INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS

This course is geared to teaching a student with minimal or no experience with a musical instrument to play an instrument with the Archbishop Stepinac Band.

At the end of this course, you will                       

• Know how to read music
• be able to play a musical instrument
• understand basic musical terms and theory
• be able to perform as a part of a musical ensemble

NEEDS AND RESOURCES

To successfully complete this course, you must know

• little to nothing about music
• understand how to follow directions and take notes.

Required Materials

To successfully complete this course, you will need

• Practical Theory Complete by Sandy Feldstein
• a blank staff notebook. This is a book of blank music paper for note taking. These can be purchased at any music store or staples.
• pencils
• erasers

COURSE SCHEDULE

The Introduction to Instrumental Music mid term exam will consist of helping to set up for the annual Christmas concert. Date and time TBA. The Introduction to Instrumental Music class will perform with the band at the annual Spring Concert date and time TBA.  The Spring Concert will serve as the final exam for the class as long as the student has shown enough proficiency on their instrument to perform in the concert. Students who have not met the level of proficiency necessary will sit for a written final exam.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

General Rules:

-All members of the Introduction to Instrumental Music class are required to act in a respectful manor towards all members of the band as well as towards all the equipment in the band room. Failure to act in a respectful way will result in either an after school detention with Mr. Moran, an in school detention or possible repair costs (if damage is done to an instrument due to gross negligence on the part of the student).

-All members of the Introduction to Instrumental Music class are required to attend all performances of the band that they are asked to perform in. Failure to attend a performance will negatively affect your grade.

-All members of the Introduction to Instrumental Music class are required to arrive to class on time. If you arrive late to class you will be required to stay after school. Failure to report after school will result in a school detention the next day.

-All members of the Introduction to Instrumental Music class are expected to have their instrument, music and all supplies (drum sticks, reeds, mouthpieces, ect…) in order  to play their instrument on a daily basis. Failure to do so will result in after school detention with Mr. Moran. Repeated failure to do so will result in school detention as well as have a negative effect on the student’s grade.

-All members of the Introduction to Instrumental Music class are required to practice. This is the standing homework assignment for the band class for the entire school year. Only through individual practice will improvement occur in the individual musician. We rehearse in school, we practice at home. Failure to regularly practice will result in after school mandatory practice time with Mr. Moran.

-All members of the Introduction to Instrumental Music class will be issued music to all works we will perform. DO NOT LOOSE THE MUSIC!!!!!!!!! If the music is lost the student is responsible for obtaining a new copy either from copying another student’s copy or from Mr. Moran for $.25 per page.

- All members of the Introduction to Instrumental Music class are required to wear their concert black attire for the annual Spring Concert.

Grading Policies:

The Introduction to Instrumental Music class is graded on a combination of effort and written material. The Feldstein book will serve as a dominant text for the class and will be used for homework as well as in class assignments and must be in class at all times. The blank staff paper book will be used to take notes in class. The combination of the book with the lecture in class will spend a majority of the first quarter covering basic music theory and reading before moving on to the actual physical playing of an instrument.

Grading Scale/Rubric:

All theory tests and quizzes will be written work. When the Introduction to Instrumental Music class has moved onto the actual playing of the instruments there will be regular playing quizzes and tests given to the students graded on a rubric. (see below)

 

Archbishop Stepinac High School

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Mr. John Moran, Band Director, Archbishop Stepinac High School
• Mr. Moran is available after school until 3pm and by appointment
• jmoran@stepinac.org