Artist Guitar Ensemble
2015/2016 Syllabus
Potomac Falls High School
William Hart Wells
Director of Guitar
William.Wells@lcps.org
Overview
This class is designed to serve students who have successfully completed the Beginning,
Intermediate, and Advance Guitar classes offered at PFHS. Acceptance into this class may also be
assigned by the instructor if the student successfully completes an audition and meets the content
knowledge standards set forth by the LCPS Guitar Curriculum and is aligned with the Virginia
Standards of Learning and the principles established by the National Association of Music
Educators. This class will be designed to further the students’ understanding of the instrument.
This level has many performance opportunities throughout the year. Please make note of required
concerts.
Materials
1) A nylon-string classical guitar purchased at an accredited music retail store or on-line
music retailer. Even though PFHS has a class set for student use, students are still required to
purchase a nylon-string classical guitar, as stated in the LCPS Program of Studies for home practice.
Students will be required to bring their own instruments for all concerts and to school for several
weeks each semester.
2) A footstool or approved guitar support (Gitano, Ergo-Play, etc.) and picks
3) A new packet of nylon guitar strings. These can be found at all area music stores.
Recommended brand - D’Addario Pro-Arte normal tension strings. Approx. $10
4) A guitar tuner for the headstock of your guitar. Recommended – Planet Waves Micro NS
5) A black three-ring binder and a pencil for use in both rehearsal and in concert.
*Our students will be given music parts purchased by PFHS, and therefor property of the PFHS Music
Library. Students will be required to pay for the any lost or damaged music, requiring replacement.*
Quarterly Objectives
First Semester
First Quarter
-A comprehensive review of the materials covered in the Advanced Guitar class will be presented as
to help students review previously covered material.
-Care/Maintenance: students will review how to care for and change the stings on their instrument
-Rhythm Reading: students will review all plausible and applicable syncopated and complex
rhythms found in repertoire they explore.
-Scales: students will review all previously explored scales including Major and Harmonic minor
scales. This includes scale construction and performance.
-Rehearsal/Performance Skills: students will be studying several articles to help refine their
individual performance abilities. Students will be responsible for learning the practices and
terminology and its practical application to their materials.
-Arpeggios: Giuliani exercises as designated by the instructor.
-Sight Reading: students will begin exercises utilizing the 5th, 7th, and 9th positions as well as
exercises that utilize multiple note groupings being performed simultaneously.
-Students will produce proper tone on the instrument and as a result will discuss and promote
proper use of nails and nail care.
-Ensemble Music: This class will have a strong emphasis placed on performance. There will be
performances throughout the school year. Participation in all performances is required. Sectionals
will serve on a rotating basis for part designation.
-Solo Repertoire: Student free choice with instructor’s approval and guidance. This allows for the
opportunity for students to develop their own repertoire, the repertoire that interests and inspires
them the most.
Second Quarter
-Rhythm Reading: students will continue to develop mastery of deciphering syncopated and
complex rhythms within the context of modulating meter.
-Scales: students will be introduced to the melodic minor scale form construction and performance.
-Arpeggios: Giuliani exercises as designated by the instructor.
-Sight Reading: students will explore reading at sight to the 12th position of the guitar and
throughout the neck.
-Theory/Aural: In addition students will be asked to vocalize or sing their ensemble music. This
will involve matching pitch and singing melodic lines. Students will not be graded on their singing.
-Ensemble Music: As we near the dates for our concerts, more class time will be dedicated to
rehearsal of the ensemble. Progression in individual material will be adjusted accordingly. See
dates under the “Concert Schedule” for a list of the date and times for concerts. Participation in the
Winter Concert is required.
-Analysis: Students will effectively critique their own musical performances as well as those of
other performers and their ensemble. A detailed foray into the understanding of musical
interpretation will be embarked upon. This concept will be analyzed, discussed, and re-interpreted
throughout the year.
-Solo Repertoire: Student free choice with instructor’s approval and guidance. This allows for the
opportunity for students to develop their own repertoire and to excel with the repertoire that
interests them the most.
Second Semester
Third Quarter
-Note and Sight Reading: students will continue to explore the entire range of the guitar.
-Scales: students will be introduced to the Greek modes as well as practical applications of those
modes. This will include composition and improvisation opportunities.
-Chords: Students will review the construction and usage of chord forms covered in prior classes
and will in-turn learn about the construction and performance of 9th and 11th chords.
-Arpeggios: Continued development for technical mastery.
-Students will also identify, analyze, and discuss career options in music.
-Aesthetics: students will analyze and discuss individual and group performances.
-Ensemble Music: New music will be distributed as soon as the semester begins in preparation for
upcoming concerts including the LCPS Guitar Festival (see Concerts). Participation is required.
-Solo Repertoire: Student free choice with instructor’s approval and guidance. This allows for the
opportunity for students to develop their own repertoire and to excel with the repertoire that
interests them the most.
Fourth Quarter
-Note and Sight Reading: students will continue to explore the entire range of the guitar.
-Arpeggios: Continued development for technical mastery.
