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|  | | | | Instrumental Music at Highland Junior High School | | Students will establish the habits and skills needed to be successful in any music program. Students will learn how to play an instrument with a characteristic sound appropriate for the instrument and using appropriate posture, breath and learn how to hold the instrument. They also learn basic care and maintenance of their instrument.
In class students will learn to read music, count rhythms, clap and play rhythms.
They should prepare for class by daily at home practice. They are required to bring instruments home to practice and record minutes practiced on a practice log I provide that counts as homework for 25% of their grade. 40% of their grade is given for progress reports/communication/concerts (Performances) and 35% of their grade is based on in class quizzes taken from music books or rhythm worksheets given to the class.
Courses Offered
Choir
This is an exploratory course for students with little or no
singing experience. Music fundamentals will be taught through
sight-reading, ear training and vocal technique.
Music Elective
The
Music Elective Class provides an opportunity for students to learn
about and experience music in a setting, which is an alternative to a
“performance” music class. The Music Elective Class teaches some of the
basics of the “music world” and how music works. Students are exposed
to several styles of music. Additionally, our students are given the
opportunity and guidance to create and perform music.
Beginning Band
Beginning Band is where a student's band experience
begins! In this class our students have the opportunity to learn to
play a musical instrument. Some of our beginning band students have a
little experience playing an instrument, others have never had that
opportunity.
In Beginning Band class, each student is allowed to
pick an instrument to try. Students are instructed on two things: how
to master their own instruments, and how to play music as part of a
group.
Beginning Band students are given the opportunity to let the
wonderful music inside of them to come out! Our main goal is to help
young people have fun playing music together.
Varsity Band
Varsity
Band is the intermediate level band. In Beginning Band students “get
their feet wet” playing an instrument. In Varsity Band our students
develop their skills and increase their abilities by playing
progressively more difficult music. One band student put it best:
“Varsity Band is where you really learn to play the instrument!”
Concert Band
Concert
Band is the “engine” of the Band Department “train.” The music in
Concert Band is very challenging, and when our young musicians master
it, the experience is very satisfying for them.
Concert Band
provides two important things. One, it prepares our musicians for the
next level of playing, namely, high school band. Two, it provides a
vivid example for our less experienced students in Beginning Band and
Varsity Band of where they are headed, and what is possible for them.
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