Course Syllabus - Percussion Ensemble Forest Park High School, Room 1406 Mr. Rob Specketer, Instructor speckerc@pwcs.edu; (571) 589-3625 www.bruinband.net Course Description: Percussion Ensemble is open to percussionists of all playing levels in grades 9-12. This course focuses on development of keyboard and rudimentary percussion skills through performance in both percussion ensemble and concert band settings. The Percussion Ensemble will perform as a group throughout the year on various concerts, as well as serve as the percussion section for Concert Band at all concerts and District Assessment. Course Objectives: The student will - learn to read and notate music in standard music notation. - learn techniques necessary to playing and performing on percussion instruments, including snare drum, bass drum, auxiliary instruments, keyboard instruments, and timpani. - learn all major scales and arpeggios - learn all snare drum rudiments as suggested by the Percussive Arts Society. - perform percussion literature as a soloist and as a member of a percussion ensemble. - perform as a member of a concert band percussion section. - learn the role of percussion instruments in music from different time periods. Course Materials: - Book: - Five Minute Drill (first-year percussion ensemble students) or Nine Minute Drills (second-year percussion ensemble students) - Eric Rath, Ralph Hicks (available from the Band Boosters; $15. Make payment to FPHS Band Boosters ) - Sticks/Mallets: Students will need one pair of each of the following: - Concert Snare Drum Sticks (Vic Firth SD-1, Promark Concert One or Two) - Medium Yarn (Marimba) Mallets - Medium Rubber (Xylophone) Mallets - Medium Timpani Mallets - Practice Pad Instrument Rental: PWCS charges $60.00 per year for instrument rental. Percussion students fee will go towards their usage of school owned sticks, mallets, and percussion instruments. This fee is waived if a student is a part of the free or reduced lunch program, OR if the student provides their own sticks and mallets for daily use. Steve Weiss Music (www.steveweissmusic.com) offers a mallet pack containing all required sticks and mallets. It is listed as the Liberty 1 Basic Stick Pack. You can find it by searching SW-STICKPACK in the search bar. Students will also need a practice pad for practice in class and at home. A stand for the practice pad is recommended, but not required. Remember, when buying equipment for your child to use, you get what you pay for. Students planning to continue in band throughout high school will benefit from nicer, more durable equipment. If you have questions about purchasing a drum pad, please contact Mr. Specketer. Grading: Instrumental Technique/Musicianship : 40% - Formal, in-class assessments on scales, technique, and ensemble music Ensemble Technique/Musicianship : 20% - Assessments in the form of concerts and in-class recitals
Concert expectations: Students are to be on time, wearing appropriate concert attire (see attached), with all required materials and their music prepared. Students must follow acceptable performance behavior (as covered in class) and remain respectful to chaperones. Failure to do so will affect concert grade. Rehearsal Skills and Expectations : 25% - Having all course materials for each rehearsal (instrument, music, accessories, pencil) - Maintaining a quiet and productive rehearsal space - Playing instruments in the correct manner, including posture and instrument carriage - Display procedures of maintaining a safe rehearsal environment with respect of all FPHS and personal belongings Literacy and Evaluative Skills : 15% - Concert reviews, listening assignments, music theory written work, etc. Concert Attire: The Bruin Band Boosters will no longer facilitate orders for concert attire. Each student will provide their own concert attire as required in the attached information. Concert/Rehearsal Attendance: Per the PWCS School Board, members of performing musical organizations are to be present at all public performances except in case of personal sickness, death in the family, or extenuating circumstances approved by the director and/or the principal. Students are reminded not to schedule family engagements that will conflict with our schedule. Please be advised that work, parties, concerts, and sporting events will be considered unexcused. 1. Verify all absences with a written note from parent/guardian, two weeks in advance. 2. Unexcused absences from rehearsals may lead to the student being removed from the performance. These students will be given an assignment in lieu of their concert performance grade.. 3. Excused absences from performances can be made up by performing the concert repertoire for Mr. Specketer at an assigned time. Unexcused absences cannot be made up. Awards: Each year students receive a fine arts certificate with their activities of the year listed. They also have the opportunity to earn a band letter. Students must earn 100 points to earn their band letter, then every 60 points will earn a letter bar, signifying earning the letter multiple times. The following events/accomplishments will be counted towards their point totals. Marching Band (Full Season) 25 points All District Band 10 points Concert Band 15 points Senior Regional Orchestra 15 points Jazz Band 15 points All State Band 15 points Solo and Ensemble 5 points Private Lessons 10 points/semester Summer Music Camps 10 points/week All County Band* 10 points Pit Orchestra - 10 points Symphonic Orchestra - 10 points Indoor Activity (Drumline or Winterguard) - 25 points Bruin Band Boosters: The Bruin Band Boosters (BBB) support all of the bands here at Forest Park. The BBB provide for the financial and volunteer resources, planning, leadership and other needs of the bands, students and staff. The BBB work extremely hard to foster cooperation between the school, the parents and students to provide a high quality band and music education experience for all music students here. All parents with a child in the band program are members. BBB board positions are filled each spring and are open to anyone who is interested in promoting and supporting the band program. Bruin Band Booster general meetings are open to all booster members and are listed on the band website.
