Tucker Middle School String Orchestra Syllabus Striving for Excellence, One String at a Time 2016-2017 Ms. Min J. Kang, Orchestra Director Tucker Middle School 0
String Orchestra Syllabus 2016-2017 Ms. Min Kang Orchestra Room B153 (678) 875-0902 Front Office Min_Kang@dekalbschoolsga.org 2160 Idlewood Road Tucker, GA 30084 TMS 2016-2017 Connections Schedule PERIODS CONNECTIONS Planning 8:25am-9:40am (75 minutes) 2 nd period- 8 th Grade Advanced Orchestra 9:45am-10:35am (50 minutes) 3 rd period- 8 th Grade Music Appreciation 10:40am-11:30am (50 minutes) Lunch 11:35am-12:05pm (30 minutes) 4 th period- 7 th Grade Advanced Orchestra 12:10pm-1:00pm (50 minutes) 5 th period- 7 th Grade Music Appreciation 1:05pm-1:55pm (50 minutes) 6 th period- 6 th Grade Music Appreciation 2:05pm- 2:55pm (50 minutes) 7 th period- 6 th Grade Beginning Orchestra 3:00pm-4:00pm (60 minutes) Objectives Sixth Grade beginning string orchestra presents the bow hold, instrument hold, correct posture, reading music, fundamentals of rhythms and time signatures, introduces the keys of D, G, and C, ear training and pitch recognition, producing strong tone, staccato and legato bowing, slurring, dynamics, common music symbols, and ensemble performance skills. Seventh Grade string orchestra continues to study the keys of D, G, and C major scales and expands to cover F, Bb, and A major and their related minor keys; reinforces and refines proper posture, bow hold, instrument hold, note reading, dynamic range, tempo markings; introduces more complicated rhythms such as syncopation, triplets, dotted notes, sixteenth notes, time signatures, bowings; introduces shifting and position work, tuning the instrument and vibrato; develops sight-reading and performance skills, explores composing music, explores the contributions of various individuals to orchestra music using a variety of sources. Eighth Grade string orchestra refines tuning, position and bow hold; continues development of pitch perception and vibrato; reinforces keys of D, G, C, F, Bb, and A by playing two octaves scales and arpeggios; demonstrates multiple bowing techniques; reinforces and refines shifting and upper position work; refines performance skills; recognizes various musical forms; demonstrates tempo relationships of common musical terms; understands major and minor scales and chords. 1
Materials All 6 th grade orchestra members who have fulfilled his/her orchestra dues of $85.00 will be provided with an orchestra binder with Essential Elements 2000, Book 1. 1. Instrument and bow in good playing condition. 2. Essential Elements 2000, Book 1, $8.99 (6 th Grade), Book 2, $7.99 (7 th and 8 th Grades). 3. 1 inch three-ring black binder and sheet protectors for keeping sheet music. 4. Pencils and notebook papers. 5. A tuner and a metronome. 6. Accessories: rosin, shoulder rest for violin and viola, rock stop for cello and bass, cleaning cloth, and extra set of strings. 7. A combination lock for the violin and viola players only. 8. One box of tissues for classroom. 9. A folding music stand to practice at home. *** All materials must be obtained by August 22 nd, 2016. Please communicate with Ms. Kang via e-mail or note if your child is not able to meet this deadline. *** Orchestra Dues Orchestra dues are $85.00 for new members and $75.00 for returning TMS orchestra members. Orchestra dues are non-refundable and are not transferable to other organizations. Orchestra dues are necessary for students participating in any orchestra related extra-curricular activity. Orchestra dues cover expenses for items such as orchestra uniforms, music, Large Group Performance Evaluation Fees, accessories, instrument repairs, local field trip admission tickets, local field trip transportation costs, local field trip meals/snacks, and end of the year awards. Description of Standards National Standards for Grades 5-8 1. Content Standard: Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 2. Content Standard: Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 3. Content Standard: Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments. 4. Content Standard: Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines. 5. Content Standard: Reading and notating music. 6. Content Standard: Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. 7. Content Standard: Evaluating music and music performances. 8. Content Standard: Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts. 9. Content Standard: Understanding music in relation to history and culture. Grading Scale 100-90 A 80-89 B 71-79 C 70 D Below 70 F 2
Weighted Averages Skills Assessment (Warm-Up), Quiz (Written or Playing Evaluation), Projects 25% Classwork, Performance, Homework, Notebook Check 45% Formal Post-Assessment Test, Performance, Final Exam 30% Tests Students will have written or playing evaluations throughout the year. Chair placement exams may take place randomly on or after each concert. Tests may include solo skills evaluations, ensemble skills evaluations, research evaluations, music history, music notation, written evaluations, and oral evaluations. Use of Videos/DVDs, Movies, and other Audiovisual Materials DVD #1: Wynton Marsalis on Music- Why Toes Tap Why Toes Tap explains why rhythm is the most fundamental element of music and helps us to hear the variety of rhythmic play in Tchaikovsky s Nutcracker Suite and Duke Ellington s jazz arrangement of it. DVD #2: Wynton Marsalis on Music- Tackling the Monster Tackling the Monster offers Wynton s ways to practice- guidelines for learning music that can be applied by young people and others to endeavors in every walk of life. DVD #3: Wynton Marsalis on Music- Listening for Clues Listening for Clues demystifies the concept of musical form, showing students how to follow sonata form, theme and variations, thirty-two bar song form, and blues form, and how to hear connections between them through the music of Prokofiev, Gershwin, Ives, and Ellington. Concert Attendance As a member of the orchestra program, concert attendance is expected at all orchestra events and performances. In the event you arrive late, leave early, or