6^th Grade Band Winter Concert

Thursday, December 20^th

7 pm

6^th Grade Band Stage Rehearsal

Wednesday December 19th

The 6^th grade band students have been working very hard and are looking forward to their first performance!  Concert dress will be black bottoms with white tops, with black socks and dress shoes.   Please, no sneakers.   Students will need to report to the cafeteria the evening of the performance at 5:30 pm. 

All students will need to attend the after school rehearsal on stage.  This rehearsal is very important and necessary to allow the students to learn concert protocol, stage logistics, and to become acclimated to playing with other instruments. Parents will need to arrange pick-up of students at the end of the rehearsal at 5pm.  This group of students is doing a great job and I am sure you will enjoy their performance. 

You are beginning on an incredible journey.  Making music in Band, teaches a skill which you can use your entire life.  It has been documented time and time again, the benefits of participation in a school music program. 

·         A ten-year study indicates that students who study music achieve higher test scores, regardless of socioeconomic background.

·         A study of elementary students in an arts-based program concluded that students’ math test scores rose as their time in arts education classes increased.

·         In a Scottish study, one group of elementary students received musical training, while another other group received an equal amount of discussion skills training. After six (6) months, the students in the music group achieved a significant increase in reading test scores, while the reading test scores of the discussion skills group did not change.

·         According to a 1991 study, students in schools with arts-focused curriculums reported significantly more positive perceptions about their academic abilities than students in a comparison group.

·         In a 1999 Columbia University study, students in the arts are found to be more cooperative with teachers and peers, more self-confident, and better able to express their ideas. These benefits exist across socioeconomic levels.

·         College admissions officers continue to cite participation in music as an important factor in making admissions decisions. They claim that music participation demonstrates time management, creativity, expression, and open-mindedness.

Generally, the more a student practices, the better they will sound on their instrument. This is especially true if they are working with a private teacher. Parents are encouraged to help set-up a daily practice regiment for the student.  Any student who studies privately on his or her band instrument, will received extra credit !  There is a list of private teachers in the area, who may assist students on the bands web page.

Getting Your Band Instrument - Most of the music stores in the area have a rent with option to buy program starting at around $20 per month.  Were you go to rent your instrument is your personal choice.  I would suggest that you shop around for the best plan to suit your needs.  A few area stores have supplied us with flyers describing their rental programs.  These are included simply for your convenience.  You may rent or purchase new or used instruments.  Used instruments of good quality which are in good condition are sometimes a bargain.  Please remember that the old saying “you get what you pay for,” is very true in purchasing a band instrument.  Large discount stores, EBay and Craig’s List, are full of instruments which may look shinny and new, but may be of inferior quality.   To make your child’s educational experience pleasant and trouble free, please obtain an instrument of good quality.   Along with their instrument and a music stand for practicing at home, students will need to purchase their own copy of our class book; “Essential Elements 2000.”  This book should include a CD and DVD.  Students will need to bring this to each class.  Students signed up for Baritone Horn, will need to get the Bass Clef Baritone Book.   Students should purchase accessories such as cleaning cloth, #2 reeds for Clarinet and Saxophone, valve oil for trumpet, French Horn, Baritone, & tuba, Superslick trombone slide cream with water-spray bottle, and have a name tag on their instrument. 

Please have all equipment by Monday, September 10^th.

Below is a list of recommended brand name musical instruments:

Flute – Armstrong, Selmer, Bundy, Gemeinhardt, Yamaha

Clarinet – Bundy, Leblanc, Armstrong, Vito, Yamaha ( Selmer HS*, Van-Doren or David Hite Premier mouthpiece preferred)

Oboe – Selmer, Yamaha

Alto Sax – Armstrong, Selmer Bundy or Bundy II, Yamaha, Conn (Selmer C* mouthpiece preferred)

Trumpet – Bach, Bundy, King, Yamaha, Conn (Bach 7C mouthpiece preferred)

French Horn – Conn, Yamaha, King, Bach

Trombone – Bach, Bundy, King, Yamaha, Conn

Bassoon – Fox, Selmer

Percussion – Ludwig, Musser or CB700 Bell Kit with Practice Pad, Mallets, Sticks (2B), and stand all enclosed in one carrying case.

