1. Orchestra (Strings) Fall 2016 Semester
Ms. Hannah Fowler

2. Classroom Expectations
Students will follow proper procedures for taking out, playing, and putting away their instruments.
Students will show respect by being quiet (no talking or playing instruments) while the teacher is talking.
Students will raise their hands if they need to ask a question.
Students will unpack their instruments efficiently and be ready to tune.
Students will play their instruments in class.
Students will remain in their assigned seat/area unless directed to move.

3. Orchestra Standards

4. Orchestra Standards: Categories
Skills and Techniques/Performance
Creation
Critical Analysis/Investigation
Cultural and Historical Context

5. Orchestra Standards
Standards 1-3: Skills and Techniques/Performance

6. Skills and Techniques/Performance: Standard 1
MMSBO.1 – Singing, alone and with others, various kinds of music
a. Demonstrate the ability to match a note that you hear and adjust your singing when you are not in tune.
b. Demonstrate an understanding of musical phrasing through singing simple melodies.
c. Discuss the relationship between singing and quality tone production on a string instrument.

7. Skills and Techniques/Performance: Standard 2
MMSBO.2 – Performing on instruments, alone and with others, various kinds of music
a. Demonstrate correct left hand position and finger placement, right hand position (bow hold), posture, instrument position and bow placement.
b. Produce a characteristic sound using legato, staccato, slurs, detached slur, accent, and pizzicato.
c. Use correct finger patterns in performing scales and pieces of music in the keys of D, G, and C.
d. Demonstrate awareness of individual and group roles within the ensemble relating to balance, blend, dynamics, phrasing, and tempo

8. Skills and Techniques/Performance: Standard 3
MMSBO.3 – Reading and notating music
a. Identify notes in the staff and on ledger lines of respective clef.
b. Read and notate notes within the following key signatures: D, G, and C.
c. Read and notate rhythms containing whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, dotted half notes and their corresponding rests in the time signatures of 4/4, 3/4, and 2/4.
d. Recognize basic symbols for dynamics, tempo, articulation, and expression as used in corresponding literature.

9. Orchestra Standards
Standards 4-5: Creation

10. Creation: Standard 4
MMSBO.4 – Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments
a. Play by ear simple melodies and provide rhythmic and melodic variations based on those melodies.
b. Improvise simple harmonic accompaniments in the key of D.

11. Creation: Standard 5
MMSBO.5 – Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines
a. Create original rhythm patterns in 4/4 time.
b. Compose simple melodies for respective instrument in the keys of D and G.

12. Orchestra Standards
Standards 6-7: Critical Analysis/Investigation

13. Critical Analysis/Investigation: Standard 6
MMSBO.6 – Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
a. Discuss the basic principles of meter, rhythm, tonality, and instrumentation in selected aural examples.
b. Identify melodic and harmonic material in given aural examples

14. Critical Analysis/Investigation: Standard 7
MMSBO.7 – Evaluating music and music performances
a. Distinguish between correct and incorrect melodic and harmonic intonation and demonstrate ability to adjust accordingly.
b. Evaluate the accuracy of rhythm and tempos for individual and ensemble playing.
c. Judge the quality of performance in tone, intonation, balance, dynamics, and rhythm.

15. Orchestra Standards
Standards 8-9: Cultural and Historical Context

16. Cultural and Historical Context: Standard 8
MMSBO.8 – Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts
a. Explain how music contributes to a well rounded education.
b. Establish awareness that all subjects are related to music.

17. Cultural and Historical Context: Standard 9
MMSBO.9 – Understanding music in relation to history and culture
a. Identify and compare performance styles of music learned in class.
b. Discuss characteristics of music from various societies and cultures.

18. Important Dates and Concert Information

19. Dates- Fall Semester
Oct. 24 – Nov. 4: Fundraiser (goal: 18 items per student)
*Oct : Rehearsals for fall concert (CHS)
*Oct. 25: Fall combined concert with CHS (CHS)
Nov. 10: Honors Orchestra Veteran’s Day performance (MMS)
Nov. 16: 6th grade concert dress rehearsal (MMS)
*Nov. 17: 6th grade concert- 6 pm (MMS)
Dec. 7-11: “The Lion King” rehearsals and performances (CHS)
Dec. 12: Showcase concert dress rehearsal (CHS)
*Dec. 13: Showcase concert- 6 pm (CHS)

20. Dates- Spring Semester
*Feb. 16: ASO field trip with band
*Mar. 7: Orchestra LGPE (HHS)
Mar. 21: 6th grade concert dress rehearsal (MMS)
*Mar. 23: 6th grade concert- 6 pm (MMS)
Apr. 3: Showcase dress rehearsal (CHS)
*Apr. 4: Showcase- 6 pm (CHS)
*April or May (date TBA): Six Flags trip with CHS Orchestra

21. Concert Information When to drop off your child: 5:15 pm
What to wear: Concert black
What to bring: Instrument, black binder with sheet music in it, optional: a book to read
When to pick up your child: no later than 7:00 pm (please arrange transportation if you cannot be there yourself)

22. Remind Orchestra updates sent directly to your phone or email address
To join, text kc92e to (or )

23. Volunteers Needed!
Interested and available to volunteer? Please provide your name and contact information on the sheet by the door.

24. Morning Practice Every Tuesday unless otherwise announced 8:00-8:30 am
Drop students off at the front door
Students must have morning pass

25. Questions or Concerns?
Please visit my website and feel free to me at: