WINDSOR LOCKS HIGH SCHOOL

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course #                                            Title: Concert Band                         Credit: ½

The general objective of this course is to improve each student’s musicianship and skill level with respect to their musical instrument.  Areas such as (but not limited to) articulation, tone production, dynamics, scales, intervals, rhythms, and standard notation are emphasized through performance of traditional high school concert band music literature as well as other genres that include pop, jazz, and Broadway selections.

Course Objectives/ Expectations:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Perform with proper posture and hand position
• Perform with proper tone production on the instrument
• Perform appropriate scales, intervallic patterns, and rhythmic exercises
• Perform appropriate grade level music of various styles
• Perform alone and with others in ensemble settings
• Understand and demonstrate dynamic techniques

Grading Policy:

I.  Content Knowledge and Skills:

    Students will be assessed on Content Knowledge and Skills.

   Students will be graded on a total points system.

Classwork and Daily Playing Assessments– 5 – 25 points per assignment

Summative Assessments - Written Assignments and Quizzes – 10-50 points per assignment

            Projects/Presentations/Performances– 25-100 points each

II.  Habits of Work:

     Students will be assessed on their Habits of Work in the following areas:

            Completes Homework/Prepared for Class

            Participates in class discussions and rehearsals

            Conducts self in appropriate manner

            Maximizes time on task

Pacing Guide:

SEPTEMBER:            BAND PREPARES MARCHING BAND MUSIC FOR PERFORMANCE AT THE BIG ‘E’

OCTOBER:                BAND PERFORMS AT HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES

                                    AND BEGINS WINTER CONCERT BAND MUSIC

NOVEMBER:            SELECTED BAND MEMBERS PERFORM IN THE NCCC

                                    MUSIC FESTIVAL AND CONCERT BAND CONTINUES

                                    TO PREPARE FOR WINTER CONCERT

DECEMBER:             BAND PERFORMS AT WINTER CONCERT

JANUARY:                BAND BEGINS SPRING CONCERT MUSIC

                                    BAND MEMBERS TAKE MID-TERM EXAMS

FEBRUARY:              BAND CONTINUES TO PREPARE AND ADD SPRING CONCERT MUSIC SELECTIONS

MARCH:                    BAND CONTINUES TO ADD AND PREPARE SPRING

                                    CONCERT MUSIC SELECTIONS

APRIL:                       BAND CONTINUES SPRING CONCERT MUSIC

                                    PREPARATION AND PERFORMS IN WINDSOR LOCKS

                                    LITTLE LEAGUE PARADE

MAY:                         BAND PERFORMS SPRING CONCERT; MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY; WINDSOR LOCKS MEMORIAL

 DAY PARADE AND CEREMONY; BAND PREPARES GRADUATION MUSIC

JUNE:                         BAND PERFORMS AT GRADUATION

Student Classroom Behavioral Expectations:

Students are expected to arrive to class on time prepared for class.

Students are expected to participate actively in each band class.

Students will practice alone, in small groups and with the whole class.

Students are expected to demonstrate a positive attitude and willingness to work on music of varying styles.

Students will demonstrate respect for their peers and the instructor.

Students are expected to remove all distractions and focus on the band class lesson and practice.  Students are not to work on homework or assignments for any other class during band class.  In addition, no cell phones or other electronic devices shall be permitted in class without permission of the instructor.

Students should not leave class for any reason without the instructor’s permission.  Any student that leaves class early, without the permission of the instructor, will forfeit their daily participation points for the day.

Students are expected to attend all performances (i.e. parades, concerts, festivals).