SHMS STRING/ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS AND TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP

Transcription

1 SHMS STRING/ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS AND TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP Carefully review the information in this syllabus; contained therein is a list of calendar dates, please add these events to your family calendar. Finally, please sign and return the acknowledgment form on the last page. INSTRUCTOR: Eric Maeshiro CONTACT INFO: eric.maeshiro@lcps.org Phone: Stone Hill Middle School, COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: Strings 6: This is a full-year elective, which provides instruction for violin, viola, cello, or double bass students. Students will learn the basic elements of music while developing the techniques and skills appropriate to an orchestral string instrument. Opportunities for performances outside regular school hours are at the discretion of the instructor. Students will provide their own instruments. (LCPS Middle School Program of Studies, pg. 18.) Strings 7: This is a full-year elective, which provides instruction for violin, viola, cello, or double bass students. Students enrolled in this class will continue learning the fundamentals of string playing, with an increased focus on ensemble playing. Opportunities for performances outside of regular school hours are at the discretion of the instructor. Students will provide their own instruments. (LCPS Middle School Program of Studies, pg. 24.) Strings 8: This is a full-year course, which provides students the opportunity to continue to build their skill, musical knowledge, and repertoire. There is a continued emphasis on performance techniques, ensemble playing, and a more difficult and varied repertoire. Opportunities for performances outside the school day are at the discretion of the instructor. Students will provide their own instruments. (LCPS Middle School Program of Studies, pg. 30.) MATERIALS: Method Book, String Builder (purchased through the school) Strings 6: String Builder, book 1 Strings 7: String Builder, book 2 Strings 8: String Builder, book 3 Assigned Music (distributed in class) Instrument, in working order; e.g. all strings, bow, shoulder rest, etc. Extra strings (especially the E string for violin, and the A string for viola) Music Stand (to be kept and used at home) Pencil EXPECTATIONS: In order to make adequate progress, daily practice at home is essential. Students are to come to class with all materials and well prepared. For students who bring their instrument to and from school, instruments are not to stay at the school overnight. Storage areas are not securable and the school is not responsible for instruments left overnight.

2 EVALUATION AND GRADING: Strings 6-8 are graded classes that meet every other day. Each quarter, students will earn a grade that describes their musical progress and achievement. Three categories comprise the quarter grade: In-Class Assessments, Performance Assessments, and Concert Participation. IN-CLASS ASSESSMENTS (3 Grades): In-Class Assessments are chosen from the numbered exercises in the String Builder class method book. There will be five In-class Assessments per marking period--the three highest grades are kept and calculated as part of the quarter grade. PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT (1 Grade): Solo or small ensemble pieces are assigned and performed before the class, as in recital. Performance times are scheduled two weeks in advance for each student. Students may opt to perform during a scheduled Open Recital (see Calendar of Events) in lieu of the in-class performance. CONCERT PARTICIPATION (1 Grade): There will be one concert per marking period; students are required to participate, either as a member of the ensemble or the audience. Students participating as ensemble members are expected to attend all pre-concert rehearsals, be proficient in programmed music, and perform in concert attire (see below). Failure to meet these expectations may mean exclusion from concert participation and a forfeiture of the Concert Participation grade. Students participating as audience members must be accompanied by, and, seated with their respective parent(s) during the duration of the performance. Grades are based on concert etiquette; students are to listen attentively and politely. Students must be present in the auditorium during the entirety of the performance. At the end of the performance, students are responsible to get their programs signed by a school faculty member present at the concert as proof of attendance. Programs are signed at the end of the concert only. Partial attendance or inappropriate behavior will result in a reduction of the Concert Participation grade. CONCERT ETIQUETTE: No electronics No flash photography No entering and exiting while music is in progress Children remain with parents Listen attentively PREPAREDNESS & TESTING POLICY Students are expected to come to class prepared (see above, Materials and Expectations). Students are not permitted to use the instruments of other students, with or without permission. Students without their instrument on a test day will be assessed a failing grade on that test. Students are eligible to retake any test for which they have received a numerical grade of less than a 70%. Students have two weeks to retake a test. Retakes must be scheduled in advance with the instructor.

3 REHEARSALS: Students must have a signed After School Permission Form to attend rehearsals. Full rehearsals are generally limited to the week of the concert, District Assessment and Hershey Park Assessment being the exceptions. Rehearsals are not, themselves, graded; however, failure to attend rehearsals may mean exclusion from the concert performance and a forfeiture of the Concert Participation grade. Rehearsals take place immediately after the last class block on days when LCPS provides students with transportation and are considered part of the regular school day. Parents who choose to pick their children up from rehearsals must do so promptly, as there is no supervision provided for students after 4:25pm. The attendance of all orchestra members in after-school rehearsals is expected and an essential element to class participation. Please be aware that failure to provide a legitimate excuse for an absence can result in a lowered quarter grade average. Excused absences are: Severe personal illness (causing school absence on the day of the event) Extreme family emergency (beyond the control of student or family) Unexcused absences are: Failure to arrange transportation Failure to obtain after-school permission form Failure to previously arrange absence with parent notification Failure to resolve a conflict involving a routine medical appointment, community activity, or athletic event In the case of student participation in extra-curricular ensembles sponsored by Loudoun County Public Schools, the scheduled events of the student s home school take precedent. CONCERT ATTIRE: 7 th and 8 th grade: Orchestra Shirt (ordered through school), 6 th Grade: collared white shirt, polo, oxford, or blouse. Black slacks, or knee-length skirt Black shoes, black socks DAILY CLASS ROUTINE: Entrance and Unpacking Tuning Warm-up and Rote Exercises Sight Reading Lesson (Exercises from method book, see Pacing Guide) In-Class Assessments/Performance Assessments Concert Repertoire Packing and Dismissal

