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. In addition, the use of mechanical and/or electronic aids such as the TAP rhythm machine, recordings, tuning devices, metronomes, and others may be assigned and evaluated.
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
- W.A. Mozart - First movement from Symphony #40
- Rossini/Britten - Soirees musicales
- Percy Grainger - Molly on the Shore
- Dmitri Shostakovich - Festival overture
- J.P. Sousa - The Thunderer
- 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 be developed using the TAP rhythm system.
The successful student should 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 skills
| Midterm TAP test | 15% |
| Midterm playing test and/or in-class assessment | 20% |
| Final TAP test | 15% |
| Final playing test | 30% |
| Ensemble skills (including performance at dress rehearsals and scheduled concerts) | 20% |
*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.
All music and study materials will be provided by Douglas College.