Courses: Beginning Violin, Beginning Viola, Beginning Low Strings

Beginning Orchestra Syllabus

Courses: Beginning Violin, Beginning Viola, Beginning Low Strings

Instructor: Mrs. Coramae Neely

Office Location: Room 1502

Phone: 281-373-9524

Email:

Conference times: by appointment

Tutorial dates: 9/21, 10/5, 11/9, 2/1, 3/21, 4/18, 4/16 (by appointment)

Required Textbook: Essential Elements 2000 bk. 1 (Allen, Gillespie, Hayes)

Course Purpose

The goals of the beginning strings classes at Anthony MS are to establish a foundation in rhythmic studies, notes reading skills, and set-up (form). Students will accomplish this by working in teams, on projects, and through individual practice. By then end of the first year of study students would have performed three concerts, and would have had the opportunity to participate in two performance contests.

GRADING POLICIES

25% Daily Grades (formative): Weekly quizzes, class participation, instrument safety tests.
35% Assessments (performance-based): Performance pass-off tests.

40% Major Grade (summative): Performance tests, projects, concert and performance evaluations, benchmark evaluations.

UNIFORMS

Concerts are "formal" events and all participants are expected to present themselves in a professional manner. This presentation, in addition to performance and behavior, includes a uniform appearance. The following is the performance dress guideline:

Gentlemen: Black dress pants, orchestra polo, long black socks and black dress shoes.

Ladies: Black dress pants or ankle length skirt, orchestra polo, black socks or pantyhose and closed toed black dress shoes.

Class Synopsis

Unit I

Set-up, note reading, parts of the instrument and care.

-  Instrument safety test

-  Tissue box Procedure project

-  Performance tests

Fall Concert Performance

Unit II

Bow set-up, three different bow strokes. Introduction to the positions.

-  Winter Piece Unit Study Project (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Stars)

-  Bow hold pass-off

-  Performance tests

Winter Concert Performance

Unit III

Principles of Sound Production, Introduction to tuning (fine tuners), Shifting

-  Solo piece tests

-  “Popstra” Project

Solo & Ensemble Contest

Unit IV

Two octave scales, Introduction to vibrato, Dynamics

-  Scale tests

-  Perfomance pieces tests

-  Vibrato tests

Spring Concert

Spring Concert Festival (Contest)

Beginner Calendar

October 22 Fall Concert (6:30-7:30) Anthony MS
October 23 Fall Social Event 6:30-8:30pm It’Z
October 28 Fine Arts Picture Day Anthony MS
December 3rd Winter Concert 6:30-7:30pm Anthony MS
January 30 CFISD Solo & Ensemble Aragon MS
May 5th Spring Concert Anthony MS
May 20 Beginning Festival Contest TBA
May (TBA) Spring Trip Splashtown

ELIGIBILITY

Any event that is considered extra-curricular is affected by eligibility; therefore all students who participate must be passing all classes. Eligibility rules apply to students who choose to participate. Academically ineligible students may practice or rehearse with other students, but may not participate in a competition or any UIL sponsored events.

Students should make every effort to schedule health care appointments at times that will not interfere with school or any required orchestra events that are outside the school day.

If a conflict is unavoidable, the student and parent will need to use the Notice of Absence form.

Electronic Communication and Social Media

Anthony Orchestra Website:

www.anthonymsorchestra.com

Charms:

www.charmsoffice.com/charms/plogin.asp then enter school code: AnthonyMSOrchestra

Twitter:

@AnthonyMS_Orch

Remind:

Class specific sheet included.