- Middle Schools
- Weekly Practice Guides and Assignments
Use this page to submit all Practice Logs and/or Homework assignments.
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Quarter 2 Week 4 11/12-11/15
Beginning Band:
Goal: Students will Learn their 6th note
Practice: This week's goal is to practice a minimum of 15 minutes each day.
Practice technique of the week: Warm-up. You should always mindfully warm-up for each practice session. Play medium soft long tones to warm up your embouchure and diaphragm. As you start to feel 'warm' move to working on harder music. Then finish with something fun that is easy for you to play.
Homework: Weekly Practice review (you need to be logged in to Microsoft to do this)
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing "Twinkling Stars" in the book, paying special attention to Rhythm, Note memorization, Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Intermediate Band:
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to focus on the Sight read new music in the key of c minor (Eb major)
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 15 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: Plan your session. You should always mindfully warm-up for each practice session. Play medium soft long tones to warm up your embouchure and diaphragm. As you start to feel 'warm' move to working on harder music. Then finish with something fun that is easy for you to play.
Homework: Weekly Practice review (you need to be logged in to Microsoft to do this)
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play the Coda section of Santa the Barbarian and Too much percussion for Christmas, paying special attention to Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Advanced Band
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to focus on the the c minor scale (Eb major)
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 30 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: Plan your session. You should always mindfully warm-up for each practice session. Play medium soft long tones to warm up your embouchure and diaphragm. As you start to feel 'warm' move to working on harder music. Then finish with something fun that is easy for you to play.
Homework: Weekly Practice review (you need to be logged in to Microsoft to do this)
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play the Coda section of Santa the Barbarian and Too much percussion for Christmas, paying special attention to Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Jazz Band
Goal: The Goal this week is for students to:
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- Play in Three different styles: Swing, Rock, and Bossa
- Improvise using some memorized 'licks'
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Focus on the tunes we are learning from the book
Practice technique of the week: Plan your session. You should always mindfully warm-up for each practice session. Play medium soft long tones to warm up your embouchure and diaphragm. As you start to feel 'warm' move to working on harder music. Then finish with something fun that is easy for you to play.
Homework: Listen to the Blues at Frog bottom and complete the listening guide
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play Letter D of Blues at frog bottom on P. 26 paying special attention to Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
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Quarter 2 Week 3 11/4-11/8
Concert Week. No Homework
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Quarter 2 Week 2 10/28-11/1
Beginning Band:
Goal: Students will dress rehearse standard of procedure for their concert.
Practice: This week's homework is to practice a minimum of 15 minutes each day.
Practice technique of the week: Warm-up. You should always mindfully warm-up for each practice session. Play medium soft long tones to warm up your embouchure and diaphragm. As you start to feel 'warm' move to working on harder music. Then finish with something fun that is easy for you to play.
Homework: Focus on your private practice this week.
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing "Go tell Aunt Rhodi" in the book, paying special attention to Rhythm, Note memorization, Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Intermediate Band:
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to focus on the "Swope Band Golden Rules of Music"
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 15 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: Plan your session. You should always mindfully warm-up for each practice session. Play medium soft long tones to warm up your embouchure and diaphragm. As you start to feel 'warm' move to working on harder music. Then finish with something fun that is easy for you to play.
Homework: You need to Listen to and play along to Harbinger several times this week. Recording found here
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play the Coda section of Harbinger, paying special attention to Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Advanced Band
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to focus on the "Swope Band Golden Rules of Music"
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 30 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: Plan your session. You should always mindfully warm-up for each practice session. Play medium soft long tones to warm up your embouchure and diaphragm. As you start to feel 'warm' move to working on harder music. Then finish with something fun that is easy for you to play.
Homework: This week
America/America the Beautiful/ Star Spangled Banner/
Eternal Father (cut)Friday's Assessment: Assessment Roulet
Jazz Band
Goal: The Goal this week is for students to:
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- Play in Three different styles: Swing, Rock, and Bossa
- Improvise using some memorized 'licks'
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Focus on the tunes we are learning from the book
Practice technique of the week: Plan your session. You should always mindfully warm-up for each practice session. Play medium soft long tones to warm up your embouchure and diaphragm. As you start to feel 'warm' move to working on harder music. Then finish with something fun that is easy for you to play.
Homework: Listen to one Jazz Song written or made famous by a person who plays your instrument
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play a passage of Bossa Madeira
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Week 8 9/30 - 10/4
Beginnig Band:
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to improve their sound using the first three notes. Students should gain mastery of the following music concepts: Quarter Note, attack, sustain, release
Practice: This week's homework is to practice a minimum of 15 minutes each day. Work on Memorizing our First three notes found on Page 5
Practice technique of the week: "Sacred Space" be sure to pick a place to practice that is free from distractions. Thie is YOUR time with your instrument.
Homework: spend this time catching up on old assignments and adding to your practice routine
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing #18 in the book paying special attention to Rhythm, Note memorization, Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Intermediate Band:
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to sight-read their concert music, Perfect their Warm-ups, and Practice Proficiency in the Concert Eb Scale
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 15 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: "The 10 penny game" Once you have practiced at a slow tempo and gained mastery of a passage, do you REALLY have ownership of it? Musicians don't practice until you can play it right once, they practice until they can't get it wrong. Can you play it right 10 times in a row with no mistakes? Set up 10 pennies in a row, and each time you play the passage correctly, move a penny up until you've moved all 10 pennys. if you make a careless mistake before you've moved all 10 pennies, you must start back at 1!
