9th Grade Percussion Ensemble

2017-18 School Year

Room: 908 Time: 8:35-9:15 M-F

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Mr. Carraher, Director of Bands

Office: Room 908

Phone: 703-5360 x428

Email:

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this course is to provide music students with the information and technical skills needed to perform at an advanced level on all percussive instruments. To do this, you must:

  1. Develop an understanding of percussion technique and instrumentation.
  2. Acquire basic technical skills on all musical instruments common to the percussion family.
  3. Understand the history of each major instrument found in the percussion family.
  4. Know the acoustical properties and methods of sound production on each instrument.
  5. Understand percussion music notation.
  6. Have a thorough understanding and the ability to perform basic and advanced rhythms.
  7. Understand basic instrument maintenance and tuning.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

In order to accomplish the goals described above you must:

  1. Practice regularly outside of class. Many techniques can only be mastered with consistent and effective practice. You should plan out to have at least 20 minutes of practice a day, either during a study hall, lunch, before or after school, or at home.
  2. Actively participate in class discussions and complete all outside work/writing assignments.
  3. Plan on taking notes on each section of percussion that is covered. You are expected to have already acquired introductory skills, and will be taught intermediate techniques throughout the course.

MATERIALS

  • Google Classroom
  • Practice Pad. Practice pads are available at most music retailers. Dale’s Drum Shop behind Applebee’s on Route 22 has a large selection that is well priced. Please consult Mr. Carraher on what type of pad you are purchasing. It should be a Vic Firth “Real Feel” or equivalent.
  • Concert snare sticks, concert mallets, concert timpani mallets.
  • Recommended snare sticks: Vic Firth SD-1, SD-2, Cooperman snare sticks
  • Not recommended: Marching Sticks, Drumset Sticks, any Nylon Tip stick
  • Recommended keyboard mallets: Innovative Percussion IP-240, Mallettech GS-16, Innovative Percussion Mark Ford MF-813
  • Not recommended: Any Vic Firth factory line mallets available at local music retailers
  • Recommended timpani mallets: Vic Firth Generals, Black Swamp Generals, Grover Percussion Generals
  • Not recommended: Any non-name brand mallets
  • 1.5”-2” black 3-ring binder with dividers
  • A notebook
  • Suggested items (Not required)
  • Swizzle sticks, brushes, a black towel, your own stick bag
  • It is recommended that students purchase all equipment from steveweissmusic.com. Concert percussion equipment at local retailers is very limited. Steve Weiss Music also has better prices on most items.

CONCERT DATES

Fall Concert: Monday, October 23, 2017, 7pm

Winter Concert: Wednesday, Febraury 21, 2018, 7pm

Spring Concert: Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 7pm

Graduation Concert: Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 6pm

*All dress rehearsal dates are posted on the band calendar and are also required.

*There may be additional performances. Information will go out as soon as it is available.

CLASS ATTENDENCE

All students are expected to attend class each day. If a student is absent, they are excused from rehearsal. All dress rehearsals and concerts are mandatory. This includes conflicts with sporting events. Most of the time conflicts can be worked out with coaches so that you may attend both events. It is your responsibility to inform the necessary individuals of any conflicts as soon as they arise. When you receive schedules, cross reference any dates with your after school band obligations.

CONCERT ATTENDENCE AND REFLECTION

Each student must:

  1. Complete at two-page Concert Reflection after each performance. It will be due one week after the concert, and should include how you performed, how the ensemble as a whole performed, and what you can do to improve upon that performance. Students are expected to use musical terminology and write at the proper level for their grade.
  1. Students may opt out of Concert Reflections for a 100% if they meet the following criteria:
  1. You must attend 2 concerts outside of Symphonic Band. These can be concerts from other school ensembles, or concerts outside of school.
  2. You must bring the programs for the concerts to Mr. Carraher by the due date for the paper.
  3. You can only an outside concert once.

PLAYING EVALUATIONS

All students will be required to take quarterly playing evaluations. These may include, but are not limited to: Scales, Warm-Up Materials, Concert Music and Additional Etudes. All grading will be based of the PMEA District VII Band Rubric. This is available online. Hard copies are available upon request.

HONORS FESTIVALS

*All students in 9th Grade Percussion Ensemble are encouraged to learn the audition material for the Dauphin County Honors Band and are encouraged participate in the audition process.

*All students are also encouraged to audition for District VII Honor Band.

*Materials for these festivals are usually available at the end of the preceding school year. Plan ahead!

DAILY CLASS PARTICIPATION

Students will be given a daily class participation grade of 3 points. This will consist of 1 point for rehearsal preparedness, 1 point for being on time (this includes getting your instrument out and ready in a timely manner), and 1 point for contribution to the rehearsal.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We will begin playing each day at 9:22. Make sure you make the necessary preparations to be ready at that time. All students are expected to prepare their areas. That means getting instruments, music, and sticks out. If being prepared on time means someone else needs to get your instruments or sticks out, make the necessary arrangements. Remember, to be on time is to be late. To be early is to be on time.

Concert Dress is ALL BLACK. Black shirt, black pants, black socks, black shoes. Gentlemen wear a collared black shirt. Ties and jackets are optional but must be all black. Ladies please keep dresses and skirts the school appropriate length.

Each student is highly encouraged to seek out private lesson instruction. The more time you can study outside of rehearsal, the more prepared you will be. Mr. Carraher and Mr. Bitner can make recommendations for private lesson teachers.

9th Grade Percussion Ensemble is an all under-classmen group, with high expectations. Make sure you are always ahead in your preparation. We are only as strong as our weakest link. Do not be that link. Preparation and practice can make you good. Perfect preparation and perfect practice will make you excellent. Remember, “Expect perfection. Tolerate excellence.”

COURSE TOPICS

Instrument Classification

Snare Drum

Technique, tuning, rolls, flams, accents

Mallet-Keyboard Percussion

Technique, marimba, vibes, four-mallet technique, bells, chimes, xylophone

Timpani

Technique, tuning, transportation

Bass Drum and Cymbals

Triangle and Tambourine

Other Concert Percussion Instruments

Drumset

African Percussion

Latin Percussion and Steel Drums

Afro-Cuban and Brazilian Percussion

Marching Percussion

Tuning and Maintenance

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