Concert Bands

CONCERT BAND

The foundation of the music education experience at Cherokee Bluff is established in the concert band course. This band class will rehearse all year during the school day, as well as during co-curricular after school rehearsals. In this setting, music principles and fundamentals are taught, practiced and developed. It is for this reason that participation in all other aspects of the band program is contingent upon the curricular study of music in the concert band.

Class activities will include fundamental technical training on tone production, articulations, intonation tendencies, rhythmic reading, stylistic awareness, ensemble blend, ensemble balance, and other topics related to successful individual and collective musical development and performance.

Each class is performance-based, and will have between one and three major performances during a semester. Attendance at performance is expected. There will be occasional after school rehearsals, most notable during preparation for the Fall Concert, Christmas Concert, Pre-LGPE (Winter) Concert, and in the early stages of preparation for the GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE). Schedules will be distributed well in advance so that conflicts with rehearsal time can be minimized.

Each class will be assigned projects consisting of one-on-one performance fundamental exercises or literature excerpts for Mr. Cantrell. There will be approximately 8 project grades per semester. Auditions and Final Exams also constitute a portion of the overall grade for each semester.

Students are expected to have their instrument, in full working condition, during every class period/rehearsal. Students are expected to maintain their music folder and to have all sheet music and/or method books at each rehearsal. Students are expected to be in their seat with all necessary equipment/materials by two minutes past the tardy bell. Class periods will include demonstrations, question and answer sessions, and lecture in addition to rehearsal. Students are required to be attentive and give both the instructor and their fellow students their undivided attention during the learning process.

Complete calendars for the year may be found HERE.

Private instruction is highly encouraged, and we do have several lesson teachers who are based in the area on weekday evenings. Information on private teachers through our Cherokee Bluff Music Institute can be found HERE.

Concert Band (4th Period)

The Concert Band is a course where students with previous musical experience can continue basic fundamentals of music performance methods through performance of a band instrument. All students with previous middle school band experience (or through an audition process with the directors) are enrolled in this course, as the ensemble performs music at grade III-IV.

CONCERT BAND SYLLABUS

Symphonic Band (5th Period)

The Symphonic Band is an advanced music course where students with previous musical experiences can continue to flourish music performance methods through performance of a band instrument. Stresses individual progress and learning and group experiences. All students wishing to be enrolled in this course must audition at the conclusion of Spring semester, as this ensemble performs advanced music at grade IV-V.

Symphonic Band Syllabus

Percussion Ensemble (7th Period)

The Percussion Ensemble will be divided into ensemble time and individual time. Ensemble time will include master classes, literature reviews, and rehearsal. Individual time will include private lessons, solo performances, and other assignments. Additionally, students from the Percussion Ensemble may be required to perform with another ensemble class as assigned by the directors.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE SYLLABUS