Instrumental Music Karate Program 2026-2027 Curriculum
White Belt
-Obtain an instrument and bring it to class
Level 1: Kohai (Beginner Level)
Yellow Belt
-All Instruments: 1. Set up equipment and prepare for lesson in five minutes or less. Students must also demonstrate how to hold their instrument properly and sit/ stand with good posture for playing. 2. Produce a basic sound on your instrument.
Tan Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds, Mallets: #1 First Notes and Rests
-Snare Drum: #1 First Notes and Rests, #2 Going Up
Orange Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds, Mallets: #8 Good Neighbors
-Snare Drum: #8 Good Neighbors, #9 Mix 'em Up
Level 2: Senpai (Intermediate Level)
Green Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds, Mallets: #10 Four in a Row
-Snare Drum: #22 Better than the Rest
Blue Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds, Mallets: #17 Hot Cross Buns
-Snare Drum: #24 Donkey Round
Purple Belt
-All Instruments: #26 Accent on _________
Level 3: Sensei (Advanced Level)
Brown Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds, Mallets: #29 Mary Ann
-Snare Drum: #59 Accent on Snare Drum: Flam Tap
Red Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds, Mallets: #37 Climbing Higher
-Snare Drum: #92 Dotted Quarters
Bodan Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds, Mallets: #52 Morning From "Peer Gynt"
-Snare Drum: #95 Sakura
Level 4: Shihan (Master Level)
Black Belt
-Clarinet: #77 Chester
-Saxophone: #104 Theme from "New World Symphony"
-Trumpet: #77 Chester
-Trombone: #95 Sakura
-Snare Drum: Advanced Rhythm Studies Sheet #s 1-6 (Top Section)
Silver Belt
-Clarinet: #98 Clarinet Climb
-Saxophone: #83 Kookaburra
-Trumpet: #73 La Bamba
-Trombone: #116 Kum Ba Yah
-Snare Drum: Advanced Rhythm Studies Sheet #s 7-10 (Top Section)
Gold Belt
-Clarinet: #104 New World Symphony
-Saxophone: #90 Minuet by Bach
-Trumpet: #83 Kookaburra
-Trombone: #88 William Tell Overture
-Snare Drum: Advanced Rhythm Studies Sheet #s 1-4 (Bottom Section)
About the band program:
Students who sign up and are scheduled should expect to be in band class every week at their assigned time. If there is a schedule change for the day, band may be moved or cancelled. Mr. Pruitt or the principal will communicate this as early as possible.
Students are expected to devote 90 minutes of time each week to their instrument. 30 minutes of in-school instruction, and 60 minutes of practice at home. I recommend 10 minutes each day, six days per week of regular practice at home.
Band may be an elective class, but that does not mean it is a "free class period" each week. In fact, students are pulled out of class for their lessons, so it is important that students remain in good academic standing. Mr. Pruitt, the homeroom teacher, and principal reserve the right to keep a student in their regular class if their work is suffering, or if they are not committing to the band program.
While missing band for special events or other pertinent reasons is fine, skipping class without letting Mr. Pruitt know is not, and negatively impacts the band. Mr. Pruitt will contact home after the second skipped lesson, and after the fourth a student may be removed from the program.
About karate:
Belts must be earned in order
In order to test for a belt, students must come to class prepared with their own instrument and sheet music. Students who forget their instrument can use school equippment for class that day, but belts must be earned on your instrument.
Classes for first year band students will start with level one, white belt
Students who do not attain a white belt rank by Friday, October 30th, will no longer be permitted to leave class for band lessons.
Second year band students will test into their starting belts. We will be starting with a very brief review of level one. The core content for second year students begins with green belt.
Students must earn an orange belt rank in order to participate in full band, as those are prerequisite tasks/ skills for rehearsal.
Students are expected to devote 90 minutes of time each week to their instrument. 30 minutes of in-school instruction, and 60 minutes of practice at home. When students go several weeks without working on their instrument at home, it becomes extrememly diffeicult for them to participate in class.