Course Syllabus for Concert Band/ Honors Band/Flex Band
Jay Zimmerman – Band director
Phone # 355-4833 ex 8129
www.basd.net/finearts
Course Questions
These Musical Elements will be covered during these classes.
Grading Procedure
Midterm test/project is 10% of the semester grade.
Final test/project is 10% of the final grade.
Extra credit can be earned by performing for non scholastic functions in various ensembles as these become available throughout the year.
Daily Procedure and points for rehearsal – each rehearsal is worth 5 points for your daily participation grade.
Concerts
The Concert Band will present a minimum of 4-5 performances per school year. In addition to our regular seasonal concerts, the concert band also performs as part of the spring competition trip and at graduation (weather permitting)
All concerts are held beyond the regular school day. All members of the concert band are expected to participate in all concerts. Anticipated dates for concerts are as follows: Holiday Concert- December
Winter Concert- February
Spring Concert -May
Spring Performance Trip (location to be announced)- May
Commencement- June
Be sure to check the Fine Arts web site for dates and times of all performances.
PMEA District, Regional, and All state Festivals
Motivated students in grades 10-12 are eligible to participate in PMEA District, Regional and All-State Band Festivals. (Selection to District is by application - Regional and All-State are a result of chair placement auditions held at the festivals).
All students are eligible to participate in extra curricular activities: Marching Band, Brass Choir, Woodwind Choir, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, and small ensembles such as duets, soloists, trios, etc.
Honors Band
In addition to all of the above requirements for concert band, the Honors Band students will need to do the following.
1. Research – All students must do a Research Paper on a topic related to band, or to your instrument. At least one of your references must be from the Internet. When you are ready to do your paper, please see Mr. Zimmerman for the requirements. This paper must be completed by the end of the third marking period. 100 points
2. Listening and Observation – All students must attend a concert of your choice, preferably a high school level performing ensemble. Then you must prepare a critical review of the concert (2 -3 paragraphs) and submit it to Mr. Zimmerman along with the program of the concert (if one is available). This must also be completed by the end of the third marking period. 100 points
3. Improvement on your instrument – All students must attend 2 private lessons each marking period with Mr. Zimmerman. The first lesson must be completed by the mid point of the term, the second lesson to be completed before the end of the marking period. If you are taking lessons from a private teacher, show Mr. Zimmerman the books you are working out of and you are exempt from attending these lessons. 20 points (10 points per lesson)
4. All Honors Band students must participate in the solo/small ensemble concert in the spring. – 50 points
Flex Band
Flex band is only available to 9th grade students. They will rehearse on a rotating schedule with the flex orchestra and flex chorus students. Flex band students are considered part of the concert band. They will rehearse the same material and perform with the concert band at all functions. The requirements and grading scale listed previously for concert band will also apply to Flex Band. This is a wonderful opportunity for the freshman students to become acclimated to the skills necessary to perform at the high school level. It also provides opportunities for some individual lessons with peers and with the director.
If you have any questions or wish to speak with me, please contact me at the school at anytime by phone or email. And we have a very extensive and up to date web site for the Fine Arts. Get in the habit of checking the web site often.
Jay Zimmerman – Band Director
355-4833 ex 8129
Starting this year, concert band will only rehearse during days 1-4.
Day 5 is reserved for jazz band rehearsals, small ensemble rehearsals, and honors band students.
If you are not in one of these groups you will be assigned to a study hall for day 5 only. Your weighted grade for concert band will be .66 credit (4 of the 6 days, two thirds of the time requirement).
If you choose to be in jazz band or if you signed up for Honors band you will come to band on Day 5 and receive the full credit for band.
If you wish to receive a full credit for band but are not in jazz band or honors band, you can sign up to be placed in a small ensemble (trio, quartet) to work on Day 5 with your ensemble and prepare pieces for possible performances throughout the year.