miss an event or performance, Ms. Kang must receive a reason in writing from the parent at least two weeks prior to the event in order to be excused. Performances are very important in your development as a musician. Everyone needs to be in concert attendance. Students who do not attend concerts for any reason will be given an alternate written assignment. It must be made up before the end of the 9 week grading period. Failure to perform may result in suspension from the ensemble. Concert Attire Students will wear a TMS Orchestra black polo shirt and black pants/skirts for concerts. Ladies- All young ladies must wear TMS Orchestra black polo shirts, solid black knee-length or longer skirts or dress pants, black socks/stockings, and black dress shoes (no open-toe shoes). No acrylic nails or excessive jewelry. Gentlemen- All young men must wear TMS Orchestra black polo shirts, solid black dress pants (no black jeans), black socks, and black dress shoes (no tennis shoes). After-School Rehearsals There will be after-school rehearsals prior to winter concert, spring concert, and GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation. Students are expected to attend after-school rehearsals in order to produce successful performances. 7 th /8 th grade orchestra members are scheduled to begin their after-school rehearsals starting October 1 st, 2016. After-school rehearsals are held on Thursdays. Please refer to the monthly calendar starting the month of October. 3
Instrument Repairs Students and/or parents must notify Ms. Kang PRIOR to taking any instrument to the repair shop. Ms. Kang will determine if repairs can be premises or if the instrument needs professional repair. This will eliminate lack of classroom participation as it relates to the student s grade in the class. School Instruments String instruments such as violin, viola, cello, or bass may be rented for the school year if the student and parent sign a contractual agreement and pay a $60.00 non-refundable deposit. If student/parent decided not to continue orchestra or not register for orchestra for any reason, the instrument must be returned immediately. Instruments will be issued in good playing condition. Repairs through the orchestra program will be limited to one repair per semester. Student/parent will be responsible for repairs afterwards. These instruments will be issued on a first come basis. Private Lessons One of the most valuable investments a parent can make for an orchestra student is in a good private lesson teacher. There is nothing like the instruction of a musician who has dedicated his or her life to studying and perfecting the art of one instrument. Private lessons are encouraged, but never required. They are for all students- beginners, those who are struggling and advanced students. Anyone can benefit from a private instructor. Lessons are also a great idea for students auditioning for honor ensembles outside of the Tucker Orchestra Program. Please see Ms. Kang for a list of instructors if you are interested in private lessons. Guest Clinicians Professional musicians, university conductors, and recording artists will be invited at different times throughout the year to come and share their talents with the orchestra, specific section and/or individuals. Please try to be flexible concerning the future scheduling of these clinics. Student Progress Semester progress reports will be issued as 4 ½ week, 9 week, and 13 ½ week into each semester. The progress of students will be evaluated frequently and plans will be generated to remediate deficiencies as they are discovered. Plans will include appropriate interventions designed to meet the needs of the students. Academic Integrity Students will not engage in an act of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating, providing false information, falsifying school records, forging signatures, or using an unauthorized computer user ID or password. Please refer to the Student Handbook. Homework Homework assignments should be meaningful and should be an application or adaptation of a classroom experience. Homework is at all times an extension of the teaching/learning experience. It should be considered the possession of the student and should be collected, evaluated and returned to the students. Make-Up Work Due To Absences When a student is absent because of a legal reason as defined by Georgia law or when the absence is apparently beyond the control of the student, the student shall be given an opportunity to earn grade(s) for those days absent. Make-up work must be completed within the designated time allotted. 4
Storage Rooms We are so excited to have a beautiful orchestra facility at TMS. There will be a violin/viola storage area and a cello/bass storage area for students instruments. Please make sure your child has a name tag on his/her instrument case. NO GUM, FOOD, DRINKS (other than water) will be allowed in the classroom and the storage rooms. Classroom Expectations/Consequences/Discipline Students must adhere to the DCSS Student Code of Conduct, as well as specific class rules. 1. Be on time. 2. Come to class prepared (with instrument, orchestra binder, pencil, and rehearsed). 3. Do not bring food, gum, candy, and flavored drinks to class. 4. Respect others. No name calling, teasing, talking, or playing out of turn. 5. Follow instructions the first time given. 6. Raise your hand and wait to be recognized before speaking. 7. Do not leave your seat without permission. * The teacher reserves the right to adjust the course work and/or differentiate instruction as needed to meet the needs of students and ensure academic success. * 5
Acknowledgment of TMS String Orchestra Syllabus 2016-2017 I have read the orchestra syllabus and understand its concepts and expectations as they apply to me. Tucker MS Orchestra Member s Name (PRINT) Tucker MS Orchestra Member s Signature I have read the orchestra syllabus and understand how it applies to my child. TMS Orchestra Parent/Guardian s Name (PRINT) TMS Orchestra Parent/Guardian s Signature *** Please return by August 31 st, 2016 to receive a homework grade. *** 6