Band will meet Mondays through Thursdays from 11:25 to 11:55 a.m. and will be a pullout class. We will learn the basic skills of our instruments while having fun. We have three concerts over the course of the year and dates and style are still being finalized. There is usually a concert in late November and we are still debating whether this one will be virtual or in person at East Olympia Elementary. Our South End Band Festival is February 23rd at Tumwater High School. Our end of year concert will be late May at East Olympia Elementary. All concerts start at 7 p.m.
There will be one instrument rental nights courtesy of Ted Brown September 27th 3:30 to 7 pm at Peter G. Schmidt Elementary for pickup of instruments that were rented online ahead of time at https://tedbrownmusic.com/topic/schools-tumwater-school-district . However, you are welcome to rent an instrument from a local music store of your choice. Students who rent their own instrument tend to be more successful than those that use one of the scarce and old school models, though those are available for families in financial need. Music stores have great rent to own programs with different rates for new or used instruments.
The choices of instrument for beginning band are flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone. Those wishing to play percussion must talk to me in advance for an audition. Those who want to play saxophone must play clarinet for at least the first half of the year before switching. Don’t forget to buy your book Sound Innovations for Concert Band Book 1 by R. Sheldon, P. Boonshaft, D. Black, and B. Phillips
Learn the fundamentals of playing a band instrument for continuing at the Middle School and High School music programs.
Textbook
Sound Innovations for Concert Band Book 1 by R. Sheldon, P. Boonshaft, D. Black, and B. Phillips
Graded Course Components
Class Rehearsal Techniques
Participation in the class activities is the best way for students to learn new skills to take home for practice. If a student does not attend class or is not on task, the learning cannot take place.
Individual Rehearsal Time
Students will not improve if they do not spend some time outside of the class practicing their instrument. I will expect students to spend 60 minutes a week practicing to meet standard. This is roughly the equivalent of practicing during the commercial breaks of 2 hour long television shows. If students are practicing, it will be evident on the Playing Exams.
Playing Exams
In order to show mastery of a skill or standard, students will be asked to play individually for the teacher. Students can retake the playing exam as many times as needed in order to show mastery of the skill/standard.
Concert
Students will perform at concerts throughout the year to show growth and mastery of their instrument
Other Information
Preparation, Attendance, and Pacing
This class meets Monday and Thursday to watch instrument specific learning videos and Tuesday and Friday for live Google Meet to check in on the skills. The band time assigned is from 11:30 to 12:00. If for some reason your student can't make my live Google Meet time, other teachers in the disttrict will have open beginning band slots that anyone can join for check in and help. Since the rehearsal is so short students must:
Be on time
Bring their instrument, pencil, and other maintenance supplies (reeds, oils, grease, cleaning cloths, sticks, etc.)
Be ready to work
Course Grade
Grading is based on the cumulation of all grades from the categories listed above for the semester. East Olympia Elementary is working on transitioning to a Standards Based Gradebook, so the grades will be scored based on a rubric for that Standard. In some cases, a multiplier may be used to give a greater score if it is a more important score. If this is the case, it will be clearly marked on the assignment and explained to the student.
