No previous experience is needed! It is helpful for a student to have their own instrument, but some instruments may be available through the Performing Arts Department.
It’s never too late to learn to play an instrument! This course is intended for those students who always wanted to play a band instrument, but never had the opportunity. It also gives students who may have played an instrument before the opportunity to start over again if they had not experienced as much success as they would have hoped for. So if you want the chance to start again, brush up on skills you have learned awhile back or perhaps switch to a new instrument, this course is for you. The course provides instruction on proper playing techniques, basic music note reading, and performing in an ensemble. Students will be given opportunities throughout the year to perform for the public with the Symphonic Band.
Students will:
- Demonstrate proper playing habits on their chosen band instrument.
- Understand basic musical notation.
- Perform in an ensemble of sufficient quality to provide satisfaction and enjoyment for the performers and musical listening pleasure for an audience.
- Demonstrate an appreciation for a variety of musical styles by performing with good attention to the technical and expressive elements contained in the music.
- Organize and manage their individual practice time to ensure that group rehearsals are productive and enjoyable and to demonstrate that students understand the importance of individual preparation to ensemble success.
Students will have regular playing quizzes and teachers will provide feedback to help students improve and inform future learning activities. Students will then perform summative tests to provide a signpost on their progress towards outlined standards. Students will also have written periodic assignments and receive ensemble skills grades. The latter are designed to provide regular feedback to students about the learning habits they display regularly in class.