Manatee School for the Arts
Concert Band Syllabus
Paul Henry, Band Director
941-721-6800 ext. 1099
Concert Band Syllabus
2013 - 2014
Course Overview:
This year-long, formative class, designed for students with one or two years of previous band experience to build on instrumental technique, music literacy, and aesthetic response through rehearsal, performance, and study of a variety of high-quality band literature. Instrumentalists expand their knowledge of music notation, music theory, sound production, and personal and group rehearsal strategies. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performances outside the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom. This course may also require students to obtain a musical instrument (e.g., borrow, rent, purchase) from an outside source.
Course Objectives:
v Critical and creative thinking, self-expression, and communication with others are central to the arts. Cognition and reflection are required to appreciate, interpret, and create with artistic intent.
(MU.68.C.1.1) Develop strategies for listening to unfamiliar musical works.
(MU.68.C.1.2) [3] Compare, using correct music vocabulary, the aesthetic impact of a performance to one's own hypothesis of the composer's intent.
(MU.68.C.1.3) [2] Identify, aurally, instrumental styles and a variety of instrumental ensembles.
(MU.68.C.2.1) Critique personal performance, experiment with a variety of solutions, and make appropriate adjustments with guidance from teachers and peers.
(MU.68.C.2.2) Critique, using correct music vocabulary, changes in one's own or others' musical performance resulting from practice or rehearsal.
(MU.68.C.2.3) [2] Critique personal composition and/or improvisation, using simple criteria to generate improvements with guidance from teachers and/or peers.
(MU.68.C.3.1) [3] Apply specific criteria to evaluate why a musical work is an exemplar in a specific style or genre.
v Students learn that beginners, amateurs, and professionals benefit from working to improve and maintain skills over time.
(MU.68.S.1.1) Improvise rhythmic and melodic phrases to accompany familiar songs.
(MU.68.S.1.2) [4] Compare, using correct music vocabulary, the aesthetic impact of a performance to one's own hypothesis of the composer's intent.
(MU.68.S.1.3) Arrange a short musical passage by manipulating melody, form, rhythm, and/or voicing.
(MU.68.S.1.4) Sing or play melodies by ear with support from the teacher.
(MU.68.S.1.5) [2] Perform melodies with chord progressions.
(MU.68.S.2.1) [2] Perform music from memory to demonstrate knowledge of musical structure.
(MU.68.S.2.2) Transfer performance techniques from familiar to unfamiliar pieces
(MU.68.S.3.1) Sing and/or play age-appropriate repertoire expressively.
(MU.68.S.3.2) Demonstrate proper instrumental techniques
(MU.68.S.3.3) Sight-read standard exercises and simple repertoire.
(MU.68.S.3.4) Compare written notation to aural examples and analyze for accuracy.
(MU.68.S.3.5) [2] Notate rhythmic phrases and/or melodies, in varying simple meters, performed by someone else.
(MU.68.S.3.6) Develop and demonstrate efficient rehearsal strategies to apply skills and techniques.
v Works are organized by elements and principles that guide creators, interpreters, and responders.
(MU.68.O.1.1) [3] Compare performances of a musical work to identify artistic choices made by performers.
(MU.68.O.2.2) [3] Demonstrate knowledge of major and minor tonalities through performance and composition.
(MU.68.O.3.1) Describe how the combination of instrumentation and expressive elements in a musical work can convey a specific thought, idea, mood, and/or image.
(MU.68.O.3.2) Perform the expressive elements of a musical work indicated by the musical score and/or conductor, and transfer new knowledge and experiences to other musical works.
v Experiences in the arts foster understanding, acceptance, and enrichment among individuals, groups, and cultures from around the world and across time.
(MU.68.H.1.1) [3] Describe the functions of music from various cultures and time periods.
(MU.68.H.1.2) Identify works or composers within a specific style or period.
(MU.68.H.1.3) [2] Describe how American music has been influenced by other cultures.
(MU.68.H.1.4) [3] Identify the works of representative composers within a specific style or time period.
(MU.68.H.1.5) [4] Using representative musical works by selected composers, classify compositional characteristics common to a specific time period and/or genre.
(MU.68.H.2.1) [4] Describe the influence of historical events and periods on music composition and performance.
(MU.68.H.2.2) [3] Analyze how technology has changed the way music is created, performed, acquired, and experienced.
(MU.68.H.2.3) Classify the literature being studied by genre, style, and/or time period.
(MU.68.H.3.1) Identify connections among music and other content areas.
(MU.68.H.3.2) [3] Discuss how the absence of music would affect other content areas and contexts.
