Syllabus for Band and Orchestra

Course Objectives: 

1.       Acquainting students with a large variety of musical styles. 

2.        Developing the technical and musical abilities of each student. 

3.       Providing students with an understanding of basic theory skills.

4.       Advancing students’ ensemble skills.

5.       Improving students’ listening skills.

Successful rehearsals demand both individual preparedness and a conducive spirit. Therefore, mere attendance at all rehearsals is not sufficient for successful completion of this course. Each student in the Band or Orchestra is expected to participate in all rehearsals at a level which demonstrates individual preparedness (properly warmed-up prior to rehearsal, music prepared during personal practice time, etc.) and with a motivation which is indicative of inquisitiveness and ambition.

Individual Skills

Students will:

• attain mastery of individual parts

• perform music with others with excellent technical skill (matching tone, pitch, blend, etc.)

• perform music with others with excellent expressive skill (style, phrasing, artistry, etc.)

Ensemble Skills

Students will:

• develop a personal code of conduct in which they dedicate themselves to the others in the Wind Ensemble (such as being musically prepared for each sectional and rehearsal, reliance on yourself to  complete assigned tasks, etc.)

• develop a work ethic which enables them to contribute to the betterment of the band in each sectional and rehearsal

• develop a demeanor which enhances the productivity and musicality of every rehearsal and sectional (such as avoiding personal conversations during rehearsals, turning off cell phones, removing hats during rehearsals, etc.)

Managerial Skills

Students will:

• develop personal planning skills to successfully complete the many and varied tasks required of a student musician

• demonstrate professional conduct while in rehearsal or performance

• perform in appropriate concert attire

• demonstrate timeliness in regards to start-times at all rehearsals and performances

Preparation Schedule:

• by the fourth rehearsal of each concert cycle, it is expected that each individual musician has attained COMPETENCY on their own parts.

• by the eighth rehearsal of each concert cycle, it is expected that each individual musician has COMMAND of the music on their own parts (able to demonstrate musicality on all music).

• by the tenth rehearsal of each concert cycle, it is expected that each individual musician has attained ARTISTRY on their own parts.

All members of the Concert will be assigned their own music slot and set of parts. You are responsible for the care and return of these items.  Each student is required to have a 1” three ring binder will several clear sheet protectors to store their music in.  A pencil is required by every student at every rehearsal.

Assessment

The very nature of an ensemble class makes each student in the Wind Ensemble dependent upon all of the other students in the band. Your potential to grow and develop as a musician in Wind Ensemble is directly and decidedly affected by the level of musicianship brought by your fellow classmates to each rehearsal. This phenomenon also means that your level of musicianship directly affects everyone else’s learning potential, as well. What a fantastic sense of accountability this places on each student! You have the power to assist (or hamper) everyone’s learning in the class. If you arrive at rehearsal well-prepared on your parts, expressive in your musicianship, alert and attentive to responsive playing, and productive in creating a real musical product, then everyone in the rehearsal that day will likewise grow as musicians.  If, however, you arrive at rehearsal ill-prepared, or lacking in expressiveness, or distracted, or just “playing notes,” then everyone in rehearsal is stifled equally so.  Each and every rehearsal serves as an opportunity for assessment of the stated learning objectives; each rehearsal is an opportunity for each student to demonstrate command of these skills:

Performance Skills are formally assessed periodically during each concert cycle, when it is expected that each individual musician has COMMAND of the music on their own parts (able to demonstrate musicality on all music). Each student is automatically, fully, and continuously assessed throughout each and every rehearsal. Each student can expect to be asked to perform their part in the context of full band, small section or groupings, and individual playing.

Grading

Grading will be as follows:

40%  Daily participation and Quiz score

60%  Chair Tests and Performances

Performance Dress

Concert performances will be in all black for both ladies and gentlemen.  Ladies my wear a dress, skirt and blouse, or pants and blouse.  Gentlemen may wear either long or short sleeve, button down or polo style shirt.  No black jeans or athletic shoes.

Pep band uniform for football and basketball games will be the red band shirt, khaki shorts for football season, and jeans for basketball season.

Performances at mass will be in the school uniform.

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