Orchestra
Course Syllabus
Directors: Ms.
909-594-1730 ext. 55145 909-594-1730 ext. 55143
Room 44 Room 43
teacherweb.com/CA/SuzanneMiddleSchool/Music teacherweb.com/ca/suzannemiddleschool/mrblackstone
Course Description
The
three orchestra classes offered at SMS are divided by playing ability. Most 6th grade students are
enrolled in Beginning Strings. Most 7th
graders take Blue & White Orchestra, an intermediate music course. 8th grade students are placed in
Challenger Orchestra, an advanced music course.
Additionally, students are admitted into Blue & White Orchestra and Challenger
Orchestra by audition or teacher approval.
Students in Challenger Orchestra must have at least two years of
instruction and/or currently take private lessons. Each student will acquire a broad based
musical knowledge which includes music theory, music history, music
appreciation, auditory skills, audition skills, and solo & ensemble
performance. Students will complete this
course with improved performance skills and musical knowledge. Students who do not meet performance
expectations will be removed from the class and/or will not be recommended for
the next level of instruction.
Required Class Materials
à
SMS Binder Reminder
à
Instrument in
good working condition
à
Instrument
accessories (rosin, cloth, extra strings, pitch
pipe, violin/viola shoulder rest, cello/bass strap, etc.)
à
Sharpened pencil
à
1/2” Black binder
à
Notebook paper
à
Rhythm
Workouts by Gary Scudder (school issued
text)
à
Orchestra
Expressions Book 1 by Brungard, Anderson, Dackow (Beginning
Strings)
à
Orchestra
Expressions Book 2 by Bullock, Lopez
& Roed (Blue & White
Orchestra)
à
Essential
Technique 2000 for Strings by Allen, Gellespie, & Hayes (Challenger Orchestra)
Tardy Policy
Students
are expected to be inside the classroom by the tardy bell. Furthermore, it is expected that students are
in their seats with all necessary equipment and five minutes of the tardy bell. Students who do not comply with this policy will
be sent to the office for a tardy slip.
Scholarship Grade
Orchestra
is treated academically like all other classes.
It is not a “pull-out” program or an after school activity. Assignments are expected to be turned on
time. 6th & 7th
grade students may turn in their homework one day late for half credit. A signed Homework Notice must be stapled to
late work. Late work is NOT accepted
from 8th graders. Students
who are absent are expected to turn in work and/or make-up tests on the day
they return. Grades are based on the
categories below.
¨
Participation –
30% of this course is graded on class participation inside as well as outside
the regular school day. Students are
expected to bring their instrument to every rehearsal and to be musically prepared. Students are required to participate in all
rehearsals and performances throughout the semester. Any absence from a performance (excused or
unexcused) will have a negative effect on their final grade.
¨ Practice
Cards – (15% of overall grade) Practice
time is recorded daily on PRACTICE
CARDS, which should be monitored and signed every Monday night by a parent.
Practice cards are collected at the
beginning of the period every Tuesday.
Practice Cards are graded as follows: 180
minutes a week or more = A+
150 minutes a week = A 120 minutes a week
= B
90 minutes a week = C Less
than 60 minutes = D
Students are
not excused from practicing due to illness or vacation. Finger and
rhythm practice may be a substitute for instrument practice when a student is
ill or on vacation.
¨
Written Work –
(10% of overall grade) Homework assignments, and projects
will be given throughout the semester.
¨
Quizzes & Tests – (25% of overall grade) Students will be tested individually on music
theory, scales, technical exercises, warm-ups, and excerpts to promote musical
growth. With teacher approval, students are allowed to retake some tests during
after school hours. Students are
encouraged to request help. Private
lessons are encouraged.
¨
Musicianship –
(20% of overall grade) It is expected that all required music is learned on
time. Students should perform with
pride, focus, and self-confidence.
Students are observed and graded according to the Musicianship Rubric
available on Teacherweb.com. Many students
will earn a C+ grade in this category (“Developing Musician”), which means they
are playing at their level.
Citizenship
Grade
All
students start out with a 2 in Citizenship.
To keep that grade, students are expected to follow the policies
detailed below. When problems arise,
they are dealt with in a swift and fair manner.
The Musician’s Pledge:
Because I am a well-behaved musician, I
listen and follow directions, use self-control, respect people, instruments,
and materials, and always do my best.
Because I am a world class musician, I
listen attentively to music of different styles and historical periods, and
respect the music of other cultures.
Because I am a performing musician, I
use my musical skills to the best of my ability and contribute to the group in
my highest capacity.
Procedures: 1. Enter the room
calmly. Consequences: 1. Verbal warning.
2. Carefully set up. 2. Note to parents (to be signed.)
3. Be ready 5 minutes after the bell rings. 3. SSRA
referral.
4.
Pack up carefully. 4. Permanent removal from class.
Instruments
¯
Bring your
instrument to school daily.
¯
Have the inside and
outside of your instrument case labeled clearly with your first name, last
name, and phone number.
¯
You may use the
instrument storage cabinets during the day only. Place your instrument on the assigned
shelf. Take home your instrument
daily. Students who leave their
instrument repeatedly overnight may lose storage privileges. The school is not responsible for lost or
stolen instruments.
¯
If you take your instrument
to a repair shop, bring a note from home and an instrument will be loaned to
you for class use.
Concert Attire is what you wear at all concert performances.
¯
Beginning Strings
= Navy blue music t-shirt, khaki pants, & shoes.
¯
Blue & White
and Challenger Boys = White long-sleeved dress shirt; a long, solid BLACK tie;
black pants; black socks; and black dress shoes.
¯
Blue & White
and Challenger Girls = All black dress clothes and black, closed-toe dress
shoes (dress or skirt must fall below the knee; tops must have sleeves).
Instrument Doubling
Orchestras
are in need of balanced instrumentation.
It is essential that some students learn secondary instruments (a.k.a.
doubling). There is an application form available
to download which explains what is required.
Look for the form on the Teacherweb.com site. A limited supply of school-owned instruments
is available. These include: viola,
cello, and bass.
Private Lessons
Suzanne’s
music classes are so large, students cannot get the individual attention they
desperately need and deserve. Often a
student may have an instrument which is not working properly, a bow grip which
needs to be corrected, wrong hand placement, and incorrect use of bow (the list
goes on.) The teacher is able to catch
some of these problems in class, but is not able to follow up with individual
instruction and attention. Private
lessons are the best answer to address the needs of the student. Often, parents say they will have to wait to
see if their child is “serious” about orchestra before they will pay for
lessons. On the contrary, many students
drop out because of problems which could be solved with individual
attention. The fundamentals of playing
an instrument are the most important part of learning. Lessons can provide a student with a sense of
confidence and pride.
Commitment to Orchestra
Students
and families are expected to commit to orchestra for the entire year. Students may experience a wide variety of
emotions regarding the class throughout the year. These feelings can range from periods of
intense joy to complete frustration which may result in wanting to quit orchestra. These are normal and expected emotions which
can be dealt with by encouraging your child to realize their potential to succeed
and supporting them to do so. Committing
to orchestra will ensure that students learn to set and achieve goals.
Parents – please sign, date, & return
bottom portion.
2008 SYLLABUS SLIP I have read and understand the policies and expectations for the music class.
_________________ ____ _____________________ ______________________
Print Student’s Name Period Student Signature Parent Signature & Date