Piano I Piano I Handbook and Syllabus Instructor: Ms. King Email: [email protected] Phone: (407) 245-1780 ext. 5092279 Website: http://teacher.ocps.net/melissasandusky/ Course Description This is a group piano course where students will learn basic keyboard skills. Students will begin with note names, rhythms, chords, and progress to scales, note reading and chord harmonization. We will explore a wide variety of music including folk, popular, and classical. The emphasis will be on technique and sight-reading. Students will work individually and in a group setting. Students will be responsible to keep up with the daily lessons, as there will be daily evaluations and one required performance each nine weeks. (Please mark these performance dates on your calendar, as they occur outside the typical school day and are a major portion of the students’ grade.) Course Text Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course: Adult All-In-One Course by Willard Palmer, Morton Manus, Amanda Vick Lethco (Alfred Publishing) This book will be supplied to students in class using a classroom set of texts. It will also be available as a PDF file on the class website for students to use to practice at home. Course Learning Objectives 1. Learn all Major/Minor five finger patterns. 2. Learn all Major/Minor chords. 3. Learn Treble and Bass Clef notes. 4. Learn Major scales in keys of C, G, D, A, E and F. 5. Learn Major Arpeggios in keys of C, G, D, A, E and F. 6. Learn phrasing and articulation basics. 7. Sight-read and perform Level One pieces. 8. Count and perform in Common Time, Alla Breve, and Compound Duple. Course Rules 1. Be on time and prepared for class. 2. Raise your hand before speaking. 3. Be respectful of others. 4. Be respectful of computers and other technology. 5. Absolutely no food, gum, candy, or liquids in the lab or near a computer. Order of disciplinary action:  Verbal Warning  Call home to parents and/or After School Detention  Referral  Removal from course Class Procedure The class will be broken up into sections of instruction, group practice, and individual practice.

1 Piano I Materials: Students will need to bring the following to class every day. Failure to do so will be reflected in the student’s grade. 1. ½ inch 3-ring Binder – preferably black 2. 5 Dividers – labeled: Handbook, Music Theory, Scales, Solos, Written Tests 3. 10 sheets of notebook paper 4. Pencil – no pen, marker, color pencil, etc. please! Evaluation: Grading will be divided into three categories within Progress Books: Daily Participation: 30% Performances: 50% Written Theory/Tests: 20% 1. Daily Participation: There will be daily evaluations by the teacher on notes, rhythms, chords, technique, active participation and performance. Effort will be judged by diligence in practicing, mastery of concepts, and willingness to perform. 2. Performances: There will be one big performance each nine weeks where students will perform in various venues. Please check the attached calendar as these performances are typically outside of the normal school day. These performances (in addition to performances in class) are required and are 50% of each student’s grade. 3. Written Theory/Tests: There will be regular tests, announced ahead of time, where students will play assigned piece for a grade. Performance Uniform: Students will be required to wear a formal uniform for all concert performances. Piano students will wear black pants (or long skirts for the girls), black shoes, black socks, and a white long sleeve shirt with a collar. There will be a uniform order placed in September for students who wish to purchase the performing arts uniform. Purchasing your uniform from this company is not required but highly recommended! This will be the same uniform as the Band, Chorus, and Orchestra students will be required to purchase. If you are also in any of these groups, you will already purchase this uniform through your teacher. (You will not need to purchase another one.) 2013 – 2014 Piano Class Calendar:  September 20, 2013 – Uniform fees due  October 22, 2013 – 1st nine weeks joint concert with the HMS Chorus. Attendance and participation is mandatory.  November 4 – 15 – Piano, Music Theory, Orchestra and Guitar Fundraiser (All orders due Nov. 15.)  December 17, 2013 – 2nd nine weeks joint concert with the HMS Chorus. Attendance and participation is mandatory.  December 20, 2013 – School-wide PRISM Concert performance. For select students, only during the school day.  March 13, 2014 – TENTATIVE 3rd nine weeks concert. Piano only. Attendance and participation is mandatory.  May 20, 2014 – 4th nine weeks joint concert with the HMS Chorus. Attendance and participation is mandatory.

2 Piano I  May 30, 2014 - School-wide PRISM Concert performance. For select students, only during the school day.

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