The Bands
4th and 5th Grade Recorder Band
The 4th and 5th grade music classes are learning to make music on the
recorder. The 4th graders are learning the soprano recorder and the 5th
graders are learning the alto recorder. Both grades are using the
Recorder Karate curriculum. This curriculum allows the students to
progress at their pace. As they learn notes, they play a song using
those notes. Each song is progressively harder and they earn karate
"belts" for each song. The students are allowed to bring their recorder
home to practice if they want but they must have them to play in class.
The schedule is:
5A Pyburn - Mon, Wed
5B Messinger - Tue, Thurs
4A Hickey - Thurs
4B Anders - Fri
4C Ercums - Fri
The students will be given a copy of
the songs to practice at home if they want. If they lose this copy, they
will need to pay $1 for an additional copy. They also have the option of
practicing online with the accompaniment music. This can be accessed by
going to http://www.musick8.com and
entering the username: karate, password: rubric.
For those who may be interested,
information on the recorder may be found online at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recorder
6th Grade Beginning Band (Red Book*)
Sixth grade students are allowed the opportunity to join the Bronco
Red Band and learn to play an instrument. Each student is assigned an
instrument to play based on various factors: the need to create an
overall band instrument balance, the student’s prior musical knowledge,
physical considerations, aptitude, enthusiasm, and student preference.
Once an instrument is assigned, each student is responsible for
acquiring an instrument, a music book (Standard of Excellence), and
recommended accessories. See "Instruments"
to view recommended instrument makes/models.
Beginning Band students will
participate in two concerts and have the opportunity to go on field
trips and an end-of-the-year trip.
The schedule for Beginning Band is:
Woodwind instruments include Flute,
Clarinet, and Saxophone.
Brass instruments include Trumpet,
Horn, Trombone, Baritone, and Tuba.
Percussion instruments include drums
and xylophones.
Don't forget to bring your instrument
to the band hall before school. Instruments are NOT to be kept in your
classroom.
Instruments are also not to be left in
the band hall overnight.
*The "Red Book" is Standard of
Excellence Book 1. It is the traditional "first year" book used by the
Bronco Band.
Tuesday / Thursday Intermediate Band
(Blue Book)
The Intermediate Band rehearses on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from
7:40 until 8:20.
These students are generally in the 7th
and 8th grade. HOWEVER, some older beginning musicians may be assigned
to Intermediate Band.
Intermediate band members will need to
purchase a book: Standard of Excellence Book 2 (the blue book). I have
provided a book for each student already. I will send a letter home soon
giving the options for payment.
Students will need to practice
approximately 100 minutes/week. They will have their weekly assignments
written in the front of the book. Parents, please initial beside their
weekly practice totals. We will assign and check weekly assignments on
sectional days.
Intermediate Band members are ready to do
more performing than those in the beginning band classes. Performances
for this band include pep rallies, games (if they can play the music),
concerts, and contests. Competitions for the individual musician include
the Texas Region Band Try-Outs held in the fall and TAPPS Solo and
Ensemble Competition held in the spring. Intermediate band members are required
to participate in the TAPPS Ensemble competitions. Full band concerts and contests are required.
Intermediate Band students will participate in
two concerts and have the opportunity to go on field trips and an
end-of-the-year trip.
The intermediate students may choose
whether or not they want to participate in the Friday pep rally and
football games (Pep Band). I want them to participate if their skill
level is adequate. It will count as extra credit if they participate. If
they are choosing to participate in this event, they will have football
music to practice also. We will be wearing our red polo/dark pants for
the pep rallies and red polo/jeans to the games. If you don't
have the polo, please see me to order one. In the meantime, wear a solid red shirt. Once a student volunteers for Pep Band, they are
making a commitment to play in the Pep Band for the entire season.
Monday/Wednesday Advanced Band
(Green Book)
The Advanced Band rehearses on Monday
and Wednesday mornings from 7:40 until 8:20.
These students are generally in the
9th-12th grade. HOWEVER, some advanced Junior High musicians MAY be
admitted into Advanced Band. Students who are in the advanced band must
pass a playing test.
Advanced Band members will need to
purchase a book: Standard of Excellence Book 3 (the green book).
Students will be provided a book and a letter will be going home
regarding payment options.
They will participate in pep rallies,
football games, concerts, and contests. Advanced Band members are required
to audition for and, if selected, to participate in the Texas Region
Band Try-Outs held in the fall and TAPPS Solo and Ensemble Contest held
in the spring.
Advanced Band students will participate in
two school concerts, field trips and an end-of-the-year trip.
Pep Band
The Pep Band is comprised of students from both the Advanced and
Intermediate bands who have demonstrated their ability to play the
traditional Pep Band tunes. The Pep Band performs at all home football
and basketball games and pep rallies. Participation in the Pep Band is
mandatory for the Advanced Band and is optional for Intermediate Band.
The Pep Band rehearses on Friday
Mornings from 7:40 until 8:20.
On game nights, members of the Pep Band
should be in the band hall ready to play at 6:30 pm.
The dress code for pep rallies and
home games is red
polo and dark pants.
The dress code for game performances
are blue band shirt (or any dark blue shirt) and blue jeans.
