Willem Lutter

Transcription

1 Syllabus Seventh Grade Guitar Willem Lutter Mission Statement: In Seventh Grade Guitar, students will perform music with others on the guitar, learn the fundamentals of reading music, and improve their listening skills. Along the way, they will learn independence, the value of practice, leadership, and problem-solving. Materials: * Please send your child s guitar with them to school within the first two weeks so I can tune it and check that it is suitable for them to learn on. Please also send $3 (exact change, please!) to cover the cost of strap buttons, which I will install. (Most classical guitars do not come with these installed) To be brought to class every day: A three-ring binder that can fit on a music stand, pencils. To have at home: Guitar with case see the last page for purchasing advice. Guitar strap Music Stand Text: Guitar 1 Willem Lutter (free!) Important Dates: *Students must bring THEIR OWN guitars for all after school rehearsals and concerts. Tuesday, October 28 Halloween Fun Concert 7:00 (not mandatory, but fun!) Wednesday, December 10 After School 7 th Grade Rehearsal 3:30-4:25, activity buses available Tuesday, December 16 7 th and 8 th Grade Dress Rehearsal 3:30-5:25, NO ACTIVITY BUSES Wednesday, December 17 Winter Concert 7:00, students arrive at 6:30 Thursday, May 14 After School 7 th Grade Rehearsal 3:30-4:25, activity buses available Tuesday, May 19 7 th and 8 th Grade Dress Rehearsal 3:30-5:25, NO ACTIVITY BUSES Wednesday, May 20 Spring Concert 7:00, students arrive at 6:30 ALL Concerts and rehearsals are mandatory and graded. Please notify your coaches well in advance and contact me EARLY with any potential conflicts. 1

2 Concert Attire: White dress shirt (button down, polo, or blouse) and black pants. Because of how we sit holding the guitar, no skirts or dresses. Black shoes and black socks. Sneakers and jeans are NOT appropriate concert attire. Grading/Assessment: Assignments that receive a summative grade are posted on my website. 7 th Grade Guitar >> Nine-Week Plan This is a performance-based class, and the most important assessments, especially after the first quarter, are performance. To promote teaching the value of practice as spelled out in the mission statement, I will only grade songs that can be played along with a recording or metronome. Songs that cannot be played with a recording or metronome yet will be given a 50% until that goal is reached. JML Individual Guitar Performance Rubric Score Rhythm Notes Posture and Technique 5 Performed accurately the recording or metronome. 4 One rhythmic hiccup or inaccuracy. 3 Two rhythmic 2 Three rhythmic 1 Four or more rhythmic 0 Is not performed with the recording or metronome. Rhythm /5 Notes /3 Posture and Technique /2 Total /10 Guitar is properly tuned, all notes are correct, speak clearly, are articulated properly, and connect smoothly. One or two notes were missed. More than three notes were missed. Have not been practiced. I strive for four to five performance grades per quarter. Back is straight, guitar is comfortably cradled between thighs, wrists are straight, fingers are appropriately curved. One of the above needs improvement. Has not been practiced. 2

3 Other Assessments: Rehearsal Skills: 25 points (one per quarter) Students earn approximately 1 point per day for using their materials (guitar, music, pencil) properly and performing with the class Listening: 2 points each (approximately 15 per quarter) Students listen to a piece of music and answer a simple question. These assignments are administered as an online Google survey, and completed at home. Formative vs. Summative: Although most of the grades in my gradebook are summative, I insist that music classrooms have more formative assessments than any other classrooms. These assessments are typically informal, quick, and for the sake of time, recorded only in memory. Feedback is given to help guide students towards success. Retest Policy: I always encourage students to keep trying until they have reached their full potential; this includes graded assignments. Students may test once per day. Students have permission to retest once during class, and I welcome subsequent attempts outside of class time. I am available A day mornings any time after 8:00 AM, and after school Monday through Thursday. Appointments are not necessary in the morning, only the afternoon. Students: How to Succeed in an Instrumental Music Class 1. Respect the learning environment (Listen, do not play your instrument while the teacher is teaching, raise a hand to ask a question) 2. Show up to class with your materials. 3. Set up a regular practice schedule (Find a time to be alone with your instrument. 10 minutes a day is adequate for beginners, and should be gradually increased to 30 minutes a day by the end of the year.) 4. Follow directions Parents: How to Help Your Child Succeed in Instrumental Music Class 1. Make sure your child has a playable guitar with strap buttons installed. 2. Help your child set up a regular practice schedule, and encourage and motivate them to stick to it. 3. Check your child s progress using Clarity, and please me with any and all questions. 3

4 I have a classroom set of guitars, so students do not need to bring their guitars to school daily. If you are financially constrained, please let me know as soon as soon as possible, I have a limited number of guitars available to loan. Students MUST have a guitar at home to practice on. They will bring this guitar (in a case) to school once during the first two weeks so I can tune it and be sure it is suitable for them. Please also send $3 (exact change, please) so I can install strap buttons if necessary. They will need to bring it to school for ALL after school rehearsals and concerts. Purchasing a Guitar: Classical, not Acoustic. 4/4 or full size. Reputable Manufacturers student models usually start at about $140: Yamaha Cordoba Washburn Ibanez Reputable Retailers: Melodee Music Lake Center Plaza, Sterling, also in Leesburg Music and Arts Cedar Lakes Plaza, Sterling, also in Leesburg Guitar Center Lee Jackson Hwy, Fairfax, also online at guitarcenter.com Recommendations: Order a used guitar online from guitarcenter.com it can be returned to the Fairfax store if it is unsuitable. Do not buy 39 DirectlyCheap, Lauren, Lucinda, and similar discount instruments from Amazon, Target, and Wal-Mart. They often arrive unplayable, and return shipping is expensive. Models from a reputable manufacturer will retain much of their value and can easily be sold if your child decides on a different elective in the future. 4

5 I have read and understand the requirements for materials and the grading policies in this syllabus. I have noted the concert and rehearsal dates and understand that they are mandatory and awarded a grade. I give permission for my child to stay after school for rehearsals, and for extra help as requested by my child or Mr. Lutter. Student s Name Signature Date Parent/Guardian s Name Signature Date I look to a productive year with your child full of personal and musical growth for both of us. Sincerely, Willem Lutter 5