909A Concert Band Intensive 

 Gr 12 | |6 Credits | Year-Long | 5x per Cycle

 *PREREQUISITE: Audition and interview. Private lessons and background in music theory are strongly recommended. Juniors desiring to enroll in this Senior Intensive must consult with the director the prior spring.

This is a rigorous Honors level course that counts in the computation of the Grade Point Average. The objective of this course is to provide students with advanced musical and leadership experience working with a performing ensemble.

In addition to fulfilling the requirements for 908, the Intensive student will function as a student conductor for various sectional and full rehearsals as well as some performances of the ensemble. Intensives are expected to analyze recordings of pieces being studied to form an understanding of proper stylistic interpretation and other musical nuances. In sectional and regular rehearsals Intensives will be called upon to think critically and expected to contribute constructively to the musical shaping of each piece being prepared. Thorough understanding and preparation of their parts, as well as detailed understanding of the pieces as a whole, will be vital. Other leadership roles will include: acting as a mentor for incoming freshmen band members, researching and announcing program notes at concerts, serving as a stage manager or technical assistant at concerts, maintaining the band room facility and school-owned instruments, and librarian duties. Intensives may also perform a solo concerto with the ensemble or may choose to do a Senior Project that would benefit or involve the ensemble. Students choosing to do a Senior Project must continue to attend all rehearsals and performances during the Senior Project term.

Essential Skills

The Wellesley Public Schools Performing Arts Program offers a comprehensive program of experiences for all students. Courses offered through the Performing Arts are grounded in the Massachusetts State Arts Framework Essential Skills and Standards; Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting. 

Concert Band Essential Skills:

Creating:      

• Students will perform with articulations that are appropriate to the style of music performed.

• Students will perform rhythms accurately with nuanced timing that is appropriate to the style of music performed.

• Students will perform with tone quality and timbre that is appropriate to the style of music performed.

Performing:  

• Students will accurately read and perform rhythms and rests up to 16th notes, dotted 8th & 16ths, 8th-note triplets.

• Students will read and perform in time signatures: 4/4, 2/4, 3/4, 6/8 with some introduction to 5/4 and/or 5/8.

Responding:

• Students will discuss in class and/or small groups the authentic cultural influences that contributed to the composer and/or composition.

Connecting: 

• Students will explain the development of the group’s aesthetic vision as an ensemble and how it is represented in our performance.