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Beginning Band is for anyone who wishes to learn how to play a band instrument. The following instruments are offered in this class.
flute
oboe
clarinet
alto saxophone
tenor saxophone
trumpet
french horn
trombone
euphonium
tuba
percussion*
*Percussionists will begin on keyboard percussion with the understanding that they have to learn the melodic percussion instruments such as bells and xylophone first. After demonstrating a minimum proficiency, they can begin learning snare drum and bass drum. Exceptions will be given to students with a piano background who demonstrate keyboard proficiency right away.
The Beginning Band performs at the Winter and Spring Music department concerts at the AHS and CHS PAEC's.
Music students usually take band for all three years of middle school and go on to play in one of our award winning high school wind bands or jazz bands at Agoura High School and Calabasas High School.
There are 8 band music coaches paid for by our PFC and your fundraising during donation drives and concerts.
Woodwinds
Mrs. Hansen - Flute
Mr. Beerstein - Oboe
Mrs. Kanter - Clarinet
Mr. Johnson - Bassoon and Saxophone
Brass and Percussion
Mr. Bradley - Trombone/Euphonium/Tuba
Mr. Stern - Percussion
Mr. Titmus - French Horn
Mr. Kent - Trumpet
We are proud of our music students and all that they learn and accomplish. Most of our students continue their study of music in high school and college, and many receive awards and scholarships. One thing your child has in common with our former students is that at one time they also were beginners. The study of music can do much to enrich their lives and help them grow and improve in all areas of school. There is no better gift you can give your child.
Our first task is to help your child select the instrument he/she will learn. During the first few days of school, your child will see a demonstration of each instrument and choose three they might like to learn. Our music staff will then meet with each student individually to determine which of his/her three choices will be the best choice. The criteria for this decision is based on the following:
The physical requirements of the instrument. Each student is evaluated to help ensure that he/she is physically suited to the chosen instrument. This step is very important and will help avoid potential problems in the future. For example, we ask students who know they will get braces to consider playing a woodwind or percussion instrument instead as braces make playing brass instruments much more difficult and painful.
The balance of instruments. Being a member of band is in many ways similar to being a member of a baseball team. A team with only pitchers will not be very successful. Each instrument is responsible for contributing a unique sound or color to the group. Imagine a rainbow without any red, or with only red. Keeping the numbers of each instrument in proper proportion will give your child the most fulfilling and rewarding experience possible. Keep an open mind. Being part of the band is far more important than what instrument your child actually plays. Your young tuba player could grow up to win a full scholarship to college! In fact, most universities with music majors often lack enough of the following instruments: tuba, oboe, bassoon, double bass.
Very Important!
Very Important!
Please do not get an instrument until I have approved the choice. You will receive a letter about the approved choice and directions for what to do next.
The school owns several tubas, euphoniums, and french horns and they are available to borrow from the school... and not much else yet :(. All other instruments will be rented from a local music store. More details will come once students try out each instrument. After trying out each instrument in the first two weeks, students will choose THREE favorites and they will be GUARANTEED one of these three choices. Students may not choose both the saxophone and percussion as their 1st and 2nd choices. This rule has history... Most students rarely get their 3rd choice... and we always double check to make sure it's okay they get their 3rd choice before making any final decisions.
Class Overview ( syllabus )
The middle school beginning band will offer flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba and percussion. Percussionists should begin on keyboard percussion with the understanding that they have to learn the melodic percussion instruments such as bells and xylophone first. After demonstrating a minimum proficiency, they can begin learning snare drum and bass drum. Exceptions will be given to students with a piano background who demonstrate proficiency right away. Students who want to start on instruments other that those listed must get private lessons. All students in first year beginning band will be considered to be “Beginner” level music students.
First Quarter
1. Put instrument together and name parts.
2. Take instrument apart and put in case.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of basic instrument maintenance routine.
- Brass instrument cleaning, oiling valves, lubricating slides etc.
- Woodwinds should dry the inside of the instrument, clarinets and saxophones should have at least 4 good reeds in their cases at all times.
4. Students will learn proper posture by sitting on the front edge of the chair with their feet flat on the floor in front of them. Backs should be straight and upper body should be balanced. They will also demonstrate proper instrument playing position and carrying position with a focus on proper hand placement. Percussionists will demonstrate proper hand position for mallets and drum sticks.
5. Woodwinds and Brass will learn a proper embouchure and to play notes and simple songs on their mouthpieces. The skill of tonguing will be taught on the mouthpiece first.
6. Students will learn the first note in their beginning band book and demonstrate tonguing correctly.
7. Students will be expected to learn and commit to memory the names, fingerings and sounds of pitches Bb, C, D, Eb, F with a minimum expectation of Bb, C, D.
8. Students will be expected to learn whole notes/rests, half notes/rests and quarter notes/rests and perform them properly as they are written in their method book in various sequences.
9. Students will learn the concepts of time signature and 4/4 time.
Second Quarter
1. Students will learn rhythms that include dotted half notes, eighth note pairs on a single note, eighth note grouped in fours on both repeated and diatonic patterns. They will also learn dotted quarter note rhythms.
2. Students will learn the rest of the notes and fingerings in book 1 and be able to use them fluently in rehearsal and performance. They will memorize at least 4 of the scales listed in the back of book one. Clarinets will demonstrate the skill of “crossing the break” by playing the Concert B flat scale from bottom to top in a steady eighth note pattern.
3. Students will learn tempo terms such as tempo, andante, moderato, allegro and vivace.
4. Students will learn about musical dynamic terms including piano, mezzo forte and forte. Students in middle school beginning band are expected to have completed book 1 of their particular method book and demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and instrument pedagogy contained within by the end of the first year and be able to perform concert music at the grade 1 level.
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