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    Course Title: String Orchestra

     
    Course Description:
     The String Orchestra is open to any student grades 10-12, who has experience playing a stringed instrument.  The focus of this ensemble is to develop and refine students' musical experiences and technique through performance of music written for the string orchestra.  While focusing on traditional orchestra music, it is the intent of this class to expose students to a wide variety of music from the past and present; from our own and other cultures.  The String Orchestra performs several evening concerts each year that are required for participation.  In addition to regular performances at BHS, performance opportunities include IMEA Honors orchestra, solo/ensemble festival, Fine Arts Musical Pit Orchestra, and performances in the community.  Syllabus/Handbook.  Course fee is $54.
     
    Enduring Understandings:
    • Artists communicate sensibility and meaning through visual & performing arts.
    • Artists manipulate their medium(s) to construct meaning.
    • An artist's ability to listen and interpret affects his or her ability to understand the art form.
    • A level of proficiency is necessary to communicate an artist's intent.
    • An artist's use of skills and techniques is a continual, repetitive learning process.
    • Artists present finished products or performance.
    • The critique process can lead to heightened awareness of aesthetics.
    • Critiques promote the use of art vocabulary.
    • The critique process is a valuable analysis of what takes place intuitively.
    Essential Questions:
    • How do form, content and context  express and influence meaning?
    • How do elements and principles facilitate the creative process?
    • How do skill and technique enable the creative process?
    • How do we use critique to inform our art?
     
    Course Academic Vocabulary:
    Pitch
    Dynamics
    Timbre
    Melody
    Harmony
    Rhythm
    Articulation
    Rhythm
    Texture
    Ensemble
    Intonation
    Specific Musical Terms, i.e. allegro, forte, diminuendo, rallentando, arco, pizzicato, etc.
     
    Course Units / Topics of Study:
    Interpretation, Music History, Solo/Ensemble, Music Theory, Music performance