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Introduction

This article was created to introduce the Beginning Band Program of the International School Manila to help assist incoming high school students in knowing what to expect with the course offered by the Fine & Performing Arts Program of the school. Information below can also be found at the International School Manila website. Thank you!

Instrumental music provides a vehicle for self-discovery, creative expression and emotional, spiritual and intellectual growth. In band, students will gain increased aesthetic appreciation and technical understanding of various genres of music, while learning to value ideals of cooperation, self-discipline, and responsibility. Ideally, students will become not only educated and discerning consumers of music, but lifelong participants in ensemble music-making as well.

Beginning Band Class

As part of the Fine & Performing Arts Program at the International School Manila, Beginning Band along with Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Symphonic Band is part of the high school's band program. It is a beginning instrumental course that teaches basic fundamentals of playing band instruments such as woodwinds, brass, and percussion. It focuses on the development of skills and techniques, including posture, tone, intonation, breathing, embouchure, fingering, rhythm, articulation, and care of instruments. The course also seeks to develop an appreciation for instrumental music. The assignment of specific instruments will be based on the needs of the program and the availability of instruments. Participation in concerts is a requirement of the course. ^[1]

Grading Policy ^[2]

Band assessment is based on:
Classroom Assessment (written & performed) - 40%
Concert Performances - 25%
Effort, Conduct & Attitude - 20%
Practice and Enrichment - 15%
For an over-all total of 100 %

General Rules In Band Class

1. Never store music books, etc in your instrument case. It was designed to protect your instrument ONLY. Foreign objects can bend rods and cause dents.
2. Never leave your instrument unattended. It should always be either IN YOUR HANDS or IN THE CASE. Especially dangerous practices include leaving your instrument on the ground or in your seat (We had instruments sat and stepped on - they don’t take it well), and leaving flutes and clarinets on the lip of your music stand (they can fall).
3. If your instrument needs repair, see a band director or assistant about it first. Nine times in ten we can fix it for you quickly and easily, free of charge. If your instrument does need to go to the repair shop KEEP YOUR MOUTHPIECE! Often we can loan you an instrument to use until you get your own back.

Band Room Rules

1. No food, drinks or gum.
2. No cellular phones, hats or portable sound equipment.
3. Care for your instruments.
4. Respect the property of others.
5. Keep the room neat and clean.
6. Treat each other with courtesy and respect.

Care of Instruments

Woodwinds
1. Swab moisture from instrument after each playing to prevent cracking and damage to pads.
2. Remove the reed from the mouthpiece and allow it to dry flat. Using a “REEDGUARD” type reed case is highly recommended. Double reeds: See your director for special instructions about caring for your very delicate and expensive reeds!
3. Do not play on chipped, cracked, or broken reeds. You must have two good reeds ready to play at all times.
4. Keep mechanism in good adjustment (music stores, private teachers, or band directors and assistants can help with this.)

Brass
1. If the mouthpiece gets stuck , bring you instrument to your teacher. We have a special tool to remove the mouthpiece without damaging the instruments. Do not use pliers.
2. Oil valves daily, lubricate all slides weekly (trombone slide daily) but NOT DURING REHEARSAL. Instrument maintenance is HOMEWORK (before and after band is OK.) Use only approved, special purpose lubricants.

Percussion
1. Percussionists will be instructed in proper use and care of percussion instruments. No students are to touch instruments, which they have not been specifically taught to use.
2. Percussionists supply their own sticks and practice pads; the school supplies other equipment.
3. Report any damage or missing equipment to your band director and to music assistants immediately.

Left your instrument at home?

This is a habit that we strongly discourage. In this case, a band member should inform the band director or the assistant at the beginning of rehearsal. We may be able to issue you a “loaner” for the day. Using someone else’s instrument, with or without their permission, is not allowed.

Rehearsal Procedures

1. You must be in your assigned seat, with your instrument in good playing condition and your music in rehearsal order at the assigned start time for class.
2. You must have a pencil (not a pen) on your music stand ready to mark instructions and reminders in your music.
3. Leave all unnecessary materials (books, backpacks, instrument cases etc.) as instructed.
4. Avoid unnecessary noise. No talking or playing except as instructed during rehearsal.
5. Show consistent effort and maintain a positive attitude.

