Ames High School Music Department Orchestra Course Level Expectations Grades 10-12

OR.PP Position/Posture

OR.PP.1 Understands and demonstrates appropriate playing posture without prompts

OR.PP.2 Understands and demonstrates correct finger/hand position without prompts

OR.AR Articulation

OR.AR.1 Interprets and performs combinations of bowing at an advanced level [tie, slur, staccato, hooked bowings, loure (portato) bowing, accent, spiccato, syncopation, and legato]

OR.AR.2 Interprets and performs Ricochet, Sul Ponticello, and Sul Tasto bowings at a beginning level

OR.TQ Tone Quality

OR.TQ.1 Produces a characteristic tone at the medium-advanced level

OR.TQ.2 Defines and performs proper ensemble balance and blend at the medium-advanced level

OR.RT Rhythm/Tempo

OR.RT.1 Defines and performs 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)

OR.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)

OR.TE Technique

OR.TE.1 Performs the pitches and the two-octave major scales for C, G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb; performs the pitches and the two-octave minor scales for A, E, D, G, C; performs the pitches and the one-octave chromatic scale

OR.TE.2 Demonstrates and performs pizzicato, acro, and left-hand pizzicato at the medium-advanced level

OR.TE.3 Demonstrates shifting at the intermediate level

OR.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)

OR.IN Intonation

OR.IN.1 Understands how to adjust fingers if they are out of tune

OR.IN.2 Demonstrates tuning the A string to an A440 at the medium- advanced level

OR.IN.3 Demonstrates tuning to open strings using the interval of a 5th

OR.PD Phrasing and Dynamics

OR.PD.1 Identifies and performs musical phrases at medium-advanced level

OR.PD.2 Performs independent part at advanced medium-advanced level

OR.PD.3 Interprets and performs the dynamics pianissimo and fortissimo

OR.TH Theory

OR.TH.1 Defines a basic repertoire of musical terms, with additional term: enharmonic

OR.TH.2 Demonstrates proper instrument care