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6th Grade String Ensemble
R. J. Fisher Middle School
2010-11
Period 6 Teacher: Ms. Simon Rm. P8
e mail: csimon@lgusd.k12.ca.us phone # 335-2079
Greetings, and welcome to 6th Grade String Ensemble. I am so excited to have every one of you in this course. I’m looking forward to a great year!
Course Description - This course is an introduction to ensemble playing while supporting the curriculum included in the California State Standards for Grade Six. These standards can all be approached through the medium of performance (music reading, theory, ear training, history, cultural awareness, musicianship/artistry). I anticipate a lot of personal musical growth, great music making and lots of fun!
Grading - Grading will be 50% on classroom participation and behavior and 50% on written and playing assignments (including concerts).
Behavior – Respectful and professional musical behavior will be expected at all times. The class will create a short list of appropriate behavior in our first week.
Improvement – I will be relying on playing quizzes to determine a student’s progress. Practice charts will also be given out and kept up-to-date. We will determine as a class what is an appropriate amount of practice time every week. (This may vary from student to student, but we will decide on a class minimum.) The level a music student begins at is inconsequential. I will be looking for improvement over the course of each quarter.
Weekly Written Assignments - Students will be working out of theory workbooks. I have copies of the first four levels, and will be placing students in the proper book before ordering them. This will ensure that everyone is sufficiently challenged.
Concerts – Concerts are mandatory. These include the Winter and Spring Concerts, school assemblies, our Small Ensemble Night (voluntary), Music in the Parks (festival that includes a day of fun at Great America), and our Picnic and Pops here at Fisher.
Written Essays – There will be approximately 4 short essays due on different subjects, the first being a musical self-evaluation. We will take time at school to do research on the other three subjects.
Extra Credit
• Students may volunteer to take part in the Master Class. This is a good performance opportunity, and a chance to get individual help, while having the class watch and listen. The students are always supportive of each other.
• Review of a live concert
• Your ideas?
Rehearsal Etiquette – Professional rehearsal etiquette (guidelines below) is expected of all ensemble musicians.
• Be in your seat with instrument and music, ready to play, five minutes after the bell.
• Put all music in rehearsal order and have a pencil out, on your stand.
• Warm up slowly and softly until the conductor stands on the podium and signals for silence, a group warm-up will then be directed.
• While the conductor is on the podium, please commit to focused quiet attention.
• Always play as musically as you can. “Don’t play what’s on the page, play what’s not on the page.” Miles Davis.
• When needing to ask a question or address an issue, raise your hand and wait for your turn to speak. If a comment doesn’t relate to the current task, please wait until after class.
• It is okay to quietly ask a neighbor or section leader a music question if it is not disruptive to the rehearsal, otherwise, please wait until the conductor is off the podium.
• Play with excellent posture.
• Stop playing immediately after any cut off signal and wait in silence.
Performance Calendar
All performances are mandatory, and are a large part of our class. They are the culminating effort of all of our individual and ensemble work and practice. They are mountain peak experiences that are your time to shine and enjoy. To ensure that performances are high quality, memorable events for everyone, there will be a strict code of conduct and dress (see guidelines below). Most of the performances are held out of class time; therefore, understandably, conflicts may arise. Please note the dates and times on the calendar below and provide parent notification (phone, email, or written) of any conflicts prior to the performance. Please try to notify me as soon as possible if you have a conflict with a performance. Unexcused absence from a performance will greatly affect your grade (see grading policy).
Event Date Time Location Ensemble
Winter Concert Mon., Dec. 6 7pm RJF Cafeteria Strings and Choirs
Winter Concert Wed.,Dec. 8 7pm RJF Cafeteria Bands and Jazz Ensemble
Solo and Small
Ensemble Night TBA
7pm RJF Cafeteria Solos and small ensembles (optional participation-attendance required)
Spring Concert Mon., April 4 7pm RJF Cafeteria Strings and Choirs
Spring Concert Wed., April 6 7pm RJF Cafeteria Bands and Jazz Ensemble
Music in the Parks Festival Sat., April 30 Aprx
9-7 A local school &Great Amer. All 6th grade ensembles
Picnic-n-Pops Wed., June 8 5-8 pm RJF Quad /Cafeteria All large ensembles
Performance Dress Code
For Winter and Spring Concerts as well as Music Festivals, formal concert dress is required.
• Ladies: White blouse or sweater, black slacks or long black skirt, black nylons and black shoes.
• Gentlemen: White dress shirt tucked in (tie can be worn if neutral in color), black dress jacket may be worn if desired. Black slacks, black socks and shoes.
For school assemblies, Picnic-n-Pops, and other informal performances:
• Fisher Band/Orchestra t-shirt
• Blue jeans or blue jean shorts/skirt
PLEASE READ (AND KEEP FOR REFERENCE) THE ABOVE
RETURN THE PORTION BELOW BY TUE, SEPT. 7
I have read the classroom expectations and syllabus and understand what is required of me for Sixth Grade String Ensemble.
_____________________________ _________________________________
Student Signature Parent Signature
Hm. Ph. #____________________ Parent e-mail___________________________
Parent cell #__________________ Student e-mail__________________________
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I am in need of 2 – 3 room parents to help assist me with communication (would love help in setting up a class Web site), performances, Music Booster events, festivals. I won’t work any one person too hard! Thanks so much, and if this is possible, please indicate below.
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