Piano Syllabus

Teacher: Mrs. Rebekka Austin

Room #: K8
RAustin@tusd.net
209-832-6600 x 4102
Office hours daily from 10- 11 am and 3- 3:30

I.

Course Objective:

Class piano is designed to teach the concepts and fundamentals needed to perform on the piano. It will increase musical
understanding beyond just reading notes by teaching students a vocabulary of chords and keys, and keyboarding
techniques. Students will develop good practice habits, and learn techniques to increase the muscular agility and
flexibility of their hands. We will delve into music at its source, find out how music is constructed, and discover the
composers and history behind the music. At the completion of this course, the student will have learned to play some of
the standards of piano repertoire while gaining a thorough understanding of the history and basic concepts of music.
II.

Course Philosophy

The piano is a performance instrument, and the primary goal of this course is for students to become competent,
independent performers on the piano. For this reason, students will be assessed largely based on their performances on
the piano. It is equally important that a student develop the skills, discipline, and determination to prepare for a
performance, therefore an equal portion of the grade will be derived from how well the student prepares and uses his or
her practice time. Because not everyone has a piano at home, home practice is optional; however, students should come to
class every day prepared to get the most out of the practice time they are given in class.
III.

Course Outcomes Students will be able to:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

IV.

Follow classroom procedures regarding practice and instruction.

Demonstrate basic competencies of piano performance in the areas of tone production,
technique, and phrasing.
Identify music notation and symbols relative to the level of proficiency
Identify basic musical forms within learned pieces.
Identify proper performance habits.
Understanding of music history, composers and famous musical pieces

Materials:

Kimball High School has invested in a very nice piano lab for students to utilize. This lab includes full piano keyboards
with the feel of real full sized pianos.
Students will need to acquire the following materials:
A notebook or binder to keep all piano materials. A Notebook will be graded and students are required to keep
materials neatly and organized.
A pencil. Writing in pen is not allowed. Pencil only, please.

There will be no participation fees for this course, but a portion of the students daily participation grade and overall
development will be determined based on bringing the following materials to class daily.

TEXT Each student will need to acquire their own Method Book to use and keep chose one of the following
appropriate to your developing skill level:
Faber Adult Piano Adventures All in One Lesson Book- Level 1 Beginning Students
Faber Adult Piano Adventures All in One Lesson Book- Level 2 Intermediate Students
The instructor may need to assist you with selecting the appropriate book for your level of proficiency.
V.
Classroom Rules
As the class is highly performance based, having a safe and respectful environment is a high priority. All students are
expected to maintain respect for self, their peers, teachers and all the equipment that they work with.
No food or drinks other than water (which is encouraged) will be allowed in the classroom.
Cell phones are to be off and out of sight unless otherwise directed by the teacher.

Plagiarism and cheating is academic dishonesty and will not be tolerated. Assignments will be failed and students
will be subject to disciplinary action according to the Student Hand Book.

All theory work is to be completed in pencil only. No pen.

Each student is expected to do their own work. Cheating is not tolerated and will result in a zero on the
assignment or test and possible disciplinary actions.
Students are expected to demonstrate continuous and sustained effort throughout the semester and take advantage
of valuable class time.

Positive Rewards: Verbal Praise, Written Praise, Praise to Parents, and Extra Participation Points
Attendance is vital to the students progress. If the student is absent, they must see the teacher right away to gather any
missed assignments. If the absent is unexcused, assignments will not be allowed to be turned in late.
Be on time and prepared; tardiness will reduce participation points and result in detentions. If tardiness becomes a habitual
problem, the student will be referred to the assistant-principal.
a. Tardy Policy: A tardy is defined as arrival to class after the tardy bell rings and up to 29 minutes into the instructional
period. Students must be in their seats when the tardy bell rings. Arrival to class 30 minutes or later will constitute a
truant.
# TARDY

CONSEQUENCE(S)

