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

Performances:

October/November-Jordan/Paly Band Festival at Gunn High School, Spangenberg Theater
December-Winter Concert at Gunn High School, Spangenberg Theater
December-School Assembly Concert
January/February-Tours to Elementary Schools
March-Pop's Concert, Jordan Cafe
March-CMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival, San Jose State University
April-CMEA Band Festival, Gunn High School
May - May Fete Parade, University Ave, Palo Alto
June-Spring Concert in Hugh Center Court
June - School Assembly Concert

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

Artistic Perception

Technical Skills

Review: previously learned concepts

Standard of Excellence, Book 3, Pages 2-24

Scale studies: Concert F Minor, G Major, A Minor
Time Signature: 6/4, 5/4, 12/8, Asymetrical meters 3/8, 5/8, 7/8
Rhythm studies: triplets
Style: simile, cantabile, swing
Theory: intervals, major chord, minor chord, enharmonics
Dynamics: fortissimo (ff), pianissimo (pp) forte-piano (fp), sforzando (sfz)

Standard of Excellence: Book 3, Pages 25-36

Artistic Perception

Technical Skills

Chorales, theory of scales, keys and chords, technic scale studies, rhythms, embellishments, chromatics - accidentals, transposition

Advanced Fun with Fundamentals Method Book

Basic Skills/
Musical Concepts

Artistic Perception

Creative Expression

Technical Skills

Tone quality, timbre, balance, blend, and expression

Contemporary Chorales for Band by John Moss

April

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.

Musical Genre:
Concert March

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

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

Creative Expression

Ensemble
Skills

Program Music: descriptive music, musical devices to create imagery

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

Creative Expression

Ensemble Skills

Contemporary Music for Band

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

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

Creative Expression

Technical Skills

Ensemble Skills

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

Creative Expression

Technical Skills

Ensemble Skills

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

Historical Connections:

The Romantic Period

20th Century Art Music

20th Century Pops Music

Creative Expression

Ensemble Skills

Historical and Cultural Context

The Romantic Period
Mendelssohn, Brahms, Rimsky-Korsakov, Johann Strauss, Josef Strauss, Wagner, Mussorgsky, Schumann, Tchaikovsky

20th Century Art Music
Faure, Impressionism: Debussy, Nationalism: Bartok, Primitivism: Stravinsky,
Twelve-tone: Webern, Bitonal: Ives

20th Century Pops Music
Band Tradition: Sousa, Ragtime: Joplin, Swing, Blues, Rock

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.

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

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

Performance:
Spring Concert

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

Performance:
8th Grade Promotion Concert

Creative Expression

Ensemble Skills

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

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.