Rogers High School
Course Syllabus
Academic Year 2012-2013
Quarter 2 - ends January 29
Teacher: Alan Bernstein
Course # and Title: 803A - 001 RHS Advanced Orchestra
Room:
811
Meeting Times: Day 2 D Block, Day 3 E Block
Teacher email: alanbernstein@newportrischools.org
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 2-3 PM
Course Description: Performance ensemble designed to develop reading and interpretive skills through performance of
appropriate repertoire. The RHS Orchestra will perform at school and community functions throughout the year as
assessment and community service.
Course texts/Readings:
Appropriate orchestral literature at a performance level of 2.5-4 out of 6.
Quarter Goals: Common Core Standards/GSE’s addressed this quarter
M1 (9-12) –1
Students show evidence of music literacy (reading, writing, and understanding of the symbols of sound) by…
a. reading an instrumental or vocal score of up to four staves
c. accurately and expressively sight-reading music with minimal rhythmic, pitch, and dynamic errors at a grade span
below full ensemble/class performance level (e.g., music that might be performed by middle school band/ensemble)
M3 (9-12) –1
Students perform music alone and with others in a variety of settings…
b. playing acoustic or electronic instruments in ensembles or music technology settings with musical accuracy [Ensembles
at Level of Difficulty: 4 on a scale of 1-6 or commensurate medium difficulty level for other classes (e.g., keyboard, drum
circles, guitar, technology classes)]
M 4 (9-12) –1
Students analyze and describe music by…
a. analyzing and describing the use of musical elements and expressive devices in familiar music (e.g., articulation,
dynamic markings)
M 4 (9-12) -2
Students evaluate music by…
a. developing and applying four specific criteria provided for critiquing music (e.g., dynamics, intonation, tone, and blend:
“The clarinets were in-tune with the strings and played with an open-focused sound.”)
Grading Policy:
Formative Assessments:

Practice Sheets (due each week on last day three of week) 5%

Daily effort/attitude/attendance (student participation, effort and attendance at each class) 10%

lessons 10%
Summative Assessments:

Performances – Students are assessed on all performances, including three benchmark performances per year (see
Benchmarks below) 35%

Assessments (written and performance, including 2 benchmark critiques and All-State audition) 35%

Quarterly concert critique 5%
Performances for 2nd quarter will include:

Winter Concert (Benchmark performance) – December 12
Assessments will include:

Winter concert critique (Benchmark critique) – December 13-19
Benchmarks are a required component of all courses at Rogers and must be satisfied in order to pass the course. At each quarter, any
student that owes a benchmark will be given an incomplete, which will become an “F” after two weeks. All benchmarks must be
satisfied before the end of the year to receive credit for the course. Required benchmarks for band and orchestra will be:

Winter Concert (benchmark performance) – December 12, 2012

Winter Concert reflection (benchmark critique) due December 20

Spring Concert (benchmark performance) - May 22, 2013

Spring Concert reflection (benchmark critique) due May 31, 2013

Graduation (benchmark performance) (seniors excluded) - June 14, 2013