Course Description

As a member of the 7th and 8th grade band, students will be able to further their ability to play an instrument. This will include proper playing technique, breathing, fingerings and alternate fingerings, expanding range of playable notes, intonation, sight reading, balance and blend, and knowledge of what role their instrument plays in the music.

Students will be able to participate in band daily and receive a weekly one on one lesson with the music teacher. These lessons will allow students to advance their playing skills on an individual basis while still learning the full band concepts practiced each day.

Students will be required to keep daily practice logs and to perform in concerts throughout the year. These dates will be supplied to parents and students at the beginning of the school year and will count towards their grade.

Lessons

Each student will be assigned a one on one lesson with either Mrs. Lewis or Mrs. Patterson. These lessons will take place during other classes during the day. The lesson schedule is determined by taking a look at what other classes other students are enrolled in each period of the day and pulling them from classes that the student is not struggling in to learn the material. Make-up lessons will be offered if a lesson is missed.

Students will be required to attend these lessons once a week as part of their band grade. They will also have to bring their lesson method book and signed practice log each week. Failure to do so will result in a lower lesson grade for that week's assignment.

It is highly suggested that in addition to the lessons students receive in school, students should look into taking private lessons with an outside instructor who is a professional at playing their particular instrument. Private lessons with certified instructors outside of school allow a student to be challenged and to grow musically past what Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Patterson teach in school. Students who take private lessons often excel in their instrument performance quicker and develop a better tone with the additional practice and assignments that are given. I often compare it to taking private tennis lessons while also being on the tennis team, or strength training for football players.

If you are interested in taking private lessons, Mrs. Lewis can provide you with names and numbers of local musicians who teach privately.

Assigned lesson times can be found in the discussion section of the band Showbie class. If you are virtually learning, the google meet code is: lewislessons