Piano Lab-Rocklin High School

Mr. Shawn Spiess

sspiess@rocklinusd.org

SYLLABUS

Course Overview

This course is designed to teach the concepts and fundamentals necessary to play the piano. While performing on the piano is the primary goal of this class, the basics of music theory, such as notation, rhythm, melody and harmony, will also be learned. Students will develop the self-discipline needed for good practice habits as they prepare for class performances.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Course Materials

Always bring a pencil to class. Bring a three-ring binder with lined paper for note-taking and keeping assignments and sheet music. You MUST bring your own headphones/earbuds, but make sure they have a ¼” jack.  You can purchase a ⅛-¼ inch adapter for a few dollars in class or check one out. If you lose it you will need to pay for the lost item. Please make sure to remove the adapter from the keyboard. Don’t leave it in the keyboard. Bluetooth headphones will NOT work with our keyboards.

⅛” to  ¼” Adapter

Piano Books

Graded/Leveled Piano Method Books are provided to the student. Student skill level will be assessed and a book will be issued to use during the year. The books are the property of the school. Students will be required to replace damaged or lost books. A fee charge will be placed on their student account until the book is replaced or returned. Students do not check out books at the RHS Library like other school books. Piano Books will be checked out through Mr. Spiess.

Behavioral Expectations

Students will:

NO PHONE ZONE

Rocklin High School is now a “No Phone/Earbud/Smartwatch zone”. What does this mean for the classroom? All phones will be placed in a phone sleeve in all classrooms. You will be assigned a phone sleeve number. Place your phone in the sleeve before class starts. Attendance may be taken by viewing the phone sleeve. If you do not have a phone make sure to use one of the phone sleeve cards in place of a phone. Teachers have the right to decide how phones and technology with access to the internet are used in the classroom environment. These expectations are to be followed daily upon entering the room.

  1. Phones should be silenced and stowed in the phone sleeve assigned number before the starting bell rings.
  2. Phones for class work only when the teacher allows.
  3. Students cannot use the phones for calling/texting family and friends, communicating with employers, social media, gaming, surfing the web, video recording or anything other than needed for classwork.
  4. NO A/V recording of students is permitted.
  5. Earbud and Smartwatch use is NOT allowed in class.  

Restroom Use

Please use the restroom before class begins. Students who need to use the restroom must ask permission to leave the room. Restroom Use Rules…

  1. Brief amount of time
  2. Students must sign out/in to use the restroom
  3. C-Building Restrooms unless they are closed
  4. NO Cell Phones/Smart Watches/Backpacks/Purses can be taken.
  5. NOT a daily routine.
  6. Students must return directly to class-NO wandering around campus.

Evaluation Criteria

Grades will be posted on Schoology.

30%        Practice-Preparation: Be in class, practice hard, follow directions, show improvement each time you are evaluated by the teacher.

30%        Performance-Recitals: All students will be graded on solo performances given periodically. Students who are unprepared on recital days will receive a No Mark/Zero. Recitals may be made up but will receive no more than 70%.

25%        Theory: Students’ understanding of music theory will be graded based on their completion of the written assignments and quizzes given in class. Late assignments will receive a No Mark/Zero. Assignments may be made up but will receive no more than 70%.

15%        Special Projects: This project will be selected by the instructor, and could include, but is not limited to, the following:

A Note from the Teacher

Recommended Practice Routines

Piano Playing Opportunities at RHS. 

Piano students may want to consider playing in other ensembles at RHS. Student Accompanists are needed for the RHS Choral Department. Keyboard players are needed for the Winter Musical Pit Orchestra. RHS Jazz Band is always looking for piano players. If you are interested please see Mr. Spiess for more details.

Students and Parents/Guardians: A Syllabus will be given to each student in class. Parents/Guardians please sign and give to your student to return during class no later than August 3oth. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact me via email.

sspiess@rocklinusd.org

RHS Piano Lab 2025/26 Syllabus Signatures

Students and Parent(s)/Guardians(s) please sign and return this page to Mr. Spiess no later than August 27th, 2025. By signing you acknowledge that you have read and understand the class expectations. For questions please email Mr. Spiess at sspiess@rocklinusd.org

Student Name___________________________________

Student Signature________________________Date_____

ParentGuardian Name_____________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature__________________Date_____

               

                 5301 Victory Lane Rocklin, CA 95765 www.rhs.rocklinusd.org