Major Concepts/Content: The string ensemble course is designed to acquaint students with beginning to advanced instrumental music skills which include, but are not limited to, the following content: beginning to intermediate level sight-reading skills; discrimination of pitch; absolute essentials for playing in tune; inter-mediate rhythm concepts and patterns; technique for achieving the essentials of unit, balance, and contract in performing instrumental music; study of all major and minor scales; performance of a variety of good musical repertoire; and listening skills development.

Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities will be promoted, but not limited in scope, through the following processes: demonstrating melodic and rhythmic sight-reading patterns; playing, at sight and independently, musical passages in low, middle, and upper registers; demonstrating knowledge in the use and care of the instrument; demonstrate playing in tune; performing double and triple-meter music, emphasizing measure unit with accent; following critical markings of a musical score; performing independently all major and minor scales; and responding correctly to melodic and rhythmic aural dictation exercises. 

Major Evaluative Techniques: Students will be required to perform successfully instrumental music, independently and in group ensemble, by observing all critical markings of interpretation. 

Essential Objectives: Upon completion of the string ensemble course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate beginning to intermediate instrumental skills.
• Demonstrate intermediate music reading skills.
• Exercise discrimination regarding pitch and tuning.
• Continue study of major and minor scales.

Last Revised: July 19, 2005