BENTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Visual and Performing Arts Magnet, (562) 943 1553 Fax: (562) 947 3861 www.bentonms.org Instrumental Music 2017 2018 Syllabus Geoffrey D. Summers Instrumental Music Teacher gsummers@nlmusd.org (562) 943 1553 Ext. 6191
Benton Performing Arts Department Code of Conduct Participation in instrumental music classes is voluntary, and therefore is a privilege which carries certain obligations and responsibilities. Members of all performing arts classes are reminded that they are extremely visible representatives of our school and our community. I. In the Classroom A. Maintain prompt and regular attendance. B. Follow all classroom rules. C. Maintain academic grades and eligibility. D. Demonstrate a high level of respect for all people, possessions, and property. E. Maintain dignity and professionalism during class. F. Demonstrate through your behavior what it means to be a good student and citizen, not through empty promises. G. Have all equipment ready to use daily (including a pencil). H. Meet all deadlines. II. III. In Performances A. Ensure self preparedness through 1. Individual practice. 2. Proper performance attire made ready well in advance. 3. Well maintained instrument and musical materials. B. Arrange punctual attendance to guarantee optimal performance readiness (always have an emergency backup transportation plan). C. Give the greatest measure of effort and focus every time. Off Campus A. Refuse participation or connection with all illegal or illicit activities. B. Act in a manner that reflects well on your school, your family, and, most importantly, yourself. C. Do everything you can to build a positive reputation that you can be proud to carry with you into adulthood. Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one s looking.
Course Description In the instrumental music program, students will develop performance skills with musical instruments while learning patience, teamwork, responsibility, listening skills, and an appreciation for music. Students will become familiar with a variety of genres and styles. Technique will be emphasized in order to establish and develop a firm foundation leading to control, confidence, and excellence in performance. Students will also develop knowledge of music theory, history, and repertoire as it relates to their instrument and their development as musicians. Course Objectives 1. Students will learn to read and interpret conventional Western music notation. 2. Students will play and perform music representing a variety of genres, styles, and cultures. 3. Students will actively listen in an ensemble setting and understand how their part fits into the big picture. 4. Students will develop the skills necessary to produce and support excellent quality of sound on their respective instrument. 5. Students will develop the ability to analyze and describe music using content vocabulary. 6. Students will be able to identify and describe primary developments in the history of relevant repertoire including influential composers, performers, styles, and techniques. 7. Students will critically evaluate their own and others musical performances and apply their findings towards personal and collective musical growth. 8. Students will gain an emerging understanding of the creative mindset and the interaction and similarities among various art forms. 9. Students will take advantage of multiple performance opportunities both on and off campus. All objectives fulfill aspects of the California Music Content Standards Use of School Instruments A limited stock of school owned instruments is available on a first come first served basis. All instruments are issued complete and in working order. Some are not cosmetically beautiful, but all are guaranteed to work properly. Any consumable parts (see page 5) are the responsibility of the student and their parents. Students and their parents are responsible for general
