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THE BEGINNING BAND PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Bellingham Memorial Middle School Band Program offers students a hands-on experience that teaches the basic performance skills needed to play in school instrumental ensembles and complements the learning that takes place in the general music classroom. By participating in the band program, students will have a well-rounded school experience. It develops musicianship, fosters creative thinking, and provides students with a means of self-expression. This ultimately leads to a stronger sense of self, an increase in self-confidence, and an understanding of the business of being human.
Students at BMMS have the opportunity to begin studying a musical instrument in fifth grade. They are instructed through small group lessons and full band ensembles. Each grade level 5 – 8 has its own band, and students will stay within their grade’s band. Band members can also participate in Jazz Band. This is voluntary and meets once per week after school. Chamber ensembles sometimes form for students of any instrument who wish to play a piece together in a group of 3 – 5 other students.
INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES
Fifth Grade Band
Fifth Grade Band addresses the Massachusetts Music Frameworks with emphasis on standards 1, 2, 3, 5 and Fine Arts Connections Strands 6 – 8. Participation in fifth grade band provides the student with an introduction to basic instrumental music technique, note reading, rhythm reading, and basic ensemble skills. The curriculum in fifth grade band emphasizes fundamental music literacy including the student identifying and performing quarter notes, half notes, whole notes (and equivalent rests), in addition to basic sound production on the students’ chosen instrument. Band members are expected to perform at two concerts, one in the middle of the year and one at the end of the year. Fifth grade band is open to any student with a desire to learn a musical instrument.
Sixth Grade Band
Sixth Grade Band addresses the Massachusetts Music Frameworks with emphasis on standards 1 – 5 and Fine Arts Connections Strands 6 – 8. Students in sixth grade band continue to build on the material learned in fifth grade. Further reinforcement of basic concepts in music literacy is presented by reviewing rhythms from last year as well as expanding the performance range of each instrument. Additionally, more advanced ensemble concepts such as tone, intonation, balance, and blend are introduced. Band members are expected to perform at two concerts, one in the middle of the year and one at the end of the year. Sixth grade band is open to any student with a desire to learn a musical instrument.
Seventh Grade Band
Seventh Grade Band addresses the Massachusetts Music Frameworks with emphasis on standards 1 – 5 and Fine Arts Connections Strands 6 – 8. By participating in seventh grade band students will be expected to continue development in ensemble skills and individual technique, to foster a sense of individual accountability and responsibility, and to further develop a love and appreciation for music making. The curriculum in seventh grade band builds on the material learned in fifth and sixth grade band working towards meeting the standards set by the Massachusetts Music Frameworks including the performance of music with difficulty levels from 1-2.5 out of 6, introduction of cut and 6/8 time, scales and literature containing up to 3 flats and sharps, and intermediate ensemble concepts such as balance, blend, and style. Band members are expected to participate in all performances, including those outside the school day such as evening concerts, weekend parades, and other events throughout the school year. Seventh grade band is open to students with one or more years of experience on a band instrument or with the permission of the director.
Eighth Grade Band
Eighth Grade Band addresses the Massachusetts Music Frameworks with emphasis on standards 1 – 5 and Fine Arts Connections Strands 6 – 10. By participating in eighth grade band students will be expected to continue development in ensemble skills and individual technique, to foster a sense of individual accountability and responsibility, and to further develop a love and appreciation for music making. The curriculum in eighth grade band is the culmination of instrumental instruction at the middle school level, working towards meeting the standards set by the Massachusetts Music Frameworks including the performance of music with difficulty levels from 2-3 out of 6, introduction of mixed-meter time signatures, scales and literature containing up to 5 flats and sharps, and intermediate ensemble concepts such as balance, blend, and style. Band members are expected to participate in all performances, including those outside the school day such as evening concerts, weekend parades, and other events throughout the school year. Eighth grade band is open to students with two or more years of experience on a band instrument or with the permission of the director.
Jazz Band
In Jazz Band, students will learn the basic fundamentals of jazz, bebop, swing, shuffle, and Latin music while performing on their band instrument or rhythm section instrument (drum set, piano, bass, guitar). Jazz Band also provides a strong emphasis on improvisation and Massachusetts Music Framework Standard 4. Rehearsals take place one day per week after school. Students are expected to be at every rehearsal and performance. Jazz Band is open to students who are enrolled in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade band, or with permission from the director.
