All equipment and instrument policies are written based on the large number of students in the orchestra program, the size and availability of classroom space and storage, and the care and safety of all instruments and equipment.
Students are taught the proper methods of instrument care and maintenance, and are expected to follow these guidelines at all times, regardless of whether the instrument is owned by an individual or the school. Maintaining an instrument in proper working order is essential to success in orchestra. Students should report any instrument damages immediately to the director, who will then advise the proper course of action for repair.
Instruments
Violin and Viola
All violin and viola students will have their own instruments to use in class. It is the responsibility of students to maintain their instrument including wiping down rosin from the instrument/strings and loosening the bow hair after use.
- Students must unpack their insturments with the instrument case on the ground and not on the student’s lap.
- Students may not borrow or share violin/viola instruments unless approved by Mr. Liu.
- All violin and viola cases must have their named taped across the back side of the instrument case. While this may not look pretty, this method has been very successful preventing students from accidently grabbing the wrong case.
- When not playing, the student should be holding the instrument around the neck of the instrument to prevent the instrument from falling.
- DO NOT HANG instruments on the music stand by the instrument scroll.
Cello and Bass
Cello and Bass students will use school owned instrument during class and, if needed, at concert performances. Unlike violin and viola students, cello and bass students will share instruments across class periods.
- Students must loosen the bow after use in order to maintain the quality and longevity of the bows.
- Endpins should be retracted when the instrument is not in use to prevent the instrument from being knocked over.
- Students must use the cello/bass they are assigned. If the students’ instrument is not available, they need to speak to Mr. Liu to be assigned a different instrument as the original instrument may be sent for repairs. Please do not grab another instrument off the racks without speaking with Mr. Liu first.
Instrument Storage
Violin/Viola
- All violin and viola students are assigned a specific instrument locker for their instrument, music, and equipment.
- Violin/Viola students may stop by the orchestra room to drop off the instrument on their way to 1st period in the morning, and pickup their instruments during dismissal.
Cello/Bass
- Cello/Bass players bringing in their own, personal instrument will leave their instrument in a specific locked room assigned by Mr. Liu.
- Cello/Bass players bringing thier personal instrument must have their instrument cases/bag labeled with their first and last name.
- Cello/Bass students may stop by the orchestra room to drop off the instrument on their way to 1st period in the morning, and pickup their instruments during dismissal.
Equipment Use and Repairs
School Instrument Rentals
River Trail MS Orchestra has a limited number of violin, viola, cello, and bass instruments available for students to rent and take home. Beginning 6th Grade Violin and Viola students are given priority to rent school violin and viola instruments. Parents planning to rent a school cello and bass for home use must schedule a time with Mr. Liu to pick up the instrument. Fulton County School Bus Policy does not allow cello and bass instruments to be carried onto school buses with students due to the size of the instruments.
*Students are only allowed to handle equipment that has been assigned to them. Playing jokes or pranks on friends by hiding instruments, folders, music, and other belongings will not be tolerated. This prevents the current or next period class from starting on time. Consequences for such behaviors may result in immediate detention.
Instrument Repair
Repairs for personal instruments
It is the responsibility of the student to communicate to the parent(s) that their instrument is in need of repair. Further, it is the responsibility of the parents to make every reasonable effort to take the instrument to the shop for repair as soon as possible.
Parents should notify Mr. Liu when a student’s instrument is in repair and wil need to include the name of the store and date the instrument was dropped off for repair. This allows Mr. Liu to contact the repair shop if the he feels the repair is taking too long.
Damage to Orchestra or Personal Property
Students are responsible for any damages to any instruments or equipment including damages caused by neglect (ex. leaving an instrument in a location tthat ay result in damages). Any student caught damaging, stealing, or defacing orchestra property or the property of other students will be referred to an administrator.