Level I Band

Beginning Band for children ages 10 to 18.

Students will learn the basics of playing a band instrument of their choosing alone and with others in a group setting. (Instrument must be provided by student).

This class will use the Essential Elements for Band Method book, the Essential Concert Favorites Method book and the Essential Technique for Band Method book.

Students are required to supply the following and bring them to class starting on the first day: Essential Elements method book for Band instrument of choice, essential technique book for band instrument of choice and essential concert pieces book for instrument.

Class 1 Students will learn the basic anatomy of their chosen instruments, how to correctly hold their instruments, practice sustaining a concert pitch whole note for their particular instrument and resting for a whole measure. Students will learn to listen to the different timbers of the various instruments and play a game to see if they can name who played that note. Students will also learn the basics of following the conductor.

Class 2 Students will learn about quarter notes and quarter rests and practice playing these as well as whole notes they learned from the previous class playing the notes in their first tetra chord incorporating proper breathing and breath techniques. Class will review the Theory block in the method book reviewing treble clef, time signature and note names.

Class 3 Students will have a playing quiz from the Essential Elements book page 5, #13 and be able to fill out the note names on the blanks. Students will be able to start working on their page 6 playing some simple pieces. Students will start practicing these pieces for the next class.

Class 4 Select students will be asked to demonstrate some of their favorite pieces from page six. Class will review some of these pieces together and move on to page 7 focusing on #22 split into various A and B sections. Students will be encouraged to look ahead at the pieces on page 8 and 9 for the following class.

Class 5 Students will go through page 8 together as a group and practice following the conductor's cues with the baton. Class will move on to page 9 if ready and we will discuss following the conductor on pick-up measures and not needing anything but visual cues to know when to begin to play as a group.

Class 6 Eighth notes and counting half beats will be discussed and students will practice tonguing evenly to create an even pitch level while keeping the same tone. Various clapping exercises will be utilized to help students get the feeling of playing through half beats.

Class 7 Students will review various beat conducting patterns (1, 4 and 2) and learn how to do a one beat pick-up in two with the conductor's visual cues and no counting off while using the pieces on page 11 to learn these concepts.

Class 8 and Class 9 Students will work on pieces up to page 13 if they are exhibiting correct playing position, good breathe control and fingering on the pages leading up to that point.

Class 10 Class will pick their favorite pieces from the method and concert book that they have played to this point and begin cleaning and perfecting what they will perform at the concert.

Class 11 Students will be able to play the parts from pieces chosen for the concert with their instrument section. All students will be asked to memorize their parts for the concert.

Class 12 Students who feel comfortable will demonstrate for the class their ability to play their parts for the concert individually.

Class 13 Students will all demonstrate to the instructor playing their parts for the concert pieces. Bonus if they have them memorized without needing to look at sheet music.

Class 14 Pieces for the performance will be cleaned and polished and ready. If time allows class will review musical theory terms with a game of music bingo.

Class 15 Students will have pieces for performance clean and ready to perform for their audience.

Students will be able to play and perform five simple pieces from the course curriculum as a group in a short concert for their parents and friends.