PVPHS Orchestra Syllabus

Welcome to the PVPHS orchestra department. Our program is dedicated to the comprehensive exploration of musicianship, instrument pedagogy, ensemble skills, and giving students a platform to develop leadership qualities. Within our curriculum, students will encounter a rich and diverse musical repertoire encompassing a multitude of genres. Our instrumental ensembles strive for excellence through rigorous rehearsal and performance, and stressing a high level of musicality in our daily rehearsals. Our objectives span a wide spectrum, including:

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1. Attaining Exceptional Musicality and Performance: Through the combined endeavors of practice and presentation, our ensembles aim to achieve a remarkable standard of musicality and performance excellence.

2. Embracing Cultural and Historical Diversity: We embark on a journey of cultural and historical exploration, delving into diverse traditions that enrich our musical palette.

3. Cultivating Passion for Music: A central goal of our program is to instill a deep passion for music within each student, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the art.

4. Enhancing Music Appreciation: We strive to nurture a profound understanding and appreciation for music, enriching both the students' experience and their broader perspective.

5. Equipping for Ensemble Success: Our program imparts the essential skills and conceptual groundwork required for seamless participation in an instrumental ensemble.

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It is the responsibility of both the director and our ensemble members to uphold a culture of preparation and dedication. Every rehearsal presents an opportunity to cultivate our craft, and every endeavor demands the best efforts from each participant. I am excited to embark on this collaborative musical journey, poised to achieve new heights of artistic growth and instrumental accomplishment.

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Grading Scale

The grading scale for the Orchestra department is based on a standard percentage system

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90-100 A         80-89.9 B        70-79.9 C        60-69.9 D        0-59.9 F

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Grading categories (not weighted)

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1. Performances, technical rehearsals, and dress rehearsals

2. Rehearsal skills & rehearsal preparation

3. Class assignments/assessments

4. Playing assessments 

 

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Performances/technical rehearsals/dress rehearsals

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Attendance is mandatory for all performances, technical rehearsals, and dress rehearsals. Students have an opportunity to earn 100 points for attending our concert rehearsals and performances. These rehearsals often take place at the venue of an upcoming concert and are integral to the success of our concerts. Points will be taken off if the student is late to a given call time, or if they are not following rehearsal expectations. I draw a parallel between our performances and the exams students prepare for in their core academic courses. I firmly believe that our concerts have more importance than simply being a graded assignment. My expectation is that students will forge a meaningful connection with our repertoire and fellow performers, and will anticipate the opportunity to share their artistry with friends and family. Contained at the conclusion of this syllabus is a comprehensive listing of confirmed concert dates. I urge you to promptly integrate these dates into your personal calendars.

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Guidelines for grading performances, technical rehearsals, and dress rehearsals are straightforward: participation is required to earn credit. Exceptions to this policy are limited to:

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1. Severe Illness: In cases of considerable illness, an official medical statement must be presented to validate your absence from a performance or rehearsal. Symptoms from a common cold should not be a reason for missing a concert.

2. Family Bereavement: Family considerations hold paramount importance. I respectfully request that a family representative communicate the need for an absence due to bereavement.

 

Given the many commitments of Peninsula high school students, encompassing diverse programs, clubs, and sports, I recognize the array of obligations many of you navigate. Given the infrequency of our semester's performances, I request that both students and parents give priority to our technical and dress rehearsals, as well as our performances. The responsibility of coordinating personal calendars and effectively relaying commitments to the Orchestra lies with the students.

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Rehearsal skills and rehearsal preparation

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The foundation of growth and success in orchestra comes from the time we spend playing together as an ensemble. Each rehearsal is an important opportunity for us to improve as musicians and work toward our shared goals. Because of this, I keep track of each students engagement level and their effectiveness of utilizing our precious “playing minutes”.

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Your grade in this category is based on two important parts:

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1. Rehearsal Skills

• This means actively participating in rehearsals by:

• Listening carefully and following directions

• Staying focused and on task

• Demonstrating respect for the director and fellow orchestra members

• Contributing positively to the ensemble’s progress

2. Rehearsal Preparation

Just like in other academic subjects, students are expected to take their orchestra materials home each evening to practice and review. Regular at-home study strengthens your skills and ensures you come to rehearsal ready to play your best. Consistent preparation is essential for the whole group’s progress. If students are habitually unprepared for rehearsal and have clearly not put in the time to learn their part, their daily grade may be impacted.

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Grading Procedure

At the start of the school year, every student will begin with a perfect score in the Rehearsal Skills/Preparation category. In Aeries, an assignment labeled “Lesson Participation/Preparation” will be posted every two weeks and will be worth 20 points. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain these points by following classroom expectations, participating fully in rehearsals, and arriving prepared. If a student is off-task, unprepared, or not following expectations during rehearsal, they may lose 2 points per day within each two-week period.

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Classroom Expectations

Successful orchestras share many qualities with championship teams: cooperation, respect, commitment, and teamwork. Every member is valuable and shares responsibility for our success.

To help us reach our goals, students must:

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• Put forth their best effort every day with a positive attitude

• Show respect for the director, other orchestra members, and themselves

• Respect the classroom, rehearsal spaces, equipment, performance venues, and sheet music

• Keep cell phones off and away during rehearsal

• Avoid working on unrelated homework or assignments during rehearsal

• Refrain from excessive talking or side conversations during rehearsal

• Arrive on time and be ready to work when rehearsal begins, both on campus and at off-site events

• Follow all school policies at PVPHS, whether on or off campus

• Always remember to “Make the family proud”

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Student’s initials______                     Parent’s initials______

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Class assignments/assessments

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Our daily rehearsals serve as a platform for students to learn about the fundamental components of musicianship and performance practice. These essential skills form the foundation of our musical journey. Through engaging rehearsals, students will have the opportunity to learn important terms, functions of harmony, appropriate style and articulation, and much more. To reinforce the concepts introduced during rehearsals, students will occasionally receive assignments and assessments based on the class material. Assignments will typically carry a value of 25 points within our grading system. Assessments, which provide a more comprehensive evaluation of skill mastery, will be weighted at 50 points. All assignments turned in late will incur a single deduction of 5 points.

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Playing assessments

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As part of our academic structure, each quarter presents an opportunity for you to showcase your mastery of the performance repertoire. Throughout the term, there will be two designated instances for these assessments. While the nature of these assessments may vary, they will predominantly occur during sectionals. During these evaluations, I will request an individual to present a brief segment of our performance material. It is important to note that there are certain factors that may result in point deductions during these assessments. These include, but are not limited to, unpreparedness, playing wrong notes, and ignoring musical markings in the score.

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These assessments are designed not only to evaluate your musical proficiency but also to foster personal growth and improvement. Embrace these opportunities to refine your skills and contribute to the collective harmony of our Orchestra. Each of the playing assessments carry a value of 50 points within our grading system.

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Performance/activities calendar

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Strings invitational with Ridgecrest Intermediate

            Sectional rehearsal- Wednesday, October 23rd (3:30pm student call time)

            Invitational rehearsal and concert- Friday, October 25th (3:30pm student call time)

 

Fall concert– St. Francis Episcopal Church

            Concert- Friday, November 1st 7:30pm (4pm student call time)

 

Pops Concert rehearsals (exact times and locations TBA)

            Rehearsal (Peninsula high school)- Friday, February 28th 5pm-8pm

            Load-in/ technical rehearsal (Norris Theatre)- Tuesday, March 4th time is TBA

 

Pops Concert– Norris Theatre

            First concert- Tuesday, March 4th 7:30pm (student call time 6:30pm)

            Second concert- Wednesday, March 5th 7:30pm (student call time 6:30pm)

            Third concert- Thursday, March 6th 7:30pm (student call time 6:30pm)

 

Peninsula Committee for the Los Angeles Philharmonic– South Bay Botanical Gardens

            Concert- Saturday, April 26th 2025 (call time TBD)

 

Spring Concert– St. Francis Episcopal Church

            Concert- Friday, May 2nd 7:30pm (4pm student call time)

 

Awards Night– TBA

 

Commencement ceremony (graduation)– Peninsula high school

Thursday, June 5th 2025 4:30pm call time (underclassman provide music for ceremony)