Music - Orchestra 2 (8th & 9th Grades)

Course Description

Open to: 8, 9 One Year Course
Prerequisite: Elementary School Strings/Orchestra 1 or Instructor/Counselor Approval
Content: Students will continue to progress as musicians and consumers of music. They will learn grade level appropriate music theory, vocabulary, and be able to play alone and as a group through sequenced learning activities preparing them for successful participation in orchestra at the high school level. Students will also prepare and perform in concerts and festival, and will be given the opportunity to perform in the district solo and ensemble festival.

Philosophy

The Music Department’s philosophy is based on the belief that experiences with music are fundamental to the education of children. Music has a powerful ability to affect the hearts, minds, and souls of our children. It gives students the opportunity to gain self-esteem by learning new skills and talents. It also gives students the sense of satisfaction that comes from working with a group to perform and create a piece of music with beauty and unity. Recent brain research shows music can tremendously boost the efficiency and performance of the brain. Music is a powerful purveyor of culture, both American and other world cultures. In today’s increasingly global society, knowledge of other peoples and cultures, as well as our own past, is a necessary part of a good education.

Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.
Plato

Materials

• Orchestra method book
• Selected supplementary books
• Sheet music/orchestra arrangements for concert performance

Copyright Resources

Orchestra Resource References

Course Scope

Assessment Correlation acronyms key
Music Department web site

• For specific Standard References please see: References with the letter N denote a reference to the National Standards. Those without the N are references to the Idaho State Standards.
• Download this curriculum and standards documentation as a "Printer Friendly" pdf file
• Curriculum date: 6/8/2007

Unit 1

Music Literacy

Ongoing

1002.01 Students will demonstrate knowledge of music reading and theory skills appropriate to the level.

Standard Reference
N - 2: a, e 3: b, c 4: b 5: a, b, c, d, e
6-8/9-12.Mu.2.1; 3.1; 3.2

No.

Performance Objective

Resource Reference

Assessment Correlation

01

Demonstrate an increased understanding of previous concepts

Student Orchestra method

TO

02

Demonstrate tuning in perfect fifths (violin, viola, cello), manipulating string adjusters and pegs while bowing on two strings

Teacher demonstration

TO

03

Demonstrate tuning bass by 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th partials/harmonics

Teacher demonstration

TO

04

Demonstrate knowledge of simple and complex rhythmic patterns appropriate to grade level 3 music

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TMA

05

Demonstrate the ability to count, sub-divide and be able to perform literature in all compound time signatures

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TMA

06

Demonstrate the fractional relationships of note values and equivalent rests found in grade level 3 music

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TMA

07

Name all major keys from a given key signature

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TMA

08

Demonstrate basic knowledge of relative minor key signatures and their relationship to major key signatures

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TMA

09

Demonstrate knowledge of the construction of major and minor scales

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TMA

10

Perform two octave major and minor scales and be able to perform literature in keys through four sharps and four flats

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TMA

11

Recognize and name notes from printed music and locate notes on their instrument within the following positions. Violin – treble clef: 1^st through 5^th positions; Viola – alto and treble clef: 1^st through 5^th positions; Cello – bass and tenor clef: ½ through 4^th positions; Bass – bass clef: ½ through 4^th positions

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TMA

12

Demonstrate the ability to sight-read grade level 2 music

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

13

Demonstrate the ability to read, understand and respond to music notes in treble and bass clef, terminology, symbols, rhythms, key signatures and time signatures for grade level 3 music

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TMA

14

Demonstrate ability to identify diatonic intervals within a major scale

Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory, Surmani, et al

TMA

15

Demonstrate the ability to improvise a short passage of music at grade level 3

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

16

Demonstrate the ability to arrange a simple melody for an instrument other than the one it was originally written for

Teacher demonstration

TO

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Unit 2

Music History

Ongoing

1002.02 Students will demonstrate an understanding of music history appropriate to the level.

Standard Reference
N – 9: a, b, c
6-8/9-12.Mu. 1.1

No.

Performance Objective

Resource Reference

Assessment Correlation

01

Name and give the dates of the six main musical style periods (Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20^th Century)

Standard of Excellence Music Theory and History workbooks, Elledge

TMA

02

Name at least two representative composers from four of the style periods

Standard of Excellence Music Theory and History workbooks, Elledge

TMA

03

Demonstrate the knowledge of the similarities and differences in musical styles of the various style periods through performance and listening

Standard of Excellence Music Theory and History workbooks, Elledge, Selected repertoire and recordings

TO

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Unit 3

Musicianship

Ongoing

1002.03 Students will demonstrate good musicianship in ensemble and performance.

Standard Reference
N - 2: a, c, d, e 7: a, b
6-8/9-12.Mu.2.2; 3.3

No.

Performance Objective

Resource Reference

Assessment Correlation

01

Demonstrate an increased understanding of previous concepts

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

02

Demonstrate a basic daily, personal warm-up routine

Teacher demonstration

TO

03

Demonstrate basic posture principals and correct playing position without tension

Teacher demonstration

TO

04

Demonstrate knowledge of proper rhythm, pitch, bow direction, style and dynamics for grade level 3 music

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

05

Demonstrate the ability to follow and interpret different conductors

Teacher demonstration

TO

06

Demonstrate the ability to follow section leaders and synchronize bowings

Selected repertoire

TO

07

Demonstrate proper blend and balance in ensemble performance

Selected repertoire

TO

10

Demonstrate the knowledge of music notes, terminology, symbols, rhythms, key signatures and time signatures for grade level 3 music

Selected repertoire

TMA

11

Critically evaluate their own performance using specific criteria

Concert performances

TMA

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Unit 4

Concert Etiquette

Ongoing

1002.04 Students will demonstrate good concert etiquette appropriate to the level.

Standard Reference
N – 2: a, c, e 7: a, b
6-8/9-12.Mu.2.2.3

No.

Performance Objective

Resource Reference

Assessment Correlation

01

Demonstrate proper concert dress and concert decorum both as a performer and an audience member

Concert performances

TO

02

Demonstrate an appreciation for excellence in performance

Concert performances

TO

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Unit 5

Right Hand Technique

Ongoing

1002.05 Students will demonstrate good right hand skills appropriate to the level.

Standard Reference
N – 2:a, c, d, e
6-8/9-12.Mu.3.1.3

No.

Performance Objective

Resource Reference

Assessment Correlation

01

Demonstrate an increased understanding of previous concepts

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

02

Demonstrate refined technique of the following bow strokes: detache, staccato, hooked staccato, martele, pizzicato, accents, consecutive down bows, loure, tremolo, spiccato, brush stroke, sul tasto, sul ponticello, col legno, double stops and three note chords as found in grade level 3 music

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

03

Demonstrate extended slurring ability to include shifting and multi-string crossing

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

04

Demonstrate refined dynamic and tone control variations by employing knowledgeable bow placement and use

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

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Unit 6

Left Hand Technique

Ongoing

1002.06 Students will demonstrate good left hand skills appropriate to the level.

Standard Reference
N – 2: a, c, d, e
6-8/9-12.Mu.3.1.3

No.

Performance Objective

Resource Reference

Assessment Correlation

01

Demonstrate an increased understanding of previous concepts

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

02

Demonstrate fingered double stops and three note chords

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

03

Demonstrate the ability to perform in and shift to and from the following positions: Violin and Viola – 1^st through 5^th; Cello and Bass – ½ through 4^th.

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

04

Demonstrate basic knowledge of ½ position (Violin and Viola)

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

05

Demonstrate the ability to perform ornamentation used in grade level 3 music

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

06

Demonstrate a consistent vibrato

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire, teacher demonstration

TO

07

Recognize and perform natural harmonics

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO

08

Demonstrate the ability to use all essential left hand technical skills necessary and appropriate for the musical performance of grade level 3 music

Student Orchestra method and selected repertoire

TO