Dr. Susan Messer, Ridgeview Charter School, Fulton County Public Schools, Atlanta, Georgia
MUSIC CONNECTIONS
Nine-Week Unit
Teacher: Dr. Susan Messer
Syllabus
2007-2008
I. Description
In General Music students will gain an understanding and appreciation for music through experiencing, observing, and discussing various components of the art through the music historical periods. Students will have opportunities to review and critique performances through listening, as well as active experiences in composing, creating, and playing instruments.
II. Aims and Objectives
To support students in building a lifelong relationship with music as consumers, producers, and performers.
To stimulate and expand aural, physical, and visual senses.
To provide opportunities for all students to have some knowledge of music as well as providing certain students the opportunity for specialized and advanced study.
To help students perceive value in the study of music.
To broaden pre-existing foundations of music experiences.
To aid students in discovering the common areas which exist in music, other arts, and academics.
To provide students with a means for understanding and appreciation of our cultural heritage, and to broaden the understanding of music in other cultures.
To provide opportunities through music for students to find satisfaction in their accomplishments, both individually and collectively.
To foster within the students a respect for the opinion of others.
III. Topics
Music history periods (Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionism, Modern): composers, art, period instruments
Characteristics of repertoire within music history periods
Techniques for playing guitar and piano keyboards
IV. International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Information
Assessment
Students will be assessed in a number of ways using many different tools. These assessments may include informal discussions with the teacher and other students, singing alone or in small groups, and concerts. In addition, students will be assessed as a group by attending the Georgia Music Educators’ District V Large Group Performance Evaluation. Students will be supplied with their performance repertoire. Student work will be graded using the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Assessment Criteria which includes; (A) Knowledge and Understanding, (B) Application and Reasoning, (C) Communication and (D) Reflection and Evaluation.
B. Guiding Questions
Our guiding question for this year’s study of General Music will be: “To what extent does the study of music affect your world awareness?” The study of the history of music will aid in students answering this question as it applies to various aspects of their lives.
C. Vertical Alignment
General music will be coordinated with other academic disciplines in order for students to understand the connection between music and their other subjects. For example, students will study music as is relates to world history.
D. Resources
Making Music (Grades 6, 7, and 8) published by Silver Burdett
Piano Adventures by Nancy and Randall Faber published FJH Music Co., Inc.
Share the Music (Grades 6, 7, and 8) published by McGraw Hill
Ridgeview Charter School
CHORUS—Grades 6, 7, 8
Dr. Susan Messer messer@fultonschools.org Chorus Room #104
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Description:
In Chorus students will learn and perform, in a concert setting, a variety of music with the level of difficulty varying with each grade level and abilities within the group. Skills such as sight-reading, breathing techniques, diction, and posture also will be stressed.
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Personal Management Guidelines:
Be on time.
Have your agenda with you at all times
Bring a #2 pencil (NO PENS!) and your personal Chorus folder to every class.
No food, gum, or drink of any kind will be allowed in the music classroom.
Follow guidelines posted in the music classroom for use of equipment.
Show proper respect to your fellow classmates, choral director, and choral materials.
Maintain an open, positive attitude about all types of choral literature and learning activities.
Remain in your seat unless instructed otherwise.
Raise your hand to talk.
Participate actively in your section.
No personal grooming in class.
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Consequences:
First Offense: WARNING
Second Offense: PRIVATE CONFERENCE WITH TEACHER
Third Offense: SILENT LUNCH/PARENT CALLED
Fourth Offense: PUBLIC DETENTION (OFFICE REFERRAL)
(My expectation for students is that they should not have to consider any of these consequences.)
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Policies and Procedures
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Grading Scale:
The Fulton County Academic Grading Scale will be used:
A 90-above
B 80-89
C 70-79
F 69 and below*
*By state rule, any grade below 70 is failing.
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Grading Policy:
For every day an assigned task is late, ten (10 pts.) points will be deducted from the grade for that assignment.
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Academic Integrity:
Each student should be proud of his/her own work. Students learn best through the evaluation of his/her own efforts.
An automatic “0” will be earned for any work that is a result of assistance from another student. (If the other student willingly assists, that student also will receive a “0” on work.)
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Assignments:
Students are expected to return permission slips and other assignments on time.
All chorus students are expected to attend every mandatory concert.
