Symphonic Band

CURRENT REPERTOIRE (Spring Concert)

Soundtrack Highlights from BLACK PANTHER by Ludwig Goransson/Arr. Michael Brown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV5wNOOgIkk

Aventura by James Swearingen

https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=2138808

Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland/Arr. Longfield

https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=video&productID=10033537

PREVIOUS REPERTOIRE (Winter Concert)

The Great Locomotive Chase by Robert W. Smith

https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=2439396

Achilles' Wrath by Sean O'Loughlin

https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=2480906

Appalachian Snowfall by Paul O'Neill and Robert Kinkel / Arr. Phillips/Megaw

https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10733573

Spania! (Spanish March) by David Shaffer

https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=2481432

Playing in the School Band is a wonderful activity! You are with your friends; you get to express yourself; you learn a life-long skill; and you perform in concerts. Here at Bigelow Middle School, the Concert Band and Symphonic Band perform two concerts; a Winter Concert and a Spring Concert.

Band members are expected to participate in all rehearsals and concerts; practice their music at home so they can play it to the best of their ability; take lessons; take good care of their instrument; and support other kids in the group.

JAZZ BAND does not replace the school band! Jazz Band members must play in the band or orchestra, depending on which instrument they play.

General Information:

Symphonic Band meets on Days 2 & 5 and is open to 7th and 8th grade wind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists. It is not for beginners on any instrument.

BEFORE BAND REHEARSAL

• Swish water through your mouth to get all food particles out
• Unpack
• Set up your chair and stand
• Warm up: Brass players - buzz slow glissando sweeps with your mouthpiece. Percussion - play patterns of eight 8th notes and sixteen 16th notes, then long rolls. Winds and brass - play long tones, then slow scales.

AFTER BAND REHEARSAL:

• put the music back in the folder and close it.
• wipe down your instrument with a piece of cotton or flannel cloth. Get all fingerprints and moisture off.
• Swab out flutes, saxes, and clarinets, then wipe out mouthpieces. Store reeds inside the plastic container.
• Empty spit valves on brass instruments.
• Don't put music inside your case! It wasn't designed to protect anything but your instrument.
• help put the chairs and stands away.

Symphonic Band and Acapella - it is possible to be in both groups. They meet at the same time. To do both, a student must:

1) understand that you are in each group for only half the time

1) have permission from me and from Ms. Alberts

2) be taking private lessons outside of school

3) play through all their band music for me outside of class

4) choose to go to chorus on either Day 2 or Day 5

So, you must therefore work twice as hard as everyone else.

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Because it is against the law to photocopy music, we use original copies in the classroom folders. The paper is heavier and easy to read. Each original is stamped with the school stamp in red ink, so it is easy to tell from a copy. Those folders never leave the room. I am permitted, however, to make photocopies for home practice. I use yellow, blue, or any color paper other than white, to further distinguish them from the originals. Those practice copies go home and stay there. Any extra practice copies are recycled after the concert.

Grading:

Each student will receive a letter grade on the report card at the end of each term. The grade is based on three things:

1) Rehearsals: Position/Posture, Participation, Materials

2) Performances/Tests: Grading will be based on the Massachusetts Instrumental & Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) Concert Festival Performance Rubric which includes these categories: Tone Quality, Balance & Blend, Intonation, Expression/Style/Phrasing, Dynamics, Rhythm/Precision/Tempo, Articulation/Bowing, Technique, and Stage Presence.

3) Quizzes/Homework: Playing Quizzes will be given once per month and will be graded based on the same rubric as the Performances (stated above).

Check the Schoology class page for updates on grades/assignments.

Materials Needed:

• Pencil with eraser - NO PENS!
• Nametag on Instrument case - MUST include family name and telephone number
• Folder to take home Practice Copies of music (a Music Binder for in class is provided)
• Metronome
  • A free on-line metronome- http://www.metronomeonline.com/ (but each child should have a "real" one!)
• Instrument and any necessary maintenance supplies:
  • Flute: cleaning rod, swab, polishing cloth
  • Clarinet & Saxophone: reeds, cork grease, swab, polishing cloth
  • Trumpet/Baritone/Trombone: valve oil, slide grease, snake brush, polishing cloth
  • Percussionists must each have a stickbag, containing a pair of snare drum sticks, snare drum mallets, and xylophone mallets. You can get these at any music store. Each stickbag must also have a nametag on it.

All materials can be found at a local music store (go to Resources), Amazon.com or WWBW.com