A Vision of Expectations for 8th Grade Band Students (Skills they Possess as they enter High School) Skill

Posture

Tone

Rhythm

Technique

Articulation

Dynamics and Phrasing Ensemble Listening Skills

Skill in Listening to Recordings Composition Percussionists

Expectation of Skill MUSICAL SKILLS Students are able to demonstrate good posture consistently. They are further able to verbally describe good posture including why good posture is important to producing a quality sound. Students are able to produce a characteristic sound on their instrument throughout a representative range of their instrument. They have a concept of what a representative sound is and are able to distinguish a good tone from bad tone. Students are able to perform and count whole, quarter, eighth, sixteenth notes and rests, as well as dotted forms of those notes. Students can also perform eighth and quarter note triplets. They are able to write out the counting for these rhythms. Students are able to perform major and chromatic scales using a variety of articulations such as slurred patterns, and accents. Students are confident performing 8 of 12 major scales and knowing the key signatures of each. They are able to perform scales in derivative patterns. Students know appropriate chromatic and alternate fingerings on their instrument and are confident using them. Students are able to recognize and perform staccato, accent, marcato, and legato markings. They know how the tongue works to correctly perform each different marking. Students understand and can perform dynamics pianissimo through fortissimo. Students know what a phrase is and how to properly shape it with and without printed dynamics. Students are able to hear when they are playing out of tune and steps to correct it. They know how to listen for balance and blend across the band. Students should be able to identify a melodic idea and recognize how it is developed by a composer throughout a piece. Students should be familiar with concert band recordings and be able to use musical vocabulary to describe them. Students should know how to draw basic music symbols. Percussion students are able to read rhythms, perform rudiments, and know how to play each percussion instrument.

A Vision of Expectations, continued Skill

Performance

Literature

Leadership

Social Skills

Self-Motivation

Independence

Recording Composition Software Online Collaborating Online Music Resources Music Applications

Expectation of Skill KNOWLEDGE OF MUSICAL STYLES Students should have performed a variety of musical styles such as marches, up-tempo pieces, and lyrical pieces. The music they have performed should enhance their ability to perform a variety of articulations and tempi. Students should be performing the highest quality band literature available. Performance of “pop” music should be limited. INTANGIBLE SKILLS Students are able to follow rules and directions. Students should be at a point where they are confident taking a leadership role once in high school. Students understand that the members of the band are on the same team. They have a sense of respect for their peers and know how to conduct themselves in rehearsal. They are able to quickly adjust their behavior to fit the high school band setting. Students are able to motivate themselves to practice and improve between classes. Students are able to organize themselves so they can track the work they need to accomplish. Students know what it means to be held accountable and can problem solve musical issues on their own. MUSIC TECHNOLOGY Students should have a basic knowledge of the ability to record on cell phones and tablets. Students should know that software exists to compose music. Students should know that online collaborating exists. Students should know how to access the band website, music dictionary, online metronome, online tuner, and how to find recordings online. Students should know that music applications exist for phones and tablets.

A Vision of Expectations, continued Skill Practicing

Instrument Care Equipment Private Lessons Passion

Expectation of Skill OTHER ABILITIES Students know how to structure a practice sessions so they are able to reinforce content and improve between classes. Students know how to create and maintain a practice routine. Students know how to care for their instrument. They know how to regularly swab/oil and how to clean the instrument. Students should be encouraged to upgrade their instrument and mouthpiece by the time they enter high school. Students are to be encouraged to take private lessons. Students are to be encouraged to continue participation in band from year to year.