L-W East High School Orchestra Handbook 2025-2026
Mrs. Freeland, Orchestra Director
Mr. Johnson, LWE Music Dept. Chair
www.lwemusic.org
All parents must set-up a Presto account at www.presto-assistant.com with the organization code being “east”. Important department/music booster/fundraising/rental information is communicated with Presto.
I will be emailing all curricular class communications through Skyward. All students should be checking their school email regularly.
Contact Information Mrs. Freeland, 815-464-4297, [email protected], Office Hours: by appointment, www.lwemusic.org.
Course Descriptions
The String/Symphony Orchestra is a performance-based ensemble, and this course offers training in the intermediate and advanced skills of performing in a string and full orchestra ensemble. Technically challenging repertoire and solo performance opportunities will be teamed with audio assessment and individual enrichment assignments. Public performances will highlight the course. Full Symphonic Orchestral literature will be part of our curricular instruction and performed at our April Concerts.
The String/Symphony Orchestra – Honors Credit is an extension of the regular orchestra class. Students in their 3rd or 4th year of the program at L-W, along with those who qualified for the ILMEA District/State Orchestras can qualify, and will complete additional assignments and additional performance opportunities when available.
Extracurricular
The Symphony Strings is an extracurricular string orchestra that will rehearse on Tuesday evenings throughout the year. Symphony Strings students who participate will be prepared for additional performance opportunities some of which include community gigs, madrigals, musical, etc. After the Strings Extravaganza in February we will transition into musical pit music, followed by our LWE Symphony music. The LWE Symphony combines winds, brass, and percussion students and will have one after school or evening required rehearsal for all East String Orchestra students in April.
School Instrument Rental
Field Trips
It is my belief that students can have rich educational experiences through attending concerts, participating in music festivals, and visiting universities. District Orchestra trips and LWE Music Department trips are offered every 2 to 4 years. Information on this year’s possible fieldtrips will be communicated via Skyward emails…
Concert AttireAll black, conservative, long sleeve and floor length attire, black shoes.
Required Concert/Event Attendance (as of August 18, 2025)
Fall Orchestra Concert 6:30 PM Wednesday, November 19th
Strings Extravaganza 6:30 PM Monday, February 9th
LWE Fish Fry Fundraisers (Only 1 TBD) Friday, March 6th
LWE Symphony Required Rehearsal Monday, April 27th
Spring Symphony Orchestra & Band Concert 6:00 PM Tuesday, April 28th
Additional Opportunities
LWE Symphony Strings Tuesdays starting 9/16 (End after Feb/March gigs) No 11/4
ILMEA Audition Excerpts Released Wednesday, September 10th
ILMEA Audition Submissions Due Wednesday, October 1st
ILMEA Festival Elmhurst College Saturday, November 8th
December Gigs TBD – Services Hours Given
Madrigal Dinners Friday 12/5, Saturday (two shows) 12/6, Sunday 12/7
ILMEA All-State Festival January 28-31st
Music Honors Society Recitals TBD
Music BoostersHave you officially joined the music boosters? The money collected for membership goes to a scholarship fund that is distributed to deserving senior music students at the end of the year, funds classroom and extracurricular needs, plus membership allows free entry into home games. If you would like to purchase a membership, log into your skyward account and click on “fee management” to add the membership and pay. All families are encouraged to join the LWE Music Boosters. The website with more information to join is: www.lwemusicboosters.org
PrestoPresto is the online system that the music boosters/music department uses to send out weekly calendar updates, organize individual fundraising accounts (IFA), communicate fundraisers, booster’s events, uniforms, etc. If you are new this year, you’ll want to learn how to log into your Presto account. This is the place you can check the balance of your IFA (Individual Family Account), sign up to volunteer, purchase items in the online store and more. If it’s your first time logging into charms, go to www.lwemusic.org and follow the link on the home page to sign-up.
Required Performance Conflict PolicyPerformance conflicts do not happen. However, extreme circumstances may mean that an unavoidable conflict due to a family death, illness, accident, or the more positive athletic conflict could occur. Conflicts are approved on a case by case basis and must be submitted in writing. The conflict form must state the specific nature of the conflict (“a previous commitment” is not acceptable), when the conflict is, and when this commitment was made. Only forms submitted before the performance will be eligible to be excused. A job or homework will never be eligible to be excused.
Illinois Music Honors SocietyThe Illinois Music Honors Society is a student led honors society that organizes events and performances for those sophomore-senior students wishing to go above and beyond in our music department. More information will be available in class soon.
GradingSemester grades: 80% Semester Work Average
20% Final Exam
Semester Work: 30% Performances
25% Playing Assessments: Live or digital
25% Written/Digital Assessments
20% Work Skills
Performances:
♪Concert/Festival/Performance 100 points each. “Performance” is defined as any event in which the director has required your attendance. Orchestra is a co-curricular class, and you will be obligated to attend functions after school and on weekends. A list of known “required for grade” attendance events has been listed on the front side of this document.
♪Concert/Festival/Performance Reflections Various points each. Every required performance will include an in-class reflection assignment. This reflection will include self-assessment, information on the pieces performed, and any additional information appropriate for each given performance situation.
Work Skills:
♪Instrument: Each student is expected to have their instrument daily
♪Pencil: Everyone must have a pencil at their stand daily
♪Set-Up and Tear Down of Rehearsal: Students will responsibility set-up and tear down our rehearsal space daily, treating all school equipment with respect.
♪Tuning Etiquette: One of my largest goals is to give my students the skills to succeed in an orchestra in college, and in the community beyond high school. Proper tuning expectations will be taught
♪Participation/Effort: Students are expected to actively participate in orchestra daily. A written medical note can excuse a student due to injury or illness. Please let me know as quickly as possible if a change medical/participation needs arises.
Playing Assessments: Various points
♪Playing Exams will be administered by the director over selected repertoire from the current concert cycle. Scales and rhythms may be included. Students must perform assessments when assigned—no make-ups for ill-prepared assessments. Assessments can be in person or digital.
♪Smart Music may be utilized this year to facilitate practice at home when applicable. Smart Music is an online music program purchased by the district that allows for home practice and assessment.
Written/Digital Assessments: Various Points
♪In Class or Online Written Work will include music theory, vocabulary, and musical concepts that review material from the previous day(s) and/or introduce new material for the upcoming lesson.
♪Music Theory LWE. Students will be expected to complete online graded assignments regularly.
♪Self-Assessments will be completed as benchmarks throughout each concert cycle. Thorough, reflective work is expected.
♪Quizzes will be given throughout the year on music theory, music vocabulary, and music history that is relevant to the techniques and music being studied.
♪Final Exam
Mrs. Freeland, Orchestra Director
Mr. Johnson, LWE Music Dept. Chair
www.lwemusic.org
All parents must set-up a Presto account at www.presto-assistant.com with the organization code being “east”. Important department/music booster/fundraising/rental information is communicated with Presto.
I will be emailing all curricular class communications through Skyward. All students should be checking their school email regularly.
Contact Information Mrs. Freeland, 815-464-4297, [email protected], Office Hours: by appointment, www.lwemusic.org.
Course Descriptions
The String/Symphony Orchestra is a performance-based ensemble, and this course offers training in the intermediate and advanced skills of performing in a string and full orchestra ensemble. Technically challenging repertoire and solo performance opportunities will be teamed with audio assessment and individual enrichment assignments. Public performances will highlight the course. Full Symphonic Orchestral literature will be part of our curricular instruction and performed at our April Concerts.
The String/Symphony Orchestra – Honors Credit is an extension of the regular orchestra class. Students in their 3rd or 4th year of the program at L-W, along with those who qualified for the ILMEA District/State Orchestras can qualify, and will complete additional assignments and additional performance opportunities when available.
Extracurricular
The Symphony Strings is an extracurricular string orchestra that will rehearse on Tuesday evenings throughout the year. Symphony Strings students who participate will be prepared for additional performance opportunities some of which include community gigs, madrigals, musical, etc. After the Strings Extravaganza in February we will transition into musical pit music, followed by our LWE Symphony music. The LWE Symphony combines winds, brass, and percussion students and will have one after school or evening required rehearsal for all East String Orchestra students in April.
School Instrument Rental
- There will be a rental fee of $150 for the use of one school instrument, and a significantly smaller fee for each additional instrument (marching/wind ensemble). This is a department wide policy and the fee helps cover maintenance and repair of school instruments.
- IFA funds can be used.
- Every student will be billed through Presto.
- If you wish to bring your own violin/viola to school, locked locker storage will be provided in the orchestra/band room. L-W is not liable for instruments left unattended after school hours.
Field Trips
It is my belief that students can have rich educational experiences through attending concerts, participating in music festivals, and visiting universities. District Orchestra trips and LWE Music Department trips are offered every 2 to 4 years. Information on this year’s possible fieldtrips will be communicated via Skyward emails…
Concert AttireAll black, conservative, long sleeve and floor length attire, black shoes.
