Paramus High School

Paramus, New Jersey

CURRICULUM OUTLINE

Department: Music

Course: Honors Orchestra MU 412A

Level: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

This segment of the music curriculum fulfills the following NJCCC Standards for Visual and Performing Arts: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6

I.Course Description:

Members of the band join students who are proficient on string instruments or other additional instrument lists to create the Orchestra. Lessons are provided every week. The string students also have the opportunity to become part of chamber and ensemble groups. Concerts are included as part of the department’s schedule. Students selected for String Ensemble receive advanced credit for Orchestra.

II.Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

-Tune own instrument

-Learn and apply advanced positions

-Learn andapply advanced bowing techniques

-Understand and apply concepts of phrasing and doubling

-Cultivate a vibrato

-Learn clef transpositions required for different string sections.

-Learn and apply all positions on one’s own instrument

- Learn and apply more advanced bowing techniques

-Learn to play in small ensembles without conductor

-Learn seven major and seven minor scales

- Learn and study advanced string literature

- Learn double stop and chord playing

  1. Major Concepts and Topics:

This segment of the music curriculum fulfills the following NJCCC Standards for Visual and Performing Arts: 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

-Understand and apply more advanced shifting techniques through method books and study of orchestral music.

- Understand and recognize phrasing with other sections through full and sectional rehearsals.

-Understand clef transpositions required for one’s own instrument through method books and orchestral selections.

-Bowing techniques perfected through exercises in method books and orchestral literature. Use of metronome applied in this skill.

- Constant repetition of tuning notes, singing given pitch, and various methods of tuning instruments are constantly emphasized to perfect the intonation of one’s own instrument.

-Metronome used in the teaching of an individual vibrato. Scales applied in vibrato cultivation.

-Understand and apply all positions while playing advanced music.

-Understand and apply many bowing disciplines used in advanced music.

-Learn small ensemble techniques -refined phrasing and dynamics with all sections.

-Perfect chord and double-stop technique - emphasis on tone and intonation.

  1. Student Skill Objective

Students will be able to:

1.Play with some degree of proficiency nine major scales

in two and/or three octaves on violin, viola, cello,

or bass.

2. Demonstrate ability and use of at least five playing positions.

3. Show ability to play with some degree of proficiency

the following bowing techniques:

a.Spiccato

b.Detache

c.Martele’

d.Pizzicato

4.Read additional clef reading required for viola, cello, or bass.

5.Play vibrato cultivation

6.Maintain a consistent sectional bow direction.

7.Play seven major and seven minor scales.

8.Demonstrate ability and use of all playing positions (including thumb position on cello.)

9.Show knowledge and ability to play advanced bowings Sautille, Colle’, Sul Ponticello, Sul Tastiera, Ricochet, Staccato, Detache’ Lai2ce’, Portato.

  1. Study chord playing through exercise books

V.Evaluation Procedures:

-Tests given during and at the end of marking periods.

-Performances at various times of year.

VI.Suggested Materials:

Recordings deemed appropriate by instructor.

Muller-Rusch-String Method

(Books 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) by J. Frederick Muller & Harold Rusch.

String Builder - (Books, 1, 2, 3) by Samuel Applebaum

Second and Fourth Position String Builder by Samuel Applebaum Third and Fifth Position String Builder by Samuel Applebauiu

Building Technic with Beautiful Music -

Books 1, 2, 3, 4 by Samuel Applebauxn

Orchestral Bowing Etudes by Samuel Applebaum

Kayser— Elementary and Progressive Studies for the Violin

Dancla — Fifteen Studies

Suzuki School

Wohlfa.hrt - Sixty Etudes

Hrimali Scale Studies

Schradieck- The School of Violin Technics Popper Studies

Lee -Forty Melodic and Progressive Etudes for Violoncello

0.Sevcik -School of Violin Technics

Duets For Strings — Vol. 1, 2, 3

Beautiful Music For Two String Instruments — Vol. 1, 2, 3

PARAMUS HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC DEPARTMENT

COURSE STANDARDS - ORCHESTRA

HONORS / REGULAR
-MAJOR CONCEPTS AND DIFFERENCES
Dynamics, technique. bowing styles, and degree of playing ability.
Independent performance of all orchestra music. Additional literature for Select Strings performed on higher level. / Limited to ability.
Literature limited to Middle level Orchestra
LABORATORY ASSIGNMENTS
Additional periodic tests on music / Extra help (lessons) before or after school.
DEGREE OF ABILITYTO USE RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY
Proficiency on varying styles
Proficiency on shifting
Proficiency on dynamics
Demonstration of advanced bowing techniques / Limited to ability.
RESEARCH
Critique of taped rehearsals and performances.
Attend concerts and performances outside of school
Critical evaluation of performance.
Research paper (Outline attached) / Critique of taped rehearsals and performances
STANDARDS ANDEXPECTATIONS
To obtaina superior level of playing andinterpretive ability, To demonstrateproficiency on college level music. / To progress forward and become proficient on instrument on grade 4 literature.

PARAMIJS HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC DEPARTMENT

COURSE STANDARDS --ORCHESTRA

HONORS / REGULAR
QUALITY ANDDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY
High degree of technique and ability to play advanced music and positions.
Grade 4. 5. and 6 literature / Performance of music limited to ability. Grade 4 literature
PREREQUISITES
Possesses advanced technique and knowledge of
higher positions.
Ensemble experience
Ability to read music / Desire to learn
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Tests
Homework
Research paper (outline attached)
Select strings performances / Tests Homework
WRITING LEVEL
Intermediate to advanced level music notation / Elementary level notation
ASSIGNMENTS
Homework practice - Minimum of 45 minutes per day.
Rehearsal time evenings and after school
Performance in 5 concerts: Holiday, Winter. Festival Spring. and Spring Ensemble. / Homework - practice of 30 minutes per day
Performance in 3 concerts: Holiday. Festival, and
Spring

CHAMBER STRINGS RESEARCH PAPER

Requirements:

Cover Page

Attend a classical concert and write a documented critique of 5 - 10 pages using the following criteria:

Description of orchestra:

- location of sections

- instrumentation (ex. English Horn, Saxophone)

-style of bowing (direction, placement for dynamics)

Description of Music:

- Periods (Romantic, Modern, etc.)

- Description of composers performed

- Critique each selection

Research:(Documented*)

-Critical findings with regard to the composers and the individual pieces.

-Application of research findings to critique of the performance.

-Apply observation to Paramus High School Orchestra and the Chamber Strings

*Your sources must be documented in an approved style. (PARAMUS HIGH SCHOOL: Research Paper Manual).

ORCHESTRA REHEARSALS

ORCHESTRA: (Regular and Honors students)

Tuesdays:5 - 6:30

CHAMBER STRINGS: (Honors students)

Tuesdays:1 and ~/2 hours before orchestra rehearsal

STRING OUARTET: (Honors students)

After school rehearsals

VOCAL MUSIC REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

COMBINED CHOIR: (Regular and Honors students combined)

4th Monday of the month. (If faculty meetings or departmental meetings conflict Tuesday is the

4:30 - 5:30alternate day. This is not likely to happen on the last Monday of the week).

PREMIERS:(Honors students)

Every Monday from 2:30 to 4:30. This is in addition to the above Combined Choir rehearsal.

Sectionals:(Regular and Honors students)

1st Monday: Men - 4:30 to 5:30

2nd Monday: Sopranos - 4:30 to 5:30

3rd Monday: Altos - 4:30 to 5:30

BAND REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

CONCERTBAND: (Regular and Honors students)

8th period of school

MARCHINGBAND: (Regular and Honors students)

September:Everyday until 3:30

October:Changes to 3 days/week to I day/week

Before games: 3 hours before

WIND ENSEMBLE: (Honors students)

Thursdays:5:30 - 7:00

JAZZ:(Club - Regular and Honors)

Wednesdays:5:30 - 7:30