Lesson Material

1^st Quarter

Basic Theory - Staff, Clef, Names Of Lines & Spaces. Bar Lines, Measures,Counting, Claping Rhythms

1. -The First Note; Long Tones & Whole Notes

2. - Count And Play;  Quarter Note & Quarter Note Rest

3.- A New Note

4. - Two's A Team

5. - Heading Down; New Notes

6. - Moving On Up

7. - The Long Haul; New Note & Double Bar

8. - Four By Four

9. - Touchdown; New Note

10. - Fab Five; Quarter Notes & Rests

11. - Reading The Notes

12. - First Light

14. - Rolling Around; Note Review

15. - Rhythm Rap; Half Note & Half Note Rests

16. - The Half Counts

17. - Hot Cross Buns

18. - Go Tell Aunt Rhodie; Breath Mark

21. - The Whole Thing

22. - Split Decision - Duet

23. - March Steps; Key Signature

25. - Lightly Row; Building Endurance

27. - Reaching Higher; New Note, Fermata

28. - Au Claire De La Lune

30. - London Bridge - Duet; Harmony

31. - A Mozart Melody

2^nd Quarter

34. - Doodle All Day; New Note

36. - A-Tisket, A-Tasket; Pick-Up Notes, Dynamics

38. - Jingle Bells

39. - My Dreydl

40. - Rhythm Rap; 8th Notes

42. - Skip To My Lou

43. - Long, Long Ago

44. - Oh, Susanna

46. - Rhythm Rap; Time Signature, Conducting

48. - High School Cadets March; Pick-up Notes

49. - Hey, Ho! Nobody's Home; New Note

Winter Concert Program

53. - Aura Lee

54. - Frere Jacques

55. - When The Saints Go Marching In

56. - Old MacDonald Had A Band

57. - Ode To Joy

58. - Hard Rock Blues

3^rd Quarter

59. - Fit To Be Tied; Tie

61. - Alouette; Dotted Half Note

63. - New Directions; New Note

66. - Rhythm Rap; 3/4 Time

67. - Three Beat Jam

71. - Mexican Clapping Song; Accent

73. - Hot Muffins; New Note, Accidentals - Flat, Sharp, Natural

75. - Bacic Blues - New Note

76. - High Flying; Key Signature, 1st & 2nd Endings

80. - The Big Airstream; New Note

83. - Down By The Station

90. - Variations On A Familiar Theme

91. - Banana Boat Song; D.C.al Fine

92. - Razor's Edge; New Note, Review Accidentals

94. - Ezekiel Saw The Wheel

95. - Smooth Operator; Slur

99. - Take The Lead; New Note, Phrase, Review Key Signature

103. - Minuet - Duet

105. - Naturally; Accidental Review

106. - March Militaire; New Note

107. - The Flat Zone; New Note

110. - Rhythm Rap; Dotted Quarter & Eighth Notes

111. - The Dot Always Counts

113. - Sea Chanty

115. - Rhythm Rap

121. - Grenadilla Gorilla Jump; New Note No. 2

123. - Grenadilla Gorilla Jump; New Note No. 3

127. - Three Is The Count; New Notes

130. - Crossing Over; New Note

132. - Michael Row The Boat Ashore; Repeat Signs, 1st & 2nd Endings

135. - Technique Trax; Time Signature

142. - The Saints Go Marchin' Again

144. - Smooth Sailing;; New Notes

147. - Concert Bb Scale

4^th Quarter

161. - Rhythm Rap

162. - Eighth Notes Off The Beat

172. - March Slav; New Notes

Rubank Exercises

Key of Bb: 1,2,3,4

Key of Eb; 1,2,3,4

Key of F; 1,2,3,4

Key of Ab; 1,2,3,4

Spring Concert Music

152. - School Spirit March

153. - Carnival Of Venice

182. - America The Beautiful