Intermediate 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 completed the Beginning Guitar classes at
PFHS or one/two years in the middle school guitar classes. Acceptance into this class may also be
assigned by the instructor if the student completes an audition and meets the content knowledge
standards set forth by the LCPS Guitar Curriculum and are aligned with the Virginia Standards of
Learning and the National Association of Music Educators. This class/ensemble will be designed to
further the students’ understanding and mastery of the instrument. This level will expand on basic
principles developed in the earlier level(s) and will introduce students to new concepts and more
advanced performance techniques, using a variety of musical styles.
Materials
1) A nylon-string classical guitar purchased at an accredited area music retailer or an on-line music
retailer. As stated in the LCPS Program of Study, all students enrolled in guitar classes are required to
own a nylon-string classical guitar. PFHS provides a class set of guitars for class rehearsals but students
are required to bring your personal guitar to school for all concerts and class at beginning of each year.
2) H.O.T. (Hands On Training) Second Year Guitar Book – SECOND EDITION!!!!!
*available at Melodee Music and Music and Arts*
3) A footstool or approved guitar support (Gitano, Ergo-Play, Dynarette cushion, etc.) and picks
4) A three-ring binder/folder for music and handouts.
5) A pencil or mechanical pencil every class as we will be doing score/music mark-ups.
Quarterly Objectives
First Semester
First Quarter
-A comprehensive review of the materials covered in the Beginning Guitar class will be presented as to
help students “freshen up” on material.
-Note Reading: review of notes in the first and second positions, including the keys of C, G, D, and A
major. Appropriate exercises will be presented to reinforce the concepts.
-Rhythm Reading: students will demonstrate ability to read 16th notes and rests and 8th note triplets.
-Scales: students will be re-introduced to C, G, D, A Major scales and will be introduced to both the twooctave pentatonic minor and blues scales with correct left hand finger designations.
-Improvisation and Composition: concepts will be defined and applied to the class.
-A review of open-chord positions from the aforementioned key signatures followed by an introduction
to 6th and 5th string barre positions. Barre chords with I-IV-V progressions will be covered.
-Theory/Aural: students will be asked to sing and accompany songs with chords (students’ grade will not
be based on singing abilities).
-Arpeggios: continuation of the right hand configurations developed in the Beginning Guitar classes such
as Giuliani and Rojas exercises.
-Ensemble Music: this class will have a strong emphasis placed on performance. There will be
performances throughout the school year. Just as in a band, orchestra, or choral environment,
participation in performances is required. Ensemble music will be distributed during the first four
weeks of class. Classes will serve on a rotating basis for part designation (i.e. students, at one time or
another, will play/perform all parts 1-4).
-Solo Repertoire: Royal Conservatory of Music Book 1 or the equivalent
Second Quarter
-Note Reading: students will explore the keys of E, F, and Bb major as well as A and E minor and will be
introduced to note reading in the fifth position. Students will also be able to identify all the notes on a
guitar fretboard up to the twelfth position.
-Rhythm Reading: students will demonstrate mastery of rhythmic analysis up to 16th notes and rests and
8th note triplets.
-Chords: students will continue their mastery of 6th and 5th string barre positions using finger-style and
pick-style accompaniment patterns.
-Sight Reading: exercises will reinforce the concepts described above in the note reading section.
-Arpeggios: focus will shift to longer-form arpeggio exercises.
-Scales: students will continue their exploration/mastery of the aforementioned Major and minor
scales, pentatonic, and blues scales.
-Improvisation will be continued using the above-mentioned scales.
-Ensemble Music: as we near the date for our first concert, 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 and dress rehearsal(s) is required.
-Solo Repertoire: Royal Conservatory of Music Book 1 or the equivalent
Second Semester
Third Quarter
-Note Reading: during the quarter, students will be working on mastery of note reading in the fifth
position as well as being introduced to D minor.
-Rhythm Reading: students will be introduced to syncopation and more complex rhythmic analysis.
-Sight Reading: exercises will be used to reinforce the material mentioned above.
-Arpeggios: continued development of longer-form arpeggio studies and music.
-Chords: students will focus on the mastery of minor 7th and dominant 7th chord forms performance
using finger-style and pick-style accompaniment patterns.
-Theory/Aural: students will be asked to sing and accompany songs with chords (students’ grade will not
be based on singing abilities). Students will also correctly identify and write key signatures specified
from earlier mentioned material and construct major and natural minor scales
-Compositional opportunities and projects will be implemented as well.
-Ensemble Music: new music and part designation will be distributed as soon as the semester begins in
preparation for upcoming concerts. Concert participation is required.
-Solo Repertoire: Royal Conservatory of Music Book 2 or the equivalent
Fourth Quarter
-Note Reading: exercises that will solidify the student’s knowledge of the fifth position along with some
exploration of the seventh and twelfth positions.
-Rhythm Reading: continued mastery of syncopated figures as well as more complex rhythms.
-Sight Reading: used to reinforce the student’s knowledge of the fifth position and expansion to higher
positions on the fretboard.
-Arpeggios: continued progression of technical, longer-form etudes and pieces.
-Scales: students will perform F# and Bb Major and A, D, and E natural minor moveable two-octave scale
forms. Students will also demonstrate mastery of major and minor scale construction. Introduction to
harmonic minor construction as well.
-Chords: extended chord forms such as Major, minor, minor 7th, and dominant 7th will be constructed
and performed using finger-style and pick-style accompaniment patterns.
-Improvisation will be expanded upon.
-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.
-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 and dress rehearsal(s) is required
-Solo Repertoire: Royal Conservatory of Music Book 2 or the equivalent
Concerts
Thursday, December 17th, 2015
*Winter Concert*
*Dress Rehearsal will be Wednesday, December 16th, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 14th, 2016
*PFHS/RBMS Combined Guitar concert*
Thursday, April 28th, 2016
*Spring Concert*
*Dress Rehearsal will be Wednesday, April 27th, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.
**Our students are extremely busy with all that is required of them to be successful 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 improvement of the
individual and for the ensemble. Conflicts may arise from time to time. Please mark your
calendars now for scheduled concerts and dress rehearsals to help avoid scheduling conflicts.
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**
Grading
40% – Concert and Class Participation
45% – Evaluations (written and playing)
Performance Evaluation1 – 15%
Performance Evaluation 2 – 15%
Snap-Shot Evaluation Average – 15%
15% – Written Practice Assignments
As a co-curricular ensemble an emphasis is placed on concert performance.
Attendance at all performances and dress rehearsals is required. At the beginning of every
grading period each student receives a 100 for their Participation Grade. Deductions from
that grade only occur in the following manner...
-Unexcused absence from a concert – 70 point deduction.
-Unexcused absence from a dress rehearsal – 25 point deduction.
-Failure to bring nylon-string guitar (when required) to school – 10 point deduction.
-Failure to bring footstool/sheet music to class – 2 point deduction per class.
**Participation in all scheduled concerts is required. Graded, after-school rehearsals
are also required of students (Calendar on PFHS Guitar website). Failure to participate in
concert performances and after-school rehearsals will reflect negatively on a student’s grade.
Students will have to opportunity to make-up point deductions. 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**
Evaluation grades are broken down into two parts – one half consisting of performance
evaluations (2 per grade term) and the other half consisting of snap-shot tests. The snap-shot
playing tests will occur in class every two to three classes to ensure that students are
maintaining their at-home practice schedule. Students are required to practice a minimum of
30 minutes a day, at home, 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 also 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 acknowledge the requirements/
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!
Students Name: (print clearly) ___________________________________________
Students Signature: ___________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name: (print clearly) ____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Preferred Email(s): ______________________________________
Phone: ____________________________
Date: ___________
I am very excited about the opportunities a new year possesses for our guitar
program at PFHS and I look forward to working with your student. If you have any questions,
please feel free to email me at any time William.Wells@lcps.org
William Hart Wells
Director of Guitar
Potomac Falls High School
8/25/15