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Class Piano Level 2+ Syllabus Fall 2020
Heritage Academy Mesa
Instructor: Mrs. Sandra Alston
salston@heritageacademyaz.com
Course Description:
Class Piano is a wonderful opportunity for YOU to further your abilities and understanding of the piano. Increased musical understanding reaches far beyond basic note reading. This course is designed to increase the love of learning to play and interpret music, as well as further develop areas of learning technique, sight reading, theory, ear-training, improvisation, composition, and performance. YOU will become a more confident pianist! Students receive both group and individual instruction. Wherever YOU are in your piano playing abilities ...get excited! The magic of class piano will soon have it’s wonderful influence in your life!
Content areas of study Fall 2020: key signatures, scale degree chord structures, interleaved practice strategies, Sight-reading, memorization, technical form and analysis.
Course Outcome:
Success. Heightened awareness of a variety of musical elements. Increased awareness of technical elements and interleaved practice strategies. The environment of class piano is nothing short of ‘magic’. Enthusiasm for learning takes place at an accelerated place here in the Piano lab. The strengths and diversity of each individual student each contribute to the overall rapid developmental progress that occurs without fail during every semester of piano.
Required Materials:
All students will need access to an audio/recording device and should be able to upload recordings to google classroom.
All students will need at every class the following materials:
3 ring binder for class notes, handouts, personal music. This binder is referred to as your “PRECIOUS”. It will become a prized possession!
Solo of Choice
Black dry erase marker
Pencil with you at the piano at all times
Character traits of piano students:
Certain attributes seem to unify musicians and build the greatest platform for personal progress, discovery, individuality, and growth. These attributes include humility, patience, vulnerability, persistence, self assurance, and acceptance. The discovery of music brings out the best in all of us. When I wake up each day - I count my blessings and think “I have the best life ever!” YOU students, are a part of my life - and it as an honor to associate with each one of you.
Scholar Expectations:
· Be on time for class. Timeliness speaks volumes of who you are. It shows your classmates, your friends and Mrs. Alston you care. Any tardy is a 10/25 point deduction from the daily grade.
· Be on task. It helps those around you be on task too! Participate! There’s no one else like YOU! What you have to say, and what you have to Play, matters!
· Respect others efforts and abilities. 20 scholars=20 varieties of abilities. Embrace it.
· When others are talking, please listen. It shows respect.
· Cell Phones: It portrays ‘indifference’ towards class efforts. At the start of every class, it should be out of sight. Leave it put away. Discuss exceptions…..
Care for Piano Land:
Enter with clean hands.
Nothing but water bottles stored on the floor are allowed in the lab. Zero tolerance for candy or finger snacks.
Keep cords as they are. Always ask permission prior to moving cords or headsets. Extra headsets are available for student pairing and sharing.
At the end of class, wipe down keyboards, replace red keyboard cloth, carefully set headsets on music holder. “That was EASY!”
Daily Recitals: YES! As inspired. You will get to share – OFTEN!
Expected Course projects
Paper/Presentation. 450 points
Topic: Key Elements to successful practice - Interleaved practice
Piano Composition:
10 pages of ‘Build YOUR Performance confidence!
Music Memorization:
End of Semester Recital: 900 points
Sign up now! EVERYONE PLAYS a Solo of choice! Yay! Want another option? Perform A Personal Composition! Fall recital dates: November 18,19,20,21 3:45-5pm
All Piano Students get to share through performance. 900 points.
“PRECIOUS” part of 900 points Discussion: (share)
This will be assessed throughout the semester.
Daily “In-Class” : 25 points each day Be On Time! Start of each class…..come in and play the piano!!!
· Seating arrangements: Assigned every day. Explain.
· Sightreading, Earplay, Technique, Scales = Every day
· DEFCON 1: FOCUSED playing with set time period. You will have a specific goal for your practice time– Goal to be written on white whiteboard. This is YOUR time. You do NOT want it interrupted. Please no getting up or visiting during DEFCON. Take this opportunity every day in piano land – to really ‘go there’ in your piano playing efforts. This is why you are in this class – and at the end of the semester – you are going to be THRILLED at your progress!!!
Grading: THIS IS A PARTICIPATION/PERFORMANCE BASED CLASS EVERY MEMBER MUST CONTRIBUTE – THAT’S THE KEY INGREDIENTS TO PIANOLANDS MAGIC! THIS CLASS WILL BECOME ONE OF YOUR FAVORITES!
30% of grade: 25 Daily Points given for: Participation, Citizenship, being on time, having your PRECIOUS, 10 pages of proficient pass off, Personal Composition = 900 points
30% Daily work, notebooks, theory, quizzes
30% Recital Performance = 900 points
10% Test
Please sign and tear off below: 50 points
_____________________________________________
Name ____________________________________
I understand the expectations of Class Piano and am accountable for all of the information mentioned in the above syllabus.
Student signature _______________________________
Parent signature ________________________________
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