Frequently Asked Questions about the E.J. Hayes Orchestra
Where can I quickly find information about Orchestra?
Frequent backpack letters will come home with the students regarding concerts and events. You may also receive reminders and important news via email. If you are not receiving our email updates, verify you’re your email address is up to date in Infinite Campus. We also will send home reminders about upcoming performances and events using Remind. Orchestra events and information are also posted on the school and class websites. Our class website is www.ejhayesorchestra.org.
Is there a practice requirement outside of school?
Yes. Students are expected to practice four times per week for 15-20 minutes at a time (60-80 minutes total). They will record their time and their progress on practice reflections, which are due every Friday via Google Classroom. Sometimes we will assign practice homework in which students will have an assignment to practice and video. They will turn in the video through Google Classroom where it will be graded and they will receive feedback.
Can I rent an instrument from the school?
A limited number of instruments are available to rent from the school. If your family is interested in a school rental instrument, we will send home a rental agreement during the first two weeks of school. If there is a greater demand than supply, instruments will be rented on a financial-need basis, and then on a first come-first served basis.
When are the Orchestra concerts and what do students wear for performances?
We typically have one evening concert per grading period. A performance calendar is sent home during the first week of school. Concerts are required academic events for all students and concert participation is an expectation for participating in Orchestra class. The official attire for our performances will be black pants and white dress shirts for gentlemen and black pants or a long black skirt with a white blouse for ladies. Everyone should wear black shoes with dark socks (or dark hose or stockings for girls). All clothing must fall within the school dress code and look neat and professional.
Do I have to carry my instrument home every night?
Violinists and violists are expected to take their instruments home often enough to fulfill the weekly practice requirement and have them back for class every day. Cellists and Bassists do not have to worry about carrying an instrument back and forth to school each day, especially since their instruments cannot be taken on the school bus. Instead, they will have a school instrument assigned to them to use in class. Cellists and bassists are responsible for having a “practice” instrument at home which will periodically need to be brought in for tuning and/or maintenance. They can rent this from school, as our supply allows.
Is there a place at school where I can store my instrument?
Secure instrument and music storage is available in the music wing at Hayes. Students will drop their instruments off in the mornings when they are released to go to class and will pick them up during afternoon dismissal. Violin and viola students will have an assigned storage cubby.
How do we contact Mrs. Francis and Mrs. Summers?
Parents, when you need to talk to us, we want to respond to you in the quickest manner possible. Because of our teaching schedules and teaching at multiple schools, sometimes it is difficult to avoid “phone tag.” Therefore, email is the most direct way to reach us. We will do our very best to always answer emails on the same day and will be happy to arrange a time to talk over the phone or in person. Your concerns are very important to us! Please don’t ever hesitate to contact us! Our email addresses are sara.francis@fayette.kyschools.us and laura.summers@fayette.kyschools.us. If you prefer to call, you can reach us at (859)-381-4920 ext. 40081. If there is no answer, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Frequent backpack letters will come home with the students regarding concerts and events. You may also receive reminders and important news via email. If you are not receiving our email updates, verify you’re your email address is up to date in Infinite Campus. We also will send home reminders about upcoming performances and events using Remind. Orchestra events and information are also posted on the school and class websites. Our class website is www.ejhayesorchestra.org.
Is there a practice requirement outside of school?
Yes. Students are expected to practice four times per week for 15-20 minutes at a time (60-80 minutes total). They will record their time and their progress on practice reflections, which are due every Friday via Google Classroom. Sometimes we will assign practice homework in which students will have an assignment to practice and video. They will turn in the video through Google Classroom where it will be graded and they will receive feedback.
Can I rent an instrument from the school?
A limited number of instruments are available to rent from the school. If your family is interested in a school rental instrument, we will send home a rental agreement during the first two weeks of school. If there is a greater demand than supply, instruments will be rented on a financial-need basis, and then on a first come-first served basis.
When are the Orchestra concerts and what do students wear for performances?
We typically have one evening concert per grading period. A performance calendar is sent home during the first week of school. Concerts are required academic events for all students and concert participation is an expectation for participating in Orchestra class. The official attire for our performances will be black pants and white dress shirts for gentlemen and black pants or a long black skirt with a white blouse for ladies. Everyone should wear black shoes with dark socks (or dark hose or stockings for girls). All clothing must fall within the school dress code and look neat and professional.
Do I have to carry my instrument home every night?
Violinists and violists are expected to take their instruments home often enough to fulfill the weekly practice requirement and have them back for class every day. Cellists and Bassists do not have to worry about carrying an instrument back and forth to school each day, especially since their instruments cannot be taken on the school bus. Instead, they will have a school instrument assigned to them to use in class. Cellists and bassists are responsible for having a “practice” instrument at home which will periodically need to be brought in for tuning and/or maintenance. They can rent this from school, as our supply allows.
Is there a place at school where I can store my instrument?
Secure instrument and music storage is available in the music wing at Hayes. Students will drop their instruments off in the mornings when they are released to go to class and will pick them up during afternoon dismissal. Violin and viola students will have an assigned storage cubby.
How do we contact Mrs. Francis and Mrs. Summers?
Parents, when you need to talk to us, we want to respond to you in the quickest manner possible. Because of our teaching schedules and teaching at multiple schools, sometimes it is difficult to avoid “phone tag.” Therefore, email is the most direct way to reach us. We will do our very best to always answer emails on the same day and will be happy to arrange a time to talk over the phone or in person. Your concerns are very important to us! Please don’t ever hesitate to contact us! Our email addresses are sara.francis@fayette.kyschools.us and laura.summers@fayette.kyschools.us. If you prefer to call, you can reach us at (859)-381-4920 ext. 40081. If there is no answer, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call as soon as possible.
