About Mr. Unnerstall:
I am in my 7th year of teaching instrumental and general music and it is my first year at St. Gabriel's. I feel so welcomed and honored to be a part of the great music program here, especially from my predecessor Sister Gail! I have a BA in Music Education from Illinois State University and am completing my Master of Arts (Music) degree at Webster University currently.
My hobbies include reading, exercising, performing music with my jazz and rock bands as well as spending time with my friends and family.
I love teaching elementary and middle school students because they are so full of life and love to learn their new instruments! I especially love seeing how excited students get when they are able to create music on their own for the first time.
Please do not hesitate to email me at: aunnerstall@stgab.org
Band at St. Gabriel's is part of the Co-Curricular subjects, and is a graded subject. The curriculum is based on the National Music Standards which are found in instrumental method books, appropriate to the level of the students, and supplemented with Chamber Music and Band Music which is level appropriate. Our program utilizes the Smart Music Program with all students. It is an interactive computer program that allows the students to be assessed and allows the teacher to interact with the student, via computer assignments.
Band starts in 4th grade. At the 4th and 5th grade level one 45-minute lesson per week is given as a "pull out" rotational program from the regular classroom.
In the 6th, 7th and 8th grade levels, one 45-minute band lesson per week replaces their General Music Class.
The Concert Band (6, 7, 8) meet as a full band on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 7:20 - 7:55 AM. The 4th graders meet as a full band on Wednesday afternoons from 2:05 - 2:45 PM. 5th graders meet as a full band on Thursday afternoons from 2:05 - 2:45 PM.
Jazz Band consists of students who are currently in Concert Band (6, 7, 8) and wish to learn the vocabulary of jazz, and learn to perform it. Jazz band meets before school on Mondays from 7:20 - 7:55 AM and is a non-graded band.
Two concerts are given annually by all band students: Spring and Winter. The Concert Band participates in the Archdiocesan Band Festival held each February. Students from the Concert Band also have the opportunity to participate in Honor Bands: e.g. Metro District 8, Des Lee Collaborative, and Chaminade.
The Concert Band marches in the School/Parish Picnic parade each October.
All Band students play either GOD BLESS AMERICA or THE NATIONAL ANTHEM each year at a Cardinal Baseball game.
Powell Hall
Practicing for the Parish Picnic Parade
Cardinal Baseball game