GVJH Orchestra 2008-2009


Welcome to orchestra!  I am very excited about this class!  It is very gratifying to have more and more students interested in participating on strings. Our goal is to increase the skill level of every student musician, learn ensemble skills and have enjoyable experiences in our performance experiences.

To date, we have four scheduled major performances:

Monday, December 15  orchestra, chorus and jazz ensemble concert 6:30 p.m. Linton Roberts Auditorium, GVJH

Monday, March 9  District String Festival    San Marcos High School Auditorium  7:00 pm

Thursday, March 26 orchestra,  jazz ensemble  concert, 6:30 p.m. Linton Roberts Auditorium, GVJH

Saturday, May 16 Advanced Band and Orchestra performs at Disneyland 5:30 a.m. to  midnight

Thursday, May 28 jazz ensemble and orchestra concert. 6:30 p.m. Linton Roberts Auditorium

Other performances as they come up.


My grading policy is very simple.  Students receive a weekly grade for their participation and effort.  Practice sheets for the week of September 1 will be handed out on August 29. That practice record is due on September 8.  Practice records will be due each Monday for students' practice time from the prior week.  Students hand in the practice record that is due and then take a new practice record for the following week. Practice sheets turned in after Friday of the week due, receive 50% credit.  Within the first two weeks of school, I will begin posting grades on line approximately once a week.


I ask that students practice 90 minutes a week on their instrument.  I will have an occasional playing test that counts toward their grade.  Weekly participation/effort is about 80% - 85% of the grade, practicing 10% -15% of the grade, and playing tests about 5% of the grade.  I ask that students take their instrument home daily to they can get in good practice habits and can practice for a few minutes on very short notice.  If this doesn't work for you, please let me know and we can be flexible with this policy.

Major concert performances are mandatory.  Students are expected to attend these performances except for illness, religious obligations and compelling family business. These include the winter, spring and end-of-year concerts.  The String Festival is not a required event, but a highly recommended one.   Any other absence, must be approved at least two weeks ahead of time with Jeff Peterson.

Email is my primary means of communicating with parents. I am very prompt at returning emails, so please email with your questions, comments or concerns.   Thanks for supporting your child with their involvement in orchestra.   Please send me your email address so I can put you on my email list for your student's class.  I sent out emails blind copy so your address is not shared with others without your permission.