CONCERT BAND

Links to: 08-09 packet | Lesson Schedule | How To Practice | Practice Card

A full year, graded course, the Concert Band is open to students in grades seven and eight with prior instrumental experience. Students are placed in one of the 7th and 8th grade ensembles based upon three assessment models utilized during the previous year; notes from the director’s journal, grades and lesson attendance/preparation, and the score earned on a standardized band assessment rubric. The class provides for the refinement of musical skills through the continued use of the "Big 6" elements of performance: (Time Signature, Key Signature, Tempo, Dynamics, Articulation, and Form). The primary text for the course is traditional wind and percussion literature commiserate with the group’s performance level. This ensemble rehearses 3 days out of the 8 day rotation, and all students receive 2 thirty-minute group lessons each rotation. Attendance is required at all ensemble functions, usually a minimum of five major concerts/parades per year. Based on the ensemble’s progress throughout the year, a trip to an area music festival may be scheduled for the spring. Grading for the class consists of the average of three separate scores:

   1. Ensemble grade – which includes class participation, preparation, behavior, and attendance at performances.
   2. Lesson grade/Instructor – individual, student progress based on a checklist rubric with categories such as warm-up exercises, major scales, chromatic scale, band music, lesson book unit, etc.
   3. Lesson grade/Student – individual, student progress as assessed by the students themselves through the use of the aforementioned rubric checklist.

Multiple Forms of Assessment:
                 
In Rehearsal:        

  • Student based assessment of daily/weekly performance
  • Group, game activities - friendly competition within ensemble
  • Written quizzes and tests
  • One writing assignment (following Type 1/2 format), per semester

                 
In Lessons:                 

  • Lesson attendance
  • Individual/group performance of scales, rudiments, etc.
  • Performance of literature
  • Written assignments
  • Individual, student-based portfolio checklist rubric

Standards for Assessment: (Grading Criteria)        

  • Attendance at all performances
  • Lesson Attendance                 
  • Sectional preparation, of literature, in rehearsal
  • Individual progress in lesson groups - i.e., scales, etc.
  • Behaviour and responsibility to the ensemble
  • Individual, student-based portfolio checklist
  • Practice Card use and verification
  • Quizzes/Test (written)
  • An individual Band Assessment based on National Standards - given to each student (gr. 6-8) once a year

Learning Activities:        

  • Intersectional games and competitions
  • Analysis and critique sessions based on ensemble performance and use of other recordings
  • Writing exercises
  • Guest artists/speakers/performers

Resources:                 

  • Instrumental literature of various styles, composers and difficulty levels
  • Rhythm Sheets
  • Transposition Sheets
  • Proper Care of Instrument Sheets
  • Practice Cards
  • Scale & Rudiment Sheets
  • Lesson Book: (gr. 7/8) - “Band Plus Method”
  • Several other handouts based on various units of study
  • Standard Literature

Within the district wide curriculum, this course acts as a catalyst for eventual participation in the ensembles of Lewis S. Mills High School. Instructor’s approval is required to participate.

Rehearsal Schedule

The Concert Band meets on days 2, 5 and 8 within the present eight-day course rotation. Rehearsals always occur during the "X-block" from 1:43 P.M. to 2:48 P.M.

Important Dates and Performances

Thursday, December 18, 2008, 7:30pm – Holiday Concert –LSM Auditorium
Friday & Saturday, May 8& 9, 2009, 7:30pm – Big Band Bash – LSM Gymnasium
Friday, May 15, 2009 – Adjudication Festival Trip – Times/Locations: TBA
Saturday, May 23, 2009, 10:00am – Burlington Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 25, 2009, 2:00pm – Harwinton Memorial Day Parade

Recent and current Concert Band repertoire

A Percy Grainger Suite, Grainger/Erickson
Vanguard March, M.W. Hollingsworth
Airport March, R.B. Eisenberg
Boulder Ridge, Jay Bocook
Canticum, James Curnow
Starter March, M. H. Ribble
The Four Seasons, Vivaldi/Stout
Old Irish Song, Barry Kopetz
A Suite of Baroque Dances, Handel/Kinyon
A Day at the Zoo, James Curnow
Eaglerock Overture, Jerry Williams
Music from Batman, Paul Jennings
Gently Touch the Sky, Robert Sheldon
Summertime, Gershwin/Osterling, arr.
Brandenburg Gate, Paul Jennings
Dorian Rhapsody, Elliot Del Borgo
Peer Gynt Suite, Grieg/Curnow, arr.
Shaker Variants, Elliot Del Borgo
Honor Band March, Ernest Weber
Flight of Eagles, Elliot Del Borgo

Awards and Honors         

1998-1999: Adjudication Festival – CAWS Musical Carousel; Springfield, Massachusetts   Excellent Rating
1999-2000: Adjudication Festival – CAWS Musical Carousel; Canobie Lake , NH   Superior Rating
2001-2002: Adjudication Festival – Great East Festivals; Springfield, Massachusetts   Silver Medal
2003-2004: Adjudication Festival – CAWS Musical Carousel; Springfield, Massachusetts  Excellent Rating