4 BASIC APPROACH TO MATERIAL Observe Key and Time Signature Count and Clap Rhythm Solfege Isolate and Practice Difficulties Perform Music CLASS LESSONS AND PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS: All essential lesson material is introduced in the first class meeting of the week, and will be reviewed or reintroduced in subsequent lessons. All material is expected to be practiced thoroughly; there is no specific amount of time students are expected to practice--material should be practiced accurately and until the assigned piece(s) can be competently performed at the indicated tempo in the method book. Pacing guides are posted on Mr. Maeshiro's staff webpage, which indicates exercises being studied throughout the grading period. TEMPO GUIDE: Tempo Marking Beats Per Minute Adagio 60 Andante Moderato 70 Andante 75 Andantino 80 Moderato 90 Allegretto 100 Allegro 120 Vivace 135 SHMS ORCHESTRA SCHEDULE OF CONCERTS AND REHEARSALS Day Date Time Event Location WED 30 Oct 3:30-4:20 pm Rehearsal (Symphonic Orchestra) Auditorium WED 30 Oct 7:00 pm Fall Concert (Symphonic Orchestra) SHMS Auditorium THU 05 Dec 3:30-4:20 pm Rehearsal (Symphonic Orchestra) Auditorium THU 05 Dec 7:00 pm Holiday Concert (Symphonic Orchestra) SHMS Auditorium WED 22 Jan 3:30-4:20 pm Rehearsal (Concert Orchestra) Auditorium THU 23 Jan 7:00 pm Winter Concert (Concert Orchestra) SHMS Auditorium WED 05 Feb 3:30-4:20 pm Sectional Rehearsal TBA (Symphonic Orchestra) Orchestra Room THU 06 Feb 3:30-4:20 pm Sectional Rehearsal TBA (Symphonic Orchestra) Orchestra Room WED 12 Feb 3:30-4:20 pm Sectional Rehearsal TBA (Symphonic Orchestra) Orchestra Room THU 13 Feb 3:30-4:20 pm Sectional Rehearsal TBA (Symphonic Orchestra) Orchestra Room WED 19 Feb 3:30-4:20 pm Full Rehearsal (Symphonic Orchestra) Orchestra Room THU 20 Feb 3:30-4:20 pm Full Rehearsal (Symphonic Orchestra) Auditorium THU 20 Feb 7:00 pm Concert (Symphonic Orchestra) SHMS Auditorium WED 26 Feb 3:30-4:20 pm Sectional Rehearsal TBA (Symphonic Orchestra) Orchestra Room THU 27 Feb 3:30-4:20 pm Sectional Rehearsal TBA (Symphonic Orchestra) Orchestra Room WED 05 Mar 3:30-4:20 pm Full Rehearsal (Symphonic Orchestra) Orchestra Room THU 06 Mar 3:30-4:20 pm Full Rehearsal (Symphonic Orchestra) Auditorium

5 SAT 08 Mar TBA VBODA District 16 Middle School Assessment Lundsford MS WED 09 Apr 3:30-4:20 pm Rehearsal (Cadet Orchestra) Auditorium THU 10 Apr 3:30-4:20 pm Rehearsal (Cadet Orchestra) Auditorium THU 10 Apr 7:00 pm Concert (Cadet Orchestra) SHMS Auditorium THU 24 Apr 3:30-4:20 pm Rehearsal (Concert Orchestra) Auditorium THU 24 Apr 7:00 pm Concert (Concert Orchstra) SHMS Auditorium THU 08 May 3:30-4:20 pm Rehearsal (Symphonic Orchestra) Auditorium THU 08 May 7:00 pm Concert (Symphonic Orchestra) SHMS Auditorium Special Events Day Date Time Event Location SAT 05 Oct 9:00-11:00am (Registration) Regional Orchestra Auditions Benton MS (Prince William Co.) TUE 22 Oct 7:00 pm Open Recital SHMS Library FRI 08 Nov All Day Regional Orchestra Rehearsal James Monroe HS (Stafford Co.) SAT 09 Nov All Day Regional Orchestra Rehearsal & Concert James Monroe HS (Stafford Co.) SAT 07 Dec 9:00-11:00 All-County Orchestra Auditions Eagle Ridge MS (Registration) TUE 17 Dec 7:00 pm Open Recital SHMS Library THU 13 Feb 7:00 pm Open Recital SHMS Library FRI 14 Feb All Day All-County Orchestra Rehearsal Heritage HS SAT 15 Feb All Day All-County Orchestra Rehearsal & Concert Heritage HS TUE 22 Apr 7:00 pm Open Recital SHMS Library SAT 26 Apr TBD Solo & Ensemble Assessment Smart's Mill MS FRI 16 May All Day Symphonic Orchestra Year-End Trip & Assessment Hershey Park

6 SHMS DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC UNIVERSAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM My child (print child's name here) and I have read all information listed in the SHMS Strings/Orchestra Syllabus and Terms of Membership. My child will (parent's initial spaces to the left:) be in attendance at all scheduled after-school rehearsals, assigned concerts and events. wear appropriate concert attire. Signed by parent/guardian: Date: