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Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions
Beginning Band
Beginning Band
Beginning band is a two-semester course where students have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of reading music and start on one of the following wind instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone horn, or tuba. Students may begin on percussion if they have experience with piano and/or drum lessons. Beginning Band performs at four total band concerts throughout the year.
Prerequisites: No prerequisite. However, students and parents must sign and return the syllabus at the beginning of the year to acknowledge they have read the BPMS handbook. Students interested in playing French horn or percussion must audition with the director.
Advanced Band
Advanced Band
Advanced Band is a two-semester course where students continue to build upon the skills they learned in Beginning Band, demonstrating their knowledge and skill through a variety of performances throughout the school year, including home band concerts, school assemblies, festival performances, and the annual Music in the Parks trip. Band literature from a variety of styles is studied and performed. Private lessons are encouraged for any and all of the musicians in this group.
Prerequisites: At least 1 year of experience in band class.
Jazz Band
Jazz Band
Jazz Band is an exciting after-school opportunity. Many different styles of music are studied, including rock, swing, Latin, and funk. The typical jazz instruments are saxophone, trumpet, trombone, string bass, guitar, piano, and drum set; however, all interested students are encouraged to join no matter what instrument they play at the middle school level. The jazz band will have many opportunities to perform throughout the year at community events, school concerts, and festivals. Please encourage your band student to participate in this exciting extracurricular!
Prerequisites: At least 1 year of experience in band class, or at least 1 year of experience with piano/bass/drums lessons (must communicate with director and get approval).
About Mr. Paulus
About Mr. Paulus
Jordan Paulus is the band director at Baker Prairie Middle School in Canby, Oregon and the Membership Chair of the Oregon Band Directors Association. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from George Fox University (where he was honored with the school’s 2016 Outstanding Music Graduate Award), and his Master's Degree in Music Education from the American Band College of Central Washington University (where he was honored with the 2021 ConnSelmer scholarship). Paulus’s musical journey began when he decided to take up the French horn in sixth grade band class. In high school, he learned to play trumpet for jazz band, and took an interest in music composition as well. Profoundly inspired by his excellent middle and high school band directors, Paulus realized at quite an early age that he was interested in becoming a band director just like them!
In addition to teaching and performing music, Paulus continues to actively compose and arrange for band ensembles, and his compositions have been performed by a number of bands in the Pacific Northwest. He was a finalist for the 2023 Cory Band Composition Competition for brass band. Outside the field of music, he enjoys cycling and birding in the beautiful state of Oregon. An avid reader, he also drinks frankly absurd amounts of coffee on a daily basis. He looks forward to continuing his work and introducing more and more young students to the wonderful world of music-making!
Email: jordan.paulus [at] canby.k12.or.us
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