Ames High School Music Department Freshmen Orchestra Course Level Expectations Grade 9
FO.PP Position/Posture
FO.PP.1 Understands and demonstrates appropriate playing posture with few prompts
FO.PP.2 Understands and demonstrates correct finger/hand position with few prompts
FO.AR Articulation
FO.AR.1 Interprets and performs bowing at a medium-advanced level [tie, slur, staccato, hooked bowings, loure (portato) bowing, accent, spiccato, syncopation and legato]
FO.AR.2 Interprets and performs bowings at a beginning level (Ricochet, Sul Ponticello, Sul Tasto)
FO.TQ Tone Quality
FO.TQ.1 Produces a characteristic tone at the medium-advanced level
FO.TQ.2 Defines and performs proper ensemble balance and blend at the medium-advanced level
FO.RT.1 Defines and perfoms rhythm patterns at the medium-advanced level (quarter note/rest, half note/rest, eighth note/rest, dotted eighth note, dotted half note, whole note/rest, dotted quarter note, sixteenth note)
FO.RT.2 Defines and performs tempo markings at a medium-advanced level (Allegro, Moderato, Andante, Ritardando, Lento, Andantino, Maestoso, Andante Espressivo, Marziale, Rallantando, and Presto)
FO.TE Technique
FO.TE.1 Performs the pitches and the two-octave major scales (C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb); performs the pitches and the two-octave minor scales (A, E, D, G, C); performs the pitches and the one-octave chromatic scale
FO.TE.2 Demonstrates and performs pizzicato, acro, and left-hand pizzicato at the medium-advanced level
FO.TE.3 Demonstrates shifting at the intermediate level
FO.TE.4 Recognizes and performs advanced techniques at an intermediate level (vibrato for all instruments; 4th and 5th positions for violin; treble clef, 4th and 5th positions for viola; tenor clef, thumb position, 1/2 position for cello; and tenor clef and thumb position for bass)
FO.IN Intonation
FO.IN.1 Understands how to adjust fingers if they are out of tune
FO.IN.2 Demonstrates tuning the A string to an A440 at the medium- advanced level
FO.IN.3 Demonstrates tuning to open strings using the interval of a 5th
FO.PD Phrasing and Dynamics
FO.PD.1 Identifies and performs musical phrases at medium-advanced level
FO.PD.2 Performs independent part at advanced medium-advanced level
FO.PD.3 Interprets and performs the dynamics pianissimo and fortissimo
FO.TH Theory
FO.TH.1 Defines a basic repertoire of musical terms with additional term: enharmonic
FO.TH.2 Demonstrates proper instrument care