Use of School Instruments (continued) maintenance and routine repairs of school instruments while in their care. School owned instruments are to be returned on demand in the condition in which they were received. Important: Please do not attempt to repair the instrument yourself! Bring it to the Director first; if the Director cannot fix it you will be referred to a reputable local professional repair shop. Any damage to an instrument caused by attempted do it yourself home repair will be the financial responsibility of the student and their parents. The cost to repair damage, whether accidental or malicious, or replacement in case of loss or theft is entirely the responsibility of the student and parent. Privately Owned Instruments Students who own instruments are encouraged to bring and use them. If you are making the decision to purchase or rent an instrument, the Director would be happy to offer guidance and assistance in the selection of a proper instrument and accessories and to direct you to appropriate vendors. Please beware deeply discounted instruments with unfamiliar brand names. Many are poorly made by inexperienced builders and will do more to hinder a student s progress than help. Some of these bargain instruments may require expensive repairs right out of the box just to make them play correctly. Worse yet, in some cases these instruments cannot be repaired at all since parts may be impossible to find or the cost of repairs may exceed the purchase price of the instrument itself. BEWARE! DON T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON A LEMON! Required Materials & Supplies The following items are required for each class, rehearsal, and performance: An instrument Provided by the school on a first come first served basis, or provided by the student. See page 3 for additional information. A lesson book It is strongly recommended that students purchase their own lesson book; they are inexpensive, around $6 7 each. However, a limited quantity of books is available from the school on a first come first served basis. School owned books must be returned on demand in clean, reusable condition. Any lost, damaged, or stolen school owned books must be replaced by the student and parents. The books we use are: Beginning Band : Standards of Excellence Book 1 Concert Band : Standards of Excellence Book 2
Required Materials & Supplies (continued) Beginning Strings : Essential Elements for Strings Book 1 String Orchestra : Essential Elements for Strings Book 2 A music folder The first one is provided free of charge; lost or damaged folders can be replaced for $1 each. All paper music issued to the student must be kept in this folder and only this folder. Music is not to be folded, crumpled, squashed into the bottom of a backpack or locker, torn, ripped, or otherwise defaced. A 1 3 ring binder with an adequate supply of plastic page protectors For storing practice records, classwork, homework, listening journals, and other documents. May be the same binder used for other classes provided there is a separate section for Instrumental Music and the binder is kept organized. Two (2) pencils For marking music, taking notes, and completing assignments. Pen is not allowed near music or music books. Written assignments completed in pen will not be accepted. A metronome All musicians should have a metronome. Recommended: 1. Pro Metronome [mobile app, free] 2. Boss DB 30 [ca. $40] A chromatic tuner It is all but impossible to properly learn a brass, woodwind, or string instrument without a chromatic tuner (percussionists are not required to have one, but it s recommended that they get one once they begin learning timpani). Recommended tuners: 1. Tonal Energy [mobile app, ca. $4] 2. Korg CA1 Chromatic Tuner [ca. $13] Percussionists must provide their own drumsticks and practice pad Recommended sticks: Vic Firth SD1 General for Concert Band / Orchestra and Vic Firth 5A for Jazz Band Recommended practice pad: Evans 12 RealFeel Also recommended for percussionists : A stand for your practice pad Stick bag (for easy transport and protection of sticks and mallets) Various mallets for cymbals, xylophone, glock, vibes, and timpani
Consumable Parts Following is a list of additional materials necessary for instrumental music students and their parents to provide. String players (violin, viola, cello, double bass): Rosin & strings (instruments are provided with strings, but you are responsible for providing replacement strings in case of breakage) Valved brass (trumpet, horn, baritone, euphonium, tuba): Valve oil & tuning slide grease Trombone players : Slide cream & small spray bottle of water (preferred) or slide oil Tuning slide grease Reed players (clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon): Reeds, cork grease, cleaning swab Flute players : Cleaning rod & swab Lockers 1. School instruments are assigned specific lockers in Room 91. a. Instruments may not be re assigned to a different without the permission of the Director. b. The issued lock must remain with the assigned locker. 2. A limited number of lockers are also available for personally owned instruments on a first come first served basis. a. The issued lock must remain with the assigned locker. 3. Replacement cost for lost locks is $6. 4. Security is the responsibility of the student. Keep the lock locked at all times and keep the combination a secret. Music is the space between the notes. - Claude Debussy
