
- Student Certificates – Students in each class will be recognized as: Most Improved, Most Dedicated, Best Attitude, and Outstanding Musician
- LGPE Recognitions – Recognizing ensembles that score “Superior” or “Excellent” at LGPE
- BOLT Awards – Students are recognized for their hard work in service to this orchestra program.
- Work Horse Award – Awarded for exceptional service and leadership
- Senior Medals – Students who are in orchestra all four years of high school will receive a medal to wear at graduation.
Private Lessons
It is strongly recommended that all students take private lessons if at all possible. We provide quality orchestra instruction in class but those that take private lessons improve at a quicker pace and gain a stronger command of their instrument. This one-on-one attention from a professional is vital for students wishing to master a musical instrument.
