• Class Guitar Guidelines 2019-2020

    Teacher:  Sean Hartmetz

    E-mail:   sean.hartmetz@lcps.org

     

    Dear Parents and Students,

     

    Welcome to the Harmony Middle School Guitar Program.  We are beginning a new year and I know it will be an exceptional one.  Everyone who elects to enroll in Guitar at Harmony is committed to growth and personal best.  That is what the music program is all about.  Your students will be learning about many aspects of the guitar including:

    • Note Reading/Ensemble Playing
    • Chords
    • Bass lines
    • Improvisation
    • Solo Classical and Fingerstyle
    • Technique
    • Music Theory

                                         

    Guitar Class Material Requirements

    Please see Mr. Hartmetz’ webpage on the Harmony Middle School website, under  Music Vendors & Guitar Class Materials List.

     

    Rehearsal/Performance Requirements

     1.  Students will be required to practice a minimum of 20 minutes, six days per week OUTSIDE OF CLASS TIME, on the assigned material.Each student is expected to bring their book, folder, footstool, pencil and tuner to EVERY class.

     

    2.  Two minutes after the bell rings, the student will be seated with instrument in hand and book, pencil, folder for music and tuner on the guitar.

     

    3.  Students will treat school instrument used during class with respect. If a student is careless with the instrument at school, they will lose the privilege of using one and will have to bring their own guitar from home for in-class use.  Personal guitars cannot be stored overnight at school.

     

    4.  All Instruments and materials must be put away at the end of class.

     

    5.  Required Attendance Outside school hours: Attendance at the following rehearsals and performances is a requirement of the course (See grading policy).

    Required Attendance

    8th Grade  
    Winter Concert: Harmony Auditorium, Thursday, Dec.19th, 7:00 p.m.

    All County Guitar Festival:  TBA

    Spring Concert: Harmony Auditorium, Thursday, May 21st, 7:00 p.m

     
    7th Grade   
    Rehearsal:  Harmony Auditorium, Wednesday, May 20th, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
    Spring Concert: Harmony Auditorium, Thursday, May 21st, 7:00 p.m

     

               

     

    Grading Procedures

     

    Students will play assigned material for a grade in front of the class.  This will be done in small groups, pairs or solos depending on the nature of the playing example.  Students may also be asked to play a test in a video recording for later evaluation.  Any test can be retaken as many times as necessary to achieve an “A”.  Retakes can be a video or with Mr. Hartmetz before or after school.  All retakes must be completed prior to the last week of the quarter.  The expectation is that all students will retake tests until they achieve at least an A-.  Persistence always wins.

     

    Required attendance outside school hour’s counts heavily in a student’s grade.    Even one student missing a performance can cause a complete disruption of the performance for the entire ensemble. Students who have a conflict should notify Mr. Hartmetz as early as possible so part distribution can be adjusted to account for their absence.  Students who miss a performance will make up that grade by making a video of themselves playing all the selections that would have been played at the concert or rehearsal.  The video will be made outside of class time and within one week of the student’s return to class. 

     

    I hope to meet with all of the parents at open house.  I believe that Arts education is vital to student development and that self-expression and creativity are developed through the self-discipline of daily practice.  Please print and sign Guitar Commitment Form

    If there are any questions, feel free to email me.

     

    Sincerely,

    Sean Hartmetz