Vertical Alignment and the Beginner Set-up

Transcription

1 Vertical Alignment and the Beginner Set-up Brent W. Biskup Flower Mound High School Colorado Bandmasters Association 2017 Tuesday, June 21, 2016

2 Topics to be Discussed What is vertical alignment? First few weeks of beginner band 5 th grade appointments Recruiting 7 th and 8 th grade curriculum transitions into High School curriculum Class structure/master schedule

3 Vertical Alignment

4 What, why, how? What is vertical alignment? The idea of the counting system think through the entire beginner to graduation curriculum Through idea for each student grades 6 12 Fundamental focus Tonal concepts Expectations What is vertical alignment? Results should be cluster cohesiveness, clarity for students, higher comprehension, more opportunities for students to succeed LISD in- service

5 What, why, how continued Find a way to travel to cluster campuses - help, don t evaluate Sectional work Private lessons with soloists New set of ears in rehearsal Sometimes more involved depends upon time of year and setting Top down band programs work as well as trickle down economics Collaborate, never dictate Strength of middle school culture MS concerts

6 First few weeks of beginner band

7 Beginner Band Homogenous classes flute, clarinet, double reeds, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium/tuba, and percussion Learn fundamentals How How to sit Master of the alphabet, rhythm rockers Theory books Open the case, hold the instrument correctly then back in the case How to walk to the locker with instruments

8 Beginner Band Continued Place the mouthpiece Use a CD for a mirror Fog horn Earn the tuning slide Capitalize on the excitement Both students and parents

9 5 th Grade Appointments

10 5 th Grade Appointments 10 min time slot scheduled for every interested beginner Sign up for band, not for a specific instrument Tables with every instrument around the room Music store representatives are there for contract paperwork. They do not talk, they do not present anything! Try instruments pick top 3 choices Set instrumentation Private lesson forms Rental contracts completed but they DO NOT take home an instrument Instruments are delivered to the school prior to the 1 st day

11 5 th Grade Appointments continued Interested percussion students have a separate test Need piano experience in most cases Students who don t make a percussion spot choose a different instrument 10% of beginner class can play percussion Manipulating the instrumentation Oboe or bassoon discussion about grades, cost of reeds, must take private lessons Flute teardrop Saxophone control Horn ear training Euphonium do you have a pulse?

12 Recruiting how to spark interest

13 Recruiting You must know the entire cluster, and track numbers Elementary music teachers are the MOST influential people when recruiting Middle schools to 5 th graders in January Big presentation Pictures with students from the grade above smiling, having fun Top kids from each class classroom teachers begin to assimilate band with the best students Play a concert All fun music Not too long Announce sign- up for appointments Explain to them how to join band

14 Recruiting continued High school to 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th graders in May Bernstein concert all movie music Demonstrate each instrument in families (15 seconds) in the audience Select few come up and play drums Instrument petting zoo at the end Band day at the high school Bus middle school kids to see the marching band Perform and explain shows Line up on the track and play stand music 8 th graders come onto field and meet with sections 8th grade/high school band party Instruments are not allowed Bounce houses, gaming trucks, dodge ball, basketball, food, etc

15 Class structure The master schedule

16 Class Structure The idea of a full schedule Flute, clarinet, double reeds, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium/tuba, percussion 2 ability- based band classes 11 classes on the books Validity of the program Numbers change perception Band bus

17 7 th and 8 th grade curriculum

18 7 th and 8 th grade Ability based bands Solo and Ensemble Chamber Ensembles Region Band Jazz Band Private Lessons Sectionals

19 High School curriculum

20 High School Ability based bands Solo and Ensemble Chamber Ensembles Region Band Jazz Band Private Lessons Sectionals Marching Band