Performance Attire Performing ensembles are perceived (both by friends and family members in the audience and by professional adjudicators) not only by how they sound but also by how they appear. As such, students are required to dress appropriately for all performances. Formal Performance Attire Required for all formal concerts and festival performances. Must adhere to Benton Dress Code and School Uniform Policy (Student Handbook page 9). Inappropriate attire may result in removal from a performance and a grade of zero. Top : Black dress OR white collared long sleeve dress shirt OR white dressy blouse. Bottom : Black dress pants, trousers, slacks, or skirt. Shoes : Black dress shoes or flats. No heels, sneakers, Vans, Converse or similar. Socks / Hose: Socks must be black. Hose is optional, but must be black or white. Necktie or bowtie: Optional, but must be black or white. Jeans, denim, logos, prints, t shirts, athletic wear, sweats, and colors other than black or white will not be permitted. Skirts and dresses are to be no shorter than fingertip length when arms are straight to the side. Spaghetti straps or revealing lace are not permitted. Undergarments must not be visible. Informal Performance Attire Usually Benton VAPA t shirt (purchased from the Office) and blue jeans. 2016 2017 Orchestra
Evaluation & Grading Practice Records [ca. 20%] Students are required to practice their instrument regularly as part of their grade. 100 minutes of practice (e.g. 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week or any combination totaling 100 minutes) are required weekly, with each practice session confirmed separately by parent signature. Practice Records run from Monday through Sunday and are due at the beginning of the first class meeting each week. Students should keep at least two (2) Practice Record forms in their binder at all times (one for the current week and one for the upcoming week). If a student is unable to obtain a Practice Record for any reason, a handwritten form with the necessary parent confirmation signatures will be accepted. Extra time beyond the required weekly 100 minutes will be extra credited or rolled over. Time practiced at school (except during scheduled class time) can be used for credit if confirmed by the observation and signature of the director. Sample Practice Record filled out correctly:
Evaluation & Grading (continued) Performance Participation [ca. 40%] Performances and corresponding dress rehearsals are equivalent to written final exams in academic classes. Graded performances are announced well in advance to preclude scheduling conflicts. Proper attire (see Performance Attire, page 7) is required for all performances. Must maintain 2.0 GPA to be eligible to perform. Missed dress rehearsals and performances will be recorded as a grade of zero (see Absence Policy, page 10). Musicianship [ca. 20%] Student s overall participation, citizenship, preparedness, daily effort, and adherence to the Code of Conduct (see inside front cover). Graded according to a rubric. Tests / Quizzes [ca. 15%] There will be 3 5 performance based and/or written test & quizzes per quarter. Performance tests & quizzes are graded according to a rubric. Performance tests & quizzes are performed live in class or video recorded and submitted online. Tests missed due to excused absences may be made up by appointment only outside of regularly scheduled class time. The student is responsible for making and keeping the appointment The period of time allowed for making up tests will follow State Education Department guidelines. Tests missed due to unexcused absence or disciplinary action cannot be made up and will be recorded as zero. Classwork / Homework [ca. 5%] Occasional classwork and homework will be assigned to reinforce concepts and content. Late Work Due to the performance oriented nature of the class and since written work accounts for only 5% of a student s grade, late work will not be accepted. There are extra credit opportunities available for students who need a boost.
