Jan. 31-Feb. 4 Happenings

Middle School

5th Band

Objectives:

• Begin working on Chromatic and full octave Bb scales
• Rehearse full page pieces

Warm-Up:

1. Page 12 perform Tone and Rhythm Builders
1. Begin having percussion rotate through mallets

Music Rehearsal:

1. Let’s Rock
1. Rehearse winds on counting rests accurately
2. Perform full run
2. Chesapeake March
1. Work with winds on slurred passages
2. Isolate bass line and work

6th Band:

This band will not meet this week due to Iowa Test of Basic Skills

7/8th Band

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Rehearse Pops Music

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, and D
1. Continue playing scales in cut-time
2. Play one major scale in a 3rds pattern
3. Play Chromatic Scale
1. Alternate articulation patterns
4. Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
1. Isolate syncopated sections and identify melody/supporting parts
2. Begin incorporating dynamics
3. Attempt a full run
2. When You Believe
1. Begin rehearsing in sections

High School

Objectives:

• Rehearse Pops Concert Pieces
• Continue rehearsing major scales
• Final Pep Band

Warm-Up:

1. Play through all Major Concert Scales
1. Begin playing scales in cut-time
2. Goal of all scales in 2 minutes
2. Play one key in 3rds
3. Play one relative-minor scale
1. Natural Minor
2. Harmonic Minor
4. Play Chromatic Scale 3x’s
1. Change articulation pattern

Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Eagles Medley
1. Desperado
1. Begin isolating and correcting rhythms
2. Identify melody/supporting lines
2. Begin playing through in large pieces focusing on transitions
2. Beatles Medley
1. Rehearse transitions
1. Hard Day’s Night
2. Penny Lane
3. Norwegian Wood
4. Got to Get You Into My Life
2. Begin rehearsing the closing measures
3. 80’s Medley (Definite Piece)
1. Thriller
1. Isolate trumpet backgrounds at 24 and pickup to 32
2. Work melody at 34 with trumpets
2. Time After Time
1. Reinforce bass line at 57
3. Begin rehearsing solos in Up Where We Belong
4. Perform runs of the second half of the medley

Jan. 24-28 Happenings

Middle School

5th Band

Objectives:

• Begin working on Chromatic and full octave Bb scales
• Rehearse full page pieces

Warm-Up:

1. Page 12 perform Tone and Rhythm Builders
1. Begin having percussion rotate through mallets

Music Rehearsal:

1. Sultan’s Saber
1. Work with upper winds on slurred parts
2. Work on low brass alone
3. Perform full run
2. Let’s Rock
1. Rehearse winds on counting rests accurately
2. Perform full run
3. Chesapeake March
1. Sight-Read
2. Work with winds on slurred passages
3. Isolate bass line and work

6th Band

Objectives:

• Continue working on scales
• Rehearse music

Warm-Up:

1. Play through EE Pg. 40 Concert Bb, Eb, F, and Ab #1, and 2
1. Work articulations on number 2 and push tempos
2. Play chromatic scale

Music Rehearsal:

1. The Year of the Dragon
1. Begin incorporating dynamics
2. Reinforce accurate entrances and counting
2. Signed, Sealed, Delivered
1. Work with trumpets/saxes on melody
2. Rehearse like parts and identify repeated areas
3. All the King’s Men
1. Sight-Read

7/8th Band

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Select music for Pops Concert

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, and D
1. Continue playing scales in cut-time
2. Play one major scale in a 3rds pattern
3. Play Chromatic Scale
1. Alternate articulation patterns
4. Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
1. Sight-Read through
2. Rehearse in sections as needed
2. Hot, Hot, Hot
1. Re-read through
3. When You Believe
1. Re-read through
4. Loch Lommond
1. Isolate opening to 6/8 section and begin adding rubato for phrasing
2. Discuss shaping of lines and proper balance for this section
3. Work with percussion for balance in 6/8 section

High School

Objectives:

• Confirm selections for Pops Concert
• Continue rehearsing major scales
• Honor Band Thursday (27th), band rehearse in sectionals

Warm-Up:

1. Play through all Major Concert Scales
1. Begin playing scales in cut-time
2. Goal of all scales in 2 minutes
2. Play one key in 3rds
3. Play one relative-minor scale
1. Natural Minor
2. Harmonic Minor
4. Play Chromatic Scale 3x’s
1. Change articulation pattern

Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Eagles Medley
1. Rehearse Opening-67
1. Check rhythmic accuracy
2. Work for good balance and blend
3. Incorporate dynamics
2. Reinforce counting on 68-90
1. Work with clarinets on accuracy
2. Isolate percussion parts and add as needed
2. Beatles Medley
1. Work Opening to 67
2. Correct rhythms
3. Isolate melody in sections and rehearse
4. Work transition from swing eighth to straight
3. 80’s Medley (Definite Piece)
1. Thriller
1. Isolate trumpet backgrounds at 24 and pickup to 32
2. Work melody at 34 with trumpets
3. Continue to rehearse measures 39-42
2. Time After Time
1. Reinforce melody rhythm at 57 and isolate bass line

Jan. 17-21 Happenings

Middle School

5th Band

Objectives:

• Begin working on Chromatic and full octave Bb scales
• Rehearse full page pieces

Warm-Up:

1. Page 12 perform Tone and Rhythm Builders
1. Begin having percussion rotate through mallets

Music Rehearsal:

1. Sultan’s Saber
1. Work with upper winds on slurred parts
2. Work on low brass alone
3. Perform in sections with repeats
4. Perform full run
2. Let’s Rock
1. Discuss sight-reading goals in band
2. Sight-read through
3. Rehearse sections as needed
3. Hand out New Music

6th Band

Objectives:

• Continue working on scales
• Rehearse music

Warm-Up:

1. Play through EE Pg. 40 Concert Bb, Eb, F, and Ab #1, and 2
1. Work articulations on number 2 and push tempos
2. Play chromatic scale

Music Rehearsal:

1. Dragons
1. Re-read through the piece
2. Reinforce toe tapping
3. Begin incorporating dynamics
4. Reinforce accurate entrances and counting
2. Signed, Sealed, Delivered
1. Work with trumpet on melody
2. Begin rehearsing in sections
3. Possibly distribute new pieces

7/8th Band

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Begin narrowing tunes down for Pops Concert

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, and D
1. Continue playing scales in cut-time
2. Play one major scale in a 3rds pattern
3. Play Chromatic Scale
1. Alternate articulation patterns
4. Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Chariots of Fire
1. Sight-read through piece
2. Hot, Hot, Hot
1. Listen to song on YouTube
2. Re-read through
3. Loch Lommond
1. Isolate opening to 6/8 section and begin adding rubato for phrasing
2. Discuss shaping of lines and proper balance for this section
3. Work with percussion for balance in 6/8 section
4. Gonna Fly Now
1. Re-read through in sections
5. Looney Tunes
1. Re-read
6. Discuss possible pieces for concert, keepers or keep looking

High School

Objectives:

• Confirm selections for Pops Concert
• Continue rehearsing major scales

Warm-Up:

1. Play through all Major Concert Scales
1. Begin playing scales in cut-time
2. Goal of all scales in 2 minutes
2. Play one key in 3rds
3. Play one relative-minor scale
1. Natural Minor
2. Harmonic Minor
4. Play Chromatic Scale 3x’s
1. Change articulation pattern

Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Eagle’s Medley
1. Re-read through piece
2. Beatles Medley
1. Re-read through piece
3. Over the Rainbow
1. Re-read through piece
4. 80’s Medley (Definite Piece)
1. Isolate Time After Time and Up Where We Belong
1. Identify melody sections vs. backup parts
2. Correct rhythms
5. Decide on final concert program and begin rehearsing the pieces in sections and isolating and working on transitions

Jan. 10-14 Happenings

Middle School

5th Band

Objectives:

• Refresh Performance Pages from EE
• Begin working on new Pieces outside of the book

Warm-Up:

1. Page 12 perform Tone and Rhythm Builders
1. Begin having percussion rotate through mallets

Music Rehearsal:

1. Play through performance pages 12-13 just for refresher
1. perform a round
2. Begin sight-reading Sultan’s Sabre
1. Discuss sight-reading goals and identify performance markings
3. Distribute Let’s Rock
1. Read through piece
2. Begin rehearsing
4. Possibly distribute new pieces

6th Band

Objectives:

• Distribute new pieces and read
• Continue working on scales

Warm-Up:

