Keyboard Ensemble Description

Piano Keyboard 1 & 2
Fall 2008 & Spring 2009

This course teaches the fundamentals of piano keyboard. Students will learn to read and play simple melodies in the bass and treble clef, using both hands. No prior knowledge of piano is necessary.
Students with some prior keyboard experience may enter the course 2nd semester after successful audition with the instructor. They must demonstrate understanding and mastery of the following which is taught in the first semester:

proper seating and hand position
organization of the musical keyboard.
organization of the treble and bass clef.
sharps and flats, time and key signatures.
the primary chords in the most common key signatures.
half and whole steps, additional intervals up to an octave.
whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and rests.
dotted notes and ties.
common musical markings such as repeat signs, fermatas, ties and rests, dynamics, ritardando, etc.
metronome markings and common tempo expressions.
C, G, D, A, and E major scales in one octave.
basic programming the Roland RS5 Synthesizer.
basic drum patterns on the electronic keyboard.

In addition to learning basic keyboard, students will also play in an ensemble setting and perform in several concerts. This mandates a couple of extra non-optional rehearsals outside of normal school hours.

Materials:
Adult Piano Adventures: All-in-one Lesson Book 1 by Nancy and Randall Faber.
(Students with prior experience need to see me before purchasing this book.)

Evaluation:
Students are evaluated in the following areas: *Practice, progress, class participation, playing quizzes, **rehearsals and concerts. All grades are given on a total points basis.

*The practice grade is based on the amount of time the student spends practicing outside of class. Every Monday, students should bring a signed, completed practice sheet to class. There will be a 10 point grade deduction per day the practice sheet is turned in late.

**Punctuality, proper concert attire etiquette are expected and will be part of the evaluation.

Please come for reviews, brush-ups and reinforcement as often as you wish. 10 minutes spent learning the right technique saves 50 minutes of undoing. The music lab is available for practice during tutorial and whenever it is not in use by another class or teacher.

Advanced Keyboard Ensemble
2008-09

Prerequisite: At least 2 years of completed piano instruction or similar proficiency and an audition with the instructor.

The class meets every other day throughout the school year for a one semester credit.

The focus of the class is to work on ensemble music in preparation for various performances. Students will have opportunity for individual work in class, but much of the time will be spent on ensemble playing. They will learn the programming functions of the Roland RS 5 Synthesizer and they will create original orchestrations based on regular piano literature.

Evaluation:
Students are evaluated in the following areas: *Practice, progress, class participation, playing quizzes, **rehearsals and concerts. All grades are given on a total points basis.

*The practice grade is based on the amount of time the student spends practicing outside of class. At the beginning of ever week, students should bring a signed, completed practice sheet to class. There will be a 10 point grade deduction per day the practice sheet is turned in late.

**Punctuality, proper concert attire and etiquette are expected and will be part of the evaluation.

The music lab is open for students who want to spend extra time practicing as long as it doesn’t conflict with other classes.