Syllabus

Purpose

The orchestra classes are curricular classes that meet daily during the school day.  The nature of this class requires the development of skills, concepts, and attitudes to be learned in class.  Often these skills must be demonstrated apart from class via many forms of performances.  The broad objectives of the class are to improve playing skills, play a wide variety of musical literature, expand the students knowledge of history, sound and techniques of music, and enjoy the gift of music.

Concert Orchestra

This course is designed to help the younger player continue to hone important skills such as sight reading, listening, and ensemble necessary to play the more advanced literature. Emphasis is on technical mastery of bowing styles, intonation, and basic rhythms fundamental to successful ensemble performance.

Philharmonic Orchestra

This course is designed for the sophomore, junior, and senior who is continuing the technical and musical development necessary to master his/her instrument.  As with the other ensembles, the level of literature is appropriate and explores a variety of styles.   

Symphony Orchestra

This course explores the literature that is written for a small symphony. This year the number of strong advanced players determined the nature of musical study. We are and will be exploring advanced orchestral techniques, further honing listening, rhythm, group intonation, and ensemble skills through a variety of literature.

CELL PHONE EXPECTATIONS:  Our classroom cell phone rule has been created in compliance with the District’s cell phone policy and updated to reflect the changing needs of our school to maintain an academic environment. The cell phone policy can be located on page 6 of the School Calendar Handbook. The district policy states:

“Student use of electronic devices without authorization from a teacher or other staff member, in an unauthorized location, for an unauthorized purpose, or in violation of the District’s student conduct policy may result in disciplinary action as outlined in the student conduct policy.”

Cell phone use will be permitted in common areas such as the cafeteria, media center, showcase hallway, and general hallways. Cell phones will not be permitted for use in the classroom setting following the general rule of out of sight and out of use. This includes the use of earbuds, headphones, or AirPods connected to a cell phone. The rule applies once a student crosses the threshold of the academic space and any extensions of that space during the class period (e.g. groups working in the hallway, presentations in the auditorium, etc.). Students may use their school-issued iPad as directed when in academic spaces.

Student violations will be tracked cumulatively throughout the school by all faculty members. Students who are found to be in violation of our classroom’s cell phone rule may face the following actions:

●          1st/2nd Violation: Warning email sent to parent/guardian and student.

●          3rd/4th Violation: Email sent to parent/guardian and student. Administrator will confiscate student phone for the day; student picks up at end of day.

●          5th/6th Violation: Email sent to parent/guardian and student. Administrator will confiscate student phone for the day and contacts parent/guardian. Parent/guardian is responsible to pick up student’s phone from the school and will meet with school administration.

●          Subsequent Violations: Email sent to parent/guardian and student. Administrator will confiscate student phone. Administrator, parent/guardian, and student meet and may result in extended loss of phone privileges and/or school suspension. 

If a student fails to serve the disciplinary measures they have been assigned, the student may be escorted to an administrator. Failure to comply may result in suspension.

Grading Rubric 

Students will be assessed through performance, written work, effort expended in practice, and concert participation.  

Grade Breakdown

30% Active Musicianship- daily rehearsal engagement and exhibiting solid rehearsal skills, technique class attendance  and participation, ensemble performances and dress rehearsals 

50% Formative Assignments and Assessments- live, class assessments, video assignments and playing tests (Smart Music), written work (Schoology posts, exit slips,), theory assignments/quizzes

20% Summative Assessments - final video assessments of concert/technique music at end of  cycle and /or semester, concert critique/composer project/performance of solo 

211 Orchestra Critical Learning Standards

• 1. Performance - Students are able to perform musical notation by sight and/or by ear

     1. Uses proper left hand/right hand technique

     2. Accurately identifies and performs pitch and/or adjusts intonation

     3. Accurately identifies and performs rhythm notation

     4. Performs with good tone quality

     5. Musicianship & Interpretation are exhibited through proper use of articulation, dynamics, phrasing, stylistic consideration

  2. Elements - Students are able to identify musical elements

• • 1. Rhythm (beat, meter, tempo, note values)

    2. Symbols (example: repeat sign, clefs)

    3. Note Names

    4. Harmony

    5. Melody

    6. Texture

    7. Form

• 3. Analysis - Students are able to make aesthetic judgements about music and analyze music using various musical elements

• • 1. Making musical choices through an understanding of the written dynamics, articulation and other terms indicated by the composer.

