STRING SYMPHONY SYLLABUS 

Course Description

Students continue to acquire skills in music reading and performance techniques. A variety of literature from various historical periods is performed with emphasis placed on standard orchestral repertoire, independence and confidence in performance situations, and understanding of the theoretical and historical basis for the music performed. Students also explore the composition and improvisation of instrumental music. Students are expected to participate in all concerts and rehearsals outside the normal school day.

Textbooks

• Advanced Techniquest for Strings ("Gold Book" - required for home practice)
• Sight-Read-It for Strings

Grading Scale, Assessment and Course Requirements

        A = 90 – 100        B = 80 – 89       C = 74 –79       D = 70 – 73       F = <70

Pass-off Information

Excerpts from students’ classroom method books and concert music will be chosen and announced in a timely fashion to prepare. A small amount of class time will be dedicated toward focusing on these excerpts, but students will need to practice at home to successfully pass-off an excerpt. This is why students MUST have a book at home! Pass-offs are ALL or NOTHING. Either the example is passed-off or not. Just “playing through” a required excerpt with multiple mistakes will not be sufficient. To pass-off a required example, you must achieve a high level of performance as indicated by rubrics posted in the classroom.

Intervention Times

After school, until intervention time is concluded.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is the act of stealing, using, and passing off another person’s ideas or words as your own writing or ideas. Properly document the sources of information used for your research paper and essays so that you will not be guilty of plagiarism. 

Honor Code violations of Research Papers and Essays

1. copying phrases, sentences, or paragraphs without using quotation marks and without giving proper documentation of the source.
2. paraphrasing or summarizing ideas without giving proper documentation of the source.
3. asking someone or paying someone to write a research paper for you
4. selling or giving an assignment to students who submit it as their own.
5. downloading from the Internet a research paper or article in its entirety or in part to submit as your own
6. submitting another student’s research paper as your own work                                

Gwinnett County Excused Absence Policy:

Students who are granted Excused Absent status for days missed will be subject to the following:

•  All pre-assigned work will be due on the day of a student’s return from an absence. 
• For assignments which did not have a pre-assigned due date during the time of the student’s absence, students will be given five days to arrange for make up work or follow other arrangements granted by the teacher.  All incomplete work carried over into a new marking period should be completed no later than the tenth day of the following period.

Make-up work is not allowed for an unexcused absence, and zeros may be given for missed work.

Upon returning to school, it is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements Within 5 days to make up work. 

Please see the Orchestra Handbook for a detailed description of the Attendance Policy for Performances and After School Rehearsals.

Classroom Rules and Expectations

RICHARDSON’S ONE RULE – RESPECT!

• Respect others: Showing rudeness is disrespectful! Don’t interfere with someone else’s learning through conversations, disrupting class, etc. Appreciate ALL differences in ALL people no matter how different they are! Be kind to each other.
• Respect yourself: Have enough self pride to try your hardest! You’re smart! USE YOUR BRAIN! You can do anything you want with your life if you want it bad enough!!
• Respect your teacher: Follow instructions, pay attention, and learn something from this person who has been around a little longer than you have ;-) I’m trying to help you!! It’s not some form of medieval torture.
• Respect your surroundings/equipment: Gum, food, and drinks cause a mess and are therefore restricted. Graffiti of any kind is disrespectful. Take care of your supplies and instrument. They’re expensive!!

NO PHONE ZONE! It’s disrespectful to use a cell phone during instructional time. If your cell phone, mp3 player, videogame, or other electronic media device can be SEEN or HEARD during any instructional time (before or after school), it will result in an automatic referral to an administrator. Don’t assume it’s ok to use it… ask first.

Displays of disrespect will generally receive one warning, depending on the severity of the offense. Disciplinary steps appropriate to the offense will be taken afterward. See below for more details.

All policies outlined in the Gwinnett county  student discipline Handbook and the GSMST student handbook will be followed in this classroom.

ACCEPTABLE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA FOR STUDENTS (GCPS)

Failure to follow the guidelines established in school policy and the Gwinnett County Public Schools Student Conduct Behavior Code will result in disciplinary action that may include restricted or denied access to school computers and other instructional technology tools.

Electronic Media Policy & Procedure information is provided in the Student Parent Handbook (GCPS), and Student Planner Agenda Book.

LAPTOP CONTRACT FOR STUDENTS (GSMST)

All GSMST students will be provided a computer laptop. Parents and students must sign a computer laptop contract in order to obtain the GSMST computer laptop. Students must follow the electronic media policy and procedures that are provided in the Student Parent Handbook (GCPS). Failure to do so could result in a loss of student GSMST computer laptop privileges.

Laptop Usage Guidelines:

Students will NOT need the laptop most of the time in Wind Symphony. Unless students are specifically guided to use the laptop, it should remain in its bag from the time students enter the rehearsal space. The laptop will be used periodically for composition projects, research projects, etc. and students will be given specific instructions for appropriate use focused on a specific classroom goal. Students wishing to show the teacher something on their laptop (related to instruction and prior to rehearsal) should ask permission to do so.

Students will need the following materials:

The teacher of this course reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus and curriculum calendar as necessary during the semester.