ABOUT MRS. FAWESS
- This is Mrs. Fawess' 18th year teaching in West Islip.
- Mrs. Fawess plays cello in the East Island String Quartet.
- Mrs. Fawess is a member of the Sound Symphony.
- Mrs. Fawess has a daughter, Nya (7), entering 2nd grade, a baby boy Wesley (7 months old), and two stepchildren: Gwen (almost 19), starting her freshman year at Hofstra University, and Spencer (16), starting this junior year of High School.
- Mrs. Fawess had the privilege to guest conduct the Night of 1,000 Strings Festival for the Northport-East Northport School District and previously guest conducted the Nassau County All-County Division I Orchestra at the Tiles Center.
Now to business...
ALL ABOUT OUR ORCHESTRA
New items for 2023-2024...
- Winter and spring concerts are scheduled for 12/6/23 & 5/2/24.
- Going digital for all forms/papers when possible (simply request a paper copy if you prefer paper).
- Contact me if you are not receiving ParentSquare messages for orchestra.
- Please check out the 2023-2024 Orchestra Handbook to view a detailed overview of our class including the addition of Digital Learning expectations.
- Parent/guardian, please submit the digital Handbook Agreement form (can be found on Orchestra Google Site).
What you need to know...
HOW TO GET AN “A"
- Energetic participation at all performances.
- Attendance at lessons/rehearsals/concerts.
- Hard work in class.
- Practice outside of class.
- Good attitude and respect toward others.
GRADING POLICY
- Participation - 25%
- Lessons - 25%
- Performances/Playing Exams - 20%
- SmartMusic Assignments - 20%
- Classwork - 10%
Instrument Rental / Purchase
- Always speak to Mrs. Fawess before purchasing an instrument. Mrs. Fawess can preview instruments and help guide you in the right direction.
- School instruments can be provided for use at home with special request.
- Cello & bass students will be provided a school instrument for use at school that is NOT shared with another student. Bass students will also be supplied with a bass for home.
INSTRUMENTAL CLASSES (Lessons)
- Lessons meet on a rotating schedule during a different period each week to minimize any disadvantage of missing repeated class sessions.
- Students must notify their classroom teacher before coming to a lesson and are expected to arrive within the first 5 minutes of the class period.
- Students will be excused from lessons for major science lab projects (which cannot be made up or completed before/after the lesson day).
- Make up lessons can take place during another mutually agreed period or during extra help hours.
- Again, due to the unique nature of this school year, increased flexibility with group lessons will be observed. Please be mindful to maintain open communication with me so that I can work with you to be successful both in and out of our class.
"PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT"
- At this age, you do not need to "nag" your child to practice their instrument. Practicing is encouraged, however, there is a fine balance. There will be playing assignments using SmartMusic throughout the year which will provide guided practice.
How to Fit in Quality Practice Time
Encourage scheduling in practice time as you would for a dance class or other daily/weekly commitments (same day and time each week...usually the weekends work best with everyone's busy schedules).
Provide a quiet and uninterrupted practice space for your child to use (avoid having a nearby TV on or noisy family room area).
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
- It is recommended that students interested in participating in Chamber Orchestra are comfortable with a Level II NYSSMA Solo or higher.
- The Chamber Orchestra meets one session per week outside of the school day. Day/time TBD.
- A separate information packet will be provided to individuals interested in the Chamber Orchestra.
Private Instruction Options / Youth Orchestras
- Visit Mrs. Fawess’ orchestra google site (on district website) for Youth Orchestra information and never hesitate to contact Mrs. Fawess for a Private Instructor recommendation.
All-District / NYSSMA / LISFA / SCMEA Recommendations
- Recommendations will be made at the discretion of Mrs. Fawess. Nominations are based on performance/attitude in class in combination with previous NYSSMA scores.
- All-District is select 7th and 8th-grade students.
- Participation at NYSSMA is NOT required. Traditionally all students are taught a NYSSMA rated piece as well as NYSSMA scales and sight reading skills in our lesson groups and the decision to participate is made between parents and students. There is NO pressure, however, to be considered for any of the All-County festivals the following year, the student MUST have participated at NYSSMA the previous year.
- NYSSMA information will be distributed at a later date.
- LISFA - Long Island String Festival Association All-County Festival
- SCMEA - Suffolk County Music Educator's Association All-County Festival.
CONCERTS / IMPORTANT DATES
Please refer to our Important Dates in our Orchestra Handbook and Google Site.
Udall Road MS Winter Orchestra Concert - Wednesday, December 6 (at Udall Road MS)
Udall Road MS Spring Orchestra Concert - Thursday, May 2 (at Udall Road MS)
- As musical ensembles depend upon the strength of its members, we need 100% attendance at every concert and performance. It is assumed that each student is in a performing music class because they want to be and that they enjoy performing, so this should not be a problem.
CONCERT DRESS
- Black dress pants/skirt/capris (must be an item with the length below the knee), with the black middle school orchestra tee shirt and black dress shoes.
- *Order forms for new or replacement orchestra tee shirts will be provided in the near future.
- 6th-grade students are expected to order a new orchestra tee shirt (parents can contact me if financial assistance is needed). 7th & 8th-grade students only need to order replacement shirts as needed.