Concert Band 10-20-30

UNIT #1: BAND FUNDAMENTALS

20 CLASSES OVER FOUR WEEKS

Unit Overview: In this unit we will be covering a wide variety of topics which fall
into the curriculum and will work well at the beginning of the term to get my class
familiar with my expectations and what we will be working with throughout the
semester. The main topics we ill be focussing on throughout this unit are Attitudes,
Listening and critically self analyzing, Scales and Articulations, and Valuing Music
of All Styles.
Generative Topic: Understanding the expectations and level that we are intending
to work at from the beginning is important for students. Having a strong work ethic
is half the battle and setting students up for success is my goal in this first unit.
Aim/Big Idea(s): Throughout this Unit we will be focussing on a variety of
different concepts with a main goal of working on and preparing repertoire for the
concerts to come. Ensuring that the technique of the students is strong will forever
help the overall quality of the music we perform.
Essential Questions:
1.) How can attitude directly effect the group dynamic and success?
2.) Why is listening and learning the skills of self assessment important?
3.) Why is it important to focus on scales and articulations?
4.) How can I ensure that students recognize and appreciate music of all styles in
my teaching and repertoire selection?
Outcomes Addressed:
ATTITUDES: Positive attitudes are fostered by success in singing, playing,
reading, listening, creating and valuing music. Through instrumental music,
students will be encouraged to:
value the uniqueness of this communication skill
appreciate fine arts as a form of personal enrichment, self-expression and/or
entertainment
be appreciative of human values as they are recorded in great instrumental
literature

 develop positive, realistic self-images through an understanding and acceptance

of themselves, with their strengths and their limitations
develop an appreciation of the social value of instrumental participation
continue to develop their creative abilities and to use them in a constructive
manner to contribute to society and to personal satisfaction
apply maximum effort and attain effectiveness in performance through physical
and mental discipline
LISTENING: To develop the ability to make intellectual and aesthetic judgments
based on critical listening and analysis.
PERFORMANCE:The student will recognize and be able to perform, using
articulations from the articulation chart at their appropriate grade level.
VALUING: To grow in the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of music as
a source of personal fulfillment.

Master List of Learning Activities and Experiences:

1.) Developing Relationships/Team Building
2.) Listening Critically (Tuning)
3.) Judging Performances (X-Factor)
4.) Scale Work
5.) Scale Passport (Introduction)
6.) Articulations
7.) Listening

Master List of Materials, Equipment and Resources:

1.) Music
2.) Tuners
3.) Chairs
4.) Smartboard
5.) Worksheets/Assignments
6.) Quiz/Exit Slips
7.) Instruments
8.) Baton
9.) Resources: Scores

Assessment:

Tool
1.) Developing
Relationships/Team
Building

2.) Listening Critically

(Tuning)

Outcomes

Description

ATTITUDES: Positive
attitudes are fostered by
success in singing, playing,
reading, listening, creating and
valuing music. Through
instrumental music, students
will be encouraged to:
value the uniqueness of this
communication skill
appreciate fine arts as a form
of personal enrichment, selfexpression and/or
entertainment
be appreciative of human
values as they are recorded in
great instrumental literature
develop positive, realistic
self-images through an
understanding and acceptance
of themselves, with their
strengths and their limitations
develop an appreciation of
the social value of
instrumental participation
continue to develop their
creative abilities and to use
them in a constructive manner
to contribute to society and to
personal satisfaction
apply maximum effort and
attain effectiveness in
performance through physical
and mental discipline

During the first week there will

only be formative assessment as
I get to know my class and the
individuals within it. I believe
that it is equally important for
my students to get to know each
other as well and this is where
the team building and getting to
know each other will happen.
This will be integrated into the
regular classes of the first week
where new repertoire and
course outlines are taken care of

LISTENING: To develop the

ability to make intellectual and
aesthetic judgments based on
critical listening and analysis.

This aspect of the course will

be universally used throughout
the semester and in the first
week will be used to introduce
the new repertoire that we will
be studying this term. The focus
with this listening concept will
be with tuning. A variety of
tuning exercises will be used to
ensure that this become
effective immediately for my
students.

FOR AS

OF

Tool
3.) Judging
Performance (XFactor)

4.) Scale Work

5.) Scale Passport

(Introduction)

6.) Articulations

7.) Listening

Outcomes

Description

LISTENING: To develop the

ability to make intellectual and
aesthetic judgments based on
critical listening and analysis.

This will be an activity students

are introduced to the concept of
evaluating performance in a
real and non judgmental way.
Student will be taught what is
important to the success of a
performance and then asked to
practice this concept on some
auditions to the show (The XFactor). After this task is
complete students should have
completed the sheet ranking
each performer with an
explanation for the mark given.
Students will then be asked to
take the same standards on
themselves and for their
performance.

PERFORMANCE:The student
will recognize and be able to
perform, using articulations
from the articulation chart at
their appropriate grade level.

Each class we will warm up

using technical scales from
their books. Students will be
asked to begin to memorize
these scales to make for a quick
warm up.

PERFORMANCE:The student
will recognize and be able to
perform, using articulations
from the articulation chart at
their appropriate grade level.

This activity will be introduced

in the first week and will then
make a return each week after
that. Students will each week be
assigned a new scale
challenge which they can
choose to try and complete.
Having a certain amount of
stamps at the end of the
determines the grade.
Essentially students will be able
to pick their own grade in this
area.

FOR AS

PERFORMANCE:The student
will recognize and be able to
perform, using articulations
from the articulation chart at
their appropriate grade level.

In each warm-up daily I will be

integrating different
articulations into the mix to
ensure that students understand
what is required of them for
each of these markings in their
music.

VALUING: To grow in the

appreciation, understanding
and enjoyment of music as a
source of personal fulfillment.

Each class we will be listening

to at least one piece of music.
This will help open the ears of
my students and have them
beginning to gain an idea of
what the classical music world
holds.

OF