New Albany High School

Piano I
Desmond Anderson, Band/Piano

Piano Lab: Room D-104

Phone: (812)542-8506 ext. 2676
Email: ​danderson@nafcs.org

Course Description
Class piano is designed to present an overview of musical principles and theories as they
relate to the piano and to develop the student’s technical skills. The basic musical elements
of melody, harmony, and rhythm are studied and discussed. Musical notation and terms
are emphasized and are assessed on a regular basis. 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
part 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.

Required materials:

Stays In Classroom At Home

● Pencil (pen markings in piano books ● Pencil

are prohibited) ● Binder
● The Older Beginner Piano Course ​by ● Piano Workbook and
James Bastien (provided) Flashcards (provided)
● Song Check Sheet (provided) - please put in binder
● Shared Headphones (provided) ● Laminated Paper Piano
● or students may bring (provided)
personal headphones

School issued iPad or Chromebook (please have charged and ready for class
daily!)

*Note - Students will be provided a paper copy of the piano workbook at the
beginning of the semester. It is the responsibility of the student to keep these
papers neatly organized in a binder at home! If a student loses pages of their
 workbook, it is their responsibility to print the missing pages off of the PDF on
google classroom.

Course Standards and Assignment Examples

● Music Literacy – students will identify music notation and relative symbols and will
demonstrate basic music theory knowledge
o Written music theory, aural music theory, sight reading, etc.
● Rehearsal Practices – students will demonstrate basic competencies of proper piano
technique and will come prepared daily with all materials necessary for a successful class
o Posture, scales, proper hand position, etc.
● Scales/Song Checks – students will demonstrate proper notes and finger numbers for all
Major five finger patterns, both hands together. Students will demonstrate learning by
playing as much of their current song as possible.
● Performance – students will demonstrate proper performance habits and concert etiquette
o In-class song tests and performance days

Grading Policy

40% Performance Tasks: ​Written Work/Online Assignments

40% Assessments (Performance): ​Daily Practice/Weekly Lesson Assessment
20% Assessments (Written) : ​Unit Quizzes / Written Final Exam

Performance Tasks: ​Written Work/Online Assignments

Daily assignments will be completed during virtual days at home. This may include written
and web-based music theory, music history, listening and evaluations. Students are
expected to check in at the beginning and end of class on Google Meets and email the
instructor during class with questions about assignments.

Assessments (Performance): ​Daily Practice/Weekly Lesson Assessment

Musicians are expected to practice each day for the full class period when they are
attending class in person (or on your assigned days for full virtual students).​ ​Performance
assessments will correspond with the units of study from the piano repertoire books. In
order to move on to the next unit, students must successfully perform assigned pieces.
Supplemental pieces may be assigned and assessed depending on need for remediation.
Students will demonstrate their mastery and progress during a 5 minute weekly lesson and
will be graded on a rubric.

Assessments (Written) : ​Unit Quizzes / Written Final Exam

Written assessments will be given at the end of each unit of study. The final exam consists
of a multiple choice text covering piano technique, music theory, and music history
material.
 Academic Integrity: ​ ALWAYS do your own
work! This is to ensure that YOU learn the
skills required for this class. Please refer to
the NAHS Student Handbook, pg. 7-8 for
specific guidelines.

Procedures

Daily Class Structure

A typical class period is 45 minutes long. Virtual students will be assigned to either the A or B day
schedule to follow at home. Instructors reserve the right to change the schedule dependant up

In Person Days (A/B) Virtual Days

(A/B; Fridays)

Passing Period Enter the classroom quietly,
gather your book and go to
your assigned piano.
Use a sanitizing wipe to clean
your station ​before ​use.
Log on to our class Google
Meet, read any posted
materials and wait for
instructions from the teacher.

First 5 minutes Warm-up on the pianos; Instructors will take

instructors will take attendance and go over daily
attendance and check in with assignments.
virtual students.

Class Time Practice time at the keyboards; Time to complete daily

students will have a 5 minute
recurring lesson once a week
on their in-person days.
Raise hands
assignments.
If you have questions, send an
email to your teacher. Other
questions can be answered on
Google Meet at the end of
class.

Last 5 minutes Last 2 minutes pack up Log back on to Google Meet to

 materials. check in with your instructor.

Tardies
If you are not physically in the classroom when the bell rings, you will be marked
tardy.

Cell Phones and Electronic Devices

● Phones, and other electronic devices are to be out of sight from the time you enter the
classroom until you leave. Use of an electronic device without permission during class will
result in confiscation of the device. ​Refer to pg. 52 of Student Handbook.
● iPads/Chromebooks:​ We will use iPads/Chromebooks often for music theory purposes, but
most of the time, you’ll use these for assignments at home. Please have them charged and
ready for class daily. When using devices in class, all usage must be with permission, must
be appropriate, and for educational purposes only.
● Headphone use is acceptable at the pianos only. At the beginning of class, please remove
headphones until we are finished with our lesson and you have personal practice time. You
must check out an adapter and return it at the end of the class period.

Food/Drink
Because the piano lab is full of expensive electronic equipment, there is to be NO food,
drink, or gum permitted in the classroom.

Requesting to Leave Class

You are allowed ​three​ ​hall passes for each quarter- use them wisely. Take care of
business during class changes and lunch. Hall passes may be used during ​independent
practice time​ ​only ​(not during direct instruction). ​Failure to return to class in a timely
manner will result in a loss of remaining hall passes​. Only one student may leave at a
time.

Dress Code
The dress code for my class is exactly what is listed in your student handbook, pg.
18. Please dress appropriately for class so we don’t have any distractions!

Miscellaneous
Feel free to approach me and talk about anything! I will do my best to accommodate
you through talks in the hallway, an after-school conference, etc. You may also email
me at any time. The best way to succeed in this class is through hard work and good
communication!