Shalom High School Band

Grades 9 - 12

Teacher: Mrs. Jane Carlson

Method Books:

Accent on Achievement Bk. 2 & 3, Essential Technique and Band Arrangements

Grading and IMPORTANT DATES!!!

We will meet two times per week, 49-minute sessions each. The High School Band students participate in the ACSI Band Festival in the spring - this is a great opportunity to play in a large ensemble with students from several other schools. Extra credit is given for participation.

Grading is based on practice/performance (practice cards are not required but performance grades will be taken), attendance/preparedness for class, completion of technical studies (see below), concert attendanceThursday, December 13 at 7 PM, Tuesday, May 13 at 6:30 PM and Thursday June 5 (graduation) at 7 PM, and enthusiasm. Though the Middle School and High School bands perform together, opportunities to play more advanced music will be provided for those students who are interested in working on some additional material. Interested students should talk to the director.

Technical Studies:
Tentative Playing Dates - October 23/25, December 18, March 18, May 15
Each student is required  to play at least one of the following from memory each marking period. A different item should be prepared each marking period. These items can be found in Essential Technique as well as in numerous other books and online.

Major Scale (up and down, 1 to 2 octaves) - Concert Bb, Eb, F, Ab, C, G, D
Major Scale in 3rds (up and down, 1 octave) - Concert Bb, Eb, F, Ab, C, G, D
Major Scale Arpeggios (up and down, 1 to 2 octaves) - Concert Bb, Eb, F, Ab, C, G, D
Chromatic Scale ( up and down, 1 to 2 octaves)
Interval Technique - Essential Technique #69 and #138
Concert D Melodic Minor Scale (up and down, 1 to 2 octaves)

Music Philosophy Statement: The Lord says to praise Him with music! “Praise him with the blast of the trumpet; praise him with the lyre and harp! Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise him with the clash of cymbals;” Psalm 150:3-5. Although many view band as simply an instrumental music class, it is much more than that. It is the development of skills and relationships that will last a life time. It is also the establishment of some rather profound environmental influences which help determine your success in all aspects of education, not just music. Band students typically represent the top of the academic scale in school. Music heightens the development of the whole individual. It strengthens and develops your conceptual and creative thinking process and lays the groundwork for the cultivation of important character attributes, such as self-esteem, self-discipline and self-expression.