SCHEDULED PERFORMANCE DATES
(please note grade levels, reporting times, and locations)
- Wednesday, Dec. 7, 6:30pm (report at 5:30) – BMMS Winter Concert (Gr. 7/8) – BHS Auditorium - (snow date Dec. 14th)
- Wednesday, Jan. 25, 6:30pm (report at 5:30) – BMMS Winter Concert (Gr. 5/6) – BHS Auditorium - (snow date Feb. 2nd)
- Wednesday, Feb. 1, 6:30pm (report at 5:30) – Student Artist Recital (Gr. 7/8) – BMMS Auditorium - (snow date Feb. 8th)
- Wednesday, Mar. 14, 7pm (report at 6:00) – All Town Band Concert (Gr. 5-8) – BHS Gym
- Friday/Saturday, Mar. 30/31, TBA – MICCA Festival (Gr. 7/8) – BHS Auditorium
- Sunday, May 20, 2pm (Report time TBA) – Memorial Day Parade (Gr. 7/8) – meet at BMMS
- Wednesday, June 6, 6:30pm (report at 5:30) – BMMS Spring Concert (Gr. 5/6) – BHS Auditorium
- Thursday, June 7, 6:30pm (report at 5:30) – BMMS Spring Concert (Gr. 7/8) – TBA
ASSESSMENT
Much of the assessment in band takes place during the music-making. In other words, students are asked to demonstrate what they have learned by applying musical knowledge to their performance rather than indirectly applying musical knowledge through written examination. This form of grading is called authentic assessment. Authentic assessment provides a method for assessing complex learning.
GRADE FIVE
Assessment in Grade Five is based on a student’s preparation for his or her weekly lesson and performance in class. Students are assessed on their preparation for class using the 5 Point System. Students receive 1 point for each of the following items brought to their lesson:
1. Instrument
2. Homework / Practice record (signed by a parent/guardian)
3. Pencil
4. Book – Essential Elements 2000
5. Band Music
The 5 Point System emphasizes the need for students to attend lessons ready to learn. Individual performances of exercises from the method book are done in class to assist the band director in assessing student growth.
Being in band, just like being on a sports team or part of a club, teaches the student a great deal about being responsible and upholding their commitment to a group activity. If one student forgets their instrument, then it has an effect on all the other students of the class. It is essential that all students come to band prepared every time.
GRADES SIX, SEVEN, AND EIGHT
The final grade earned for participation in band will be a culmination of the following categories:
Rehearsal and Lesson Grade
The lesson grade is an average of the scores received for the student’s weekly practice record and the performance of musical excerpts from the lesson book Essential Elements 2000 (6th grade only), band music, and other music to be passed out. Assessments of rehearsal preparation, positive attitude, cooperative spirit, creativeness, and leadership are ongoing parts of the evaluation process. A student who tries with his or her best effort will not be penalized for a poor performance level.
Test Average
Students will be asked to apply musical knowledge in playing exams. Playing exams reflect the student’s understanding of material covered in sectionals and highlights skills developed during home practice. There will be several individual playing exams per quarter, and they will take place during band rehearsals. There will also be a brief written element to an exam further assessing the students’ knowledge of current subject matter. “SmartMusic” (see below) grades may be factored into their test average as well.
Concert Grade:
Performances are the culmination of the hard work accomplished in rehearsals and the skills developed during sectionals and home practice. Therefore, attendance and participation in performances is an integral part of the band experience.
The average of the categories defined above will determine the student’s final grade.
Quarter 1
Lesson Grade – 75%
Test Average – 25%
Quarter 2
Lesson Grade – 50%
Concert Grade – 25%
Test Average – 25%
Quarter 3
Lesson Grade – 75%
Test Average – 25%
Quarter 4
Lesson Grade – 50%
Concert Grade – 25%
Test Average – 25%
“SMART MUSIC”
Another form of in-class assessment used is SmartMusic. SmartMusic is a great computer program that gets students motivated to practice their instrument and provides them with useful tools to assist them in learning their music. The program does a number of things including:
- Provide entertaining back-up music to the songs they are working on for class.
- Allow students to record themselves playing a song and offers them feedback on their performance.
- Allows the student to email their recorded performances to family and friends.
- Allows the student to upload information to me regarding their practice sessions with SmartMusic and their progress on particular songs.
The use of this program at home is completely optional, but is HIGHLY RECOMENDED. There are computers in the band room available for student use to complete quizzes or for general practice. SmartMusic requires a $36 per year subscription fee. See the SmartMusic website at www.smartmusic.com for more information.
STUDENT INSTRUMENT RESPONSIBILITY
Your child’s musical instrument is an expensive item often costing hundreds of dollars to replace if lost or stolen. Although Bellingham Memorial Middle School, including all the classrooms inside it, is a safe and secure environment, the instrument that your child is using to participate in band is their responsibility. The band room at the middle school is locked before and after school and an adult presence is maintained in each room throughout the school day. Even so, if your child decides to leave their instrument in a classroom, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the instrument is where it was left; the school and its staff cannot be responsible for any lost or stolen instruments. An instrument should never be left in a classroom if a teacher is absent or the room is obviously unattended.
If an instrument is lost or stolen, we will do everything in our power to ensure the instrument is found and returned. However, some situations are out of our control, in which case a police report should be filed and it will be up to the police to investigate the situation.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at any time. Keeping the lines of communication open is crucial to the success of your student.
rglynn@bellingham.k12.ma.us
508-883-2330
www.BellinghamMusic.org