What Are We Doing This Year Inconcert Band?

What Are We Doing This Year Inconcert Band?

Course:Symphonic Band, 00512/1

Teacher: Mr. Anthony Orecchio, Room E103

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After School Assistance: I am usually available to stay after school any day. However, please try to give me a day’s notice so I can ensure that I am able to stay after school on a particular day.

What are we doing this year inconcert band?

This year we will experience a plethora of musical genres. As we listen to and play these new genres, we will examine them and determine what separates them from the genres we already know. As we do this, we will learn to think critically about the all of the elements that combine to create a song. Along the way, we will become more cognizant of musical terminology as well as advancing our skills as developing musicians.

Musically, we will be sight reading and playing every day. Sight reading is something that everybody struggles with and unfortunately, the only way to get better at it is to practice. Therefore, we will be doing a lot of sight reading, especially in the beginning of the year. I promise that by the end of the year, you will be a better sight reader. Also by the end of the year, you will know all of your major and scales if you are a wind player, keyboard player, or mallet percussionist. If you are a percussionist, you will know many rudiments. Please do not worry; I don't expect you to know all of these at once. I spread them out over time and we will review them during class. I am also here for you after school if you need it. Just let me know when you want to come in and I will be here to help you. I do not have a set schedule for staying after; just tell me when you are available and we will work something out.

Yes, music is supposed to be fun. However unless you are a prodigy, you are going to have to work a little bit to be able to have fun. I will try to make the work as painless as possible so please try not to get frustrated when something becomes difficult. Remember, Rome was not built in a day and the only way to get better is to overcome adversity and challenges. However despite the work we do in class, it may become necessary throughout the year to practice at home either to fine-tune your scales and rudiments or to really lock-in a part of the music. If you stay on top of your scales or rudiments and music, then you will be successful when it comes time to play them for a grade and thus, you will be successful in this class. With this in mind, I urge you to set realistic goals for yourself to achieve by the end of the year and I will help you achieve them.

My goal is to make each and every one of you a better musician by the end of the school year. This is actually two goals in one because as you improve as an individual, it is only going to make the ensemble improve. If you haven't gotten better in some way by the end of the year, then I have failed at my job and I have failed you as a music teacher. I'm serious about this. If I do my job correctly, then you will leave this year a better musician than when you entered. So, let's get the beat going and march to the beat of our own drummers. (Hopefully they will keep a good beat :)

What you need to have each day:
  • Instrument
  • Instrument accessories
  • Reeds
  • Oils
  • If you need one of these items, please try to get it either before or at the end of class. It is never a bad idea to have an extra reed in your case so if it breaks, you don't need to interrupt a rehearsal to get a new one.
  • Folder
  • The black folders do not go home. They stay in school. If you want to take your music home, ask me for a different folder.
  • Music
  • Pencil
Performances:
  • Symphonic band is a performing class. Therefore, performing at all concerts is mandatory. We will perform at the winter concert (December 21), spring concert (May 24) and graduation (June). You are graded at each performance for your attendance, appearance, and attitude at each performance. Any student not attending a performance for any reason will have to make up an alternative assessment consummate with the length of the concert.
  • The following is the concert attire. The school dress code is ineffectfor all performances.
  • Men
  • Plain white button down dress shirt
  • Black dress pants
  • Jeans are not permitted.
  • Black dress shoes with black socks.
  • Women
  • White blouse or dressy top
  • No spaghetti straps.
  • Straps must be 2” in length.
  • Shoulders must be covered.
  • Nobare midriffs or low cut tops.
  • Black skirt or pants
  • Skirts must be below the knees.
  • Black shoes
  • No flip flops
  • Keep heels to a modest length for safety.
Lockers:
  • Lockers and locks will be provided for you.
  • This is the lock you will have for all four years.
  • You many share a locker with a friend(s).
  • Lockers will be assigned based on the size of, and the number of instruments that will be stored in a locker.
  • Lockers are for instruments only. DO NOT store other items in them.
School instruments:
  • Barnegat High School can supply some large and small instruments for student use.
  • Students wishing to play one of these instruments need to fill out a form requesting use of an instrument and have it signed by a parent/guardian.
  • Students who sign out a school instrument will be responsible for keeping the instrument in the same condition that is was given to them in.
  • Damages caused by misuse or carelessness will become the financial responsibility of the student at the end of the school.
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