ilchestermusic.org - Beginning of the Year Info

Beginning Band students are taught instrument care, proper posture, and tone production. In addition, students build upon their previous music skills including rhythm, melody, harmony, and phrasing. Beginning students may choose to play flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, and percussion. Percussion students concentrate on bells and snare drum skills as well as briefly working on bass drum and cymbal technique. Students meet three times for a half hour lesson and once as a band every two weeks. The Beginning Band performs two evening concerts per year, one in January and one in the spring.

Advanced Band students continue to develop as young musicians. They meet once a week for a half hour lesson and once a week for a full band rehearsal. As opportunities present themselves, students may play in small group ensembles for special occasions such as the Enrichment Fair and Solo and Ensemble Festival. Concerts are in December and late April.

JAZZ BAND
The Jazz Band is an extra curricular ensemble by audition only. The Jazz Band meets every Friday morning before school at 8:30. Students must have at least one year of playing experience to audition for Jazz Band. Jazz Band instruments include: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion (drum set), bass guitar, guitar, and piano. Participants must be a member of the band except piano and guitar players. The Jazz Band performs in January and in the spring.

BEGINNING ORCHESTRA
Beginning String students are third graders entering the instrumental music program for the first time. Students learn proper instrument care, how to hold the instrument and bow and how to produce a good sound. Beginning students may choose to play violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students begin using a plucking technique called pizzicato. Beginning students perform in two concerts per year, January and spring.

INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA
These students continue their second year refining skills. Intermediate students continue in the same lesson book. Emphasis this year includes using all four strings, learning new notes and focusing on performance. Bowing techniques become more proficient and new techniques are introduced. As opportunities present themselves, students may play in small group ensembles for special occasions such as the Enrichment Fair and Solo and Ensemble Festival. Concerts are in December and late April.

ADVANCED ORCHESTRA
Advanced Orchestra is comprised of students with 2 years of playing experience in school or at least one year of private lessons. The focus is on performance. Advanced techniques are introduced. As opportunities present themselves, students may play in small group ensembles for special occasions such as the Enrichment Fair and Solo and Ensemble Festival. Concerts are in December and late April.

All groups except for jazz band are part of a "pullout program."

This means that students are “pulled out” of other classes (2x/month of recess, 2x/month of specials, 2x/month of language arts, and 2x/month of content) to attend instrumental music. Students are not pulled out of math for lessons. Students are responsible for making up the work they miss while at instrumental music. The schedule is on a four week rotation so they are not always missing the same subjects.