Band

Cadet Band - Unit 0

What are we learning?

Ensemble skills of blend/balance, tuning, and rhythmic sychonization.
Individual skills including range extension, key signature, concert Gb, and enharmonics.

What to expect in this unit?

Why does this unit matter?

The full band is starting to come together and starting to really show benefits from their daily large-group practice together. With this they are learning to perform together with more group cohesion.
Students are working on their individual skills through Smartmusic and the Summative Performance Assessments in order to be able to better contribute to the group with accurate notes/rhythms/articulations and good tone production.

What are we learning?

Ensemble skills of blend/balance, tuning, and rhythmic sychonization.
Individual skills including range extension, key signature, concert Gb, and enharmonics.

What to expect in this unit?

Why does this unit matter?

The full band is starting to come together and starting to really show benefits from their daily large-group practice together. With this they are learning to perform together with more group cohesion.
Students are working on their individual skills through Smartmusic and the Summative Performance Assessments in order to be able to better contribute to the group with accurate notes/rhythms/articulations and good tone production.

What are we learning?

Ensemble skills of blend/balance, tuning, and rhythmic synchronization.
Skills associated with giving a performance.
Individual skills including range extension, key signature, concert Gb, and enharmonics.

What to expect in this unit?

Why does this unit matter?

This unit includes the Winter Concert. This is the first of two large-group performances shared with parents. Performances are an integral part of being a band musician and are public celebrations of the music students have been making in band class since the beginning of the year.

What are we learning?

Students are learning musical independence as they prepare solos for Solo Night.

What to expect in this unit?

Students will be using professional recordings and Smartmusic to help them prepare their solos.
There are two formative assessments due in Smartmusic.
All students will perform individually for a judge on Solo Night.
Solo Night -- Wednesday, February 14 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm.

Why does this unit matter?

What are we learning?

Students are continuing to develop more advanced skills to be able to perform as an ensemble together.

What to expect in this unit?

Students are working on better tone quality through the practice of long tones in warm-ups, and listening for better intonation.
There will be one formative assessments due in Smartmusic.
The Essential Elements Book 2 remains the primary curriculum for new concepts, such as dotted eighth-sixteenth note patterns, and 6/8 time signature, which are being addressed in newer and more advanced concert music.
Spring Concert -- Wednesday, May 22 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm.

Why does this unit matter?

Students emerge from this experience as more mature, confident musicians and stronger ensemble players.

What are we learning?

Students are preparing for their third trimester playing test and their end of the year concert. The playing test includes a new key signature, several new notes, chromatics, 6/8 time, and a variety of sixteenth-note patterns. The concert music includes songs from many different styles.

What to expect in this unit?

The spring concert is here at Westview Hills on Wednesday, May 22 at 6:00 PM with a 5:40 PM warm-up.
The playing test will include formative assessments in Smartmusic and an in-person playing test.

Why does this unit matter?

The playing test will help students become more confident playing several new skills.
The concert music will help students review and learn the ensemble skills necessary to perform songs in various styles.