Required Concert/Event Attendance (as of August 18, 2025)
Fall Orchestra Concert 6:30 PM Wednesday, November 19th
Strings Extravaganza 6:30 PM Monday, February 9th
LWE Fish Fry Fundraisers (Only 1 TBD) Friday, March 6th
LWE Symphony Required Rehearsal Monday, April 27th
Spring Symphony Orchestra & Band Concert 6:00 PM Tuesday, April 28th
Additional Opportunities
LWE Symphony Strings Tuesdays starting 9/16 (End after Feb/March gigs) No 11/4
ILMEA Audition Excerpts Released Wednesday, September 10th
ILMEA Audition Submissions Due Wednesday, October 1st
ILMEA Festival Elmhurst College Saturday, November 8th
December Gigs TBD – Services Hours Given
Madrigal Dinners Friday 12/5, Saturday (two shows) 12/6, Sunday 12/7
ILMEA All-State Festival January 28-31st
Music Honors Society Recitals TBD
Music BoostersHave you officially joined the music boosters? The money collected for membership goes to a scholarship fund that is distributed to deserving senior music students at the end of the year, funds classroom and extracurricular needs, plus membership allows free entry into home games. If you would like to purchase a membership, log into your skyward account and click on “fee management” to add the membership and pay. All families are encouraged to join the LWE Music Boosters. The website with more information to join is: www.lwemusicboosters.org
PrestoPresto is the online system that the music boosters/music department uses to send out weekly calendar updates, organize individual fundraising accounts (IFA), communicate fundraisers, booster’s events, uniforms, etc. If you are new this year, you’ll want to learn how to log into your Presto account. This is the place you can check the balance of your IFA (Individual Family Account), sign up to volunteer, purchase items in the online store and more. If it’s your first time logging into charms, go to www.lwemusic.org and follow the link on the home page to sign-up.
Required Performance Conflict PolicyPerformance conflicts do not happen. However, extreme circumstances may mean that an unavoidable conflict due to a family death, illness, accident, or the more positive athletic conflict could occur. Conflicts are approved on a case by case basis and must be submitted in writing. The conflict form must state the specific nature of the conflict (“a previous commitment” is not acceptable), when the conflict is, and when this commitment was made. Only forms submitted before the performance will be eligible to be excused. A job or homework will never be eligible to be excused.
Illinois Music Honors SocietyThe Illinois Music Honors Society is a student led honors society that organizes events and performances for those sophomore-senior students wishing to go above and beyond in our music department. More information will be available in class soon.
GradingSemester grades: 80% Semester Work Average
20% Final Exam
Semester Work: 30% Performances
25% Playing Assessments: Live or digital
25% Written/Digital Assessments
20% Work Skills
Performances:
♪Concert/Festival/Performance 100 points each. “Performance” is defined as any event in which the director has required your attendance. Orchestra is a co-curricular class, and you will be obligated to attend functions after school and on weekends. A list of known “required for grade” attendance events has been listed on the front side of this document.
♪Concert/Festival/Performance Reflections Various points each. Every required performance will include an in-class reflection assignment. This reflection will include self-assessment, information on the pieces performed, and any additional information appropriate for each given performance situation.
Work Skills:
♪Instrument: Each student is expected to have their instrument daily
♪Pencil: Everyone must have a pencil at their stand daily
♪Set-Up and Tear Down of Rehearsal: Students will responsibility set-up and tear down our rehearsal space daily, treating all school equipment with respect.
♪Tuning Etiquette: One of my largest goals is to give my students the skills to succeed in an orchestra in college, and in the community beyond high school. Proper tuning expectations will be taught
♪Participation/Effort: Students are expected to actively participate in orchestra daily. A written medical note can excuse a student due to injury or illness. Please let me know as quickly as possible if a change medical/participation needs arises.
Playing Assessments: Various points
♪Playing Exams will be administered by the director over selected repertoire from the current concert cycle. Scales and rhythms may be included. Students must perform assessments when assigned—no make-ups for ill-prepared assessments. Assessments can be in person or digital.
♪Smart Music may be utilized this year to facilitate practice at home when applicable. Smart Music is an online music program purchased by the district that allows for home practice and assessment.
Written/Digital Assessments: Various Points
♪In Class or Online Written Work will include music theory, vocabulary, and musical concepts that review material from the previous day(s) and/or introduce new material for the upcoming lesson.
♪Music Theory LWE. Students will be expected to complete online graded assignments regularly.
♪Self-Assessments will be completed as benchmarks throughout each concert cycle. Thorough, reflective work is expected.
♪Quizzes will be given throughout the year on music theory, music vocabulary, and music history that is relevant to the techniques and music being studied.
♪Final Exam
