Students are encouraged to rent their own instrument from a reputable vendor.  Beware “Violin-Shaped Objects” that may look right, but sound awful and are often uncomfortable to play.  Local vendors that specialize in bowed-string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass), allow you to play the instrument before rental or purchase, and have a repair-person (called a luthier) on staff are recommended.  Remember, choosing an instrument is an investment in your musical future!  Mr. Reesman can help you select the best instrument for you in regards to size, budget, playability, and tone quality.  Please ask!

Druid Hills Middle School hosts a limited number of instruments for student use.  Students are encouraged to rent or rent-to-own their own instrument from a reputable vendor.

Please complete this form to use a school instrument this year.

DCSD Approved Vendor: Ron Sachs Violins

SCHOOL-OWNED INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT 

School instruments (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass) will be issued to those who are selected to play them.  These instruments will be issued in good playing condition.  The students and parent(s) will be responsible for their proper use, maintenance and storage.  Each student is responsible for all issued materials (instrument and music).  Defacing or destruction of school property (rehearsal room, equipment, music, music stands or Instruments) will result in payment for damage by those involved. All students will complete an instrument rental form before receiving the instrument.

DAMAGED SCHOOL PROPERTY

The instruments used in the orchestra are very expensive instruments. Some in excess of $10,000. We ask that all students using school instruments be very cautious when handling them. If a student damages school property (instruments, music stands, etc.) whether it was assigned to them or not, they will be required to pay for damages and repairs to the instrument. 

STUDENT INSTRUMENTS AND PERSONAL PROPERTY

1. Personal Responsibility: Students who bring personal instruments to school are solely responsible for their care, safekeeping, and maintenance. Druid Hills Middle School, its staff, and faculty will not be liable for any damage, loss, or theft of personal instruments.

2. Designated Storage Areas: While Druid Hills Middle School will provide designated storage spaces for instruments during school hours, students must ensure that their instruments are properly stored and secured. Lockers and storage areas should be used whenever possible to safeguard instruments.

3. Supervision and Security: While we strive to maintain a safe environment, it is crucial for students to remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to protect their instruments. Students should not leave instruments unattended, and it is recommended to keep valuable instruments in sight whenever possible.

4. Transportation: When transporting personal instruments to and from school, students should take necessary precautions to prevent damage. Proper cases and protective gear are highly encouraged.  Do not leave musical instruments in the car during the dar or overnight.

5. School Events: During school events or performances, students are responsible for their instruments at all times. They should handle their instruments with care and avoid placing them in areas where they may be at risk of damage or theft.

6. Reporting Issues: In the event of any damage, loss, or theft of a personal instrument on school premises, students should report the incident immediately to a teacher or staff member. While the school will offer support, it is important to understand that the ultimate responsibility lies with the instrument owner.

By adhering to these guidelines, students can better protect both school-owned and personal instruments, and enjoy a positive and enriching musical experience at Druid Hills Middle School.

"Classwork: Guided, Independent, or Group Practice"

Students will earn 100 for Full Participation or 0 for No Participation (reasons including but not limited to: lack of participation, excessive talking or other disruptions, phone use).  There are no make-up rehearsals; however, absences will be automatically excluded from the Classwork average.  There are about 20-22 classes per quarter.

"Assessment Tasks (Skills & Homework)"

Students will perform musical excerpts and exercises, alone and with others, as assigned by the teacher, to demonstrate their progress and proficiency of Executive Skills and Knowledge (Body Format, Left-Hand, & Right-Hand Technique), Musicianship Skills & Knowledge (Tonal and Rhythmic Aural Skills and Ear Training, Creative Musicianship, Music Literacy, and Ensemble Skills), and Artistic Skills and Knowledge (Expressive Elements, Historical and Cultural Elements, and the Evaluation of Music and Musical Performance).

Students will earn the grade of 100 for successfully performing the assigned task.  Because everyone progresses at varying rates, there will be no late penalties for Performance Assessments.  However, a zero (0) will remain for incomplete or missing assignments at the end of each grading period.

"Quizzes, Tests, & Projects"

Students will perform musical excerpts and exercises, alone and with others, as assigned by the teacher, to demonstrate their progress and proficiency of Executive Skills and Knowledge (Body Format, Left-Hand, & Right-Hand Technique), Musicianship Skills & Knowledge (Tonal and Rhythmic Aural Skills and Ear Training, Creative Musicianship, Music Literacy, and Ensemble Skills), and Artistic Skills and Knowledge (Expressive Elements, Historical and Cultural Elements, and the Evaluation of Music and Musical Performance).

Students will earn the grade of 100 for successfully performing the assigned task.  Because everyone progresses at varying rates, there will be no late penalties for Performance Assessments.  However, a zero (0) will remain for incomplete or missing assignments at the end of each semester.

Body Format - Students perform with a lengthened and balanced posture; supporting instrument without tension; demonstrating ease of motion; adjusting, with the assistance of a teacher, their format for physiological changes due to growth; and controlling weight distribution, unilateral movement, and bilateral movements in sitting and standing positions.

Left-Hand Skills and Knowledge - Students perform with the correct placement and angle of the left arm-wrist-hand-fingers to the instrument; demonstrate position that is balanced and free of tension; play with independence of fingers, ease of motion, and control of finger weight; produce characteristic tone, with vibrato (as appropriate); and show understanding and ability to apply fingerings, finger patterns, shifting, and extensions.

Right-Hand Skills and Knowledge - Students perform with fluent bowing motion and control of tone-production variables (weight, angle, speed, and placement) in a variety of bowing techniques and articulations, with characteristic tone.

Tonal Aural Skills and Ear Training - Students demonstrate the following abilities: matching and manipulating pitch; playing with a sense of tonality including tonal-harmonic function (horizontal and vertical relationships / functions of tonality); ear-to-hand skills; and aural and kinesthetic awareness of pitch accuracy and intonation, including and related to improvisation.

Rhythmic Aural Skills and Ear Training - Students perform simple and complex rhythm patterns/functions, with steady pulse/beat, and correct sense of meter, metric organization, and phrasing, in a variety of meters.

Creative Musicianship - Students demonstrate creative musicianship skills at all stages of development, including the ability to improvise variations of rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic patterns, within the traditions and standards of a variety of genres and practices, and arrange and compose melodies and harmonies according to specific criteria and guidelines.

Music Literacy - Students demonstrate sequential music literacy skills (decoding and comprehension), defined as an association of sound-to-symbol, in a given musical context, which includes: predictive components (understanding of reading based on audiation of written material) and knowledge of symbols and notation related to pitch rhythm, dynamics, tonality, clef, articulation, and so forth, based on the principle that sound comes before sight.

Ensemble Skills - Students perform in an ensemble: demonstrating sensitivity to and the ability to adjust and maintain a uniform sense of rhythm, tempo, articulation, tone, blend, balance, and dynamics; understanding conducting gestures; following conductor and section leader; and synchronizing bowings.

Expressive Elements - Students employ expressive elements of music to communicate abstract thoughts, ideas, and meaning, share the depth of the human experience, and develop self-expression and understanding.

Historical and Cultural Elements - Students listen to, and perform music from a wide range of genres in a culturally authentic manner, reflecting the diverse nature of people groups and cultures across the world and in the United States, and performances demonstrate an understanding of historical and cultural contexts and reflect stylistic traditions and practice.

Evaluation of Music and Musical Performance - Students evaluate and analyze music for executive skill, musicianship, and artistic considerations, and evaluate and analyze the individual and group performances based on appropriate criteria.