Course Descriptions
CONCERT BAND
This is a beginning-level band for students with little or no prior experience playing a musical instrument. Students who have made a dramatic switch to a new instrument may also decide to take this class. In this class, students learn the fundamentals of reading sheet music and playing a musical instrument. Topics covered include proper assembly of the instrument, proper maintenance of the instrument, hand positioning, embouchure development, and playing in a group setting. Students also learn to recognize the various sounds, symbols, and terms they will regularly encounter in music. This is predominately a 6th grade class.
SYMPHONIC BAND
This is an intermediate-level band for students with at least one year of previous experience in band. Students in this class are expected to have a strong foundation on their primary instruments. This class builds on the skills learned in Concert Band and prepares students for a variety of performance settings. This is predominately a 7th grade class.
WIND ENSEMBLE
This is an advanced-level band for student with at least two years of experience playing their instrument, or who have been recommended by Mr. White. Students in this class are expected to demonstrate an advanced level of skill on their primary instruments. This class builds on the skills learned in Concert Band and Symphonic Band, and exposes students to a variety of performance opportunities that prepare them for performing music in high school. This is predominately an 8th grade class.
PERCUSSION
This is a course for all percussionists who wish to participate in band. Students in this class will learn the fundamentals of all percussion instruments including snare drum, bass drum, mallet instruments, timpani, world percussion, and drum set. This class covers a variety of techniques and styles, including drum line and marching percussion in the fall. Percussionists in this course are assigned to bands for concerts based on their skill level and will also perform as percussion ensembles.
CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
These are extracurricular ensembles that meet outside of class time. Students may form their own small groups of similar instruments (brass quintet, woodwind quintet, saxophone ensemble, etc.) and perform music separate from their band class. These groups are primarily student-run, with advisement and coaching from Mr. White. Chamber ensembles are an excellent opportunity for students to develop more advanced skills and to play music that piques their interest.
This is a beginning-level band for students with little or no prior experience playing a musical instrument. Students who have made a dramatic switch to a new instrument may also decide to take this class. In this class, students learn the fundamentals of reading sheet music and playing a musical instrument. Topics covered include proper assembly of the instrument, proper maintenance of the instrument, hand positioning, embouchure development, and playing in a group setting. Students also learn to recognize the various sounds, symbols, and terms they will regularly encounter in music. This is predominately a 6th grade class.
SYMPHONIC BAND
This is an intermediate-level band for students with at least one year of previous experience in band. Students in this class are expected to have a strong foundation on their primary instruments. This class builds on the skills learned in Concert Band and prepares students for a variety of performance settings. This is predominately a 7th grade class.
WIND ENSEMBLE
This is an advanced-level band for student with at least two years of experience playing their instrument, or who have been recommended by Mr. White. Students in this class are expected to demonstrate an advanced level of skill on their primary instruments. This class builds on the skills learned in Concert Band and Symphonic Band, and exposes students to a variety of performance opportunities that prepare them for performing music in high school. This is predominately an 8th grade class.
PERCUSSION
This is a course for all percussionists who wish to participate in band. Students in this class will learn the fundamentals of all percussion instruments including snare drum, bass drum, mallet instruments, timpani, world percussion, and drum set. This class covers a variety of techniques and styles, including drum line and marching percussion in the fall. Percussionists in this course are assigned to bands for concerts based on their skill level and will also perform as percussion ensembles.
CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
These are extracurricular ensembles that meet outside of class time. Students may form their own small groups of similar instruments (brass quintet, woodwind quintet, saxophone ensemble, etc.) and perform music separate from their band class. These groups are primarily student-run, with advisement and coaching from Mr. White. Chamber ensembles are an excellent opportunity for students to develop more advanced skills and to play music that piques their interest.