West View - Lincoln Middle School
Instrumental Music Program
Course Description
Instrumental music students will learn to play and perform in public, music from the concert band repertoire, which will include music from different cultures, time periods in music history, styles, meters and key signatures.
Band Activities
In the fall, the band plays at school pep rallies and football games. Band Booster parents help with fund raising by staffing the concession stands during the football games.There are concerts at the schools for the student body, faculty and parents. The concert is presented again for parents and the community on a weekend afternoon.
In winter, many students tryout for the Junior Band Clinic. Students from the Upper Tennessee area audition for a limited number of seats in the Clinic band. Tryout consists of the student:
1. Students are required to play two major scales and the chromatic scale, from MEMORY.The scale requirements are slightly different for 7th and 8th grade. Check the requirements for your particular instrument at the East Tennessee School Band & Orchestra website. Make sure you click on "upper area".
2. Playing the selected prepared piece. Available on line or from Mrs. Gorbski.
3. Sight reading one or two short excerpts, usually 2-3 lines each. Students have 30-60 seconds to look these over before you attempt to play them.
Percussion students are required to audition on snare drum, mallets and timpani. Percussionists must perform a prepared piece, sight reading, and required scales and/or rudiments on ALL THREE INSTRUMENTS.
There is also a spring concert presented at the schools and again for the community.
Textbooks
6th Grade:
Pearson, Bruce. Standard of Excellence Enhanced Band Method Book 1 (red)
Pearson, Bruce. Standard of Excellence Workbook 1 (red)
Band Arrangements/sheet music (provided by instructor)
Warm-up/sight-reading material (provided by instructor)
7th Grade:
Pearson, Bruce. Standard of Excellence Enhanced Band Method Book 2 (blue)
Pearson, Bruce. Standard of Excellence Workbook 2 (blue)
Band Arrangements/sheet music (provided by instructor)
Warm-up/sight-reading material (provided by instructor)
8th Grade:
Pearson, Bruce. Standard of Excellence Band Method Book 3 (green)
King, Jeff. Foundation for a Superior Performance
Band Arrangements/sheet music (provided by instructor)
Warm-up/sight-reading material (provided by instructor)
Grading Procedure
Grading Period without performances:
25% - Class participation/effort
25% - Daily Practice Record Sheet
25% - Quizzes/worksheets
25% - Auditions/tests
Grading Period with performances:
25% - Performances (MANDATORY*)
25% - Daily Practice Record Sheet
25% - Class participation/quizzes
25% - Auditions/tests
* Unexcused absence from performances results in failure for that marking period.
Concert dress will be worn at all performances
Ladies: Black dress pants or skirt, white blouse and dress shoes
Gentlemen: Black dress pants, white shirt with collar, necktie, and dress shoes (jacket optional)
Assessment Procedures
Students will play their instruments aloud in class, in large and small groups as well as solo settings for assessment purposes. Quizzes and tests (written and playing) will be given periodically throughout the year. Auditions for placement/seating in each ensemble will be given at least once per semester. Public performances will occur throughout the school year, i.e. winter and spring concerts, etc.
Class Supplies Required
Band Instrument
Method Book
Workbook
Appropriate accessories for Brass, Woodwind and Percussion Players**
Instrument Cleaning Supplies **
Practice Record Sheet
Pencil at every rehearsal
** Mrs. Gorbski will show examples of these during the first week of class each school year.
Class Supplies Recommended
Folding music stand
Metronome
Textbooks and supplies are available locally and at many internet stores specializing in instrumental music.
updated 10/26/06
