A full year, graded course, the Symphonic 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 Symphonic Band meets on days 1,4 and 7 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

Friday, October 10, 2008 – Due date for students wishing to audition for the Middle School Northern Regional Festival.
Thursday, December 18, 2008, 7:30pm – Holiday Concert –LSM Auditorium
Saturday, January 10, 2009 – Northern Region Auditions – site:TBD
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

Recordings from the 2004-2005 ensemble

Title	Size	Download
Rites of Tamburo	5.1 mB	get it!
The Light Eternal	9.0 mB	get it!
When the Stars Began to Fall	5.0 mB	get it!
The Great Locomotive Chase	5.7 mB	get it!

Recent and current Symphonic Band repertoire

The Great Locomotive Chase, Robert W. Smith
Annabel Lee, Douglas Wagner
The Lord of the Rings – Fellowship of the Ring, Shore/Wagner
The Lord of the Rings – The Two Towers, Shore /Wagner
Semper Fidelis, Sousa/Custer
The Light Eternal, James Swearingen
Gently Flows the Amber Grain, Brian Scott
Battle Hymn of the Republic, arr. Higgins
When the Stars Began to Fall, Fred J. Allen
Rites of Tamburo, Robert W. Smith
Washington Post March, Sousa/Balent
Fairest of the Fair March, Sousa/Clark
Gettysburg, Edeman/Moss
On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss, Holsinger
Aventura, James Swearingen
Chesford Portrait, James Swearingen
Down a Country Lane, Copland/Patterson, arr.
African Road, Paul Jennings
Dream Catcher, Francis Mcbeth
Canticles, James Curnow
Chorale and Shaker Dance II, John Zdechlik
Russian Christmas Music, Alfred Reed/Curnow, arr.
In Praise of Gentle Pioneers, David Holsinger
Danny Boy, Warren Barker, arr.

Awards and Honors

1998-1999:	Adjudication Festival – CAWS Musical Carousel; Springfield, Massachusetts   Superior Rating
1999-2000:	Adjudication Festival – CAWS Musical Carousel; Springfield, Massachusetts   Superior Rating
	Selected by the Connecticut Music Educators Association as an All-State Honors Ensemble and invited to perform for the CMEA In-Service Conference held in Hartford, Connecticut
2000-2001:	Adjudication Festival – Great East Festivals; Springfield, Massachusetts   Gold Medal
2001-2002:	Adjudication Festival – Great East Festivals; Springfield, Massachusetts   Gold Medal
2002-2003:	Adjudication Festival – Great East Festivals; Springfield, Massachusetts   Gold Medal
	Selected by the Connecticut Music Educators Association as an All-State Honors Ensemble and invited to perform for the CMEA In-Service Conference held in Hartford, Connecticut
2003-2004:	Adjudication Festival – CAWS Musical Carousel; Springfield, Massachusetts  Superior Rating
	Selected by the Connecticut Music Educators Association as an All-State Honors Ensemble and invited to perform for the CMEA In-Service Conference held in Danbury, Connecticut
2004-2005:	Adjudication Festival – CAWS Musical Carousel; Springfield, Massachusetts  Superior Rating
2005-2006:	Adjudication Festival – CAWS Musical Carousel; Springfield, Massachusetts  Superior Rating, Highest Score Awarded in Festival
2006-2007:	Adjudication Festival – CAWS Musical Carousel; Springfield, Massachusetts  Superior Rating, Highest Score Awarded in Festival
2007-2008:	Adjudication Festival – CAWS Musical Carousel; Holyoke, Massachusetts  Superior Rating