What are we learning?
Review of basic band skills (tone production, posture, ensemble skills, notation reading)
What to expect in this unit?
Review of skills learned in band last year
Review and polishing of the ILMEA scale sheet
Introduction of music for upcoming Fall and Winter performances
Why does this unit matter?
It is important to go over the basics at the beginning of the year to set us up for success for the whole year!
What are we learning?
Refining of basic band skills (tone production, posture, ensemble skills, notation reading, rhythmic accuracy, articulation, dynamics and expression, to name a few)
What to expect in this unit?
Preparation for the Winter Concert
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?
Refining of basic band skills (tone production, posture, ensemble skills, notation reading, rhythmic accuracy, articulation, dynamics and expression, to name a few)
What to expect in this unit?
Preparation for the Winter Concert
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 and duets/trios for Solo Night and the Band-O-Rama Fundraiser performances.
What to expect in this unit?
Students will be using professional recordings and MakeMusic to help them prepare their solos and duets/trios.
There are several formative assessments due in MakeMusic.
All students will perform their solos individually for a judge on Solo Night.
All students will also perform their duets/trios for a judge on Solo Night.
All students will perform their duets/trios as the entertainment for the Band-O-Rama Fundraiser.
Solo Night -- Wednesday, February 25 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at Westview.
Band-O-Rama Fundraiser -- Friday, April 10 (time TBD).
Why does this unit matter?
Students emerge from this experience as more mature, confident musicians.
What are we learning?
Students are preparing for the Prairie State Band Festival, an opportunity to play several pieces of music of contrasting styles for expert judges, and then receive a clinic from one to help them improve as a large ensemble.
What to expect in this unit?
Students will complete a Practice Plan to help them strategize what measures and excerpts of their music most need their attention in their at home practice.
Students will complete formative assessments, both on Smart Music and in person, to help refine specific skills from technique, to 6/8 counting, to articulations.
Students will grow as musicians as they learn to listen and work together as a large ensemble. Their intonation and phrasing will be emphasized throughout the unit.
Prairie State Band Festival -- Saturday, April 13 from 10:30 am - 2:00 pm at Plainfield East High School (busses will be provided; students wear full band uniforms).
Why does this unit matter?
Students emerge from this experience as more mature, confident musicians, and better ensemble players.
What are we learning?
Students are preparing for the Prairie State Band Festival, an opportunity to play several pieces of music of contrasting styles for expert judges, and then receive a clinic from one to help them improve as a large ensemble.
More diverse repertoire has been added to the students' practice routines in preparation of our final concert of the year, "A Night of the Fine Arts" on May 22nd.
What to expect in this unit?
Students will complete a Practice Plan to help them strategize what measures and excerpts of their music most need their attention in their at home practice.
Students will complete formative assessments, both on Smart Music and in person, to help refine specific skills from technique, to 6/8 counting, to articulations.
Students will grow as musicians as they learn to listen and work together as a large ensemble. Their intonation and phrasing will be emphasized throughout the unit.
Prairie State Band Festival -- Saturday, April 13 from 10:30 am - 2:00 pm at Plainfield East High School (busses will be provided; students wear full band uniforms).
After that we have the Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 22nd at 7:30 PM. (Students should arrive by 7:00 PM)
Why does this unit matter?
Students emerge from this experience as more mature, confident musicians, and better ensemble players.