Fifth Grade Band
Band instruction in the fifth grade begins with the reviewing the basics of reading musical notation and making the first sounds on an instrument. At JMUES students may select from the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or percussion. Combined with independent learning through at home practice and instruction in the classroom the students leave fifth grade being able to read and perform rhythms using whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes using the first 6-8 notes on their instrument.
Click here to view the 5th Grade Band Handbook
Sixth Grade Band
Sixth grade band continues the work of rhythm reading using more complicated rhythms such as dotted quarter and eighth note patterns and basic sixteenth notes. The students also begin to explore scales, broadening their repertoire of notes on their instrument. Band literature is performed that moves away from unison playing and challenges each section to play independent parts. A focus upon independent learning and at home practice encourages the students to begin to problem solve and evaluate their own performances.
Click here to view the 6th Grade Band Handbook