Orchestra

hello fellow musicians!

My name is Mrs. Wojciechowski (or Mrs. Woj) and I am the orchestra teacher here at West Chicago Community High School. I've missed you all and look forward to making music this year!

You can reach me at my email: awojciechowski@d94.org.

scheduled curricular classes

Our curricular orchestra program is made up of four courses:

Symphony Orchestra (Period 1 from 11:00am to 11:30am)
String Orchestra (Period 3 from 12:10pm to 12:40pm)
Concert Orchestra (Period 9 from 1:55pm to 2:25pm)
Sectionals/Technique Class (Period 0 from 10:25am to 10:55am)
1. - Technique Class is just for students in Concert or Symphony Orchestra. See details below.

office hours

I can be reached during your regularly scheduled class time on days that we do not have a live meeting, which will be rare . During those hours, you can connect with me directly by either using the GoogleMeet link that is on the top banner of your GoogleClassroom page or by using the given Zoom link that will be in a post on GoogleClassroom. You will have to check what format I am using for that day.

You can also get assistance by making an appointment in advance, Monday-Friday from 7:30am until 10:20am. During those times, I am, potentially, in meetings so the earlier notice you can give the better. This way, we can schedule your meeting time. Again, I will use the GoogleMeet link on GoogleClassroom. Finally, my planning periods are: 2nd, and 6th/7th/8th, but you need to email me ask I will not be linked to our GoogleClassroom at that time.

7:30am-10:20am: by appointment only; email prior (24 hours) to set up a time.

I am NOT available between 9:15am-10:15am on Wednesdays. The music teachers will have a regular team meeting at that time.

During your regularly scheduled class time if we are not in a live session.
2nd and 6th/7th/8th: by appointment only; email prior to set up an exact period.

quarter one outcomes

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

Assess, analyze, and critique your own performance abilities and those of others.
Target and develop particular techniques of which you choose to improve.
Apply new knowledge about theory and history to your playing.
Perform literature that you enjoy.
Set goals and experience success in music from establishing a routine that builds confidence.

Questions we will explore together...

During remote learning, I'd like you to consider this COMPELLING QUESTION:

How can I grow as a musician?

To help you form an opinion about the compelling question, we will explore these SUPPORTING QUESTIONS:

What does a successful musician sound like and how did they get that way? What are their habits?
How have I progressed thus far? Where am I in my musical development?
What techniques can I work on?
What is the context for the music that I am playing? What was the composer thinking when they wrote this? How can I emulate that in my style of playing?
How can I shape my mindset towards music so I can develop? How can I shape my mindset towards other aspects in life?
What excites me about music?

Important vocabulary you'll need to know...

Academic Vocabulary

Staff: the five lines that we use to organize our notes
Pitch: the highness or lowness of a sound (the letter names on the staff: A B C D E F G)
Rhythm: timing and the duration of sound (note and rest values: quarter note, half note, eighth rest, etc.)
Beat: pulse of music
Clef: the symbol at the very beginning the staff that we use to organize the pitches
1. Treble (violins), Alto (violas), Bass (cellos and bass)
2. Viola, cello and bass use multiple clefs
3. Tenor clef is also used for cello and rarely on the bass
Key Signature: the space after the clef that tells us which notes we will be using
Meter/Time Signature: the stacked numbers after the clef and key signature (4/4, 6/8, cut-time)
1. Top number: tells us how many beats in a measure
2. Bottom number: tells us what note/rest value earns one beat
Body format: refers to bow holds, right and left arm technique, posture, positioning, etc. while playing
Technique: the way in which you perform
Shifting: moving your left hand higher and lower in pitch along the fingerboard
Vibrato: a left hand technique that is used for expression
Articulation: how a note(s) are performed (example: staccato or legato)
So much more!

Content Vocabulary

Interpret - explain the meaning of something (video, political cartoon, speech, etc.)
Compare - note the similarities between one or more objects, ideas, etc.
Contrast - note the differences between one or more objects, ideas, etc.
Identify - recognize, point out, locate
Analyze - break down complex topics and ideas into small parts in order to get a better understanding of it
Evaluate - to make a judgement on the importance, quality, or worth of an object, idea or piece of content

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