FPHS Band Calendar 2018-2019 (Items in bold are required for Concert Band members. Items with * are optional.) Senior Regional Orchestra Auditions* September 17, 2018 Australian Students Celebration September 28, 2018 Fall Concert* October 30, 2018 Senior Regional Orchestra (by audition) November 9-10, 2018 Tiny Tots (WE only) November 27-28, 2018 All-County Auditions* November 28, 2018 or All-District Auditions* December 8, 2018 Concert Band/Perc. Ens. Rehearsal, 4:30-6:00pm December 5, 2018 Concert Band/Perc. Ens. Rehearsal, 4:30-6:00pm December 12, 2018 Winter Concert December 13, 2018 FPHS Holiday Pops Rehearsal, 6:00-9:00pm December 18, 2018 FPHS Music Holiday Pops Concert December 19, 2018 Winter Break Dec 21, 2018 - Jan 1, 2019 All-County Band (by audition) January 10-12, 2019 All-District Band (by audition) January 31 - February 2, 2019 Concert Band/Perc. Ens. Rehearsal, 4:30-6:00pm February 6, 2019 Concert Band/Perc. Ens. Rehearsal, 4:30-6:00pm February 19, 2019 Pre-Assessment Concert February 20, 2019 FPHS Bruin Invitational (tent.) February 22-23, 2019 All-Virginia Auditions* February 23, 2019 Band Assessments February 28 - March 2, 2019 Spring Trip* March 29-31. 2019 All-Virginia Band (by audition) April 5-7, 2019 Spring Break April 15-19, 2019 Solo & Ensemble Assessment* April 27, 2019 Concert Band/Perc. Ens.Rehearsal, 4:30-6:00pm May 9, 2019 Concert Band/Perc. Ens.Rehearsal, 4:30-6:00pm May 13, 2019 Spring Band Concert May 14, 2019 Band Awards May 21, 2019 Graduation (WE only) May 31, 2019 Last day of school June 11, 2019 Final Exam Exemptions: Please see PWCS Regulation 661-4 for information regarding final exam exemptions.
FPHS BAND CONCERT ATTIRE ORDERING GUIDE The band boosters will no longer facilitate ordering concert attire. Please use https://www.formalwear-outlet.com/ to order your concert clothing for this year. The items are listed for men and women below with item numbers. For sizing information, please see the Ordering Guide at the bottom of the website. Orders should be placed no later than one month prior to the first performance, September 30, 2018. Please bring confirmation of your order (printed from confirmation email/receipt) to Mr. Specketer by this date. Men: (1) Black Notch Lapel Jacket, Item #B721 (2) White Wing Collar Tuxedo Shirt, Item #G703 (3) Black Satin Bow Tie, Item #U100 (4) Black Satin Cummerbund, Item #V100 (5) Adjustable Pleated Tuxedo Pant, Item #E305 Women: (1) Lumina Dress, Item #D819 All members are required to provide their own black shoes and socks.
FOREST PARK BANDS Rob Specketer, Director of Bands; SpeckeRC@pwcs.edu; (571) 589-3625 Student Name: Instrument(s): Circle All that Apply: Concert Band Symphonic Band Wind Ensemble Percussion Ensemble Parent/Guardian Name(s): Home Phone: Cell Phone: Work Phone: Work Phone: Parent Email: Student Email: [Note: Information regarding Bruin Band activities is primarily distributed by email. Phone numbers are required for emergency notifications. The FPHS Bruin Band does not provide email address(s) or other personal information on this form to any other individuals or organizations.] STUDENT STATEMENT I have read and understand the contents of this syllabus. I recognize and understand the rules by which I may participate. Student Signature: Date: PARENT STATEMENT I have read and understand the contents of this handbook. I recognize and understand the rules by which my child may participate. Parent Signature: Date: