Grade+6


 * GRADE 6**

Many students last year began to play a band instrument. The grade 6 program encourages students to continue their studies on that instrument. If there are students in the class who have not played a band instrument before, they will have the chance to "try on an instrument" and see how it fits them and the rest of the ensemble. I encourage new players to give some thought as to what instrument they would like to play. With clarinets, flutes, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, baritones and tubas, there is plenty to choose from.

There will be plenty of opportunities to practice their instrument at home to review concepts taught in class and explore and expand their musicianship. Students will be evaluated in a variety of activities throughout the year. Students will have chances to demonstrate their musicality through playing their instrument during test pieces, theory work, and daily participation in the ensemble.

Sept 8 -"rhythm and rules review", evaluate the class instrumentation, begin trials for new instrumentalists.

Sept 15 -reading standard notation review geared toward individual instruments. Begin new Olympiad focusing on notes used for specific instrument groups

Sept 22 -one day Notation Olympiad

Sept 29 -Breathing!! review F concert, work down the scale

Oct 6 -complete review of five note scale in Bb, lots of rhythms, work on tone, more Breathing

Oct 14 Hearing and playing shapes with the five note scale. Create a collection of shapes

Oct 21 Constructing, and conducting and playing shapes with five note scale.

Oct 28 Composition assignment using five note scale shapes Duos, trios,quartettes, design project together

Nov 5 Work on Projects

Nov 12 Present Projects

Nov 19 Jolly Old St Nick, King Wenceslas, Sweetly Sings the Donkey, prep for Christmas concert

Nov 26 rehearse

Dec 3 Rehearsal

Dec 10 last day to rehearse our Holiday Medley

Dec17 perform?

January -getting our chops back in shape, -five note scale review, build to full major scale -page 13, reading 8th notes, rhythm reading sheet and quiz -introduce a band piece, Montego Bay, or maybe a chart. -diagnostic assessment of pitch reading for given instruments

February -prepare for quiz -Play quiz day (or 2) -move on in red book learning G concert -page 10 in book, duets 2\4 time, using our ear to find the notes

March -page 11, learn A concert, and apply to complete major scale -Rounds, Raggae, -after break, get back into shape and begin 8th notes on page 13

April -expand on 8th notes -pick up notes, 8th notes on different beats in the bar -Erie Canal Capers, Go for Excellence -Aim for FINAL playing quiz in May using a complete major scale and a song with 8th notes