Course Syllabus and

Curriculum guide

Ms. Amy Vanek and Ms.

Cindi Kornhaus

beyond what is required. We will do our best to

facilitate a learning envi-

ronment where all things are possible!

So grab a seat and lets

get started on a fantastic year of guitar class!!

“Where words fail, music

speaks”

- - Hans Christian Anderson

Welcome to Class Guitar at BCC!

About your teacher: Miss Vanek

Welcome to an exciting

new year in the BCC Guitar Program! This course is

filled with opportunities for you to gain access to many

different styles of guitar

playing and hopefully you will find that it meets all of

your expectations.

In this packet you will find

all the information you will

need to have complete suc-cess in this course. Listed

along side this introduction

you will see a list of course requirements, a syllabus,

grading policy and several other important and useful

hints. You and your parents

are encouraged to go through this packet and ask

any questions you might run into along the way!

Our hope for you is that

you will be able to master basic guitar playing and

music reading skills as a result of this course. High

expectations are set for

every student but be as-sured that every goal in

this syllabus is reachable!

The great thing about

taking a music class at

BCC is that you have ac-cess to some of the best

materials and equipment

Montgomery County schools have to offer!

Although you will be fol-lowing a guided curricu-

lum, please explore all

aspects of music while taking this course and

never feel limited. We will always encourage stu-

dents to go above and

instrument is so univer-

sally loved and played. I

believe that it is on of the

most accessible and ex-

citing instruments to

learn with. I look forward

to sharing my passion for

guitar with you !

Hello and welcome to

the BCC Guitar Pro-

gram! I am Amy Vanek

and this is my 4th year

teaching guitar class at

BCC. I received my

Bachelor’s degree in Mu-

sic Education from the

University of Maryland,

College Park where I

studied many avenues

and types of music. Al-

though I am primarily a

classical singer and pian-

ist, I have a great love for

guitar music. No other

Contacting the

Music Department at BCC:

Miss Vanek:

Amy_E_Vanek@mcpsmd.org

240-497-6335

Or

240-497-6330

Questions? Concerns?

Always feel free to contact

me about anything that

may be of importance! I am

always available and willing

to be of any service to you!

Inside this packet you

will find:

PAGE 1:

Grading Policy

PAGE 2:

Classroom Expectations

PAGE 3:

Course Guidelines

PAGE 4:

Tips for Success

Class Guitar Syllabus

2009-2010

Grading Scale for Guitar Class:

Classroom Performance: 45%

* Students use all materials necessary in order to accomplish daily lesson objectives.

* Students play assigned materials and during class time.

* Students demonstrate proper playing techniques during class time.

* Students must complete group work and individual classroom assignments.

Performance Grades/ Skills Assessments: 45%

* Students will perform assigned repertoire in groups and alone to demonstrate proficiency on

the instrument.

* Students will receive 2 weeks notice before a playing deadline and will be graded based on a

rubric that will be provided and reviewed ahead of time.

Written Assignments/ Quizzes/ Tests: 10%

* Students will be given several written assessments on materials covered in class. These

assessments will come in the form of:

- Listening Guides and Listening Responses

- Journal Responses and self reflections

- Quizzes covering music theory and guitar facts

Letter Grading System:

90%-100%- A

80%-89%- B

70%-79%- C

60%-69%- D

0%-59% E

Students are allowed to make up missed as-

signments when absences are excused. Stu-

dents must see the teacher on the day they

return from being absent to schedule make

up dates and ask about what they missed.

Reassessments

1. Students will have opportunities to be reassessed on materials on which they

feel they can improve upon.

2. Students will have an opportunity to relearn and be reassessed during the

week following an assessment and will need to arrange those make-up times

with the teacher before school, after school or at lunch.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL GRADING POLICY:

Page 1 Bethesda Chevy Chase Guitar Program

I will always be available to you when you have questions or need

additional help outside of class. Not everyone will be able to

learn and perform at the same rate so I am happy to assist you in

any way necessary but you MUST ask for help in order to receive

it. In a class size as large it is important that no one gets left be-

hind! Never be afraid to ask for help when it is needed!

What is Expected of the Students?

WHAT CAN STUDENTS EXPECT FROM THE TEACHER??

Although this is a re-

laxed classroom at-

mosphere there are

certain expectations

that must be met when

dealing with such a

large class! Please read over these classroom

expectations and don’t

be afraid to ask

questions

Rules and Procedures:

1) Come Prepared: You will need a 2’” notebook for all of your

materials and information. 3 Dividers will be necessary for Theory

notes, written assignments and repertoire. You will be required

to bring a pencil to each class session.

2) Care for your instrument: You will be assigned a guitar at the

beginning of the year. This is your responsibility and you are ex-pected to treat it with the greatest respect. You will put your gui-

tar away correctly before the end of class each day.

3) Starting Class: You will be told when it is time to get your gui-

tar, a music stand and your course book. We will tune together

only on days when you will perform

4) GRADING: You will be given specific assignments, deadlines and

procedures for receiving grades in this course. NO assignments

will be accepted after the deadline and students must show verifi-

cation that their absences are excused for any missed work.

5) Phones? ipods? DVD Players?: Unless we are working on an

assignment where I have asked you to bring in other media,

you may not have these items and they will be confiscated

6) RESPECT! This class is based on respect. You can always expect

the utmost respect from me and I will always expect the same in re-

turn. Your opinions and ideas are valuable to me and I will consider

them. In a class as large as this you will be expected to respect the

teacher and your peers when they are speaking. If you have concerns

with any aspects of the course feel free to meet with me before or

after school.

Page 2 Bethesda Chevy Chase Guitar Program

Course Materials

Guitar Method Book 1

- Hal Leonard

Guitar Method Book 2

- Hal Leonard

Guitar Rock Shop 1

- Belwin’s 21st Century Library

Method: Guitar Volume 1

- Berklee Press

Students will be given a method book and will be re-quired to return the book at the end of the semester. All

other materials will remain in the classroom unless a student

is given permission to use it outside of class. In such case, students will sign materials

out that will be returned upon the teacher’s request!

Students will be financially responsible for lost/damaged

materials

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Guitar Program

The first semester curriculum is not pre

- dated due to different learning

paces/styles

Page 3

Lesson 1 Course introduction and Review of Classroom Procedures,

Guitar Books and Tunig

Lesson 1 Intro/Review of Classroom Procedures, Music Notation and

Tuning Strategies

Lesson 2 Introduction to standard music notation and playing on the

first 3 strings

Lesson 2 Review standard music notation and playing pitches and

rhythms on the first 4 strings.

Lesson 3 Folk Music Unit:

Reading Music and basic chords to perform

Lesson 3 Folk Music Unit:

Reading music and basic chords to perform

Lesson 4 FOLK MUSIC COFFEE HOUSE

Lesson 4 FOLK MUSIC COFFEE HOUSE

Lesson 5 Learning Pitches on 4th and 5tht strings

Pentatonic Scales and open blues chords

Lesson 5 Learning Pitches on all 6th Strings

Review Pentatonic Scales and Blues Riffs

Lesson 6 Elements of Blues:

Rhythms, Riffs and Basics of Improvisation

Lesson 6 Elements of Blues:

Rhythms, Riffs and Basics of Improvisation

Lesson 7 History of Blues Lesson

“Putting the pieces together” in groups

Lesson 7 History of Blues Lesson

“Putting the pieces together” in groups

Lesson 8 BLUES COFFEE HOUSE

Lesson 8 BLUES COFFEE HOUSE

Lesson 9-10 Classical Music:

Learning Classical Guitar Basics/ Theory 1 test prep

Lesson 9-10 Classical Music:

Classical Repertoire and Theory 2 Test Prep

Lesson 11-12 Theory 1 Test and Classical Performance

Lesson 11-12 Theory 2 Test and Classical Performance

Course Time Line for 1st Semester Guitar

New Guitar Students= White Returning Students= Gray

1. Ask Questions!

In a class as large as

ours it is easy to get a

little behind. Always

ask for help and be

honest about your pro-

gress.

2. Be Assertive!

The key to moving

ahead is self motivation

and determination.

Take charge of your

own progress and as-

sert yourself inside and

out of the classroom

3. Organize your

time:

Map out how much

time you will need on

materials and don’t

waste time being con-

fused. Ask for help

right away!

4. Help Each other

Many of you may have

prior knowledge with

guitar. Help each other

and make connections.

You may need some

help in return one day!

“can I borrow a pencil?”

5. Practice

Free period? Lunch? Af-

ter School? Couldn’t

hurt!

6. LISTEN!

I will never expect you

to do anything you

haven’t been prepared

for. The key to learning

is listening. Openly com-

munication between

students and teachers is

so important!

How can I stay on track? 8 survival tips:

7 .Try something

new!

If you haven’t tried it

before, now is your

chance. Don’t make

judgments to quickly!

Keep an open mind

8. HAVE FUN!

How fortunate are we

to have the opportu-

nity to take music

classes in school!?

Many counties don’t

offer music courses or

don’t have the funds.

Soak up this time, let

this class build your

character and talents.

Most of all….HAVE

FUN!

Page 4 Bethesda Chevy Chase Guitar Program

If music be the food of love, PLAY

ON!

- William Shakespeare

____________________________

What we play, is life!

- Louis Armstrong