Band Classes

Band Classes offered at SMS:

There are several Band Classes offered at SMS. Here is a list of classes available.

GATE BAND:

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Students can choose to participate in beginning Band.

• • All students perform for concerts in one combined class band.

  • Students will perform 2 times, AND the district Band Festival-click on the "Calendar" page above for dates.

  • GATE BAND INFORMATION: CLICK HERE

6TH GRADE BAND:

• Band classes meet every-other day.

• Students focus on the fundamentals learned in previous years and introduce more advanced techniques and musical concepts such as:

  • Warm-Up's/Scales/Chords/Technical Exercises

  • Syncopation

  • Expanded range

• All students perform for concerts in one combined class band.

• Students will perform 2 times, click on the "Calendar" page above for dates.

7TH GRADE BAND: 

• Band classes meet every-other day.

• Students will perform 2 times and take one tour- click on the "Calendar" page above for dates.

• Students focus on the fundamentals learned in previous years and introduce more advanced techniques and musical concepts such as:

  • Warm-Up's/Scales/Chords/Technical Exercises

  • Syncopation

  • Enharmonics

  • Triplets

  • Jazz Styles

  • Solos/Duets/Trios will be assigned to advanced students

8TH GRADE BAND:

• Band classes meet every day.

• Students focus on the fundamentals learned in previous years and introduce more advanced techniques and musical concepts.

• Students will study music history and its impact to culture.

• Cut-Time, Six-Eight, advanced range studies, keys of Bb, Eb, Ab, F, C, and chromatic scales will be studied.

• Students will perform at various times in the year and take a trip to Chicago-click on the "Calendar" page above for dates.

GRADE 8 JAZZ BAND: EXTRA CURRICULAR JAZZ/ROCK CLASS

• • JAZZ BAND is open to any grade 8 student and meets during advisory and THURSDAY mornings at 8:00am September-March.

  • Student will learn to improvise and play rock, latin, blues, and funk.

  • Extra tours and concerts are a parts of this course, including partcaicipation in the Stillwater Jazz Festival and the UW River Falls Jazz Festival