Urbana Middle School Band Workbook 2 6th Grade 2 000 0 1 1 3 4 Name______________________________ “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” ~Victor Hugo Table of Contents Band Information ................................................. 2 Smartmusic Info ................................................... 4 Playing Tests ........................................................ 6 Instrument Care ................................................... 7 How to Practice .................................................... 8 Term 1 ................................................................. 9 Term 2 ................................................................ 24 Term 3 ................................................................ 39 Term 4 ................................................................ 54 Composition ........................................................ 68 Glossary .............................................................. 74 Rhythm Chart ...................................................... 80 Key Signatures .................................................... 81 Circle of 5ths ....................................................... 82 Counting Rhythms ............................................... 83 Note Reading ...................................................... 84 ©2013 Jonathan Kurtz Band Information Introduction Performance Expectations Required Materials The following are general guidelines for all Welcome to Urbana Middle School Band! performances. All band members are expected to bring the Each student plays a vital role in the following items each day to class . success of the band, but success can only 1. Uniforms be achieved if certain expectations are Formal Uniform : Boys-dress • An instrument in good playing condition met. This pamphlet will help you shoes, socks, slacks, and button- with a case and name tag understand the guidelines and procedures down shirt. • Band folder, handbook, and music for the school year. Please read over Girls-Nice flat shoes (no heels), s • Pencil (to write on your music) everything carefully and ask questions lacks, and blouse or button-down • Method Book (see website for book list) about anything that seems unclear. top. • **7th and 8th graders are expected Edmodo.com account for submitting Behavior Expectations to wear the above types of assignments (codes will be posted in All band members will be expected to: clothing, but with black bottoms class and sent out the first week of and white tops. school) as well as a method for recording • Follow instructions the first time Casual Uniform: khaki shorts or yourself at home and creating mp3s. they are given. jeans, and a UMS band T-shirt. • • Be on time and ready to play when Percussionists: • class/rehearsal starts. 2. Call time is 30 minutes prior to the start One pair of 7A or 5A drumsticks • Raise your hand with any questions. of the performance unless otherwise labeled with your name. • • Ask permission to use any musical stated. One pair of yarn mallets labeled equipment that belongs to with your name. • another person or UMS. 3. Students are responsible for their own A bell set for practice at home • Respect classmates and the director. music and instrument. will be provided if needed. • Rehearsal Expectations 4. While on stage band members will be Woodwinds: • All band members will be expected to: focused on the director and SILENT. A minimum of three reeds in Inappropriate behavior on stage will good playing condition at all • Enter room on time and be prepared result in disciplinary action, loss of times. Mitchell Laurie reeds to play three minutes after the concert points, and/or being asked to are recommended for clarinets bell. leave the stage. and Vandorn reeds are • Complete written warm-up recommended for saxes. • immediately after assembling 5. While sitting in the audience, band Wind players are encouraged to instrument. members are expected to demonstrate use at least a number 2 reed • Keep instruments quiet until warm- proper concert etiquette. Inappropriate and work towards using a 3.5 up begins. behavior will result in disciplinary action or 4 by the end of 8th grade. • • Quietly go through fingerings if and loss of concert points. Neck strap if appropriate another section is being worked (Neotechs are great!!) with. Discipline Policy • • Wait at your seat before dismissal. Warning Brass: Classroom Reflection • • Leave room clean and organized. Valve oil and slide grease Lunch Detention/ Parent Contact • • Keep your music in your own Polishing cloth Lunch Detention • folder. No one else is responsible Trumpets need a straight mute After School Detention for your part. (occasionally we play music After School Detention • Demonstrate proper care for all that calls for mutes and I do Administration musical equipment . not have enough for everyone to have one). - 2 - Grading Policy Private Lessons Grading Scale Although UMS band covers a wide variety of concepts 90 - 100 = A and strives to create an engaging and hands-on 80 - 89 = B environment that reaches each student at his or her specific playing ability, private lessons are strongly 70 - 79 = C recommended for students who are either struggling 60 - 69 = D with their instrument or are showing a genuine interest 0 - 59 = F in learning their instrument at a deeper level. Large Grades will be based on the following criteria: group instruction cannot make up for the impact of good one-on-one instruction that a private instructor can 40% Participation: Participation is based on being provide. Many great instructors are located in the Frederick area and I would be happy to help direct prepared, completing in-class assignments students to some appropriate choices. (handouts or workbook pages), and demonstrating Extra Playing Opportunities proper behavior and attitude. Coming to class unprepared, or demonstrating inappropriate UMS Jazz Band is an auditioned group of students behavior or attitude results in the participation that meets one day after school year-round. The grade being lowered by one full letter grade for each band studies jazz styles, improvisation, and occurrence during the week. performs at both the winter and spring concerts. Auditions are held at the beginning of the school 10% Homework: Students should record practice year and at the semester. Students who have minutes on the practice sheets located in the already made the ensemble need not re-audition. handbook . Students are responsible for logging 500 minutes of practice (an avg. of 25 min/day for 5 Each fall, auditions are held for the FCPS All days/week), answering the questions on the County Middle School Band . Students who make practice sheet, having a parent sign the practice it into this group participate in a few after school sheet, and turning it in on time. One extra credit rehearsals with peers from the other FCPS middle point is awarded for every 40 minutes of extra schools and learn more advanced music under the practice time recorded on the sheet. Students who guidance of a guest conductor. The music is establish a pattern of not practicing or submitting homework may be called in to make up minutes performed in a concert in late winter. after school or during lunch. The FCPS Solo and Ensemble Festival, held in 30% Performance : Performance grades include early spring, provides an opportunity for students playing tests, concerts, and composition who are highly motivated to prepare a solo are assignments. Each band will give a minimum of small ensemble piece on their instrument/s and two concerts during the school year. Students will perform it for a rating and a chance to move on to receive a grade for each performance and will only the state competition. be excused for emergencies or illness. An alternate activity will be assigned in place of the concert The Frederick Regional Youth Orchestra is a local grade. Performance grades are based on performance group for students aimed at taking participation, musicianship, and demonstrating each student to the next level of playing. FRYO correct concert etiquette. Playing tests are short consists of a variety of ensembles for students scale passages assigned from the method book. based on their playing level. This group rehearses Most playing tests are required to be memorized. and performs concert literature throughout the Composition assignments require the student to year. Auditions are required to participate and create short pieces of music based on specific members pay a modest tuition each season. Info is prompts. available at www.fryo.org 20% Content Quizzes: Students are required to take Finally, for the extremely talented and highly two content quizzes each quarter. These quizzes motivated students, the Maryland All-State asses the students’ understanding of general music Middle School Band holds auditions in the fall. concepts as well as music history and culture. Most This is a highly competitive audition process quizzes can be re-taken if the grade is unsatisfactory. as students are competing with other students from across the state. Students who make it Homework Policy- The UMS homework into this ensemble rehearse very advanced policy directs that homework received one class music and usually perform at the Maryland period late results in 75% credit loss and 50% Music Educators Association annual anytime after that. convention in Baltimore. This group is only - 3 -open to 6 th and 7 th graders. Smartmusic is an interactive program that