Administrative meeting and parent contact

10

DART contract for tardies/loss of off campus pass

11th tardy or
additional
unexcused
absence

In house suspension

b. Absences and Make-up work

Excused Absence
Students may make up the work during an excused absence; to the extent it is possible. Any students who miss class must
meet with the instructor once he/she returns to school in order to make up any assigned work. Failure to make up missed
work after an absence will result in a zero for the assignment. Students will have the same number of days that they were
absent from school to make up their work. Late work will not be accepted, unless special arrangements have been made
prior to the due date. (See make-up work below)

Unexcused Absence and Suspensions

Unexcused absences and suspensions will result in a zero participation grade for that day. They will however, be allowed
to make up missed assignments as long as they take the initiative and responsibility to request it.
c. Homework Policy
Students may be asked to complete music theory or other work as homework. The due date for the homework will be
clearly communicated. Work is to be turned in on the due date. It will be marked down 10% if late and will not be
accepted after the quiz or unit test on the subject matter unless there is an excused absence necessitating an extension.
Special approval is required for this.
d. Disciplinary Action Steps:
Student may be counseled about behaviors and issues that are detrimental to the best interests of the group. Depending on
the severity of the infraction any of these steps may be skipped at the teacher's discretion. Generally, disciplinary action
may judiciously include: 1. Parent Phone Calls, 2. After school detention in classroom, 3. Referral to Assistant Principal,
4. Parent Conference, and/or 5. Suspension from the class.
1st Offense: Verbal Warning verbal or otherwise.
2nd Offense: Second Verbal Warning, and a personal conference with the teacher after class.
3rd Offense: Parent Contact, and possibly referral or detention.
4th Offense and above: Students are subject to further disciplinary policies as outlined in the Tracy High School Student
Handbook.
e. T.A. Expectations:
Like all other students, Teachers Assistants (TAs) will be graded on the quality of their participation in daily activities
and during group events (concerts) as well. The nature of the assignments may be different but the participation rules and
expectations will be the same.

f.

Parent Link Participation:

Aries grading system creates a wonderful opportunity for parents and students to monitor their class progress. Student
scores will be updated at least every 2 weeks throughout the year for your observation.

VI.

Grading Policies

a. Grading Scale
90%
80%
70%
60%
0%

100%
89%
79%
69%
59%

A
B
C
D
F

b. Class Percentages
25% Tests
25% Pass offs (technic and method book)
25% Participation
15% Homework/Classwork
10% Final
c. Policies
1. Late work is penalized with an automatic -10 points unless in the event of an excused absence or preapproval
from the instructor. No late work will be accepted after the unit test.
2. If a student is absent for a test, the test will be made up within one week of return to school. It is the students
responsibility to request missed work.
3. Pass off dates are established well ahead of time. There are no extensions on these dates. If you will be
absent, it is the students responsibility to plan accordingly.
d. Assignments:
The curriculum covers 10 units during the two semesters (five units per semester). The following assignments
Unit 1
Theory- The Staff, Treble Clef, Bass Clef, Grand Staff, Ledger Lines
History- Age of Discovery
Piano Technic- 5 finger scales C, G, F and Triads C, G, F
Adult Piano Adventures- Unit 1 Introduction to playing pgs. 1-21
Unit 2
Theory- Note Values, Measure, Bar Line, Double Bar, 4/4 time, Whole, Half and Quarter Rests
History- Age of Penitence
Piano Technic- 5 finger scales D, Bb, A and Triads D, Bb, A
Adult Piano Adventures- Unit 2 Orientation to the Staff pgs. 22-35
Unit 3
Theory- 2/4 and 3/4 time signatures, Dotted Half Note, Ties and Slurs
History- Age of Invention
Piano Technic- 5 finger scales Eb, E, Ab and Triads Eb, E, Ab
Adult Piano Adventures- Unit 3 Reading Reinforcement pgs. 36-43
Unit 4
Theory- Repeat Signs, 1st and 2nd endings, eighth notes and rests, Dotted Quarter Note, Dynamic Signs, Tempo

Markings and articulations.

