Teacher: Katy Martin
Contact Information: kwmartin@greenville.k12.sc.us
https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/martinstrings
Class Schedule:
Sterling School
6th grade-7:45-8:35
7th grade- 8:38-9:25
8th grade-9:28-10:15
10:15-10:45-Planning/Office Hours
Materials Needed for Class:
Instrument of appropriate size and quality and a spare set of strings
Folding music stand (to be kept at home for practicing)
Shoulder rest (for violin or viola) or rock stop (for cello or bass)
Rosin, cloth, paper, and a pencil
½-1 inch binder for orchestra music
Pencil Pouch for binder
Habits of a Successful Orchestra Student and Suzuki Book 4 or above
Classroom Expectations:
Expectations are a great way for us to set up our school year for success. Orchestra students are asked/ expected to do the following:
Be Respectful: Listen to the teacher and classmates, wait your turn to talk
Be Responsible: Come to class prepared and on time, ready to learn. Bring your instrument, binder, and accessories to each class.
Be Honest: If you don’t understand something, let your teacher know. We need to understand all of the material before moving on.
Be Polite: Treat people the way you want to be treated.
Concert attire:
Students will be expected to wear all black attire for concerts. Black shirts or tops and pants or skirts with leggings and black shoes.
Course Description :
Sterling String Orchestra is a course in playing the violin, viola, cello, or bass. There is a great deal of “Project based learning” which allows the class to have students with more experience as well. In addition to addressing performance skills on the instrument the string orchestra classes at Sterling are designed to promote a full understanding of music theory. It should be understood that this syllabus contains a list of topics in the order in which they are presented. However, the study of each musical concept continues throughout the year as the students apply these skills to exercises and performance selections. In addition to class orchestra selections, this year we will be including small ensemble selections to allow for differentiated instruction. We will also incorporate music technology using notation software and instructional software. Classroom assignments address all of the National and State Standards.
Honors credit requirements:
-prepare for and audition for All County Orchestra
-prepare for and audition for Region Orchestra
-prepare for andaudition for All State Orchestra
-prepare for and participate in Solo and Ensemble
(in the event that an unusual circumstance is present, students will be given an alternate assignment that is Honors level.)
I have included a brief listing of these standards to help inform you of activities which should be provided in a comprehensive music classroom:
National Music Education Course Standards:
Standard 1 The student will sing and perform on instruments a variety of music alone and with others.
Standard 2 The student will improvise, compose, and arrange within specific guidelines.
Standard 3 The student will read and notate music.
Standard 4 The student will listen to, analyze, and evaluate music and music performances.
Standard 5 The student will examine and perform music from a variety of historical periods and cultures.
Standard 6 The student will make connections between music and other arts disciplines, other content areas and the word.
South Carolina Music Education Course Standards:
1. I can arrange and compose music.
2. I can improvise music.
- I can perform a variety of music with fluency and expression.
3. I can produce a well-developed tone quality.
4. I can perform with technical accuracy and expression.
5. I can perform using music notation.
- I can respond to musical ideas as a performer and listener.
6. I can analyze music.
7. I can evaluate music.
- I can connect musical ideas and works to personal experience, careers, culture, history, and other disciplines
8. I can examine music from a variety of stylistic and historical periods and cultures.
9. I can relate music to other arts disciplines, other content areas, and career path choices.
Creating, performing, reflecting, connecting
Novice/Intermediate/Advanced
Class Objectives: The following objectives are based on the publication Teaching Stringed Instruments: A Course of Study, published by the Music Educator’s National Conference.
The advanced string student should be able to demonstrate the following:
Essential Technique For Strings and Hbits of a Successful Orchestra student:
· Correct vibrato
· Basic shifting to 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th positions
· First, third, and fourth finger extensions
· Two Octave Scales
· Three Octave Scales
· Instrument tuning using fifths and harmonics
· Sightread music in 2/4,3/4, 4/4 and 6/8
· Rhythms containing triplets and basic syncopation
· Bowing with detached slurs, spiccato, martele, and tremolo
· Describe and write relative major and minor keys
· Identify intervals visually and aurally
· Construct tonic, subdominant, and dominant triads
· Define vocabulary in method book and orchestral selections
Topics of Study: Theory concepts and elements of chamber music
First Quarter
Refining Instrument hold and Bow Technique, REFINING TONE AND VIBRATO,Listening Skills-Rhythmic and Melodic, Half Steps and Whole Steps in Third Position, Major Scale Review/Minor Scales & Forms, Natural Harmonics, Shifting Technique, Guided Listening-Standard Orchestral Literature, Composers and Time periods of Music History
Second Quarter
Major Keys and Scales Section of Book 3, Syncopation, Intonation in the higher positions, Theory Assignments applying notation skills in 4 clefs, Transposition using 4 clefs, Third position on the G and C Strings, Second Position, Fifth Position
Third Quarter
Major Keys and Scales- up to 3 octavesRelative Minor Keys and Scales, Spiccato, Louree, Special Effects
Writing Minor Scales, Triads and Harmony
Fourth Quarter
Music Composition, Performance Skills and Solos, Fifth Position, Three Octave Scales
Major/minor scales and intervals-continued
Grading:
Practice Records
Playing Tests
Theory Tests
Concerts
Participation- having all materials and being prepared for class
All students may retake any playing test or theory test to replace the first grade until the end of the 9 weeks that the test was in.
Classroom Performance standards, Playing Tests, Written Theory Tests, Practice Records, Folder Checks
Daily Performance and Rehearsal Grade In large ensemble classes, students will be assessed on their ensemble skills, defined as an individual student’s ability to perform with everyone else, like everyone else. They will be assessed on their ability to perform the correct fingerings and use the correct part of the bow. Students will be graded on their ability to play with flawless instrument position, left and right hand technique.
Students must wear appropriate clothing and maintain a fingernail length that does not restrict or impair instrument performance. Students who wear clothing or fingernails that keep them from playing their instruments correctly will receive a lower grade commensurate to level of their impaired technique.
As a part of their orchestra education, students will learn to organize and care for their music. As mentioned above, students are required to keep their music, written work and other handouts organized in a folder.
Homework and Tests: Students will regularly receive playing and written assignments that they are expected to learn or complete at home. Students will perform alone and in groups to demonstrate their mastery of an assignment. Students with a regular time and quiet place to practice every day tend to perform better on tests and receive higher grades. Written work that is turned in late may receive a lower grade.
**Performance Selections and Exercises throughout the year are coordinated with the topics of study for the quarter. A schedule of the year’s performances will be issued during the first 3 weeks of school.