About 8th Grade Band
In 8th grade, students will be challenged with the task of performing high school level literature and concepts. We here at Pine Mountain believe in setting high standards for our band students to rise up to. Students will continue to build upon the complex rhythms, time signatures, chord structures, tone production, listening techniques and fundamental development of musical concepts that we introduced in 7th grade but now that students are entering the advanced stage of middle school band, they will be expected to be more detail oriented. These familiar concepts will become more intricate, demanding students to take that next step into high school band. Students will be expected to be more independent as they learn their music. At home practice should be at an all time high allowing for us to go further into detail as we develop our musical selections in class.
We will continue to use our warm-up packet, which was created utilizing several different resources including our neighbors, the nationally recognized Kennesaw Mountain High School Band program. This packet works the fundamental development that students need to be musically successful. Students should be rather comfortable with this warm-up packet as we used it last year. The familiarity of these exercises combined with the information provided within allows for students to guide themselves through it almost completely independently without feeling overwhelmed. It is our goal to instill within our students that regardless of their ability level, fundamentals are always the most important aspect of their playing. Advanced middle school sheet music as well as high school level sheet music will continue to be used to reinforce fundamental practices as well as each student’s strengths and weaknesses as players and as a group.
Students will again be evaluated this year on their playing and performance on three selected pieces of sheet music at LGPE. LGPE ("Large Group Performance Evaluation") will be held in March at McEachern High School this year. 9 different musical judges will offer us their constructive criticism and will give our program a rating of Superior, Excellent, Good or Fair. The tradition and our goal at Pine Mountain is to receive Superior ratings from all judges. Our students play well and we want others to recognize their achievement!
We will continue to use our warm-up packet, which was created utilizing several different resources including our neighbors, the nationally recognized Kennesaw Mountain High School Band program. This packet works the fundamental development that students need to be musically successful. Students should be rather comfortable with this warm-up packet as we used it last year. The familiarity of these exercises combined with the information provided within allows for students to guide themselves through it almost completely independently without feeling overwhelmed. It is our goal to instill within our students that regardless of their ability level, fundamentals are always the most important aspect of their playing. Advanced middle school sheet music as well as high school level sheet music will continue to be used to reinforce fundamental practices as well as each student’s strengths and weaknesses as players and as a group.
Students will again be evaluated this year on their playing and performance on three selected pieces of sheet music at LGPE. LGPE ("Large Group Performance Evaluation") will be held in March at McEachern High School this year. 9 different musical judges will offer us their constructive criticism and will give our program a rating of Superior, Excellent, Good or Fair. The tradition and our goal at Pine Mountain is to receive Superior ratings from all judges. Our students play well and we want others to recognize their achievement!
Our Learning Process
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Students should be able to perform exercises 1-7 in their warm-up packet, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db and full range chromatic concert scales without any hesitation. Also, pep tunes, the Star Spangled Banner, Holiday Music and Concert music. Students are working to master articulations, phrasing, dynamics and understanding of balancing the ensemble to hear the melody vs. accompaniment.
Many musical opportunities will be presented to the 8th grade students. Community performances for local elementary schools and other community events. Students will have an opportunity to perform at the University of Georgia. Plus so much more! Tests will occur in written and playing form.The tests can be recorded through Charms, electronic devices or one on one with a director. Students will be tested every two weeks unless a holiday/break occurs then we will resume after the holiday/break. Ask your student to demonstrate what they are learning in class. You should hear a clear tone production, consistent tempo maintenance (the beat does not slow down or speed up) and overall understanding of how to play the exercises. Talk with your kids about what they are playing and how it should sound. They should be able to use their knowledge to teach you. |