Course Descriptions

Beginning band(sixth grade):In beginning band, students will rehearse and perform a variety of fun and challenging band arrangements from the beginning to intermediate levels. Music reading skills and instrumental technique exercises are accomplished with daily method book studies from essential elements bk. 1. The beginning band will perform at concerts throughout the school year, including fall and spring band performances.

Recommended: students have completed at least three months of instrumental studies.

 

Method book: essential elements bk. 1

 

Instrument  choices:

 

Woodwind: flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone,

Tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone

Brass:  trumpet, trombone, french horn, baritone horn, tuba

Percussion (snare drum,bass drum, cymbols/auxillary,bells/tympani) open to 4 students.  Audition requirement students interested in percussion may audition by  playing percussion during the first two weeks of band, demonstrating their best teamwork, responsibility and skill level. All students will select a “second choice” instrument (woodwind or brass) prior to their audition.

Electric bass open to 1 student. Audition requirement:  students interested in electric bass may  audition by playing bass during the first two weeks of band, demonstrating their best teamwork, responsibility and skill level.  All students will select a “second choice” instrument (woodwind or brass) prior to their audition.

 

 

 

Concert band(seventh and eighth grade) :

In concert band, students will rehearse and perform a variety of fun and challenging band arrangements from the intermediate to advanced levels. Music reading skills and instrumental technique exercises are accomplished with daily method book studies from essential elements bk. 2. The concert band will perform at concerts throughout the school year, including fall and spring band performances.

 

Recommended: students have completed at least three months of instrumental studies.

 

Method book: essential elements bk. 2

 

Instrument  choices:

 

Woodwind: flute, oboe,  clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone,

Tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone

Brass:  trumpet, trombone, french horn, baritone horn, tuba

Percussion (snare drum,bass drum, cymbols/auxillary,bells/tympani) open to 4 students. Audition requirement students interested in percussion may audition by  playing percussion during the first two weeks of band, demonstrating their best teamwork, responsibility and skill level. All students will select a “second choice” instrument (woodwind or brass) prior to their audition.

Electric bass open to 1 student. Audition requirement:  students interested in electric bass may  audition by playing bass during the first two weeks of band, demonstrating their best teamwork, responsibility and skill level.  All students will select a “second choice” instrument (woodwind or brass) prior to their audition.

 

 

 

Jazz band(seventh and eighth grade) :

In jazz band, students students will rehearse and perform a variety of fun and challenging “big band” jazz arrangements from the intermediate to advanced levels. Music reading skills and instrumental technique exercises are accomplished with daily method book studies from essential elements jazz ensemble method. The jazz band performs at concerts throughout the school year.

 

Recommended: students have completed at least three months of instrumental studies.

 

Method book: essential elements for jazz ensemble method

 

Instrument choices

 

Brass section: trumpet , trombone

 

Saxophone section: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone

 

Rhythm section: piano, guitar, bass, drum set & percussion (including vibes, congas and other percussion instruments).