Piano Class Handbook Skyview Middle School 2016-2017 Harriet Jarmon, PhD

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January2016

DearParentsandPianoStudents,

WelcometotheSkyviewMiddleSchoolPianoClassProgram!IamhappytointroduceyoutoourbrandnewinnovativeclassatSkyview!Withthegreatnumberofbeginningstudentsandtremendoustalentinourschool,thiscoursewillprovetobeanamazingadditiontoourmusicdepartment.

Ihavetaughtpianoprivatelyforover30yearsandholdadegreeinpianoperformance.IamaveryseriousinstructorwhenitcomestoinstrumentaleducationbutIamalsoverythoughtfulandworkhardtohelpmystudentssucceedandenjoytheartandfunofpianoperformance!

InthisPianoHandbook,youwillfindinvaluableinformationtohelpyouandyourchildhaveasuccessfulsemester.Itisessentialthateverystudentandtheirparent/guardianreadsanddiscussesthishandbookathome,asitcoversnearlyallaspectsofourpianoprogram.Afteryourdiscussion,pleasesignandreturnthePianoHandbookAgreementFormby

Friday,January2,2016.Itisimperativethatallpianostudentsandparentsreadthroughandunderstandthehandbooksothatthesebuddingmusicianscanlearntoworktogether,followguidelines,andtakeprideinwhatwearedoing.Pleaseconsultthishandbookinthefutureregardingourpolicies.

Studentswillreceiveagradeforthereturnontheirhandbookagreementformandforthecompletionofthisinformationform.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns,pleasefeelfreetocontactme.

Sincerely,

HarrietJarmon,PhDVocalMusicDirectorEmail:hjarmon@d49.orgOffice:(719)495-1149ext.4260Website:http://www.smschoirnews.wikispaces.com

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SkyviewMiddleSchoolPianoClassProgram

Goals&Objectives CourseMaterials

1. Gainanunderstandingofmusicalnotation. 1.5-TabPlasticDividers 2. Learnbasicmusictheory. 2.Pairofheadphonesorearbuds3. Developtheirindividualplayingskills 3.1”Threeringbinder4. Workcooperativelytoplayinanensemblesetting 4.2Pencils5. Developeffectivepracticetechniques 5.1boxCloroxDisinfectantWipes

Coursedescription

Thiscourseisdesignedforstudentswhowishtodevelopbasicpianoplayingskills,orexpandontheirexistingskills.Timeinclasswillbespentbothonandoffthekeyboards.Whileplaying,studentswillbeworkingindividuallyandinsmallgroupstomasterthetechniquesofplayingandtolearnpieces.Therewillalsobetimespentingroupinstructiononmusicalnotationandtheory.

Expectations

1.Beontime–Youshouldbeinyourassignedseat,withyourmaterials,whenthebellrings.Attendancewillbetakenpromptlyandtardinesswillberecorded.Thethirdtardywillresultinadetention.

2.Nogum,food,ordrink–TheMusicTechLabisanunusualfacility,housingbothcomputerworkstationsandpianokeyboards.Thisequipmentisextremelyexpensiveandneedstobetreatedwithcare.

3.Berespectful–Iexpectthatallstudentswilltreatme,theirpeers,andtheclassroomequipmentwithrespect.Becauseofthenumberofstudentsintheclass,wemayneedtosharekeyboards.Workingtogetherdemandsrespectfromeveryone.

4.Beagoodlistener–Thisappliestobothgroupinstructionandindividualplayingtime.WhenIaskyoutolisten,Iexpectyoutostopplayingimmediatelyandlistentoinstructions.

5.Useclasstimewisely–Thisisacoursethatdemandsindividualresponsibility.Youareexpectedtouseclasstimetopracticeonyourinstrument,asitisnotassumedthatallstudentshaveapianoathome.Outsidepracticetimemaybenecessary;practicefacilitiesareavailableforuseduringlunchorstudyhall.Writtenworkistobecompletedneatlyandontime.

BehaviorConsequences

1. VerbalWarning2. ParentContact3. WrittenReferral

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ESTIMATED GRADE POINT BREAKDOWN Actual totals will vary due to varying quarter lenth and assignments

DESCRIPTION PERIOD PERCENT 3RD

Qtr. 4th

Qtr. TOTAL PTS.

Class Participation 50 pts./weekly 15% 500 450 950 Playing Tests 100 pts/weekly 40% 1000 900 1900 Written Quizzes 100 pts/weekly 40% 1000 900 1900 Worksheet/Notebook Checks

25 pts/weekly 5% 250 225 475

TOTAL POINTS 100% 2750 2475 5225 SEMESTER POINTS 60% 5225 FINAL EXAM 15% 784 PERFORMANCE RECITAL

25% 1306

TOTAL SEMESTER POINTS 100% 7315

Grading

Each9/10-weekgradingperiod,thestudent’sgradewillbecalculatedfromthefollowing:

• WeeklyParticipationGrades-Studentswillreceivefullcreditforarrivingtoclassontimeeverydaywiththeirmusicandpencilandforactivelyparticipatingwiththegroupduringclass.

• PlayingTests–Playingtestsonscales,pianomusic,etc.willbescheduledonaweeklybasis.• Worksheets/Notebook-Studentswillcompletein-classorhomelearninghandoutson

musicalterms,fundamentals,andtheory.ALLworksheetswillbekeptinthestudentnotebook.

• WrittenQuizzesandTests-Studentswillcompletetestsorquizzesonmusicalterms,fundamentalsandtheory.

