Students will form a concert band consisting of flutes, oboes, clarinets, saxophones, bassoons, trumpets, horns, trombones, euphoniums, tubas, string bass and percussion. The instructor will teach the material and will conduct the rehearsals and concerts. Additional aids such as recordings, tuning devices, metronomes, and others, may be used.
Music to be rehearsed and performed will include original compositions for band and selected transcriptions of orchestral and keyboard works. Sample repertoire for one semester could include:
- J.S. Bach - Fantasia and Fugue in C minor
- William Byrd - Suite
- Frank Ticheli – Blue Shades
- Robert Buckley – Portraits of the North
- David Maslanka – Mother Earth
- Clifton Williams - Concertino for Percussion
In addition to performance repertoire, students will work on technical studies and ensemble drills. Sight reading and rhythmic accuracy will also be developed.
The successful student will be able to demonstrate:
- Ensemble skills including intonation, blend and technical facility
- The proper phrasing and interpretation of various styles of concert band music
- Rhythmic accuracy, subdivision and sight reading
Grades are based on the students' regular preparation for rehearsals, attentiveness and effort during rehearsals, and musical contribution to the ensemble. This is an on-going assessment.
At least twice during the semester, certain passages of music are assigned to be learned for an upcoming rehearsal, during which students will be divided into small groups for testing.
| Contribution to Ensemble (musical/technical ability) | 30% |
| Attitude/Effort (on-going assessment) | 30% |
| Assigned passages (minimum 2 tests) | 40% |
| Total: | 100% |
*NB. In a performing group, regular attendance is vital to the learning of ensemble skills and the achievement of high performance standards. Absences affect every member of the ensemble; therefore 5% of the final mark will be deducted for each unexcused absence, to a maximum of 30%. Excused absences will include illness and urgent family or personal matters.
Unexcused absence from a dress rehearsal or a concert will result in a failing grade.
Attendance at all rehearsals and concerts is assumed; perfect attendance does not increase the final grade.
All music and study materials will be provided by Douglas College.
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