Concert Band Grade 1
Billy Cromer
Concert Band is offered as a Seventh Grade enrichment class to all students who have successfully completed Intermediate Band. Students are invited to continue their band experience on traditional band instruments. Band meets once during the school day as an enrichment class. Students are also required to attend one small-group lesson per week on a rotating schedule. Through the study of different time periods and styles, students will understand music as a form of communication which will expand their ability to listen, analyze and discuss concepts. Through daily learning, the band prepares and performs at concerts and events during and outside the school day.
By Ray Benton, Technology and Media Specialist, Nottelmann Music Co. Ray, who serves as editor for The Nottelmann Blog at Music Educators Corner, has 32 years of experience teaching band in the St. Louis area. Most of these picks were performed while directing his successful band program at Rockwood South Middle School.
An original work, designed to pay tribute military and first responders. Commissioned by the Sacred Heart Jr./Sr. High School Knight Band. It includes legato and marcato styles, written with an air of dignity and pride. AUDIO RECORDING
A stately and majestic fanfare, great as a concert or festival opener. Bright character in a major key and provides a training opportunity in mixed meters (alternating 4/4 to 3/4). Brass and woodwinds each are highlighted in fanfare and chorale styles throughout.
Can there be a more interesting title than this one, written for a rehearsal room full of young players? Excitement is generated from measure one throughout this one. Driving percussion, accented rhythms and meter changes keep the interest level up. It could very well be listed as Grade 2.5 or Grade 2+, but Grade 2 bands should love playing this one and be willing to put in the extra effort it may require technically.
The bands and orchestra are the mainstay of the program. The 6th Grade Concert Band, 7th Grade Symphonic Band, and the 8th Grade Wind Ensemble, 6th Grade String Orchestra are fully balanced ensembles consisting of the following instrumentation:
In addition to the concert band program, band students are encouraged to audition for the many smaller ensembles offered, such as jazz band, flute ensemble,clarinet choir, brass ensemble, and percussion ensemble, etc.
Students arriving to school for the morning rehearsals will need to be dropped off on the Copples Road entrance to the middle school. All drop offs should be made in the lower tier of the parking lot. Please do not go up into the school bus lane.
Small group lessons are taught once each week during the school day on a rotating pullout schedule. The lessons are rotated over seven periods of the school day. Students report to class and pick up any necessary class work and homework from their teacher before they report to the band room for their lesson. If a student cannot miss the scheduled class because of a test or special circumstance, they do not report to the group music lesson. Make-up lessons are offered at the end of each week.
Many students study their instrument with a private music instructor outside of the school. This is an ideal way to make the best progress on their instrument. I have included a list of private instructors that I know in the area.
In order for students to achieve their fullest potential, it is essential that they make a full commitment to the band and to learning their instrument. Here are a few guidelines that should help them along the way.
Throughout the year, students will be assessed on their progress. I have a series of benchmarks consisting of scales, exercises, songs, ensemble music that students will be expected to learn and perform with accuracy. Students will receive a grade on their report card based upon their effort, attendance, behavior, and musical progress.
The SHMS Music Suite has and instrument locker room that will enable students to lock their instruments in an assigned cabinet during the school day. Students are expected to secure their instruments in the instrument locker room during the school day and pick up their instrument to take home at the end of school. Each instrument locker comes supplied with a lock. Students must have a name tag on their instrument case. Parents should keep record of the instrument serial number at home.
All band members participate as members of the Johnston High School Varsity Marching Band. The marching band is active from early August until the middle of October. The marching band appears at all home football games, several marching contests and local parades. The marching band does require a commitment beyond normal school hours. Students are expected to attend our marching band camp, which is held in August as we learn our marching music and much of our marching drill during that time. During the marching season the band also regularly rehearses at 7 a.m. Students need to be in the band room at 6:45 a.m. to transition outside to the field, so we can start rehearsal at 7 a.m. These rehearsals are necessary in order for us to be our best. The marching band will rehearse in all types of weather, so please come prepared with appropriate clothing. The Varsity Marching Band is an important part of the fall football atmosphere at JHS as well as a highly regarded marching unit throughout Iowa. Pride, discipline, and dedication make this group a success.
Because of our increased numbers in the high school band program we will have two concert bands in the first semester and three concert bands during second semester. Concert band starts at the completion of the marching band season in the middle of October. The groups are selected based on an audition held in the spring. Students are placed in the group in which they will be the most successful. All bands perform at multiple home concerts and festival performances. Our concert bands are the core of our band program at JHS. The skills learned in concert band transfer to all other aspects of the Johnston Bands experience.
Every student is invited but not required to participate in solo and ensemble contests. We hope to put together a variety of ensembles for our participating students. Students who wish to prepare solos for the contest will be required to pay a fee to help pay for accompanists and judges (should we host our own contest). Students will be expected to put in considerable practice time in order to have success at this event.
The 9th Grade Concert Band is the core instrumental music ensemble for 9th grade band students. The band plays a variety of literature ranging from traditional concert band music to more contemporary pieces. 9th grade band students should have successfully completed 8th grade band or receive permission from the instructor. The band typically performs three home concerts. Students are also encouraged to participate in solo and ensemble contest. These are rehearsed during lessons or before/after school.
The 9th Grade Jazz Band is made up of members of the concert band who play saxophone, trombone, trumpet, bass guitar, guitar, piano, vibes, and drum set. The band gives one or two home concerts and annually competes at two jazz festivals. The band focuses on big band jazz repertoire with an emphasis on improvisation.
The 8th Grade Concert Band is the core instrumental music ensemble for 8th grade band students. The band plays a variety of literature ranging from traditional concert band music to more contemporary pieces. 8th grade band students should have successfully completed 7th grade band or receive permission from the instructor.
The 8th Grade Jazz Band is made up of members of the concert band who play saxophone, trombone, trumpet, bass guitar, piano, vibes, and drum set. The band gives one or two home concerts and annually competes at two jazz festivals. The band focuses on big band jazz repertoire with an emphasis on improvisation.
The 7th Grade Concert Band is the core instrumental music ensemble for 7th grade band students. The band plays a wide variety of literature. Students are strongly encouraged to have been in our 6th grade band program. Students receive a small group lesson of like instrument, 1-time, weekly. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the Solo Festival. In the Spring, there is an opportunity for students to audition for a select band, playing at the Adventureland Band Festival. Mr. Crandell, Director.
The 7th Grade Jazz Band is made up of members of the concert band who play saxophone, trombone, trumpet, bass guitar, piano, vibes, and drum set. The band gives one concert. The band focuses on big band jazz repertoire with an emphasis on learning the Jazz Style. This band is a non-auditioned group. Rehearsal times are before school, Tuesdays/Thursdays during the late fall/winter months. Mr. Crandell, Director
The focus of 6th grade band is to develop musicianship, collaboration and responsibility through large group rehearsals, small group lessons, and performances. Students will perform in three concerts (November, February and May) and have the option to participate in solo festival in February.
The Riverwatch Middle School Band Program serves over 650 students in grades 6-8. Each year, all students perform in several concerts at Riverwatch. 7th and 8th grade students participate in GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations. Riverwatch students consistently participate in the GMEA All-State Band, District IX Honor Band, and District IX Solo & Ensemble. Riverwatch hosts the annual District IX Solo & Ensemble event in April.
The Riverwatch Middle School Band Program is a four-time recipient of the Exemplary Performance Award from the Georgia Music Educators Association (2010, 2015, 2019, and 2022). The Exemplary Performance Award is the most prestigious award available to middle school bands in Georgia and recognizes middle school bands that achieve outstanding results in all areas of performance, including Large Group Performance Evaluation, Solo and Ensemble, All-State Band, and District Honor Band. The award is presented to the most outstanding bands in Georgia whose students excel in all aspects of band performance, both individually and as part of a group.
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