7th Grade

GMA Orchestra: 7th Grade Syllabus

School: Greenville Middle Academy

Directors: Anne Matthews, Margaret Walser

School phone: 864-355-5654

Extra help available as needed


COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Strings 7: This course is a continuation of Strings 6 for violin, viola, cello, and string bass. Intermediate-level middle school literature will be studied. The curriculum includes the development of fundamental skills, concepts, composition, cooperative learning, music as it relates to history and culture, and strings techniques. The class will include an expectation for the purchase or rental of an instrument and individual practice at home. Concert performances will be an outgrowth of the study of musical concepts. PREREQUISITE: Strings 6 or permission of instructor


SUPPLIES:

Essential Elements for Strings Book Two, New Directions for Strings Book Two


Students will need a composition notebook (bound) and a pencil each day. In addition music will be distributed that should be kept in the folder provided and brought to class each day. Students are expected to procure an instrument in proper working order with rosin, shoulder rest for violin and viola and rock stop for cellos and basses.


GRADING POLICY:

  • Major Assessments (50%): Performances, major tests, practice records
  • Minor Assessments (50%): Daily grades, minor playing tests, journal, quizzes


The teacher will monitor and adjust classroom procedures and schedule as needed. For specific course objectives and standards, please visit the South Carolina Department of Education at www.ed.sc.gov.





COURSE CONTENT STANDARDS/OBJECTIVES:

National Music Education Course Standards

Standard 1-Singing alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music

Standard 2-Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music

Standard 3-Improvising melodies, variations and accompaniments

Standard 4-Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines

Standard 5-Reading and notating music

Standard 6-Listening to, analyzing and describing music

Standard 7-Evaluating music and music performances

Standard 8-Understanding relationships between music, the other arts and disciplines outside the arts

Standard 9-Understanding music in relation to history and culture.


SOUTH CAROLINA MUSIC EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT STANDARDS:

Component 1: Aesthetic Perception: Concept development: Pitch, Rhythm, Harmony, Texture, Form, Tempo, Dynamics

Component 2: Creative Expression: Skills development: Singing, Playing, Movement, Reading, Writing, Creating, Listening

Component 3: Musical Heritage: Historical and Cultural: Personal heritage, Musical heritage, Social heritage, Historic heritage

Component 4: Aesthetic Valuing: Application of Knowledge and Skills: Cultural background, Function of music, Judgment, Structure and Elements, Valuing Course Objectives:


SEVENTH GRADE ORCHESTRA COURSE CONTENT INFORMATION:


The following course objectives are based on the National Music Education Course Standards, and the South Carolina Music Education Achievement Standards.


UNITS OF INSTRUCTION ALIGNED WITH STANDARDS:


  • Play in the keys of C, F, B-flat, A major, one octave and D major and G Major, 2 octaves (S.S 1, 2, 4)
  • Play in half-position, 2nd and 3rd position- (cello and bass) extended first position and some third position- (violin, viola) (S.S 1, 2)
  • Perform various dotted quarter and sixteenth note patterns (S.S 1, 2)
  • Demonstrate concept of flat and sharp, and begin to be able to tune own instrument (S.S 1, 2, 4)
  • Demonstrate marcato, slurred string crossings, measured and unmeasured tremolo, double stops, and bariolage (S.S 1, 2 )
  • Be able to play at different parts of the bow (S.S 1, 2 )
  • Perform pieces in 2/4, cut time and 6/8 time (S.S 1, 2 )
  • Define Dynamic Markings: fortissimo, pianissimo, crescendo, decrescendo and Tempo markings: Adagio, lento, andantino, allegretto, a tempo, rallentando (S.S 1, 2, 4 )
  • Demonstrate beginning shifting and continued refinement of vibrato (S.S 1, 2)
  • Perform various special sound effects, such as: ponticello, sul tasto, col legno (S.S 1,2)
  • Perform music of various cultures-- identifying elements and societal purpose of the music (S.S 1, 2,3, 4 )
  • Construct major scales in keys of G, D, A, F and B-flat and write finger patterns for each (S.S 1, 2, 4 )
  • Recognize musical forms such as minuet, gavotte, and concerto (S.S 1, 2, 4 )


Syllabus for First Quarter:


Unit I: Review of basic and fundamental skills and vocabulary (3 weeks)

a. position review

b. Scale and key review D, G, and C major

c. Introduction to dotted quarter rhythms

d. Concert repertoire (ongoing through term)


Unit II: Review of technical, musical and stylistic skills (3 weeks)

e. Syncopation, slurs, legato, hooked bows, dynamics and note values

f. Portato bowing

g. Concert repertoire (ongoing through term)

Unit III: Introduction to 16th notes (3 weeks)

h. counting, clapping and playing 16th note rhythm patterns


Syllabus for 2nd Quarter:


Unit IV: Introduction to third position

a. basic shifting concepts and skills

b. G major scale to third position one octave and two octave.

c. Concert repertoire (ongoing through term)


Unit V: Introduction to16th notes (3 weeks)

d. Counting, clapping and playing 16th note rhythm patterns.

e. Concert repertoire and application pieces/vocab


Unit VI: Introduction to 3/8 and 6/8 time

f. Counting, clapping and playing in 3/8 and 6/8 time

g. Concert repertoire and application pieces (ongoing through term)


Unit VII: Intro to the key of A Major (1 week)

h. A major scale and ancillary practice pieces (p.29-31)

i. advanced studies in A major (#90,91)

j. Concert repertoire and application pieces (ongoing through term)


Syllabus for 3rd Quarter:


Unit VIII: Introduction to flat keys (3 weeks)

a. F major scale and ancillary studies (p. 20-22)

b. Bb major scale and ancillary studies (p.41-43)

c. Concert repertoire (ongoing through term)


Unit IX: Introduction to martele and spiccato (2 weeks)

d. Martele stroke and ancillary pieces (p.38 #72)

e. Spiccato stroke and ancillary pieces (p.38 #73-74)

f. Concert repertoire (ongoing through term)


Unit X: Advanced studies in F and Bb major (2 weeks)

g. Expansion of F and Bb major keys through performance etudes/studies (#88,89,94,95)

h. Concert repertoire (ongoing through term)


Unit XI: Discovering intervals

i. Intervals


Syllabus for 4th Quarter:

Unit XII: Introduction to minor keys (3 weeks)

a. a natural minor scale and ancillary studies

b. d natural minor scale and ancillary studies

c. Concert repertoire (ongoing through term)


Unit XIII: Introduction to double stops and triplet rhythms (2 weeks)

d. Double stops/triplet rhythms

e. Concert repertoire (ongoing through term)


Unit XIV: Advanced studies in a and d minor (2 weeks)

f. Expansion of a and d minor keys through performance etudes/studies

g. Concert repertoire (ongoing through term)


Unit XV: Int. studies in chromatics, double stops, orchestral bowings and techniques (2weeks)

h. Chromatic scale and study

i. Tremolo

j. Ensemble pieces

k. Concert repertoire (ongoing through term)