Concert Orchestra Course Syllabus

2007-2008

Instructor: Ms. Kornhaus

Text: Method book, individual music handouts
Materials: Shoulder Rest (violin/viola), rock stop (cello/bass), Pencil, Instrument
Grade Level: 9
Course Credit: ½ credit per semester
Community Service:  Up to 4 hours may be received per Fall/Winter/Spring Concerts
Prerequisite: Middle school orchestra

Course Outline:
        The course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop and refine technical and musical skills that will enable them to perform music at the Grade 3 – 4 level of difficulty. Shifting/position work, vibrato and improvising will be focused on in this class.
        We will study music of various styles, cultures, and historical eras, focusing on, but not limited to, literature written originally for string orchestra. The cultural backgrounds, personal history, and social and intellectual influences on the work of the composers will be researched and discussed. Written projects in the areas of music history, performance critiques, and musical composition, etc., may be used to reinforce other areas of the curriculum. Skills in the criticism of musical performance continue to be developed. Rhythmic dictation, singing, written reflections, and experiences at musical composition and/or arranging may be included.
        All performances/concerts are mandatory. Please see the calendar, procedures, concert grading criteria and dress code for performances in the Handbook for more information. This course may be repeated for credit. The concert orchestra represents the school in public performances.

Course Outcomes:
The student will be able to:

1. Follow classroom rehearsal procedures
2. Meet individual responsibilities for care & preventive maintenance of instrument
3. Follow concert performance procedures
4. Meet performance obligations as indicated on the school’s instrumental calendar
5. Care for a concert uniform where applicable
6. Demonstrate basic competencies of instrumental performance in the areas of tone production, intonation, articulation/bowing, range, and memorized scales
7. Identify and perform instrumental works from the Baroque to the 21st century, including works with an ethnic or cultural orientation other than Western European, employing the correct style and performance practices of the period
8. Investigate and summarize the social, historical, and intellectual influences on a variety of Baroque to 21st century composers and their works
9. Demonstrate basic skills in harmony, structure, form and musical composition as they may relate to a particular piece of music
10. Identify, illustrate the use of musical terms and symbols in Grade 3 – 4 music
11. Write and demonstrate major and minor scales and arpeggios
12. Identify aurally and visually major and minor triads, arpeggios, and diatonic intervals within an octave
13. Evaluate live musical performances and professional recordings, using musical criteria
14. Demonstrate mature musical judgment in selecting music for performance and leisure activities.

Concert Orchestra Grading Policy

Students will be graded on the following criteria:

60% Formative Assessments: Daily Classroom Performance
          Students will be evaluated on their performance of repertoire, warm-up, and technique on each class. Although I will not be grading you on your "efforts", classroom performance will highly reflect what you have learned. Examples of classroom performance skills are:
      •  Posture when playing instrument
      •  Support and cooperation when working with peers and in small groups
      •  Singing
      •  Musicality skills (dynamics, accents, phrasing, tone, stylistic considerations)
      •  Music reading skills
      •  Rehearsal technique
Students must always have their instrument and music for class!

30% Summative Assessments: Individual Assessments and Concerts
        Students will be given performance or written tests based on music and techniques studied in class. Students will be given advanced notice of the date for the assessments. If you have an excused absence the day of a test, see Ms. Kornhaus to schedule a make-up date.  If the absence is unexcused, no make-up test will be given.
        Concerts are required. A concert can be such things as a fall, winter or spring concert, in school concerts, and community performances. Your grade will be lowered one letter grade for not participating in a mandatory event without an excused absence. Please see the “Concert Grading Criteria” page in the Handbook for more information (what is considered excused or unexcused absences, the make-up assignment, etc.)

10% Homework and In-Class Assignments and Preparation of music part
        Music is rehearsed on a daily basis. Students are responsible for adequately preparing all materials assigned in class. Class rehearsal is the time for learning each other’s parts and how they all fit together. Our limited rehearsal time is best utilized when each person has their individual part learned. Home practice is strongly encouraged. The practice rooms at B-CC are open for student use before or after school and during lunch.
 

REASSESSMENT
        * Students will be allowed to reassess certain assignments (except for final exams) up to one week after the due date. Ms. Kornhaus will indicate which assignments will be able to be reassessed.
        * The reassessment grade always replaces the original grade.
        * Students must meet with Ms. Kornhaus to review or relearn the material at least one time before reassessment.
        * Reassessment will be scheduled with Ms. Kornhaus and may take place either before or after school, during class time or lunch.