Weaver Academy Orchestral Strings


		The Arts Academy is a full-time high school option for grades 9-12. Students may apply to their area of interest by completing the application process and audition requirements. Program Instructor
				James DeFiglia defiglj@gcsnc.com
		Orchestral Strings Curriculum
			Participation in the Weaver Academy Strings Program will enable students to perform masterworks by the greatest composers of Western Music History on an exceptionally high musical and artistic level. Through this process, we will grow as musicians and people. Principle Area Courses and Projects Strings Principles will successfully complete the following courses with an unweighted “B” as a final semester grade or higher: Freshmen year -- Studio Strings (2 semesters) • The focus of this course will be the preparation of instrumental string music emphasizing the Baroque era. Performance practices of this era will be examined by playing multiple solo and ensemble works. Major and minor scales up to and including 2 sharps and 2 flats will be drilled (including their respective arpeggios). Solo string repertory for 9th grade students will be primarily drawn from musical works of the Baroque era. This course will also include sight reading and a solo playing assessment at the end of each semester. Sophomore year -- Advanced Strings (2 semesters) • The focus of this course will be the preparation of instrumental string music emphasizing the Classical era. Performance practices of this era will be examined by playing multiple solo and ensemble works. Major and minor scales up to and including 4 sharps and 4 flats will be drilled (including their respective arpeggios). Solo string repertory for 10th grade students will be primarily drawn from musical works of the Classical era. This course will also include sight reading and a solo playing assessment at the end of each semester. Junior year -- String Ensemble and Honors String Ensemble (1 semester each) • The focus of this course will be the preparation of instrumental string music emphasizing the Romantic era. Performance practices of this era will be examined by playing multiple solo and ensemble works. Major and minor scales up to and including 5 sharps and 5 flats will be drilled (including their respective arpeggios). Solo repertory for 11th graders will survey musical pieces from the Romantic era and the 20th century. This course will also include sight reading and a solo playing assessment at the end of each semester. Senior year -- Strings IV and Honors Strings IV (1 semester each) • The focus of this course will be the preparation of instrumental string music emphasizing the Romantic era and the 20th century. Performance practices of these eras will be examined by playing multiple solo and ensemble works. Major and minor scales up to and including 7 sharps and 7 flats will be drilled (including their respective arpeggios). Solo repertory for 12th graders will survey musical pieces from the Romantic era and the 20th century. This course will also include sight reading and a solo playing assessment at the end of each semester. Senior String Recital (Capstone Art Project) (2nd semester Senior year-part of Strings IV) • Designed to prepare students for undergraduate auditions with 15-20 minutes of various styles. (Note: This is in addition and not related to Senior English class “Graduation Project”) Assessments • Student’s artistic work will be assessed by faculty at the end of each semester. This is viewed as “real world” experience in the form of a professional interview or audition. Supporting Courses In addition, Strings Principles will successfully complete the following courses with an unweighted “C” as a final semester grade or higher: Basic Musicianship (1 semester) (typically Freshman or Sophomore year) • This course serves as an introduction to fundamentals in music. Students will experience critical listening, introduction to classical literature, instrumental and vocal identification, basic theoretical knowledge, and music reading skills. The student will be challenged to take an in-depth look at music’s importance and relevance to society. This course will also include the explorations of music halls, recitals, concerts and performance procedures and etiquette. This course is meant to provide a solid foundation and stepping stone to music theory, music history, and the serious study of music performance at the Weaver Academy. Class Piano (1 semester) (typically Freshman or Sophomore year) • This course will provide basic music reading skills at the keyboard through the development of successful problem-solving and practice habits. Regular playing skills tests featuring rudimentary solo and ensemble pieces will be given to assess each student’s progress. Music History (1 semester) (typically Junior year) • This course seeks to foster an appreciation of Western European and alternative forms of music as well as a familiarity with trends, terms, and musical personalities associated with them. Listening to a wide variety of music, within each style period, will be emphasized. Students will be trained to listen to music with a critical ear to detect musical elements (melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, form) that are associated with different stylistic periods and musical genres. A college-level Music Appreciation text is used. Music Theory (1 semester) (typically Senior year, first semester) • This course emphasizes a thorough review of music fundamentals as a precursor to AP Music Theory. Attention is given to the areas of key signatures, scale construction, and triad construction/inversion. Rudimentary exercises in four-part figured bass realization will be assigned throughout the course. The course will also include the development of sight singing as well as melodic/harmonic dictation skills within the common-practice tonal tradition. AP Music Theory (1 semester) (typically Senior year, second semester) • The students will master those aspects of Music Theory which will enable them to be successful in taking the College Board examination in this topic area. Emphasis will be given to the areas of harmonization/part writing, aural dictation, and sight-singing skills. Melodic, form, and harmonic analysis assignments as well as creative composition exercises will be assigned throughout the course. The course will also include the development of listening skills using standard (common practice) Western tonal repertoire.
Application Process Application must be hand-written by the student. Parent/Guardian signature is required on the last page. Rising 9th graders should include a copy of their most recent 8th grade report card and documentation of computer competency tests that have been taken. Rising 10th graders should include a transcript along with proof that all 8th grade end-of-grade and computer competency skills have been passed. A copy of your child’s immunization records is required. Two letters of recommendation must be included in the packet: one from your school administrator, counselor, or a teacher and one from an instructor in your specialized area who can address your talents, abilities, and potential. Applicants with an IEP must have parent/guardian secure a copy of the IEP and include it in the packet. Only completed application packets will be reviewed by the Weaver Academy Admissions Committee. Only candidates with complete application packets will be contacted to schedule an audition and personal interview. Weaver Academy only offers an honors curriculum, therefore, students will be selected who exhibit characteristics necessary for success. Following the interview, students will be notified of their acceptance/non-acceptance into the program. All acceptances are contingent on applicant providing proof that all EOGs and Algebra I End-of-Course test have been passed. *Click here for complete PVA Curriculum and CAMY Award requirements*
	Auditions Orchestral Strings students should:
	Be prepared to perform two solos, one from memory. Solos should be at least intermediate level or higher. Length of solos should be at least 32 measures. Be prepared to demonstrate two major scales of your choice, each should be at least two octaves. Be prepared to demonstrate sight-reading. Be prepared to demonstrate basic bowing and left-hand techniques. A personal interview will be conducted at the time of audition.