US Chamber Orchestra

US Chamber Orchestra from 9:55AM to 10:50AM (TR; year long; 1 Credit)

This class is composed of instrumental students and is aimed at providing students with concentrated experience in chamber music such as quintet, quartet or trio small group. Two concerts plus one festival performance or competition per every other year. They will meet two days per week; Sometimes, they are also encouraged to rehearse with honors orchestra to develop their playing skills. The preparatory parts of music will be ready for those players who have the technical difficulties. Types of music played could include both classical and popular music.

Prerequisite: Three years experience on a string instrument and one year orchestra class, or permission of the instructor.

It is required each of the student needs their own instrument.

Course Guidelines

Goals

Students in US Chamber orchestra will learn the music masterpieces from world famous composers throughout music history. The students will play in a small chamber group setting for maximally developing their playing skills and help them to get ready for the honors orchestra.

Skills

1. Develop students listening skills during the class including major minor scales, intervals, harmony progressing, and pitch recognizing.
2. Reinforce the playing skills using the solo or soli part to challenge students and give the individual instructions for the music phrase, dynamics, tempo and counting on different rhythms.
3. Improve the students’ awareness and playing abilities of the tone quality and pitch adjustment in the chamber or string orchestra with a widely variety music and their styles.
4. Expand on student knowledge of playing the music in string group and how is the relationship between their individual parts, sections and whole orchestra.
5. Learn the communication with the conductor or group leader during the playing including phrasing, dynamic, counting and the tempo changing.
6. Develop students sight-reading skills at the beginning of each new song and some arranged music. Exam it by calling individual student during the class or in the playing test.

Activities

1. Two evening concerts will play in campus.
2. One music festival or competition every other year.
3. Perform for CA commencement in May.

Assessment

1. Graded playing test including the site-reading once a trimester.
2. Perform for two concerts during the year.
3. Graded daily playing skill exams for each individual during the class period and the rehearsals.
4. Students are encouraged to try out for the solo performance during the concert and the all state orchestra.