Standards and Philosophy for Instrumental Music
In the ELANCO School District
Standards
The Instrumental Music Program provides students with the
resources and opportunities to gain experience and express themselves in
music. This is done through the process
of meeting the following standards:
- Performing
on an Instrument, Independently and With Others, a Varied Repertoire of
Music
- Improvising
Short Melodies, Variations and/or Appropriate Accompaniments
- Composing
and/or Arranging Music Within Specified Guidelines
- Develop
Knowledge of the Elements of Music Used to Read and Notate Music
- Listening
to, Analyzing and Describing the Architecture of Music
- Evaluating
the Quality of Music and Musical Performances Using Constructive Criticism
- Demonstrate
Care and Operation of a Symphonic Instrument in a Responsible Manner
For a reference here is a list of the National Standards and
the Standards for Pennsylvania:
National Standards for Music Education
- Reading
and notating music
- Listening
to, analyzing, and describing music
- Evaluating
music and music performances
- Understanding
relationships between music, the other arts and disciplines outside the
arts
- Understanding
music in relation to history and culture
Pennsylvania Standards for Arts and Humanities
9.1
Production, Performance
and Exhibition of dance, music theatre and visual arts
9.2
Historical and
Cultural Contexts
9.3
Critical Response
9.4
Aesthetic
Response
The following is a comparison chart between our standards
and how they compare to the National Standards and Pennsylvania standards for
the Arts and Humanities:
|
ELANCO Band
Standards
|
National
Standards
|
Pennsylvania
Standards
|
|
- Performing
on an instrument, independently and with others, a varied repertoire of
music
- Improvising
short melodies, variations, and/or appropriate accompaniments
- Composing
and/or arranging music within specified guidelines
- Develop
knowledge of the elements of music used to read and notate music
- Listening
to, analyzing and describing the architecture of music
- Evaluate
the quality of music and musical performances using constructive
criticism
- Demonstrate
care and operation of a symphonic instrument in a responsible manner
|
2
3
4
5
6
7
|
9.1, 9.2
9.1, 9.2
9.1
9.1
9.3, 9.4
9.3, 9.4
|
Philosophy
The citizens of Eastern Lancaster County value the
importance of the arts in realizing human potential. Research has shown that music is biologically programmed
into the human brain and is a global form of human expression. Music education is fundamental to
intellectual growth because it strengthens the synapses between nerve cells and
enhances skills such as reading and math.
Music education, specifically instrumental education, has been proven to
have a positive impact on a student’s career. The Instrumental Program is available to all students at the
elementary level who are interested and follows public school guidelines for
providing a free and appropriate education. The middle school and high school may require an audition
for students who are entering the program at those levels. Numerous studies have proven that
studying music can:
- Increase
SAT scores
- Enhance
cooperation among peers
- Improve
math and reading performance
- Teach
students to become self-directed learners
- Encourage
the practice of creative thinking skills
- Enhance
the application of problem-solving skills
- Develop
verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Foster
conflict resolution and team-building skills among students
- Provide
practice in the comprehension of basic symbol systems and abstract
concepts
Description of the Elementary Band
Program
Elementary Concert Band
The Instrumental Music Program in the Eastern Lancaster
County School District offers class instruction in various symphonic band
instruments to interested fourth, fifth and sixth grade students. Classes meet once in a six-day cycle
for twenty minutes or a half an hour depending on class size and needs of the
student. The student is released
from classroom activities to participate in the instrumental music program. Instruction is offered in flute, oboe,
clarinet, saxophone, trumpet (cornet), “French” horn, trombone,
baritone horn, tuba, and percussion.
Other symphonic band instruments may be accepted into the program at the
sole discretion of the instrumental instructors.
The parent or guardian is responsible for furnishing the
instrument and all method book/s used in the program. Periodic maintenance and/or supplies for the instrument are
also to be furnished by the parent or guardian. In isolated cases school-owned instruments are available to
students for a rental fee.
Instruments may be obtained through leasing/renting
agreements of a music store of the parent’s/guardian’s choice. Currently the primary music retailer of
the Eastern Lancaster County School District is Zeswitz Music Mall of Reading,
Pennsylvania. Parents are strongly
encouraged not to buy the instrument outright but lease/rent the instrument for
a trial period of one semester.
Parents will be notified of their student’s progress on a periodic
basis through a written evaluation, that the instructor completes.