1. Play through EE Pg. 40 Concert Bb, Eb, F, and Ab #1, and 2
1. Work articulations on number 2 and push tempos
2. Play chromatic scale

Music Rehearsal:

1. Dragons of Komodo
1. Re-read through the piece
2. Identify like sections and key musical elements
3. Begin rehearsing in sections
2. Signed, Sealed, Delivered
1. Work with trumpet on melody
2. Rehearse full band on chorus section
3. Possibly distribute new pieces

7/8th Band

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Continue reading through pieces
• Begin narrowing tunes down for Pops Concert

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, and D
1. Continue playing scales in cut-time
2. Play one major scale in a 3rds pattern
3. Play Chromatic Scale
4. Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Looney Tunes
1. Sight-read through, in sections if needed
2. Hot, Hot, Hot
1. Rehearse syncopated sections in trumpets
2. Rehearse chorus sections
3. Perform a full run
3. Loch Lommond
1. Explain 6/8 counting again and re-visit the 6/8 section in the piece
2. Identify like parts throughout
3. Perform a full run
4. Gonna Fly Now
1. Re-read through in sections

High School

Objectives:

• Refresh Pep Band Music
• Read potential Pops Concert Pieces and begin narrowing search
• Continue rehearsing major scales

Warm-Up:

1. Play through all Major Concert Scales
1. Begin playing scales in cut-time
2. Goal of all scales in 2 minutes
2. Play one key in 3rds
3. Play one relative-minor scale
1. Natural Minor
2. Harmonic Minor
4. Play Chromatic Scale 3x’s

Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Refresh Pep Band Pieces
1. BB Intro
2. Star-Spangled Banner
2. Eagle’s Medley
1. Re-read through piece
2. Work sections as needed
3. Beatles Medley
1. Sight-read in sections
4. Over the Rainbow
1. Re-read and work in sections
2. Identify unison rhythms and correct
5. 80’s Medley
1. Isolate Time After Time and Up Where We Belong
1. Identify melody sections vs. backup parts
2. Correct rhythms

Jan. 3-7 Happenings

Welcome back! I hope that those of you reading this had a fun and relaxing break from school. That being said, it is time to get back to work. At the high school we have Basketball Pep Band, Conference Honor Band, and a Pops Concert to begin preparing for. At the middle school it's time to hand out some new music and start working. Also, all middle school student will begin looking at solo pieces toward the end of this month or the beginning of February. I look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Middle School

5th Band

Objectives:

• Set Goals
• Finish Performance Pages from EE
• Begin working on new Pieces outside of the book

Warm-Up:

1. Page 12 perform Tone and Rhythm Builders
1. Begin having percussion rotate through mallets

Music Rehearsal:

1. Begin playing through performance pages 12-13
2. Possibly play a full run through the book up to their current location
3. Distribute new sheet music and discuss sight-reading
1. Read through pieces and begin rehearsing

6th Band

Objectives:

• Set Goals
• Distribute new pieces and read
• Continue working on scales

Warm-Up:

1. Play through EE Pg. 40 Concert Bb, Eb, F, and Ab #1, and 2
1. Work articulations on number 2 and push tempos
2. Play chromatic scale

Music Rehearsal:

1. Distribute new pieces and begin reading

7/8th Band

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Distribute new pieces and begin reading

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, and G
1. Continue playing scales in cut-time
2. Play one major scale in a 3rds pattern
3. Play Chromatic Scale
4. Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Distribute new pieces for Pops Concert and begin reading
1. Identify key and important rhythms
2. Set goals to read straight through the pieces without stopping

High School

Objectives:

• Refresh Pep Band Music
• Read through several new pep band pieces
• Hand out and read potential Pops Concert Pieces
• Continue rehearsing major scales

Warm-Up:

1. Play through all Major Concert Scales
1. Begin playing scales in cut-time
2. Goal of all scales in 2 minutes
2. Play one key in 3rds
3. Play one relative-minor scale
1. Natural Minor
2. Harmonic Minor
4. Play Chromatic Scale 3x’s

Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Refresh Pep Band Pieces
1. School Song
2. Star-Spangled Banner
3. Build Me Up Buttercup
1. Refresh rhythms and modulation
4. The Stripper
1. Distribute
2. Read through
5. Born to Be Wild
6. Celebration
2. Distribute 2-3 new pieces and read

Distribute some potential Pops Concert pieces