Absence Policy Absence from school : In the event of an absence, it is the student s responsibility to find out what assignments were missed by consulting the class website [ MrSummersMusic.weebly.com ] and/or a trusted peer. In the event of an absence on a day when an assignment is due, the assignment will be due on the day when the student returns. Absence from performance: Given that instrumental music classes are all performing arts classes, performances are the largest component of each student s semester grade. Concert dates are published and communicated months in advance so as to preclude potential scheduling conflicts. However, it is understood that occasionally factors beyond one s control affect a student s ability to attend a concert or dress rehearsal. Students who miss a performance or dress rehearsal may have their performance grade recorded as zero or may be required to complete an additional Performance Test and/or a research paper on a topic of the Director s choosing in order to make up that portion of the student s grade. Examples of excused concert absences : serious illness or injury, death in the family, or religious observance. Examples of unexcused concert absences : doctor or dentist appointment, birthday, vacation, lack of transportation. Note performances in your calendar well in advance! Stay up-to-date by checking your email, BentonMS.org, and/or MrSummersMusic.weebly.com regularly! Class Rules 1. Observe all rules in the Benton Student Handbook. 2. Follow directions the first time they are given. 3. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself. 4. Remain seated and quiet during classes, rehearsals, and performances. If you need to speak or move, raise your hand and wait to be called on. 5. All food, candy, gum, and drinks (with the exception of water) are prohibited at all times during classes, rehearsals, and performances. Mobile devices are prohibited unless they are being used for instructional purposes and the student has received express permission from the Director. Restrooms should be used before school, during nutrition, during lunch, or after school. However, three (3) restroom passes will be issued to each student at the beginning of each
Class Rules (continued) semester to use in emergencies. Unused passes may be returned to the Director at the conclusion of each semester for extra credit. Consequences If a student chooses to break a rule, consequences will be as follows: 1st offense: verbal warning 2nd offense: conference with teacher after class 3rd offense: conference with teacher after school & phone call home 4th offense: escalation to administrative intervention Chronic non observation of rules may negatively affect student s musicianship grade. Any student who fights, uses profanity, makes obscene gestures, or damages school property will be referred to an administrator immediately. Field Trips & Transportation Signature of the enclosed contract constitutes approval of your child s participation in all class sponsored events and activities including, but not limited to, festival performances, sporting events, and other various performances. Generally, transportation will be by bus owned or contracted by the Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District. Students are covered by District insurance for all such school sponsored activities and Parent Permission, Statutory Liability Waiver, and Medical Treatment Authorization forms will be issued to be filled out prior to each event. Due to legal and liability restrictions, students must take school transportation to and from all official school functions. No exceptions. Photography & Video Throughout the school year photos and videos will be taken of the groups in class and during activities such as concerts, award ceremonies, and performances to be used for the yearbook, District publications, and the school website and social media platforms. Unless parents notify their objections specifically in writing, students in instrumental music classes may have their images and identities published.
Useful Resources Websites & Apps: Tonal Energy Tuner and metronome app for iphone & Android. An absolute must have for brass, woodwind, and string players. Strongly recommended for percussionists as well. Pro Metronome Free metronome app for iphone & Android. BlankSheetMusic.net Free blank staff notation paper that is easy to customize and print. MusicTheory.net Free lessons, exercises, and tools to assist students with music theory. SightReadingFactory.com Fun website and app to improve sight reading. SmartMusic.com Awesome software that gives you realtime feedback on your playing Suggested Musical Instrument Retail & Repair: Imperial Band Instruments Brass and woodwind sales and repairs. 15847 Imperial Highway (562) 245 6043 Morey s Music String instrument sales and repairs. 4834 Woodruff Avenue Lakewood, CA 90713 (562) 420 9532 Guitar Center Specializing in percussion, keyboard, and guitar. 606 S Brea Blvd Brea, CA 92821 (714) 672 0103 *disclaimer: these companies are not officially endorsed by NLMUSD*
2016 2017 Advanced Band 6 Reasons to be a Band or Orchestra Member 1. Makes You Smarter: Scientific research has proven that musical training builds intellectual skills, raises IQs, improves memory, and develops creativity. 2. Teaches Discipline: Music students learn that if they apply themselves, they can master a skill and achieve results they want. Learning to play a musical instrument teaches self discipline, the value of persistence, and the rewards of hard work. 3. Increases Self Esteem: Music is a self expression. Performing music in public, individually, and as a member of a group, builds confidence. Making music means every musician plays a part that is important to the group. 4. Relieves Stress: Music helps calm the mind. It's been shown that music students experience less test and performance anxiety than students who don't study music. And according to studies, college age musicians are emotionally healthier than non musicians. 5. Travel Opportunities: The Band and Orchestra travel often for various Festival performances, contests, elementary school concerts, and more! 6. It s Fun & Social: Playing music in a group teaches teamwork, ways of working together, and the joy and rewards of group accomplishment. Band and Orchestra members share efforts and experiences, and often become friends for life.