Advanced Piano

IMPORTANT NOTE:

PRE-REQUISIT: Students must have either completed Beginning Piano with a B- or better, or have discussed previous playing experience with Mrs. Mascitti prior to course sign-up.

SYLLABUS

**The syllabus below is an outline for a "typical" year, where we are in-class, in person, all year long. During COVID-19, expectations, requirements, and coursework will change as needed.**

Course Objectives: Students will build on previous skills and knowledge involving piano technique and intermediate/advanced music theory. Students will demonstrate the development of musical literacy, harmonization, transposition, composition and improvisation of harmony on a given melody.

Concepts Covered:

1. Review of fundamental music and beginning theory

2. Major Scales - 2 octaves and arpeggios

3. Figured bass and harmonization principles

4. Music History (Middle Ages through 20th Century)

5. Performance: 1 Short Piece each week, 2 long pieces per term (32 measures or more each)

6. Assessment and Evaluation – of self and others

Grading: Students’ grades will be based on in-class practice and performance, written assignments and projects, scale quizzes, Google Classroom assignments and weekly performance tests. Each item will be appropriately weighted by the number of points assigned to it. The HHS grading scale is as follows:

Overall Course Grading will be calculated as follows:

Skill Work: Lesson songs, tech. work, recitals - 50%

Written Work: Assignments, Quizzes, Tests - 45%

Written Exam - 10%

Materials Needed:

  • Folder/3-ring binder/Notebook

  • Pencil/Pen

  • Kamien Music Appreciation textbook – assigned in class

  • Chromebook needed DAILY

Homework Policy: Homework must be turned in on time to receive full points. Each day an assignment is late, 10% of the grade will be deducted BEFORE grading. BE RESPONSIBLE!!

Makeup Work Policy: When a student is absent from class it is THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to find out what was missed and make it up before the end of the grading period!! Students have until the end of each term to make up missed performance tests. At the end of the term, missing assignments will be a 0 in the grade book.

Classroom Expectations

1. All students are expected to be in the room when the bell rings. You will be given 5 minutes to set up your keyboard and other materials. If a student is late, the consequence will be administered per the school policy.

2. Students are expected to participate to their fullest during class. Respect your peers and behave responsibly – manage your personal behavior!!

3. A keyboard condition and damage report will be signed by students on day one. “Minor” damages to keyboards will be addressed with a $30 fee per damage report. Should a keyboard be damaged beyond repair due to purposeful ill intent by a student, student’s parents/guardians will be contacted, administration contacted, and the student will be asked to replace the keyboard, a cost of about $250. DO NOT MISTREAT YOUR KEYBOARDS!!!)

4. Behaviors that interfere with others’ right to learn are considered disruptive. Some examples of disruptions are: talking during class, annoying a neighboring student, horseplay, not participating in class, moving out of your assigned seats without permission, back talk and failure to follow instructions.

5. Consequences of disruptive behaviors will be handled in the following manner:

1st Disruption: Teacher Warning

2nd Disruption: IN CLASS TIME OUT

3rd Disruption: Notification of parent/guardian, HHS TIME OUT and Administrative Referral

Following any timeout, the student is expected to show proper classroom behavior or the next step of consequences will be administered.

6. CELL PHONES WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS EACH DAY AND RETURNED AT THE END OF CLASS. If a student fails to turn in their cell phone at the beginning of class and is found using it, the phone will be confiscated and will have to be picked up from the Choir room OR OFFICE at the end of the day.

Classroom Websites and Resources

Assignments will be posted by week on Google Classroom. They will rarely be "up-to-date" on the main website.

  1. Get signed up for our Google Classroom!!

    1. Go to: classroom.google.com

    2. Spring 2021 Classroom Code: covbs5b

  2. Class Website: https://sites.google.com/a/hamilton.k12.wi.us/hhs-piano-site/