Course Information: Description: Instruction Level: 8 Prerequisites: Textbooks: Course : 8th Grade Band 8th Grade Band is a yearlong major performing organization and is available to all students. 8th Grade Band devotes the majority of the year to the development of instrumental skills through individual lessons, sectional rehearsals, solo-ensemble festival, as well as concert performances. We also combine with the 7th Grade Band in the spring to perform in two local parades. Fees are charged for school owned instruments, reeds, oils, marching band t-shirts, and other music supplies. None Music provided Music Standard 2: Performs on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 1. Performs on an instrument accurately and independently, alone and in small and large ensembles, with good posture, good playing position, and good breath, bow, or stick control 2. Performs with expression and technical accuracy on a string, wind, percussion, or other classroom instrument a repertoire of instrumental literature that may include modest ranges and changes of tempo, key, and meter 3. Performs music representing diverse genres and cultures, with expression appropriate for the work being performed Music Standard 5: Reads and notates music 1. Reads sixteenth and dotted notes and rests in 6/8, 3/8, and alla breve (2/2) meter signatures 2. Reads at sight simple melodies in both the treble and bass clefs 3. Knows standard notation symbols for pitch, rhythm, dynamics (e.g., piano, forte, crescendo, diminuendo), tempo, articulation (e.g., accents, legato, staccato, marcato), and expression (e.g., phrasing) 1 Page
Music Standard 6: Knows and applies appropriate criteria to music and music performances 1. Identifies specific music events (e.g., entry of oboe, change of meter, return of refrain) when listening to music 2. Understands how the elements of music are used in various genres and cultures 3. Understands the basic principles of meter, rhythm, tonality, intervals, chords, and harmonic progressions Music Standard 7: Understands the relationship between music and history and culture 1. Understands distinguishing characteristics (e.g., relating to instrumentation, texture, rhythmic qualities, melodic lines, form) of representative music genres and styles from a variety of cultures 3. Understands the functions music serves, roles of musicians, and conditions under which music is typically performed in various cultures of the world Unit (Order according to calendar) 1. Veteran s Day Assembly 2. Winter Concert 3. Large Group Festival 4. Spring Concert 5. Marching Band a. Memorial Day Parade b. Butterfest Parade Unit Outlines 1. Veteran s Day Assembly (September through mid-november) Note: Students will prepare and perform two selections for the middle school s Veteran s Day Assembly. Those selections will include the Star Spangled Banner and a medley of the U.S. military service songs. 2 Page
Performs on an instrument accurately and independently, alone and in small and large ensembles, with good posture, good playing position, and good breath, bow, or stick control Reads sixteenth and dotted notes and rests in 6/8, 3/8, and alla breve (2/2) meter signatures Students will be able to answer the following question(s): How does my instrument s part fit in with the rest of the ensemble? How do I tune my instrument? What is my ideal posture and horn position? How do I determine the key signature of a song? How do I determine the time signature of a song? Playing in 6/8 time Playing the Bb concert scale Playing the Eb concert scale Playing the Ab concert scale Exhibit proper concert etiquette 2. Winter Concert (mid-november through mid-december) Note: Students will prepare and perform three to four selections of varied repertoire for our 6-8 grade winter music concert. Performs with expression and technical accuracy on a string, wind, percussion, or other classroom instrument a repertoire of instrumental literature that may include modest ranges and changes of tempo, key, and meter Understands how the elements of music are used in various genres and cultures What is a key change? What is a time signature change? 3 Page
F concert scale Effectively changing key signatures and time signatures while playing 3. Large Group Festival (mid-december through mid-march) Note: Students will prepare and perform three selections of varied repertoire for a qualified instrumental music clinician as well as perform one selection for a district-wide 6-12 music concert. Students will also have time to work with the clinician on different techniques and approaches to practice and performance. Knows standard notation symbols for pitch, rhythm, dynamics (e.g., piano, forte, crescendo, diminuendo), tempo, articulation (e.g., accents, legato, staccato, marcato), and expression Identifies specific music events (e.g., entry of oboe, change of meter, return of refrain) when listening to music Understands the basic principles of meter, rhythm, tonality, intervals, chords, and harmonic progressions What criteria will the clinician use to assess our performance? After listening to a recording, how would I assess our performance? What skills/techniques can we improve upon? Tuning, Intonation, Balance, Technique, Interpretation, Expression, Presentation 4. Spring Concert (mid-march through April) Note: Students will prepare and perform three to four selections of varied repertoire for our 6-8 spring band concert. Sight-read simple melodies 4 Page
What are effective sight-reading techniques? Key signatures Time signatures Articulations Dynamics 5. Marching Band (May through mid-june) Note: Students will prepare and perform a selection for each of two local spring parades. The first will be a patriotic marching arrangement for the area s Memorial Day Parade. The second will be a popular selection for Sparta s annual Butterfest Parade. Understands the functions music serves, roles of musicians, and conditions under which music is typically performed in various cultures of the world What are the various roles of a marching band? March in step on the street Demonstrate understanding of the written language of music notation Understand the role of the band within the community 5 Page