Benton Visual & Performing Arts Magnet

15709 E. Olive Branch Dr.

La Mirada, CA 90638

Guitar

2017-2018 Syllabus & Contract

Nicolas Montalvo - Guitar Music Teacher

| (562) 943-1553 Ext. 6192

Course Description

In Guitar, students will develop basic musical skills while learning patience, teamwork, responsibility, listening skills, and an appreciation for music. Students will become familiar with a variety of genres and styles. Technique will be emphasized in order to establish a firm foundation leading to control, confidence, and excellence in performance. Students will also develop knowledge of music theory, history, and repertoire as it relates to their instrument and their development as musicians.

Course Objectives

  1. Students will learn to read and interpret conventional Western music notation.
  1. Students will play and perform music representing a variety of genres, styles, and cultures.
  1. Students will develop the ability to analyze and describe music using content vocabulary.
  1. Students will be able to identify and describe primary developments in the history of relevant repertoire including influential composers, performers, styles, and techniques.
  1. Students will critically evaluate their own and others’ musical performances and apply their findings towards personal and collective musical growth.
  1. Students will gain an emerging understanding of the creative mindset and the interaction and similarities among various art forms.

All objectives fulfill aspects of the California Music Content Standards

Required Materials & Supplies

The following items are required for each class, rehearsal, and performance:

●An instrument - Guitars are provided by the school for all classes and performances but students must take their guitars for home practice. Students are encouraged to purchase their own guitar for home use. For help choosing a proper guitar for home use please consult the instructor. If you are unable to afford a guitar, students may practice at school before school begins, during breaks between classes, or after school by appointment to fulfill the required 100 minutes of weekly practice (see Evaluation & Grading, page 2-3).

Required Materials & Supplies (continued)

●A black 1” 3-ring binder with an adequate supply of plastic page protectors

○For storing sheet music, practice records, classwork, homework, listening journals, and other documents.

○Must be a separate binder from other classes as it will be placed on music stands which are incapable of supporting enormous multi-class binders.

●Two (2) pencils

○For marking music, taking notes, and completing assignments.

○Pen is not allowed near music or music books. Written assignments completed in pen will not be accepted.

●A metronome - All musicians should have a metronome. Recommended:

  1. Pro Metronome [mobile app, free]

Evaluation & Grading

Practice Records [ca. 20%]

●Students are required to practice their instrument regularly as part of their grade. 100 minutes of practice (e.g. 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week or any combination totaling 100 minutes) are required weekly, with each practice session confirmed separately by parent signature.

●Practice Records run from Monday through Sunday and are due at the beginning of the first class meeting each week.

●Students should keep at least two (2) Practice Record forms in their binder at all times (one for the current week and one for the upcoming week). If a student is unable to obtain a Practice Record for any reason, a handwritten form with the necessary parent confirmation signatures will be accepted.

●Extra time beyond the required weekly 100 minutes will be extra-credited or rolled over. Time practiced at school (except during scheduled class time) can be used for credit if confirmed by the observation and signature of the instructor.

Sample Practice Record filled out correctly:

Evaluation & Grading (continued)

Performance Participation [ca. 40%]

●Performances and corresponding dress rehearsals are equivalent to written final exams in academic classes.

●Graded performances are announced well in advance to preclude scheduling conflicts.

●Proper attire (see Performance Attire, page 4) is required for all performances.

●Must maintain 2.0 GPA to be eligible to perform.

Missed dress rehearsals and performances will be recorded as a grade of zero (see Absence Policy, page 3).

Musicianship [ca. 20%]

●Student’s overall participation, citizenship, preparedness, daily effort, and adherence to the Code of Conduct (see page 6).

●Graded according to a rubric.

Tests / Quizzes [ca. 15%]

●There will be 3-5 performance-based and/or written test & quizzes per quarter.

●Performance tests & quizzes are graded according to a rubric.

●Performance tests & quizzes are performed live in class or video recorded and submitted online.

●Tests missed due to excused absences may be made up by appointment only outside of regularly scheduled class time. The student is responsible for making and keeping the appointment

●The period of time allowed for making up tests will follow State Education Department guidelines.

●Tests missed due to unexcused absence or disciplinary action cannot be made up and will be recorded as zero.

Classwork / Homework [ca. 5%]

●Occasional classwork and homework will be assigned to reinforce concepts and content.

●Due to the performance-oriented nature of the class and since written work accounts for only 5% of a student’s grade, late work will not be accepted. There are extra credit opportunities available for students who need a boost.

