Band Syllabus 2008-09

Instructor: Cara P. Townsend Telephone Number: 564-6689

Fax Number: 220-4090 E-mail: ctownsend@ycsd.york.va.us

Fees: The fees for this extracurricular course are included on an attached sheet of paper

Course Title: Concert Band I II

Materials: Instrument

Reeds (at least 3 good working condition reeds)

Value Oil/ Slide Greasse

Cleaning Rod or Swab

Pencil

Music

“Standard of Excellence”

“14 Weeks to a Rhythmic Band”

Course Description; This course is an intermediate, performance based, instrumental ensemble and is

directed towards building music performance skills that will improve our skills of performance and on the

student’s individual instruments. We will be developing our note reading skills, rhythms, tone quality, and

musicianship. This course includes several after-school rehearsals, 12-25 performances, some adjudicated

music festivals, music theory, history, and composition.

 

Competencies: Upon completion of this course, the student will be consumers, participants, and

producers of music throughout their lives. They also will refine their musical sensitivity and

responsiveness, as well as their abilities in creative musical expression, and their understanding of our

musical heritage. Music education enhances self-discipline, builds character and morale. Students are

expected to meet their individual role in which can have a direct influence on the music program as a

whole.

 

Course Outline:

Please understand all these objectives are provided by the Virginia Standard of Learning and supported by

the Music Education National Conference. We will be studied those objectives together throughout the

school year. Students will diagnose and correct performances throughout the year.

 

 

 

I. First Quarter: Marching Season

A. Students will participate in marching band: field

B. Students will perform all major scales with intervals and triads in an

ascending and descending pattern, chromatic d=90,

percussion rudiments 1-13 open-closed

C. Student will consistently produce tones that are clear and unwavering of

pitch by developing good breath support

D. Students will learn and incorporate a variety of rhythm and meter

E.   Scales  C, G, F, D, Bb, A, Eb memorized with triads and intervals.  Advanced thirds.

 

II. Second Quarter: Marching/Parade and Holiday Concert Season

A. Students will continue marching band: field and parade

B. All twelve major scales, intervals, and thirds, chromatics d=120

percussion rudiments 13-26 open-closed-open

C. Students will demonstrate the ability to adjust and match pitches

D.  Develop intonation skills

E.    Scales E, Ab, F#,B,  Db

 

III. Third Quarter: Festival Concert Season

A. Students will participate in performances: Festival Band, musical

B. Major Arpeggios & Minor Scales: harmonic and melodic

C. Students will build sight-reading skills through performance

D. Percussionist will explore timpani and mallet technique

E.  Solo and Ensemble Work Begins

F.  Pit Orchestar

 

IV. Fourth Quarter: Touring Concert Season

A. Concert Season/Parade Season:  Tour Season and Spring Concert

B. Solo and Ensemble Work

C. Composition Writing using Finale

D. Listening Evaluation Skills

 

 

Course Requirements: Students will be required to bring their instrument in working condition

to class, after-school rehearsals, and performances. They will need to practice their instruments daily at

home in order to continue their performance skills. Their home practice should be at least 30 minutes daily.

 

Attendance Policy: To comply with Virginia Law, students are expected to attend school

everyday and be on time unless there is a illness or death in the immediate family. They are expected to

attend class ON TIME! TARDIES ARE NOT EXCEPTABLE! Parents will be notified if this is a

problem.

Evaluation:

30% Daily performance in class/ preparation quizzes: This grade is based on scale quizzes, music memorization, music passages quizzes, rhythm/theory worksheets, etc

 

20% Playing Test: Generally done after school, 3 memorized random scales, chromatic scale full range, prepared selection, sight-reading portion

 

20% Attendance to Rehearsals: Students are expected to attend all rehearsals. If they are going to miss, please give Mrs. Townsend a written note 24 hours prior to the missed rehearsal. WORK is not an excused absent. Please try to arrange to schedule around this precious time in which we have to put things together. As the director, I have tried to arrange for the students to be able to participate in other activities.  Therefore, school is released at 1:48 and they do not have to report to band until 2:15.  This will allow the students 30 minutes to get to clubs etc.  If a student is participating in a sport, it is the student’s responsibility to arrange an schedule of events and their conflicts as soon as the sports schedules are available from the coach.  Students are expected to split their time 50/50 and a written agreement must be written at the beginning of the seasons to avoid conflict.  This is the students responsibility.

Rehearsal Schedule : Tuesdays 5-8:00 & Thursday 2:15-4:45

 

20% Attendance to Performance: All performances are equal to a test grade. It is expected that the

students attend every performance because if one is missing it may affect the entire group’s

performance. If a conflict shall arise please contact Mrs. Townsend as soon as possible.  You will have to do a project to make up the grade.

 

10% Participation/ Preparation Grade: This grade is based on coming to class prepared with instrument, music, and pencil. It is expected that each student in this program show an effort.

 

Class Procedures:

1. You will have 2.5 minutes after the bell rings to be in your seat with instrument, music and stand

(You must be in the classroom, not at the door, when the bell rings)

2. Each day class announcements will be given. This helps in updating the students of current band events.

3. Warm-up Exercises

4. Method Book Exercises

5. Begin to work on weekly goal sheet. (The students will be given a goal sheet that will be handed out to them every month. This goal sheet will tell them exactly what to practice for each day.)

6. Put chair, stand, and instrument back in the proper place each day