Recommending Private Study at all Levels
Private Lessons are not within the realm of public school
instruction. This is because the
term “Private Instructor” commonly signifies an individual who
requires payment for their instruction. Private study is encouraged but it is not
mandatory. Students undergoing
private study should receive no academic advantage over students not taking
private lessons, however their musical advantage and progress is obvious. Instructors can provide a list of
qualified private teachers in the area to those students that are interested in
private study.
Performing
Ensembles
Elementary Performing Ensembles
Cadet Band is a
culminating experience for the instrumentalist during their first year of
instruction. This is a band
comprised entirely of first year students from the school district who have
been selected by the
instructors. Students are selected
based on musicianship and their ability to be responsible. This band meets on
Friday afternoons starting in March, at Garden Spot High School, to receive
large group instruction. A special
performance is arranged for the Cadet Band to include them in the annual winter
concert in conjunction with the Elementary Spartan Band. Other performances include the
Elementary Spring Concert and a district-wide tour also in the spring.
Spartan Band is a
select large-group instruction ensemble involving all students who have reached
“Book 2” or above in their lesson book series. It is expected that all students
involved in the instrumental lesson program will participate in the year-round
Thursday after-school rehearsals, if the instructors notify the student of his/her
awarded membership. Performances
include a Winter Concert, Elementary Spring Concert, district-wide tour, and a
voluntary Memorial Day concert at Caernarvon Elementary School.
Tootin Kahunas (pep
band) is a small ensemble of hand-selected instrumental players who perform at
a football game and at the New Holland Baby parade. The purpose of this ensemble is to challenge its members
with varied repertoire of popular music in a small ensemble setting. This ensemble also provides additional
experience in a public performance setting.
Elementary Jazz Band
is a select ensemble of approximately forty advanced students. In order to be qualified as
“Advanced” for this ensemble students must be in their third method
book or higher. In addition some
students will audition if the numbers of students willing to participate in the
Jazz Band exceeds the standard instrumentation allowed. This ensemble meets on Thursdays after
Spartan Band rehearsal beginning in January. The purpose of this ensemble is to allow its members to
perform and study repertoire in the field of jazz.
Memorial Day Band is
a volunteer ensemble that rehearses three times during May. They then perform with the New Holland
Band in a combined Memorial Day Lawn Concert at Caernarvon Elementary in
Churchtown, Pennsylvania. The
Memorial Day Band Concert is a long-standing tradition in the community.
Administration of the Program
Elementary School Assignment and Scheduling at Schools
Student participation in the program will dictate how much
of an instructor’s schedule is required at any given school. Currently the following schools are
involved in the instrumental program at Eastern Lancaster School District: Blue Ball Elementary, Brecknock Elementary,
Caernarvon Elementary and Summit Valley (New Holland Area) Elementary.
A master list of students enrolling in the instrumental
program will be compiled before the first day of school. During the first week of school the
instructors will sort the list according to location, instrument and
experience. A first draft of the
schedule is compiled taking into account teacher’s specials schedules as
well as the student’s involvement in other programs such as the Garden
Spot Gifted Program (GSGS). The
first draft is distributed to all teachers who in turn notify the instructors
of any scheduling conflicts. Once
this process is complete a master copy of the instructors’ schedules is
complied and redistributed.
The Process of
Recruitment
General Considerations
Recruitment is the
primary process in which students become aware and knowledgeable of the
Instrumental Program. The
Instrumental Program follows school guidelines for providing a free and
appropriate education to all interested students. Thus recruitment is for all interested and qualified
students. This process primarily
takes place in the spring.
Elementary
Recruitment Procedures
Multi-class assemblies include the following:
· A
demonstration of the instruments
· Information
on how to learn more about the program
· Answers
to students questions at the time of the assembly
· A
description of the how the instrumental program functions
Beginner Band Night includes the following:
· Explanation
of rehearsal/concert calendar
· Talks
about the enrollment forms and deadlines
· Open
forum to answer parents’ questions and concerns
· Discusses
options for obtaining a good quality instrument
· Discusses
the books and accessories needed for instruction
· Discusses
how the instrumental program functions in the school system
Handouts will contain:
· Information
on obtaining an instrument
· Information
on how to enroll in the program
· A
handout (brochure) is available at each school
· Expectations
of the students and parents in the program
Instrument Supply and/or Maintenance
The following is a list of basic maintenance supplies needed
for each family of instruments. In
addition the following to the maintenance items are some auxiliary
supplies. These items are not
provided at the expense of the school.