Absence Policy

Absence from school: In the event of an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to find out what assignments were missed by consulting Mr. Montalvo and/or a trusted peer. In the event of an absence on a day when an assignment is due, the assignment will be due on the day when the student returns.

Absence from performance: Given that this is a performing arts class, performances are the largest component of each student’s semester grade. Concert dates are published and communicated months in advance so as to preclude potential scheduling conflicts. However, it is understood that occasionally factors beyond one’s control affect a student’s ability to attend a concert or dress rehearsal.

Students who miss a performance or dress rehearsal may have their performance grade recorded as zero or may be required to complete an additional Performance Test and/or a research paper on a topic of the instructor’s choosing in order to make up that portion of the student’s grade.

Examples of excused concert absences: serious illness or injury, death in the family, or religious observance.

Examples of unexcused concert absences: doctor or dentist appointment, birthday, vacation, lack of transportation.

Performance Attire

Formal Performance Attire - Required for all formal concerts. Must adhere to Benton Dress Code and School Uniform Policy (Student Handbook page 9). Inappropriate attire may result in removal from a performance and a grade of zero.

●Top: Black dress OR white collared long-sleeve dress shirt OR white dressy blouse.

●Bottom: Black dress pants, trousers, slacks, or skirt.

●Shoes: Black dress shoes or flats. No heels, sneakers, Vans, Converse or similar.

●Socks / Hose: Socks must be black. Hose is optional, but must be black or white.

●Necktie or bowtie: Optional, but must be black or white.

●Jeans, denim, logos, prints, t-shirts, athletic wear, sweats, and colors other than black or white will not be permitted.

●Skirts and dresses are to be no shorter than fingertip length when arms are straight to the side. Spaghetti straps or revealing lace are not permitted.

●Undergarments must not be visible.

Photography & Video

Throughout the school year photos and videos will be taken of the groups in class and during performances to be used for the yearbook, District publications, and the school website and social media platforms. Unless parents notify their objections specifically in writing, students in instrumental music classes may have their images and identities published.

Class Rules

  1. Observe all rules in the Benton Student Handbook.
  2. Follow directions the first time they are given.
  3. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
  4. Remain seated and quiet during classes, rehearsals, and performances. If you need to speak or move, raise your hand and wait to be called on.
  5. All food, candy, gum, and drinks (with the exception of water) are prohibited at all times during classes, rehearsals, and performances.

Mobile devices are prohibited unless they are being used for instructional purposes and the student has received express permission from the instructor.

Restrooms should be used before school, during nutrition, during lunch, or after school. However, three (3) restroom passeswill be issued to each student at the beginning of each semester to use in emergencies. Unused passes may be returned to the instructor at the conclusion of each semester for extra credit.

Consequences

If a student chooses to break a rule, consequences will be as follows:

1st offense: verbal warning

2nd offense: conference with teacher after class

3rd offense: conference with teacher after school & phone call home

4th offense: escalation to administrative intervention

●Chronic non-observation of rules may negatively affect student’s musicianship grade.

★Any student who fights, uses profanity, makes obscene gestures, or damages school property will be referred to an administrator immediately.

Benton Performing Arts Department

Code of Conduct

Participation in instrumental music classes is voluntary, and therefore is a privilege which carries certain obligations and responsibilities. Members of all performing arts classes are reminded that they are extremely visible representatives of our school and our community.

  1. In the Classroom
  2. Maintain prompt and regular attendance.
  3. Follow all classroom rules.
  4. Maintain academic grades and eligibility.
  5. Demonstrate a high level of respect for all people, possessions, and property.
  6. Maintain dignity and professionalism during class.
  7. Demonstrate through your behavior what it means to be a good student and citizen, not through empty promises.
  8. Have all equipment ready to use daily (including a pencil).
  9. Meet all deadlines.
  1. In Performances
  2. Ensure self-preparedness through
  3. Individual practice.
  4. Proper performance attire made ready well in advance.
  5. Well-maintained instruments and musical materials.
  6. Arrange punctual attendance to guarantee optimal performance readiness (always have an emergency backup transportation plan).
  7. Give the greatest measure of effort and focus every time.
  1. Off Campus
  2. Refuse participation or connection with all illegal or illicit activities.
  3. Act in a manner that reflects well on your school, your family, and, most importantly, yourself.
  4. Do everything you can to build a positive reputation that you can be proud to carry with you into adulthood.

Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one’s looking.

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