-Chords: students will continue their exploration of the 9th, 11th, and 13th chord voicings.
Applicable exercises or standards using these chord configurations will be assigned and performed.
-Composition/Improvisation: utilizing information regarding chords and scales/modes, students
will be assigned group compositions that will incorporate and demonstrate previously learned
material. Groups will be required to perform their compositions in class.
-Theory/Aural: students will be asked to vocalize or sing their ensemble music. This will involve
matching pitch and singing melodic lines. Students will not be graded on the quality of their voices.
Being able to internalize pitch and melody are key to becoming a musician.
-Aesthetics: students will analyze and discuss individual and group performances. Students will be
introduced to career options in the music field.
-Ensemble Music: With end-of-the-year concerts coming near, more class time will be spent
rehearsing ensemble material in preparation. As a result, individual requirements will be adjusted
accordingly. Participation in the Spring Concert is required
-Solo Repertoire: Student free choice with instructor’s approval and guidance. This allows for the
opportunity for students to develop their own repertoire and to excel with the repertoire that
interests them the most.
Concerts/Required Dates
Thursday, December 17th, 2015
*Winter Concert*
*Dress Rehearsal will be the A day before the concert during regular instructional time*
Thursday, January 14th, 2016
*PFHS/RBMS Combined Guitar Concert*
March 11th and 12th, 2016
*LCPS Guitar Festival and District Assessment*
March 11th - Concert at Heritage High School at 7:00 p.m. (transportation provided)
March 12th – Festival at Freedom High School (transportation provided)
*both days are required for all Artist Guitarists*
Thursday, April 28th, 2016
*Spring Concert*
Dress Rehearsal will be the A day before the concert during regular class time
**TENTATIVE** - March 13th and April 7th -10th, 2016
OPTIONAL Spring Tour – TBD
*Participation in all scheduled concerts is required. Graded, after-school rehearsals may be
required of students (check guitar calendar on the PFHS Guitar Website for schedules). Failure to
participate in concert performances and after-school rehearsals will reflect negatively on a
student’s grade. Participation in the Spring Guitar Trip is not required but encouraged of all
Advanced and Artist students. Occasionally, an additional performance opportunity comes open
to the Artist Ensemble and participation is required. I will make every effort to get any schedule
changes forwarded to all ensemble member families at the earliest possible convenience.
For missed concert performances, make-up performance juries with the music
faculty will be held once a grading period. For missed rehearsals, make-ups in the
form of essays on guitarists, composers, or musicians relevant to the class, as assigned by
the instructor**
Grading
35% – Concert and Rehearsal Participation
50% – Evaluations (written and playing)
Playing Evaluation – 15%
Ensemble Evaluation – 15%
Snap-Shot Evaluation Average – 20%
15% – Written Practice and Assignments
This class places a large emphasis on performance. That being the case, attendance at all
performances is required. After-school Dress Rehearsals are required of all ensemble members as
well. At the beginning of every grading period, each student will receive a 100 for their Concert
and Class Participation Grade (see above). Students can only lose points from this grade as
follows...
-Unexcused absence from a concert – 70 point deduction.
-Unexcused absence from a dress rehearsal – 30 point deduction.
-Failure to bring personal classical guitar to rehearsal (when required) – 10 point deduction.
-Failure to bring music and/or footstool to class – 2 point deduction per class.
Evaluation grades will be broken down into two parts – one half consisting of performance
evaluations (2 per grade term) and the half consists of snap-shot evaluations. The snap-shot
evaluations will occur every three classes to ensure that students are maintaining their at-home
practice schedule. Students are required to practice a minimum of 45 minutes a day on the material
covered in class. A copy of the performance rubric for evaluations can be found on my website.
**My evaluation make-up policy can be found on my school website**
Commitment Letter
Potomac Falls High School
2015-2016 School Year
This letter states that as a student and a parent of a student of the Guitar
Program at Potomac Falls High School, we have fully read and discussed the
information found in this syllabus. As a result, we understand the requirements
placed on our student and their commitment for the 15-16 school year. Return this
form completed for your first written practice grade of the year!
*Our students are very busy with what is required of them as high school students.
Most are very active in clubs, athletics, and other extra-curricular activities. This class
requires a commitment from each and every student for the betterment of the individual
and for the ensemble. Conflicts may arise from time to time. Please mark your calendars
now for scheduled commitments so to avoid conflicts. Please refer to the Guitar Calendar
found on my school website to find out the after-school rehearsal schedules for winter and
spring concerts. Missing concerts and rehearsals for athletic events is not an excused
absence. Please feel free to email me at William.Wells@lcps.org with any questions.*
Students Name: (print clearly) ___________________________________________________________________
Students Signature: ________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name: (print clearly) _________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Preferred Email(s): (print clearly)_________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________________
I am very excited about the opportunities a new year possesses for the guitar
program at PFHS and I look forward to working with your student. Please feel free to
email me at any time William.Wells@lcps.org
William Hart Wells
Director of Guitar
Potomac Falls High School
8/24/15