Instrumental Music - Band
Concert Band: 7th Grade
Units |
Areas of Focus |
Assessment Tools |
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Rhythmic Analysis: Level III (7th grade) |
Basic music theory & time |
Submitted via recording |
Study of 12 Major scales |
Basic music theory & intervals |
Submitted via recording |
“EIP” introduction to bassoon, French horn & tuba |
Instrumentation & balance |
Professional musicians & band director assess quality of candidates and balance throughout group |
Rehearsal & Performance Literature |
Selections are based on strengths and weaknesses of the band |
Ongoing assessment throughout year while highlighting performance pieces |
Tone production, instrumental technique & facility |
Individual growth |
Chair tryouts (1 each quarter, alternating between in-class and individually recorded). Rubric is used to gauge five main points of excerpt. |
Solo/Ensemble |
Individual and/or small group preparation for judged festival |
Professional adjudicator offers ratings of I, II, III, IV or V |
District Band Festival |
Large group preparation & performance at judged festival |
Local directors offer comments to each band regarding overall success & ideas for improvement. |
Program notes |
Writing |
School writing rubric |
Symphonic Band: 8th Grade
Units |
Areas of Focus |
Assessment Tools |
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Rhythmic Analysis: Level IV (8th grade) |
Music theory & time analysis |
Submitted via recording |
Study of 12 harmonic minor scales |
Basic music theory & intervals |
Submitted via recording |
Continuation of “EIP” grant. |
Refinement of skills within the three “EIP” sections |
Assessed by Seattle Youth Symphony and band director each May. |
Rehearsal & Performance Literature |
Selections are based on strengths and weaknesses of the band |
Ongoing assessment throughout year while highlighting performance pieces |
Tone production, instrumental technique & facility |
Individual growth and technical facility on instrument. |
Chair tryouts (3 per year, alternating between in-class and individually recorded). Rubric is used to gauge five main points of excerpt. |
Solo/Ensemble |
Individual and/or small group preparation for judged festival |
Professional adjudicator offers ratings of I, II, III, IV or V |
“Winterfest” performance |
Large group preparation & performance at Seattle event. “Training” for more distant trips |
Successful trip and performance with instruments, music, logistics, equipment vans, uniforms, etc. |
Program notes |
Writing |
School writing rubric |