Instrumental Music Karate Program 2026-2027 Curriculum
White Belt
-Obtain an instrument and bring it to class
Level 1: Kohai (Beginner Level)
Yellow Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds, Mallets: 1. Set up equipment and prepare for lesson in five minutes or less. 2. Demonstrate how to hold your instrument properly and sit/ stand with good posture for playing. 3. Produce a basic sound on your instrument.
Tan Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds, Mallets: #1 First Notes and Rests
Orange Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds, Mallets: #8 Good Neighbors
Level 2: Senpai (Intermediate Level)
Green Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds, Mallets: #10 Four in a Row
Blue Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds, Mallets: #17 Hot Cross Buns
Purple Belt
-All Instruments: #26 Accent on _________
Level 3: Sensei (Advanced Level)
Brown Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds: #29 Mary Ann
-Snare Drum: Rhythm Studies #s 23-36 (play several at teacher's direction)
Red Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds: #37 Climbing Higher
-Snare Drum: Advanced Rhythm Studies Sheet #s 1-6 (Top Section) (play several at teacher's direction)
Bodan Belt
-Brass, Woodwinds: #52 Morning From "Peer Gynt"
-Snare Drum: #95 Sakura
Level 4: Shihan (Master Level)
Black Belt
-Flute: #77 Chester
-Clarinet: #77 Chester
-Saxophone: #104 Theme from "New World Symphony"
-Trumpet: #77 Chester
-Trombone: #95 Sakura
-Snare Drum: Advanced Rhythm Studies Sheet #s 7-10
Silver Belt
-Flute: #57 Snake Charmer
-Clarinet: #98 Clarinet Climb
-Saxophone: #83 Kookaburra
-Trumpet: #73 La Bamba
-Trombone: #116 Kum Ba Yah
-Snare Drum: #59 Accent on Snare Drum: Flam Tap
Gold Belt
-Flute: #116 Kum Ba Yah
-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 academics remain in good 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.
NEW THIS YEAR: Percussion students will be studying both mallet percussion, and snare drum in class. The beginner and intermediate belts will be earned on mallets, while advanced and master level belts will be earned on snare drum.
About karate:
Belts must be earned in order
All selections are from Accent on Achievement by John O'Reilly and Mark Williams.
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.