Homework&AssignmentWebpages

WrittenassignmentshavebeensetuponSchoologyathttp://schoology.d49.org.Eachassignmentwillhaveaduedateandwillsendaremindertoallstudentsthattheassignmentisduethatweek.Thereminderdoesnotdisappearuntilthedayaftertheduedate.Mywebsitealsohasclassnotes,andotherpertinentmaterialsforclass–sonooneneedcomplainaboutnotknowingaboutassignmentsormissingclassnotesduetoabsences!Pleasebookmarkmywebsite:http://www.smschoirnews.wikispaces.com

Supplies

Allstudentsarerequiredtohavethesuppliesbytheendofthefirstweek.FailuretoturninthesignedAgreementwillresultinthelossofpianoprivileges,whichwilleventuallyleadtoagradereduction.

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CareofMusic

Allsheetmusicand/orbooks,exceptthoseboughtbythestudentarepropertyofSkyviewMiddleSchoolandmustbetreatedassuch.Marksmaybemadeinpencilonly.Ifastudentlosesorruinsanoriginalpieceofmusic,itishis/herresponsibilitytopayforreplacement.

Use&CareofPianoClassEquipment

Allstudentsinpianoclassareexpectedtousetheupmostcarewhenhandlingthedigitalpianoequipment&accessories.Anystudentwhointentionallydamagestheequipmentorusesalackofcautionwhenhandlingitwillberequiredtopayfordamagesorrepairs.Studentswhoinappropriatelyhandletheequipmentwillloosetheprivilegetousetheequipment&willsufferagradereduction.

PianoRecital

AllpianostudentswillperformintheendofyearPianoRecitalonWednesday,May18thatSand

CreekHighSchool.

Studentsareexpectedtolookrefinedandprofessionalwhenperformingonstage.Studentsaretowearbusinesscasualorsemi-formalattireattheirPianoRecital.Nojeansort-shirtsarepermitted!Girlswearingdressesorskirtsmustcomebelowthekneewhilesitting.

AttendancePolicy

InPianoclass,thedailyworkthatisdoneisinpreparationforthefinalproduct—ourperformanceofthemusic.Performanceabsencesareunacceptable.Anypre-arrangedabsencesfromaperformancemustbereportedtoDr.JarmonbeforeMay18,2016.Incaseofanemergency,pleasecontactmebyphoneore-mailimmediately.Unexcusedrehearsalorperformanceabsenceswillresultinstudentsreceivingafailinggradefortheevent.

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OutlineofTopics&Assignments

3RD QUARTER 4TH QUARTER Week 1 Week 1 • Gettingfamiliarwiththe • KeyboardPosture/Hands • Pitchnotation

• Circleof5thsKeySignatures• ChooseRecitalPieces

Week 2 Week 2 • Rhythmnotation • IntroductiontoScalesandChords • LearnsimplesongsinthekeyofCMajor • PlayingEvaluation#1

• SpellingI,IV,andV7chords• MinuetinG• PlayingEvaluation#5

Week 3 Week 3 • DynamicMarkings• HandCoordination• PlayingwithOtherPeople

• TempoMarkings• Articulations

Week 4 Week 4 • MoreonChordsInKeyofCPlaying• Evaluation#2

CompositionAssignment#2

Week 5 Week 5 • CompositionAssignment#1• MusicNotationTest#1

• PlayingEvaluation#6• MusicNotationTest#3

Week 6 Week 6 • Intervals• BeginPlayinginthekeyofGMajorGMajor• ScaleandChords• PlayingEvaluation#3

PlayinginOtherKeys

Week 7 Week 7 • SpellingAllMajorScales• Sharps/Flats/Accidentals

PlayingEvaluation#7*PracticeforRecital

Week 8 Week 8 ReviewonMajorScales/Flats/Accidentals PracticeforRecital

*RecitalPerformance

Week 9 Week 9 • MiddleCPositionDottedRhythms• PlayingEvaluation#4

ComprehensiveFinalExam

Week 10 MusicNotationTest#2

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SkyviewMiddleSchool

PianoHandbookAgreementForm

THE PIANO CLASS STUDENT/PARENT AGREEMENT ARE DUE

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9TH

Proficiencyonamusicalinstrument,includingthevoice,takestimeandeffort.BeingintheSkyviewPianoProgramisnotmerelyan"activity"-itisalifestyle,acommitment,andanacademicendeavor.Youareabouttoembarkonanexciting,importantexperiencethatyouwillcherishfortheremainderofyourlife.Youwillmakenewfriends,devisenewgoals,andenjoysuccessthroughhardwork.

Containedinthispacketarerules,guidelines,andexpectationsthatyouwillagreetofollow.Belowyouwillsignacontractthatwillstateyouracceptanceofthecontentsofthispacket.Shouldaconflictarisebetweenpianoandanotherschoolactivity,sport,communityactivity,orajob,youwillbeexpectedtoremaincommittedtothepianoprogram.Yourgradedependsuponit.Remember,thisisaperformance-basedclass–Performanceiskey!

StudentAgreement

I,_________________________________________________,havereadthecontentsoftheSkyviewMiddleSchoolPianoHandbookandagreetoallofthematerialtherein.Iunderstandthatallexpectationsandconsequenceswillbecarriedout,ifdeemednecessary.IwillalwaysgiveanhonestefforttosupporttheSkyviewMiddleSchoolPianoClassProgramandIwillbepresentatallrequiredpianoevents.

StudentSignature: ___________________________ Date:____________________

ParentAgreement

I,_______________________________________________,havereadthecontentsoftheSkyviewMiddleSchoolPianoHandbookandagreetoallofthematerialtherein.Iunderstandthatallexpectationsandconsequencesapplytomychild.IwillalwaysgiveanhonestefforttosupporttheSkyviewMiddleSchoolPianoProgramandIwillalwaysprovidemychildwiththemeanstoattendrequiredevents.

ParentSignature: ___________________________ Date:____________________