(MU.68.F.1.1) [4] Create a composition and/or performance, using visual, kinesthetic, digital, and/or acoustic means to manipulate musical elements.
(MU.68.F.2.1) [4] Describe several routes a composition or performance could travel from creator to consumer.
(MU.68.F.2.2) [3] Describe how concert attendance can financially impact a community.
(MU.68 F.3.1) [3] Describe how studying music can enhance citizenship, leadership, and global thinking.
(MU.68.F.3.2) Investigate and discuss laws that protect intellectual property, and practice safe, legal, and responsible acquisition and use of musical media.
(MU.68.F.3.3) [4] Identify the tasks involved in the compositional process and discuss how the process might be applied in the work place.
v Additional Required Benchmarks
(LACC.6.SL.1) Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussion with diverse partners
(LACC.7.SL.1) [3] on grade 6,7,8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing
(LACC.8.SL.1) [4] their own clarity.
(LACC.68.RST.2.4) Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6-8 texts and topics.
(DA.68.S.2.1) Sustain focused attention, respect, and discipline during class, rehearsal, and performance.
(LACC.68.WHST.3.9) Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection and research.
Student Expectations
Ø Be on time and prepared for class every day
Ø Show respect to the instructor, other students, and personal property
Ø Remain quiet during the class period; all questions are to be addressed to the director
Ø Food and drinks are not allowed, with water being the only exception
Ø Students will give their best effort each and every day
Disciplinary Procedures
v 1st Incident – Warning
v 2nd Incident – Student conference; loss of participation points
v 3rd Incident – Call home; disciplinary referral turned in to student support
v 4th Incident – Call home; Immediate referral; possible consequences through student support
Required Materials: The following items are required each day in class; 5 points will be deducted from the daily grade for missing items / All points will be lost if student does not possess his/her instrument or the means to play it.
Ø Pencil with eraser
Ø Folder with all music and related materials
Ø Instrument and all necessary accessories (reeds, oil, grease, etc.)
Please note: students are responsible for providing their own instrument accessories for
this class. This means that while the band program may be able to provide an instrument for
students, it is THEIR responsibility to ensure they have the appropriate accessories
(mouthpieces, reeds, valve oil, neck strap, etc).
Grading:
Ø 60% Participation (45 days to each quarter – each worth 20 points per day) 450 points
Ø Quarter 1 and Quarter 3 : 40% Individual homework and level testing 300 points
Ø Quarter 2 and Quarter 4 : 20% Concert attendance/participation (150 points) and 20% individual homework and level testing (150 points)
Grading Scale:
A. 675 – 750
B. 600 - 674
C. 525 – 599
D. 450 – 524
Level Testing: Each student is given materials necessary to improve their technical skills on their individual instrument. It is then the student’s responsibility to work/practice these exercises and test them off each quarter. (Most exercises are worth 10 points / as the student progresses, some exercises will be worth more)
Individual Homework: Each student should strive to improve their technique on their instrument. This is accomplished by practicing at home. Students should work to find a common time to practice at home and record their times. (Each hour of individual home practice is worth 5 points)
Extra Credit: Student will have an opportunity for extra credit by:
· After school sectionals / rehearsals / groups for school functions
· Performance at FBA Solo & Ensemble Festival (entry fee per individual per selections @$7.00)
o Student will record rehearsals / practice on PRACTICE RECORD SHEET
· Outside performances / performance groups
o Student will record rehearsals / practice on PRACTICE RECORD SHEET
Student Code of Conduct: All students will follow the MSA Student Code of Conduct.
School owned instruments: All students using a school owned instrument must complete an instrument rental form and pay their rental fee. You are responsible for maintenance of school owned instruments. You are also responsible for repairs that are not due to normal wear and tear, that is, repairs required out of your own negligence. Inform Mr. Henry ASAP of repairs needed and further action will be determined according to the specific situation.
Instrument Storage: Store your instrument in the school at your own risk. Bring a lock for your locker and give the combination to Mr. Henry. The room will be opened before school and after school until 5:00pm. (unless there is a faculty meeting)
Instrument repairs: Please let Mr. Henry know, at an appropriate time, when your instrument is not properly working. You are responsible for the timely repair of any instrument that is not school owned. If your instrument is in the shop please request a loaner or seek borrowing an instrument from another student.
Music: You are responsible for music that is given to you. If you are unable to return originals you will be charged for the replacement.
CONCERT BAND CONTRACT
I have read and understand the course syllabus for Concert Band and understand the Student Code of Conduct.
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Student’s Name Student’s Signature Date
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Parent’s Name Parent’s Signature Date