CaMS Orchestra

Dear Carmel Middle School Orchestra Students and Families,

I hope that your summer is going well and that you are finding lots of special time to spend with your families.

It is with mixed feelings that I share the news that I have accepted a teaching position in Avon starting next school year. My four years in Carmel, working with the very best students and families, have been amazing. Such exciting concerts, many fun trips, amazing performances, tons of butter braids, lots of joy and great music making. I'm so deeply thankful for you and for sharing yourselves with me. You will always hold a very special place in my heart.

I'm sure that a wonderful teacher will be hired to lead you, and that the long tradition of success will continue to grow for this amazing program.

Musically,

Mrs. Smith

To our many volunteers: THANK YOU SO MUCH! This was a huge undertaking and it would not have happened without you!

Link to program

Link to videos of concert!

Private lessons

Butler Strings Camps

Private lessons have always been really important for furthering your music growth, especially on a stringed instrument, and especially in a program as large as this one is.

Quattro String Academy is a great place to start because they offer a variety of teachers on each stringed instrument. Their teachers are members of the Indianapolis Symphony and have a proven track record of being outstanding teachers. Please take a moment to check out their website: quattrostringacademy.com

First practice log for the year will be due Monday Aug. 29, so keep track of your minutes this week!)

THE TIME YOU SPEND PREPARING YOUR ASSIGNMENTS COUNTS TOWARDS PRACTICE TIME!

Daily practice is expected for each student. 6th grade is expected to practice 20 min/day 6 days a week. 7th grade is expected to practice 2.5 hours each week. 8th grade is expected to practice 3 hours each week. Class rehearsals are not counted as practice time. Practice logs are due each Sunday evening and should total the practice minutes for the week. Students can find the practice log on canvas as a hyperlink on the home page, in modules, and on the "to do" list and/or the "course calendar".

NEW: Each practice session should include work on scales, technique (Essential Elements pages we are working on in class), concert music, private lesson music. You should consider planning on how much time you'll spend on each item before you practice. Set goals! It will make your time more productive and enjoyable!

It is really important to set up a practice routine. It's helpful if you can provide a space that is as free from distractions as possible and a regular time of day. The quality of the practice time is as important if not more important than the amount of time. If you are still working to establish this with your young musician, I hope you find this article helpful:

1. Private lessons (highly recommend!)

2. Chamber Orchestra

3. ROCKESTRA

4. Solo & Ensemble

5. Region Honor Orchestra (7th and 8th grade students)

6. Junior All State Honor Orchestra (7th and 8th grade students)

7. Youth Orchestras in Indianapolis!

Every student needs a clip on tuner to tune their instrument. Violin and Viola players need to have theirs every day, so please store them in your case. Cello & Bass players will have a tuner assigned to them at school. Please check your battery and make sure it is still working! If you don't already have one, here is an easy way to get one: Snark brand tuner

Please ask me for assistance when obtaining an instrument. There are many instruments available on the internet that are of such low quality that they do not function properly. This does not save money! It ends up costing so much in repairs, and still may not be satisfactory for your student. They will not be able to tune the instrument and they will not be able to achieve a quality tone. This will lead to frustration as they try to learn skills that may be impossible to for them to perform because of their equipment.

It is also essential to have the proper size while they grow. Having an instrument that is too big will cause them to play improperly and will cause injury, all leading to frustration and failure to succeed.

For beginners, I recommend obtaining an instrument from a reputable Violin Shop, such as one located in Carmel Violin Shop of Old Carmel, or Paige's Music. They guarantee their work and are able to support through quality repairs.

Please join us on facebook to stay informed.

Please consider making a donation to the Carmel Middle School Orchestra through the Performing Arts Program. Donations go to help purchase equipment, music, and additional clinician teachers to help improve the educational experience in the music program.

More information about our Patron donation program can be found below.

NEW this year- if you would like to donate, please fill out the Google form and tell us how you would like to donate- cash, check, or new this year- online! Our booster club treasurer will invoice you the way that you prefer to donate!

Click HERE for the google form.

Your name will also be included in each band, choir, and orchestra program at concerts. You can even personalize how you would like it to be listed.

Please complete this form for the district:

Parents will login to the PowerSchool Parent Portal at: https://powerschool.ccs.k12.in.us/public/

Instructions:

On the left side select "Forms"

In their list of forms select ‘Performing Arts Consent’

When you click on the Form Name you will be presented with the Code of Conduct, and at the bottom the option to choose the performing arts group, and then sign and date the form.

Email: wiestexas@gmail.com
Location: Carmel Middle School, South Guilford Road, Carmel, IN, USA
Phone: 317-846-7331
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmelmsorchestras/