Band Curriculum Outline

Madeline Symonds Middle School

Ms. L. Fawthrop

Course Description:


The purpose of the 7-9 instrumental music program is to explore and develop skills in music using instruments that are found in the concert band setting. Through the instruments and the music we play we will take part in group music making, explore the role of the fine arts in society, use critical thinking skills and learn a new way to express ourselves.

Required Materials

  1. Black Binder
  2. Pencil, Pen and Paper
  3. Band Students require cleaning kit and supplies (reeds, valve oil) **Percussionists require their own sticks.**
  4. Standard of Excellence Book

Commitment

After school rehearsals are a mandatory part of the program as well as daily home practice. The success of the music program relies on the commitment of each participating musician. Contribution through attendance, punctuality, preparation and home practice are all examples of ways in which the music student at Madeline Symonds Middle School demonstrates commitment. Concert attendance is also part of the program expectations.

Concert Dates

(Please save the date!)

December 5th and June 4th.

6:30 PM in the MSMS Gymnasium

These will be our two big concert events with a snow date for the December concert on December 12th.

Other events will be announced throughout the year

Rehearsal etiquette:

Rehearsal etiquette is an important part of being a member of a band. Learning how to listen to other students while they are talking and playing develops a student’s ear and helps them learn how to respect other student’s musical opinions and how to develop their own musical opinions.


Halifax Regional Arts Specialists

MSMS Band will continue to benefit from collaboration with our guest teachers at HRA sponsored by our supplementary funding here in HRCE. As mentioned, in the September welcome letter, these teachers are Joseph Cormier (Conductor), Ken MacKay (Jazz and Woodwinds) and Bob Nicholson (Brass). These sessions are graded sessions and key to the development of individual instrumental technique and the band. We are fortunate to have such a comprehensive music program in the HRCE.


Communication

Between our website, twitter and the google classroom sites, there should be no lack of communication! Please know however, that if I must be absent from school due to illness, we do have to cancel band. Emails are sent out if band is cancelled due to inclement weather, etc. Parents, please ensure your email is up to date on Power School as they are generated there. If you wish to be added to the parent portal, please forward me your email address.

Assessment

Students will be assessed on the 1-4 scale according to present middle school assessment practice. Parents are also encouraged to regularly check PowerSchool for updated grades or contact me via email for a check-in at lara.fawthrop@hrce.ca.

Music assessments and activities will come in many forms such as:

In class participation

Projects

Small Ensemble

Large Ensemble

Composition

Individual Skills Assessments

Communication


Please allow 48 hours for email response and keep in mind that I enjoy meeting parents! Hope to see you at Parent-Teacher both times. Our communication is one of the best ways to ensure student success.

Expectations

Respect, Non-Judgement and preparation for music making are expected in addition, the school rules such as no cell phones are also expected. Students struggling to meet the classroom expectations will first have a conference with the teacher and depending on the level of impact on the class, follow up phone calls will be made to the parent and MSMS administration if the issues are continuing to occur. The expectations can be boiled down to: