Credits: ½ - 1

SDE Course Code: 0996

MNPS Course Code: MUS2132

Course Description

The first level of concert band is designed for wind and percussion instrumentalists to improve technique and overall musicianship. In addition to improving playing and performance skills, students will be required to study historical, multicultural and interdisciplinary perspectives as it relates to music. Music Theory and compositional form and analysis will be incorporated into daily lessons and students will be assessed in both written and performance format. This is a performance-based course and may require students to participate in after school and/or evening performances.

Course of Study

Ensemble Tonal Development

Characteristic Qualities of Sound
Maturity and Control of Qualities of Sound
Balance of those Qualities of Sound within the ensemble

Technical Development

Intermediate Note/Rest Values and Notation
Intermediate Sightreading Skills
Intermediate Major Scale/Rudiment exercises
Intermediate Minor Scale exercises
Chordal studies
Articulations

Nuances

Dynamic Notation and control
Intermediate Tempo Variations
Phrase Shapings
Detailed study of phrase and harmonic structures

Intonation

Listening Responsibilities as an Individual Performer
Chordal Intonation exercises
Intonation development within individual sections and instrument families
Intonation development and implementation within the full ensemble

Standards

MNPS Instrumental Music Standards

http://www.mnps.org

TN State Department of Education Standards

http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/standards

Textbook

Richard Williams and Jeff King, Foundations For Superior Performance

San Diego, California: Neil A. Kjos Music Company, 1997.

Recommended and/or required resources

Various Chorale Studies

Various Technical Exercises

Various Wind Band Literature

Metronome

Interactive recording equipment and accompanying software

CD recordings of soloists, chamber music and large ensembles

TV with DVD or VCR

Educational Videos

Chromatic Tuner

Whenever possible, classrooms should have computers that are web accessible

Advanced and extensive Wind Band Music library