Grade 8 Concert Band Course Outline
COURSE: GRADE 8 CONCERT BAND DIRECTORS: Ms. Frederick and Mr. Schnellert Team Teaching,
Welcome to OKM Music! It’s very important that you enjoy music and this course…you should look forward to the days when you have Band because we’ll be learning a variety of great music and having lots of fun, while working hard. Becoming a musician is worth it, but it isn’t easy; it comes gradually with “Practice”, when a persistent commitment is made to build up your “chops”. Practice is simply lots of correct repetition that trains your fingers to fly, almost automatically – we’ll guide and support you every step of the way.
YOU WILL HAVE YOUR OWN METHOD BOOK as your own personal property; it’s your workbook and practice record. We will start the year continuing with Essential Elements 1.
MATERIALS NEEDED: Quality Instrument (students bring/rent instruments) •3 Reeds (if needed) • Method Book • Pencil • Binder or folder with Sheet Music • Positive team attitude and energy
CONTENT/ROUTINE: Every week, we will work on about 5 lessons from your method book, and post them in this website in the "Classes" links. This develops musicianship through 1,200 scaffolded lessons from 7-12. This will be the foundation of your skill development, as your directors will give "intensives" including theory and technique, based on these exercises. Each class, we also rehearse our songs, and you’ll have home practice assignments, posted on this website under "Classes".
ONLINE SUPPORT: REHEARSAL TRACKS: Students should find their ACTIVATION CODE found on the inside cover of the Essential Elements Method Book, and go to myeelibrary.com/
PARENTS: Support learning by having your son/daughter(s) perform both their Method Book exercises, and their Songs - to our online rehearsal tracks - posted in the "Classes" links.
HOME PRACTICE: Gradually, you will become an amazing musician, one small step at a time, if you practice. Minimum is 1.5 hours per week.
PERSONALIZED PACE: If you fall behind, let us know; we will arrange for our awesome Senior students to give you “private lessons” to help get caught up. If you want more challenges, we encourage you to sign up for combos or jazz bands, and/or will give you more solo music with CDs to accompany (like karaoke).
EVALUATION: 80% “Classroom Performance”. 10% is “Playing Tests” (4- 6 per year), and 10% is “Concerts”.
INSTRUMENT STORAGE: Instruments MUST be in a storage cabinet. Stick a label with your FULL NAME and GRADE on your instrument so that it “stands out”. Clarinets and Flutes; store instruments in your locker or backpack. Do NOT leave your instrument in the hallway outside of the music room.