The parent or guardian of the student is responsible for obtaining these
supplies.
Elementary Supplies
Woodwind Supplies
- Padded
Neck Strap - Recommended for Saxophone Players
- Rico
Royal Reeds (Strength 2) – beginners only
- Cork
Grease – Tubes recommended
- Pencil/Highlighter
- Cleaning
Cloth
- Ligature/Cap
- Lesson
Book
- Music
Stand
Brass Supplies
- Al
Cass Valve Oil (or other Synthetic Oils)
- A
“Slick Kit” for trombone players
- Pencil/Highlighter
- Lesson
Book
- Music
Stand
Percussion Supplies
- Practice
Pad – Full size required
- Pencil/Highlighter
- Drum
Sticks (5B)
- Lesson
Book
- Music
Stand
Student Evaluation
Overview
No standardized testing is used as assessment in the
Instrumental Music program at ELANCO School District. All forms of assessment are of the design of the
instructors. The majority of the
evaluators used in the lessons are performance or skill based. Students also actively apply
self-assessment through the use of performance rubrics.
Issuing Progress Reports
The Eastern Lancaster County School District requires that
students receive periodic evaluation.
The Instrumental Program distributes a rubric on a periodic basis. The rubric is filled out under the
guidance of the instructor. This
evaluation is sent home and signed by the parent/guardian of the student. The Instrumental Program does not use a
traditional letter grade system for grading.
After every lesson all elementary band students receive one of four numbers, which stand
for the following: 4 = Advanced, 3
= Proficient, 2 = Basic, 1 = Below Basic.
This grade is then recorded on the student’s lesson slips at the
conclusion of each lesson. The
slip also contains the current assignment and a practice log that gets signed
by the parent/guardian before every lesson.
Record Keeping
Instructors keep a lesson log for every lesson at every
building. This log is used to
track progress as well as the evaluation of the lesson. Student’s attendance is also
tracked in this log. This log will
also serve as the primary resource for a substitute teacher to use in the
absence of the instructor.
All second and third year players have their practice
slips collected and filed after each of their lessons. All second and third year players have
an individual file in which these slips are stored.
Student Responsibility
Students are expected to come prepared to every lesson and
rehearsal. They are to bring their
instrument, method book, and pencil/highlighter. Students are expected to practice an average of thirty minutes
a day. The elementary instrumental program complies with the district policy
regarding attendance. Any
unapproved absences will be recorded and require the student to provide an
instructor with a written explanation from a parent/guardian. All absences are recorded and after
three absences the parents of the student will be notified.
General Succession of Method Books at the Elementary Level
(Furnished by
Parent/Guardian not the school)
|
Book One
|
Book Two
|
Book Three
|
Book Four
|
Flute
|
A.O.A. 1
|
Sueta 2
|
Sueta 3/ R.E.
|
R.A. 1
|
Oboe
|
A.O.A. 1
|
Sueta 2
|
L.T.P.T.O. 2
|
L.T.P.T.O. 3
|
Bsn. /Bass Clr.
|
B. M. 1
|
B. M. 2
|
B. M. 3
|
|
Clarinet
|
A.O.A. 1
|
Sueta 2
|
Sueta 3/ R.E.
|
R.A., 1 or 2
|
Alto Saxophone
|
A.O.A. 1
|
Sueta 2
|
Sueta 3/ R.E.
|
R.A., 1 or 2
|
Tenor/Bari Sax.
|
B. M. 1
|
B. M. 2
|
B. M. 3
|
|
Trumpet
|
A.O.A. 1
|
Sueta 2
|
B. M. 1 / 2
|
B. M. 2/3
|
French Horn
|
A.O.A. 1
|
Sueta 2
|
B. M. 1 / 2
|
B. M. 2/3
|
Trombone
|
A.O.A. 1
|
Sueta 2
|
B. M. 1 / 2
|
B. M. 2/3
|
Bari/Tuba
|
A.O.A. 1
|
Sueta 2
|
B. M. 1 / 2
|
B. M. 2/3
|
Snare Drum
|
A.O.A. 1
|
B. E.
2
|
Peters Intr. /Whly
|
Peters Adv.
|
Brz.
Easy = Breeze
Easy Method
R.E. = Rubank
Elementary
Sueta = Ed
Sueta Band Method
A.O.A.
= Accent
on Achievement, Book 1