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 and care. 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 have the back of their cases labeled with their name to avoid accidental mix-up with other student cases.
  • Students may not borrow or share violin/viola instruments unless approved by Mr. Liu.
  • Students may not use other instruments not assigned by them and may result in detention or office referral.
  • 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.

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.
  • 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.
  • We have a limited number of cello and bass instruments students may checkout to practice at home. Parents will need to arrange a time before or after school to pick up the cello/bass instrument.

Instrument Storage

Orchestra students are assigned a specific storage space for their instruments at the beginning of the year. Students are required to label their instrument cases, folders, and other supplies they bring to the classroom with their full name.

  • Due to the size of the orchestra program, not all violin/viola students will have their own storage unit and will use the assigned locked, storage rooms.
  • Cello and bass players bringing in their own instrument will also leave their instruments in the locked storage room. Students are strongly encouraged to take their instruments home to practice at the conclusion of each school day. Students may drop instruments off in the orchestra room each morning after the 8:40AM bell.

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 a school violin and viola instruments. Parents planning to rent a school cello and bass 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 is not acceptable and 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

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. The orchestra program has a limited supply of school owned instruments, and may not have one available for a student to use in class if the student’s instrument is being repaired.

If a student does not have an instrument in class because it is in a shop for repair, the directors will not deduct points from the class daily performance grade. However, the student must bring a note from the parent stating that the instrument is in the shop for repairs to receive credit for class daily performance. The note must 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 caused by neglect. Any student caught damaging, stealing, or defacing orchestra property or the property of other students will be referred to an administrator.