History- Age of Elegance
Piano Technic- 5 finger scales B, Db, Gb and Triads B, Db, Gb
Adult Piano Adventures- Unit 4 Reading 3rds (Skips) on the Staff pgs. 44-55
Unit 5
Theory- Flats, Sharps, Naturals, Whole and Half steps, Enharmonic Notes
History- Age of Sentiment
Piano Technic-Chromatic Scale. Review All 5 Finger Scales and Triads
Adult Piano Adventures- Unit 5 The Bass C Pentascale pgs. 56-63
End of Semester 1
Unit 6
Theory- Tetrachords, Sharp scales (G and D), Flat Scales (f and B-flat), Key Signatures
History- Age of Tragedy
Piano Technic- Major Scales C, G, D
Adult Piano Adventures- Unit 6 Eighth Notes pgs. 64-75
Unit 7
Theory- Remaining Major Scales and Key Signatures, Chromatic Scales, Intervals, Circle of Fifths
History- Age of Rebellion
Piano Technic- Major Scales A, E, B
Adult Piano Adventures- Unit 7 Treble Space Notes FACE pgs. 76-83
Unit 8
Theory- Perfect and Major Intervals, Minor Intervals, Augmented and Diminished Intervals, Solfege and
Transposition
History- Age of Ragtime
Piano Technic- Major Scales F, Bb, Eb
Adult Piano Adventures- Unit 8 Treble C Pentascale Pgs. 84-89
Unit 9
Theory- Sixteenth Notes and Rests, Dotted Eighth Notes, Common Time and Cut Time (Alla Breve)
History- The Popular Age
Piano Technic- Major Scales Ab, Db, Gb
Adult Piano Adventures- Unit 9 G Pentascales in 3 locations Pgs. 90-97
Unit 10
Theory- 3/8 time and 6/8 time, Eighth Note Triplets, Incomplete Measures and Syncopation

History- Composer Oral Reports

Piano Technic- Review of All Major Scales
Adult Piano Adventures- Unit 10 Sharps and Flats-Pgs. 98-109

End of Second Semester

Concert Attendance
All students are required to attend two (2) KHS performances each semester for credit and write a short quick write
concerning the event. Details for this will be given during class time.
The dates below are events that qualify for credit. Please plan ahead of time for this assignment. Exceptions for missing
will be very limited considering the dates are given far in advance for planning purposes. The events may charge a
nominal fee for admission. If you have an issue paying an admission fee, please see Mrs. Austin for alternatives.

KHS Theater Performances

Annie- Oct. 28, 29, Nov. 4,5
Cinderella- March 10,11,17,18
KHS Choir Performances
Winter Concert- Tuesday December 6, 2016 7pm KHS Auditorium
Spring Concert- Tuesday March 28, 2017 7pm KHS Auditorium
End of Year Concert- Tuesday May 16, 2017 7pm KHS Auditorium
KHS Band Performances
Winter Concert- Wednesday December 7, 2016 7pm KHS Auditorium
Spring Concert- Wednesday March 29, 2017 7pm KHS Auditorium
End of Year Concert- Wednesday May 17, 2017 7pm KHS Auditorium

Parent and Student Acknowledgement Form

I, ______________________________, a student in Tracy High School Music Department, have read this course syllabus
and I understand and accept my responsibilities as set forth in it.

I agree to the policies and will support the objectives as stated in the syllabus. *** I have reviewed the policies that may
require action or advanced preparation on my part, including dates and transportation.

__________________________________________
Signature of Student

______________
Date signed

Student Email Address: _______________________________________

(please print very, very clearly)

I, _____________________________, the parent/guardian (circle) of ______________________________, have read

and acknowledge the policies, procedures, and expectations set forth in the course syllabus for Tracy High's choir class. I
agree to, and support these policies. I have also reviewed and agree to the policies that may require action or advanced
preparation on my part, including activity dates, and possible transportation.

__________________________________________

_____________

Signature of Parent or Guardian

Date Signed

Parent Email Address: __________________________________________

(please print very, very clearly)

Parent Phone Contact: ____________________________________

Comments, Special Considerations, and/or Questions:

________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Return to Mrs. Austin for the first grade of the school year