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For First Year Chorus Students:
Each Chorus student needs a Chorus shirt, khaki pants, and dark, closed-toed dress shoes for performances. The cost of the shirt is $20.00. (Please send me a note or have your student see me personally if finances are a concern. We will have shirts for students to borrow, if needed.)
____ I have attached $20.00 for a Chorus shirt for my student.
Please CIRCLE adult shirt size for your child:
SMALL MEDIUM LARGE X-LARGE
(If you are unsure about the size, I can advise your child.)
Grades:
A grade will be given for class participation, conduct, and evaluations. Grades are reported every nine weeks and are a culmination of the following:
Class Participation (60%)
Preparation for rehearsal (music ready; pencil ready; sitting and ready to sing)
Music found quickly; music open and following the score
Proper singing posture (standing and sitting); eyes on the director; mouth open wide
Positive Attitude
Written/Oral Evaluations (15%)
1. Written and oral evaluations on music memorization, sight-reading, and music theory
2. Performances:
A. All chorus students are encouraged to attend two after school rehearsals (for the Winter Holiday and Spring Concerts) and 4 concerts—the Fall Concert in October, the Winter Holiday Concert in December, the Cluster Concert in February, and the Spring Concert in May. (See the Chorus Calendar or the first page of this syllabus for dates.)
B. All chorus students must perform for school assemblies involving the entire chorus.
C. If a student is sick and must miss a concert or required rehearsal, he/she must bring a written excuse from a physician.
D. Proper concert attire must be worn during a performance: Chorus shirt (See attached form.),
khaki pants, dark, closed-toe dress shoes, dark socks.
Daily Written Work/Signed Newsletters Returned (15%)
Keyboard/Computer Lab (10%)
Students will be scheduled to practice the keyboard at least 15-20 minutes weekly during class in the Chorus Room. Students will be graded periodically on assigned music.
Also, students will be assigned music theory lessons from the program “Music Ace,” and will complete these lessons during class in the music computer lab located in the Band Room.
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Absences:
Students who miss a concert or mandatory rehearsal due to illness need to bring a doctor’s written and signed excuse.
Failure to attend mandatory concerts or rehearsals, other than illness, could result in dismissal from Chorus.
If a student has transportation needs to and/or from a concert or a required rehearsal, the student and parents are responsible for either arranging transportation with another Ridgeview family or informing Dr. Messer to assist you with transportation. (The lack of transportation to and/or from a concert is NOT an accepted excuse.)
Special Projects (Optional):
Ridgeview Charter School Treble Honor Chorus
Auditions for the Honor Chorus will be held the second week of school for Chorus students during regular rehearsal time.
The rehearsal time for Treble Honor Chorus will be after school on Thursdays from 3:45-4:45 PM Performances involving only Honor Chorus occur throughout the school year.
Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory to remain a member of Honor Chorus. (After two absences, a student’s interest in Honor Chorus will be evaluated.)
Auditions for the Ridgeview Singers, a small group of 12-15 members, will be held following the first Honor Chorus rehearsal. (If guys are a part of this group, their auditions will be held during class.) Auditions will include an oral sightsinging test and a vocal intonation test—i.e., singing tone produced correctly.
The Ridgeview Singers will sing regular Chorus music, Honor Chorus music, and more difficult music. Some music will be choreographed.
This group will perform on- and off-campus.
Rehearsals will be held on Thursday afternoons following Honor Chorus for 30 minutes (4:45-5:15 PM).
Attendance at every rehearsal and performance is mandatory.
In the spring, RCS will present a Musical. Rehearsals will take place after school, as well as Saturdays/and or Teacher Workdays. Some rehearsals will occur during regular classroom rehearsals. (See the Chorus Calendar.)
Auditions for the Spring Musical are open to any RCS student.
Other Optional Performances (TBA and See the Chorus Calendar.)
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Provision for Improving Grades:
1. Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance. 2. Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades.
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Daily Supplies
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Additional Materials
Chorus folder and sightsinging book at your seat when class begins. These materials remain in the Chorus Room.
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I have read and understand all the policies and procedures. I agree to keep this page in my journal at all times for reference.
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Student Signature Date ____/____/_______
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We have read all the policies and procedures. We understand our student’s responsibilities and know how to contact Dr. Messer if we have any concerns.
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Parent Signatures
Phone Number: ______________________
Do you have computer access? Y or N
Parent Email Address: _________________________
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