Attendance

The success of the band depends on each member’s contribution, ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED AT ALL REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCES. Under special circumstances (illness, or conflict with other scheduled school events) and at the discretion of the director, certain absences may be excused and alternate arrangements arranged. In any case, you must notify the director IN WRITING at least ONE FULL WEEK before the scheduled event (illness excepted).

Band Curriculum Outline

Instructional/Teaching Methods
1. Large ensemble rehearsal
2. Playing tests, written tests and papers
3. Sight-reading practice
4. Performance in concerts, participation in festivals as appropriate, tours
5. Preparation of solo literature, solo and ensemble performances
6. Clinics and workshops
7. Micro-lessons in history and theory
8. Study of appropriate music literature
9. Appropriate use of audio and visual as well as computer technology
10. Student leadership opportunities
11. Small group and individual lessons as needed, by arrangement

Areas of Focus
1. Excellent tone quality
2. Intonation
3. Balance between and within sections
4. Individual technical facility
5. Musical expression: dynamics, articulation, phrasing, interpretation
6. Ensemble skills: precision, blend
7. Surpassing technique to achieve art
8. Individual accountability and responsibility, teamwork, “esprit de corps”

Musical Instruments used in Beginning Band Class

Woodwind Instruments (See Woodwind instruments}

Flute - The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike other woodwind instruments, a flute is a reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air against an edge.

Clarinet - The clarinet is a musical instrument in the woodwind family. The name derives from adding the suffix -et meaning little to the Italian word clarino meaning a particular type of trumpet, as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed.

Alto Saxophone - The alto saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a family of woodwind instruments invented by Adolphe Sax. The alto is the third smallest of the saxophone family, which consists of ten sizes of saxophone. The alto is the most common size of saxophone, and is also the size most commonly included in classical compositions.

Brass Instruments (See Brass instruments}

Trombone - The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, it is a lip-reed aerophone; sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips (embouchure) cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate. The trombone is usually characterized by a telescopic slide with which the player varies the length of the tube to change pitches, although the less common valve trombone uses three valves similar to those on a trumpet.

Trumpet - The trumpet is a musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family, and produces a "bright" sound. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BC. They are constructed of brass tubing bent twice into a compact rectangle, and are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air column inside the trumpet.

String Instruments (See String instruments}

Basic Guitar - The guitar is a musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles. It typically has six strings, but four, seven, eight, ten, and twelve string guitars also exist (See Guitar).

Expected Student Learning Results

At International School Manila, students are expected to work to the best of their ability to be:
1. Constructive and comprehensive thinkers. Students will:
Identify, define, and solve problems using multiple intelligence; Research, analyze, and synthesize information from a range of sources; Initiate, innovate and collaborate using and sharing their own and other’s ideas; Critically evaluate information and ideas.

2. Effective communicators. Students will:
Have the ability to read in a range of styles/genres; Have the ability to write for a range of purposes; Listen and speak effectively in English; Work toward acquiring listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in another language; View, interpret, and present using multi-media and performance; Manipulate data effectively for computation, analysis and problem solving; Use a range of technologies to inform and communicate.

3. Knowledgeable and responsible citizens. Students will:
Understand and use skills learned in a range of recognized disciplines including; mathematics, languages, social sciences, English, history, the arts, the sciences, health, physical education, technology; Be able to apply their knowledge and improve their understanding of global and local issues; Appreciate, empathize, and understand a range of cultures and societies including that of the host country; Have respect and consideration for other people guided by values of truth, honesty, fairness, equality, and integrity; Be respectful of and responsible toward the environment; Become community contributors within their capacity.

4. Respectful, enthusiastic, and life-long learners. Students will:
Be able to understand and articulate their learning outcomes and their expectations for achievement as part of their own vision and goals; Manage and organize their own learning resources, equipment and time; Participate in a range of learning opportunities; Develop effective relationships with and responsible behavior toward all members of the school community.

References

See also

• International School Manila
• Musical instruments
• Woodwind instruments
• Brass instruments
• Wind instruments
• String instruments
• Percussion instruments
• Concert band

External Links

• International School Manila Official Website