Syllabus

Class: Symphonic Orchestra, Period
Teacher: Mrs. Amber Petersen
Contact: ampetersen@ssusd.org

Learning Targets

Students will learn the importance of string technique and optimal playing as a balance between the systems of intonation, tone quality, articulation, communication, and expression.

Students will develop an understanding of technique that will lend itself to an ensemble with good intonation, synchronization, blend, and balance.

Students will learn and improve their skills in musicianship, music terminology, music literacy, and sight reading, and further develop their understanding of music history, literature, and musical styles and genres.

Students will listen to a variety of musical styles and genres, learning the cultural and historical significance and learn to give objective critique in connection with the elements of music: melody, harmony, rhythm, form, texture, dynamics, genre, style, and instrumentation.

Students will learn through playing in class and performance, a variety of orchestral styles and genres of music.

Students will learn to play in unison, rounds, solo and small ensembles, and full orchestral harmony. Students will perform throughout the year at concerts on campus, and off campus.

Grading Scale

Your final grade will be a reflection of your learning and progress. Much of making music is about the process of music-making and your grade is reflective of that importance. Orchestra is a performing arts class, and therefore performing is a mandatory component of this class and your grade. I am looking forward to making music with you!

• Active Engagement: This is 35% of your grade. In class music activities are our process of discovery and learning. You will be able to earn 3 points each day of class to allow for 15 points per week.

  • Criteria:

    • 3 Consistent participation in activities and remaining engaged or almost always engaged in class activity.

    • 2 Needs reminders to participate or participates in some of the activities

    • 1 chooses not to participate in majority of class activities

• Performance: This is 40% of your grade. We will have performances that are on campus and off campus. Performances are mandatory and listed below so that you can prioritize your calendar to include these activities. In an ensemble, it is crucial that all members of our team are at all performances; if someone is missing, the entire ensemble is affected and diminished by the absence of even (only) one member. Please be sure to put all of our performances in your calendar and your family's calendar so that you do not miss any.

  • Criteria:

    • 3 Performs selections with accuracy or near accuracy.

    • 2 Performs selection with some accuracy.

    • 1 Performs selection with little accuracy or does not perform.

• Quizzes:This is 20% of your grade. We will have learning mastery checks on our music literacy, vocabularry, and history.

  • Criteria:

    • 3 Demonstrates mastery or near mastery of quiz content

    • 2 Demonstrates basic understanding of content

    • 1 Does not demonstrate understanding of content

• Self Assessment: This is 10% of your grade. You will be assessing your strengths and weaknesses as a musician weekly. As part of this process we will work on goal setting and growth. You will be creating a reflection of your strengths and weaknesses and setting goals in a journal. We will process this together.

  • Criteria:

    • 3 Demonstrates self- reflection with assessment and makes progress with goals.

    • 2 Demonstrates some self-reflection and makes little progress with goals.

    • 1 Does not demonstrate self-reflection or progress with goals.

Classroom Expectations

1. Be respectful of yourself, your classmates, your teacher, and the work we are doing as singing artists.

2. Engage with our ensemble in a way that builds community and skills.

3. Be responsible for your growth and development as a musician.

4. Ask questions and challenge yourself to grow.

Calendar of Petersen Student Performances

Please read through the dates below and put them in your calendars. Performances are a mandatory aspect of this class.

If there are any conflicts that you are aware of now, list them below and I will work out an alternate assignment (for partial credit) for that planned absence.

August 24, 2022 6:00 p.m. Back to School Night
Choir, Madrigals, and Orchestra Performance 5:00 Call Time

October 27, 2022 Scary Music Party with JMMS and MMS
SSUSD Orchestras 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. BHS Multi-use room

November 4, 2022 Culture Fest
Cross Curricular 6:30--9:00 p.m. Multi-use, Senior Stage, Patio, Kitchen
Call time 5:30 p.m.
Dress: Black pants and Green BHS Music T-shirt

November 14-16 Musical Auditions (Cinderella) PPAC
Choir, Madrigals, Drama 11/17 Callbacks

November 30, 2022 Winter Concert BHS Band PPAC 7:00 p.m.
Call time 5:30 p.m.
Dress: Concert Black (Provided by Music Boosters)

December 1, 2022, Winter Concert BHS Choir & Orchestra PPAC 7:00 p.m.
Call time 5:30 p.m.
Dress: Concert Black (Provided by Music Boosters)

December 4 - 8, 2022. Hawaii Band, Choir, & Orchestra BHS

February 25, 2023 SSUSD Solo & Ensemble Festival with JMMS and MMS
SCSBOA– BHS Hosting
PPAC, F-9, BR, + 7:00 am-5:00 p.m.

March 21, 2023 JMMS and MMS 8th grade Invitational (BHS Music Tour replacement)
PPAC 10:00 a.m. Symphonic Band, Stage Band, Concert Choir, Madrigals, Orchestra & Symphonic Orchestra
Call time: 8:00 a.m.
Dress: Black pants and Green BHS Music T-shirt

March 10, 11, 17, 18, 2023 Cinderella BHS Choir and Drama
Tech Week Rehearsals 2/27-3/3 3:00- 5:30 p.m. (required)
Dress Rehearsals 3/6, 3/7, 3/8 , 3/9 3:00-7:00 p.m. (required)

March 10, 11, 17, 18, PPAC 5:00 call time 7:00 p.m. Curtain
April 27, 2023 BHS Bands Concert
PPAC 6:30 p.m. concert

April 28-29 Heritage Festivals Anaheim, CA
Band, Choir, Orchestra
Call time TBA
Dress: Concert Black

May 16, 2023 SSUSD Spring Choral Concert with JMMS and MMS
PPAC 6:30 p.m. Concert
Call time: 4:00 p.m.
Dress: Concert Black

May 17, 2023 SSUSD Spring Orchestral Concert with JMMS and MMS
PPAC 6:30 p.m. Concert
Call time: 4:00 p.m.
Dress: Concert Black