Sept. 8-12 Happenings

Dear Blog Reader,

I apologize for not posting the happenings of our first two weeks of school. Somehow in the maze of activities I simply overlooked it. That being said, we have certainly been busy with two high school performances already under our belts and a new class of 5th grade students that have shiny new instrument and a rearing to go. Please check back each week to keep up with what is happening in our band rooms.

Sincerely,
Mr. Pedersen

5th

Objectives:

• Teach basic sound production and music reading basics
• Establish group rehearsal schedule for coming weeks, and create lesson schedule

Lesson:

1. Create final lesson schedule
2. Schedule Brass, Woodwind, and Percussion group lessons
1. Items to cover:
1. Proper instrument holding
2. Setting up reeds
3. Posture and Breathing
3. Music Reading:
1. Identify: Staff, Clefs, Note Placement
2. Discuss the beat and foot tapping
4. Playing:
1. Begin on Pg. 4 with the first note
2. Discuss articulation on each instrument
3. Assign rehearsal of the first two pages

Middle School

6th Grade

Objectives:

• Rehearse warm-ups in four concert keys
• Rehearse concert pieces, and begin looking for another

Warm-Up:

• EE Pg. 40 Bb, Eb, F, and Ab #1, #2
• Chromatic Scale on octave beginning on Concert Bb in eighth notes

Lesson:

1. Dark Adventure
1. Rehearse tempo change and reinforce percussion there for confidence
2. Identify and rehearse piece in sections
2. Royal March
1. Reinforce proper counting at the beginning and strengthen trumpets there
2. Identify melody and supporting parts throughtout

7/8th Grade

Objectives:

• Add Concert G to scales
• Strengthen performance of scales in 3rds
• Continue reading concert music

Warm-Up:

• Perform major scales: Concert C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G
• Perform selected key in thirds
• One octave Bb chromatic scale in eighth notes

Lesson:

1. Park Street Celebration
1. Begin performing full runs
2. Isolate tempo changes for consistency
3. Begin adding dynamics throughout
2. March
1. Isolate upper-woodwinds on eighth/sixteenth passages
2. Identify the form and sections of the piece
3. Begin to refine march style and articulations
3. Brazilian Folk Dance Suite
1. Continue reading and make decision to keep or cut

High School

Objectives:

• Begin reading Fall Concert Music
• Continue to refine ensemble listening skills, specifically intonation and articulation
• Complete chair placements

Warm-Up:

• Selected Major Scales, two daily
• One major key in thirds
• One relative-minor
• Chromatic
• Selected Bach Chorale

Lesson:

1. Wrap-up pep band 
2. Begin reading potential Fall Concert pieces
1. Discuss sight-reading strategies and goals
2. Rehearse selected passages to determine ensemble abilities