ABOUT MRS. FAWESS
- This is Mrs. Fawess' 20th year teaching orchestra 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 (9), entering 4th grade, Wesley (2 & 1/2), and two stepchildren: Gwen (starting her junior year at Hofstra this fall) and Spencer (starting his freshman year at Hofstra this fall).
- 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.
- Mrs. Fawess enjoys performing cello with her String Quartet, The East Island String Quartet, for weddings and other special events.
Now to business...
ALL ABOUT OUR ORCHESTRA
- Winter & Spring concerts are on the district calendar and our handbook.
- Please check out the 2025-2026 Orchestra Handbook to view a detailed overview of our class.
- Parent/guardian, please submit the digital Handbook Agreement form (can be found on Orchestra Google Site and will be sent out on ParentSquare).
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.
- Be sure to check our digital classroom platforms regularly for instructional videos, class assignments, and announcements (Google Classroom, etc.)
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
- Listen and follow directions
- Raise your hand
- Be nice
REWARDS
Class Rewards - as a class we will tally points each rehearsal and class points will equal whole class rewards (such as playing Kahoot, Blooket or other whole group activity
- 1 point for entering class appropriately and setting up before our class timer
- 1 point for listening attentively as a class
- 1 point for good effort
- 1 point for cleaning up and leaving the classroom appropriately
INDIVIDUAL REWARDS
- Students will receive orchestra raffle tickets which will be drawn for rewards such as going in the prize box when positive behavior and participation is noted.
- Prize box will also be offered at times that are deemed appropriate for positive behavior.
CONSEQUENCES
- Warning
- Time-Out
- Parents Contacted
GRADING POLICY (updated for 2025-2026 school year to follow WI Mastery Learning & Equitable Grading Practices)
- Assessments - 80% (Lessons, Performance Tests)
- Participation - 20% (Classwork, Preparation, Concerts)
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, whenever possible I do try my best to show flexibility with group lessons. 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 your parent shouldn't need to "nag" you to practice tyourinstrument. Practicing is encouraged, however, there is a fine balance. There will be playing assignments/assessments throughout the year, which will help provide guided practice.
How to Fit in Quality Practice Time
I 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 outside of the school day. Gold Tuesday through Friday mornings (at 7:20 AM). A calendar will be provided.
- 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.
- Instrumental All-District is in January, and Choral All-District is in October. It is highly recommended that you choose to participate in both festivals if your teacher recommends you for either of the festivals.
- 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 - Tuesday, December 2 at 7 PM (at Udall Road MS)
Udall Road MS Spring Orchestra Concert - Wednesday, May 6 at 7 PM (at Udall Road MS)
All District (Orchestra & Band Festival) - Week of January 6 (1/6 & 1/8 at 4:30 PM)
NYSSMA Solo Festival - Monday, April 20 at West Islip High School
GROUP ORCHESTRA NYSSMA - Wednesday, May 20 at Udall MS (school hours)
7th & 8th Grade Orchestra/Band/VE at LIMF Adventureland - Thursday, May 28 (approximately $105-$120)
- 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 are available on our Google Site and paper copies will be sent home with students.
- Shirts are $9.00 by check or paid on MySchoolBucks.
- 6th-grade students are expected to order an orchestra tee shirt (parents can contact me if financial assistance is needed). 7th & 8th-grade students only need to order replacement shirts as needed.
Credits:
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