    2. Interpretation choices (bowing, phrasing, historical style) is based on knowledge of the composer and time period/style.

   IV.  Rehearsal Skills students are able to demonstrate and consistently follow proper ensemble protocol 

                A. Demonstrates proper decorum/physical presence

                B. Focus on task

                C. Preparedness

                D. Individual time management

                E. Instrument Care

                F. Responding to conductor/ensemble

Member Responsibilities

  Each and every one of you is equally important to the success of the team.  Therefore, the musicians in this group are asked to abide by the following:

• To practice diligently the music assigned to you and your musical team.  

• Respect yourself and others.

• Respect your instrument and your surroundings.

• Be in the room on time.  A student is considered tardy if they enter the room after the start of class.  Students are expected to have music and instruments out  3 minutes after the start of class.  

• Be ready to play when Mrs. Carlson is on the  podium/ concertmaster is ready to tune the orchestra. 

• Be attentive during class.

• Follow instructions.

• Come prepared with your materials

• Actively write in your music.

• Put your name on your case, folder, and additional accessories (rosin, rockstop, shoulder pad).

• Water is the only beverage allowed.

Late work policy

Late work will be accepted, but there will be grade reductions determined by director.   

Materials

• Instrument, including rock stops/shoulder rest, rosin, extra strings, mute

• Music- method book and concert repertoire

• Method book: Habits of a Successful String Musician by Christopher Selby, Scott Rush, and Rich Moon  (available on Schoology now)

• Pencil (#2 or colored) 

• metronome app

• tuning app

Student Performance Expectations

• Arrive on time and at the correct location.

• Dress Appropriately

• Leave all personal belongings in the appropriate area - not the performance area.

• When not performing, students need to direct their attention to the focus of the concert (speaking introduction, soloist, instrumentalist, dancing group, etc.).

• If not involved in the musical selection but still in the performance area, students are to sit quietly and demonstrate appropriate concert etiquette.

• Students are required to stay for the duration of the concert unless discussed with director for a specific reason.

Concert Participation.

• Every student needs to participate in performances, barring serious illness, death in the family. These performances are, in essence, the final grade. Every student contributes to the success of the whole!

• An unexcused absence at a concert will significantly lower your grade. (See section on grading) Extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis..

• Family birthdays, job shifts, visiting relatives, too much homework  are not valid excuses to miss a concert.   There will be an appropriate make-up assignment in lieu of concert participation.

• Every student will be expected to perform in the appropriate concert dress

• Throughout the year, field trips will be taken during the school day.  You are responsible for any work missed while you are gone.  Please keep up with your studies in order to participate in these events.  The group needs you!

  Audience Concert Etiquette

(Adapted from MENC Teacher Success kit by Randy Hise.)

• Audience members need to be seated and quiet when the performance is in progress.

• If it is necessary to arrive late or leave before the concert is over, please do so between musical selections.

• Clapping is the appropriate way to show appreciation for the performance.  Laughter is acceptable when appropriate.  Whistling, yelling, or screaming are not appropriate at any time before, during, or after a concert.

• During a jazz concert, clapping is an appropriate way to acknowledge a single soloist.  During multiple solos, please wait for all soloists to finish performing before applauding.

• Parents should keep small children seated with them and not allow them to move around during the concert.  If very young children become restless and disrupt others' ability to listen, please take them from the performance area until they are quiet.

• It is customary to welcome the director with applause.

• Listeners and performers are distracted by extra sounds and movements from the audience.

• Hats or caps should be removed during a concert.  Food or beverages should not be present during the concert.

• Watch the director when the music stops to decide whether or not to applaud.  Some musical works have extended endings, several parts, or multiple movements and the audience is expected to applaud only after all movements have been performed.

• Cellular phones interrupt a performance.  Please be sure they are turned off.

Equipment

The following will be expected of all members:

• All instruments are to be in good playing condition.  Proper maintenance is REQUIRED.

• Need to have rosin, hard or soft shoulder rests, cleaning cloths, pencils, good strings, etc. cello and basses should have rock-stops at all times.

• Should you break a string you will be expected to bring a string to school that has been purchased at the music store to replace the one that is broken.  This includes school owned instruments.  You may want to consider investing in an extra set of strings to keep in the instrument case.