Concert Band Curriculum Map - Seventh Grade Students

MAJOR UNITS OF INSTRUCTION, specifically MUSICAL GENRE, may or may not be taught in this sequence. Time varies per unit. Standards listed are aligned to state and PAUSD art content.

Rehearsals: All rehearsals include warm-ups, scales and technical studies; development of artistic perception and musical concepts; and applications through performance of repertoire.

Performances:
December-Winter Concert at Gunn High School, Spangenberg Theater
January/February-Tours to Elementary Schools
March-Pop's Concert, Jordan Cafe
March-CMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival
May - May Fete Parade, University Ave, Palo Alto,
June-Spring Concert in Hugh Center Court
June - 8th Grade Promotion Concert

Unit of Instruction Standards Activities/Lessons/Assignments Time Frame
Goals and Expectations Habits of Mind

Demonstrate personal responsiblity
Bring instrument, music, pencil, and supplies to every rehearsal
Note concert dates in binder reminder and on family calendar
Attend all required performances


Practice
Develop an effective and regular practice routine to reinforce concepts learned in class
Practice 4-5 times per week, 20-30 minutes per session

Rehearsal Techniques
Demonstrate respect for self and others.
Develop effective rehearsal techniques.
Demonstrate commitment to teamwork and success of the ensemble

ongoing
Instrumental Skills Technical Skills Basic skills include posture, breathing, tone quality, technique, intonation, rhythm, and articulation ongoing
Basic Skills/
Musical Concepts

Artistic Perception

 

Technical Skills

Scale studies: B-flat major, E-flat major, F-major, A-flat major
Time signatures: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 6/8
Rhythm studies: quarter, half, whole notes and rests, dotted-quarter/eighth note, sixteenth notes, dotted-eighth/sixteenth note, syncopation
Articulation studies
Chromatic scale studies
Dynamics: review piano, forte, crescendo, decresendo

Sounds Spectacular Rehearsal Fundamentals, Units 1-4

First Quarter
Basic Skills/
Musical Concepts


Artistic Perception

 

Technical Skills

Scale studies: G Minor, E-flat Major, C Minor
Rhythm studies: triplets
Style: simile
Theory: intervals, major chord, minor chord, enharmonics
Dynamics: fortissimo (ff), pianissimo (pp)
Review previously learned concepts

Standard of Excellence, Book 3, Pages 2-5

First Quarter, continued
Basic Skills/
Musical Concepts

Artistic Perception

Technical Skills

Scale studies: F Major, C Major, A-flat Major, D Minor
Rhythm studies: sixteenth/dotted-eighth note combinations
Review previously learned concepts

Standard of Excellence, Book 3, Pages 6-11

Second Quarter
Basic Skills/
Musical Concepts

Artistic Perception

Technical Skills

Key signature: D-flat Major
Time signature: 9/8
Rhythm: dotted quarter rest
Style: grazioso
Ornamentation: trill
Review previously learned concepts

Standard of Excellence, Book 3, Pages 12-18

Third Quarter
Basic Skills
Musical Concepts

Artistic Perception

Technical Skills

Tempo: larghetto
Form: binary form, ternary form, rondo form
Style: dolce
Ornamentation: grace note
Review previously learned concepts

Standard of Excellence, Book 3, Pages 19-24

Fourth Quarter

Sight-reading

 

Rehearsal Techniques

Artistic Perception

Technical Skills

Habits of Mind

Sight-read music that encompasses the technical and musical scope of concepts previously introduced.


Practice and rehearse to refine technical skills, rhythmic and pitch accuracy, and musical concepts including dynamics, style, balance, blend, and intonation.

ongoing

Musical Genre:
Concert March

Historical and Cultural Context

Concert March: march style, purpose, and historical context

Sight-read and rehearse a concert march selected from the works of Sousa, Fillmore, or other march composers

 
Musical Genre:
Classical Music

Historical and Cultural Context

Classical Music: Western European music history, transcriptions for band, form, purpose, context

Sight-read and rehearse a piece selected from the works of Mozart, Beethoven, or other classical composers

 
Musical Genre:
Program Music

Creative Expression

EnsembleSkills

Program Music: descriptive music, musical devices to create imagery

Sight-read, rehearse, and performa a piece selected from “program music” repertoire

 

Musical Genre:
Contemporary Music for Band

Creative Expression

Technical Skills

Ensemble Skills

Contemporary Music for Band

Sight-read and rehearse a piece selected from the works of Hilliard, Nehlybehl, Swearingen, etc.

 

Musical Genre:
Swing, Latin, Rock

Creative Expression

Technical Skills

Ensemble Skills

Swing, Latin, Rock: rhythmic and stylistic characteristics of swing, latin, or rock music.

Sight-read, rehearse, and perform a swing, latin, or rock style piece.

 
Cultural Connections: World Music


Historical and Cultural Context

Folk music: short selections from America, American Indian, England, France, French Canadian, Ireland, Israel, Korea, Mexico, Scotland, Sweden, Israel

Standard of Excellence, Book 3, Pages 2-11

September through December
Cultural Connections:
World Music
Historical and Cultural Context

World Music: full band arrangements of music from various cultures or countries, musical devices used to create the "flavor" of the culture

Sight-read and rehearse a piece selected from “global music” repertoire

 


Historical Connections:
J.S. Bach and the Art of the Fugue

Historical and Cultural Context

Musical form: fugue
Musical texture: polyphony
Historical context: The Baroque Period

Sight-read and rehearse: Prelude and Fugue by J.S. Bach

September


Historical Connections:

The Middle Ages

The Renaissance

The Baroque

The Classical Period

Creative Expression

Ensemble Skills

Historical and Cultural Context

The Middle Ages
Plainsong, Organum, English Round, Estampie


The Renaissance
Palestrina, Arbeau, Bourgeois, Morley, Susato, Byrd


The Baroque Period
Purcell, Couperin, Corelli, Vivaldi, Bach, Hassler, Handel, Scarlatti, Telemann

The Classical Period
Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Kreutzer

January through June

Performance:
Winter Concert

Creative Expression

Ensemble Skills

Winter Concert
Perform selected repertoire from traditional holiday music of various cultures, transcriptions of music by classical composers, contemporary or programmatic music.

December
Performance:
Tour

Creative Expression


Ensemble Skills

Tour to Elementary Schools
Perform selected repertoire for elementary school audiences including a pops music and a musical skit

January-February

Performance:
Pops Concert

Creative Expression

Ensemble Skills

Pops Concert
Perform selected repertoire from pops, program music, contemporary, jazz, rock, or latin genres
March


Performance:

May Fete Parade

Marching Skills

Ensemble Skills

Marching Band
Sight-read, rehearse, and memorize a march by Sousa
Learn basic marching skills
March in May Fete Parade, Downtown Palo Alto

April-May

Performance:
Spring Concert

Creative Expression

Spring Concert
Perform an outdoor concert in Hugh Center Court. Repertoire selected from global, contemporary, or programmatic genres

June

Performance:
8th Grade Promotion Concert

Creative Expression

Ensemble Skills

8th Grade Promotion Concert
Perform selected traditional ceremonial and processional music

June
GATE Opportunities  

Small Ensembles “Club”
Motivated students who would like more challenging musical opportunities are encouraged to participate in this extra music activity. Teacher recommendation or approval required. Interested students will be placed into duets, trios, quartets, etc. Music will be selected at the appropriate level. Students will be coached during class as time and staffing permits. They will also be expected to rehearse on their own during lunch or after school.

Jazz Band /Jazz Ensemble
Both groups meet before school one day per week.
Auditions are held for students interested in playing saxophone, trumpet, trombone, keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums. No previous jazz experience is necessary.

 

created by Vivian Boudreaux, posted by Leslie Goldman 6-4-2007