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About Mr. Unnerstall:
I am in my 8th year of teaching instrumental and general music and it is my 2nd 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 a Master of Arts (Music) degree from Webster University.
My hobbies include exercising, performing music with my jazz and rock bands, as well as spending time with my friends, family and adorable neice Trevi and nephew Oliver.
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
Class Overview
Class Overview
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 (6-8th) meets as a full band on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 7:20 - 7:55 AM. The 4th graders meet as a full band on Thursday afternoons from 2:05-2:45 PM. 5th graders meet as a full band on Tuesday afternoons from 1:20-2:05 PM.
Jazz Band consists of students who are currently in Concert Band (6-8th) 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 Parish Picnic parade each October. (Usually the 2nd weekend)
All Band students perform the National Anthem each year at a Cardinal Baseball game for our annual fundraiser.
2026 CARDINALS GAME TICKET LINK: (Monday, June 1st @ 6:45 pm) https://giving.myparishsoft.io/App/Form/98c78bb9-f076-447d-bd10-fe0fcd3a3e86
Photos from Band:
Photos from Band:
Powell Hall
Practicing for the Parish Picnic Parade
Cardinal Baseball game
THE National Army Band Instrument Demo Video:
2026-27 Beginning Band Information:
Beginning Band Information 2026-27.pdf
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