Warwick School District

Course Description

WHS Orchestra is the large music performance ensemble comprised of all string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments.  The orchestra performs three concerts in the school the year. It rehearses in the rotational BOC rehearsal schedule posted in the music department.  The orchestra performs diverse repertoire of music such as classic orchestral literature, symphonies, holiday and new literature.

Core Curriculum Content Standards

Arts and Humanities (2002)

• Production, Performance and Exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts

• GRADE 12

• Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities. Elements -Dance: • energy/force • space • time -Music: • duration • intensity • pitch • timbre -Theatre: • scenario • script/text • set design -Visual Arts: • color • form/shape • line • space • texture • value Principles -Dance: • choreography • form • genre • improvisation • style • technique -Music: • composition • form • genre • harmony • rhythm • texture -Theatre: • balance • collaboration • discipline • emphasis • focus • intention • movement • rhythm • style • voice -Visual Arts: • balance • contrast • emphasis/focal point • movement/rhythm • proportion/scale • repetition • unity/harmony(9.1.12.A)
• Recognize, know, use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works in the arts. -Dance: • move • perform • read and notate dance • create and choreograph • improvise -Music: • sing • play an instrument • read and notate music • compose and arrange •improvise -Theatre: • stage productions • read and write scripts • improvise • interpret a role • design sets • direct -Visual Arts: • paint • draw • craft • sculpt • print • design for environment, communication, multi-media(9.1.12.B)
• Integrate and apply advanced vocabulary to the arts forms.(9.1.12.C)
• Analyze the effect of rehearsal and practice sessions.(9.1.12.G)
• Incorporate the effective and safe use of materials, equipment and tools into the production of works in the arts at work and performance spaces. -Evaluate the use and applications of materials. -Evaluate issues of cleanliness related to the arts. -Evaluate the use and applications of mechanical/electrical equipment. -Evaluate differences among selected physical space/environment. -Evaluate the use and applications of safe props/stage equipment. -Evaluate the use and apply safe methods for storing materials in the arts.(9.1.12.H)
• Analyze and evaluate the use of traditional and contemporary technologies for producing, performing and exhibiting works in the arts or the works of others. -Analyze traditional technologies (e.g., acid printing, etching methods, musical instruments, costume materials, eight track recording, super 8 movies). -Analyze contemporary technologies (e.g., virtual reality design, instrument enhancements, photographic tools, broadcast equipment, film cameras, preservation tools, web graphics, computer generated marching band designs).(9.1.12.J)
• Analyze and evaluate the use of traditional and contemporary technologies in furthering knowledge and understanding in the humanities.(9.1.12.K)

• Historical and Cultural Contexts

• GRADE 12

• Explain the historical, cultural and social context of an individual work in the arts.(9.2.12.A)
• Identify, describe and analyze the work of Pennsylvania Artists in dance, music, theatre and visual arts.(9.2.12.H)
• Identify, explain and analyze philosophical beliefs as they relate to works in the arts (e.g., classical architecture, rock music, Native American dance, contemporary American musical theatre).(9.2.12.I)
• Identify, explain and analyze historical and cultural differences as they relate to works in the arts (e.g., PLAYS BY Shakespeare, works by Michelangelo, ethnic dance and music).(9.2.12.J)
• Identify, explain and analyze traditions as they relate to works in the arts (e.g., story telling – plays, oral histories- poetry, work songs- blue grass).(9.2.12.K)
• Identify, explain and analyze common themes, forms and techniques from works in the arts (e.g., Copland and Graham’s Appalachian Spring and Millet’s The Gleaners).(9.2.12.L)

• Critical Response

• GRADE 12

• Explain and apply the critical examination processes of works in the arts and humanities. -Compare and contrast -Analyze -Interpret -Form and test hypotheses -Evaluate/form judgments(9.3.12.A)
• Apply systems of classification for interpreting works in the arts and forming a critical response.(9.3.12.C)

• Aesthetic Response

• GRADE 12

• Compare and contrast the attributes of various audiences’ environments as they influence individual aesthetic response (e.g., viewing traditional Irish dance at county fair versus the performance of River Dance in a concert hall).(9.4.12.C)

Standards for Music (2013-14)

• Grades 5-8

• Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music(MUSIC.5-8.1)
• Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music(MUSIC.5-8.2)
• Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments(MUSIC.5-8.3)
• Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines(MUSIC.5-8.4)
• Reading and notating music(MUSIC.5-8.5)
• Listening to, analyzing, and describing music(MUSIC.5-8.6)
• Evaluating music and music performances(MUSIC.5-8.7)
• Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts(MUSIC.5-8.8)
• Understanding music in relation to history and culture(MUSIC.5-8.9)

Units

Unit #1 - Performing on Instruments, alone and with others

Unit #2 - Reading and notating music

Unit #3 - Listening to, analyzing and describing music

Unit #4 - Evaluating music and musical performances

Unit #5 - Understanding relationships between music, the other arts

Unit #6 - Understanding music in relation to history and cultures

Unit #7 - Composing and arranging music within specific guidelines

Unit #8 - Improvising melodies, variations and accompaniment

Unit #9 - Singing alone and with others, a varied repertoire