Previous instrumental experience is required.  This class will experience a wide variety of musical styles ranging from half-time shows, parade marching, sports pep-band, solo/ensemble literature, conference music festival, to concert wind literature.  Students will experience several parade competitions as well as IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest and IHSA Concert Band Contest.  The high school band is an integral part of civic ceremonies such as High School graduation and the Memorial Day parade.  Attendance at all performances is graded/required. 

   We use " Methods for Superior Performance" and a wide range of pieces of music that are not book bound.  The literature will vary with each project.  The variety of literature is wide when looking at the entire year.

   State Goal #25:  Know the language of the arts.

•     Perform a variety of musical styles with appropriate expression, following all musical signs and symbols. 
•     To play Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, F, C, G, D, A, and E concert major scales with parallel natural, harmonic, melodic minor scale clusters, and two-octave arpeggio. 
•     Chromatic scale is to be played--two-octave from memory.
•     Compare and contrast many works of art from the same or from different art forms.

   State Goal #26:  Through creating and performing, understand how works of art are

                               produced.

•      Describe the processes involved in performing music.
•      Play with expression and accuracy a variety of music of various genres and cultures appropriate to the high school musician.

   State Goal #27:  Understand the role of the arts in civilizations, past and present.

•      Identify and describe various careers and jobs in the arts.
•      Understand the societal function of a particular performance piece (i.e. entertainment, ceremony).
•      Describe the value of music in everyday situations and why we can't live without it.
•      Know and describe how music of a particular period reflects its historical and cultural importance.

 Units to be taught

 Marching Band--field marching

 Marching Band--parade marching

 Winter and Spring Concerts

 Pep Band

 IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest

 Conference Music Festival

 Graduation Ceremony

 Marching Band--Memorial Day

 State Goal

 25, 26

 26, 27

 25, 26, 27

 26, 27

 25, 26, 27

 26, 27

 27

 27

   All performances are graded by attendance.  Since missed work cannot be made-up in the same way that the ensemble performed, make-ups are not available for all absences.

• each Pep band performance = 5 % of quarter grade

• each Football game and Parade = 10 % of quarter grade

• each Concert Band performance = 25 % of quarter grade

• IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest = 40 % of quarter grade

• IHSA Organizational Contest = 25 % of quarter grade

       For a detailed and practical application of the grading criteria, please see the Grading or Schedule portion of the High School Band web page.

   Many of our class days are spent preparing for public appearances.  Our large units of study will grouped around performances also.  For an accurate schedule of events, please see the Band Schedule on the web pages.