Homework: You need to Listen to Harbinger several times this week. Recording found here
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play intervals in the key of concert Eb (#37 in the book) paying special attention to Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Advanced Band
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to Perfect Anchor's Away in Concert Bb and Review America/ America the Beautiful in concert C and G. YOU HAVE A PERFORMANCE ON FRIDAY AT RHS!!!!!!!! 5:15-10:00
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 30 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: "The 10 penny game" Once you have practiced at a slow tempo and gained mastery of a passage, do you REALLY have ownership of it? Musicians don't practice until you can play it right once, they practice until they can't get it wrong. Can you play it right 10 times in a row with no mistakes? Set up 10 pennies in a row, and each time you play the passage correctly, move a penny up until you've moved all 10 pennys. if you make a careless mistake before you've moved all 10 pennies, you must start back at 1!
Homework: This week
America/America the Beautiful/ Star Spangled Banner/
Eternal Father (cut)Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play a passage of Marches: Anchor's Away, and the B section of the Star Spangled Banner
Jazz Band
Goal: The Goal this week is for students to:
-
- Play in Three different styles: Swing, Rock, and Bossa
- Improvise using some memorized 'licks'
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Focus on the tunes we are learning from the book
Practice technique of the week: "The 10 penny game" Once you have practiced at a slow tempo and gained mastery of a passage, do you REALLY have ownership of it? Musicians don't practice until you can play it right once, they practice until they can't get it wrong. Can you play it right 10 times in a row with no mistakes? Set up 10 pennies in a row, and each time you play the passage correctly, move a penny up until you've moved all 10 pennys. if you make a careless mistake before you've moved all 10 pennies, you must start back at 1!
Homework: Listen to one Jazz Song written or made famous by a person who plays your instrument
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play a passage of Bossa Madeira
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Week 7 9/23 - 9/27
Beginnig Band:
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to expand their music theory knowledge using the first three notes. Students should gain mastery of the following music concepts: Breath Mark, Half Note, Half Rest, Repeat Sign, Solo, Harmony, Unison, and Duet
Practice: This week's homework is to practice a minimum of 15 minutes each day. Work on Memorizing our First three notes found on Page 5
Practice technique of the week: "Slo-Mo" Slow the tempo WAY down. Remember** even though the tempo is slow, It's still CONSISTENT. Always use a metronome to practice. You can find these for free online or download an app. Once you can play at a certain tempo, start to increase the tempo in small chunks. Ex. If you can play the passage at 60 Beats per Minute, increase to 64 BPM, then 70, etc.
Homework: You need to complete this Making a sound Quiz before Friday. You can use any device to complete this quiz.
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing #15 in the book paying special attention to Note memorization, Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Intermediate Band:
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to sight-read their concert music, Perfect their Warm-ups, and Practice Proficiency in the Concert Eb Scale
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 15 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: "The 10 penny game" Once you have practiced at a slow tempo and gained mastery of a passage, do you REALLY have ownership of it? Musicians don't practice until you can play it right once, they practice until they can't get it wrong. Can you play it right 10 times in a row with no mistakes? Set up 10 pennies in a row, and each time you play the passage correctly, move a penny up until you've moved all 10 pennys. if you make a careless mistake before you've moved all 10 pennies, you must start back at 1!
Homework: You need to Listen to Harbinger several times this week. Recording found here
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play intervals in the key of concert Eb (#37 in the book) paying special attention to Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Advanced Band
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to Perfect Anchor's Away in Concert Bb and Review America/ America the Beautiful in concert C and G.
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 30 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: "Slo-Mo" Slow the tempo WAY down. Remember** even though the tempo is slow, It's still CONSISTENT. Always use a metronome to practice. You can find these for free online or download an app. Once you can play at a certain tempo, start to increase the tempo in small chunks. Ex. If you can play the passage at 60 Beats per Minute, increase to 64 BPM, then 70, etc.
Homework: You need to Listen to our concert music SEVERAL times:
America/America the Beautiful/ Star Spangled Banner/
Eternal Father (cut)Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play a passage of Marches: Anchor's Away, and the B section of the Star Spangled Banner
Jazz Band
Goal: The Goal this week is for students to:
-
- Play in Three different styles: Swing, Rock, and Bossa
- Improvise using some memorized 'licks'
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Focus on the tunes we are learning from the book
Practice technique of the week: "The 10 penny game" Once you have practiced at a slow tempo and gained mastery of a passage, do you REALLY have ownership of it? Musicians don't practice until you can play it right once, they practice until they can't get it wrong. Can you play it right 10 times in a row with no mistakes? Set up 10 pennies in a row, and each time you play the passage correctly, move a penny up until you've moved all 10 pennys. if you make a careless mistake before you've moved all 10 pennies, you must start back at 1!
Homework: Listen to one Jazz Song written or made famous by a person who plays your instrument
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play a passage of Bossa Madeira
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Week 6 9/16- 9/20
Beginnig Band:
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to play the first three notes (#2,3, and 5 in the book) with Perfect Hand Position and Posture.The sound will come and students should always be striving to produce a characteristic sound (what a professional sounds like). The best way to get an idea of what that sounds like is to listen to professionals. There are MANY resources online to listen to any instrument.
Practice: This week's homework is to practice a minimum of 15 minutes each day. Work on Memorizing our First three notes found on Page 5
Practice technique of the week: "man (or woman) in the mirror". Use a mirror to check your embouchure and correct mistakes.
Homework: You need to complete this Note Naming quiz before Friday. You can use any device to complete this quiz.
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on playing our First three notes (#6 in the book) paying special attention to Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Intermediate Band:
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to sight-read their concert music, Perfect their Warm-ups, and Practice Proficiency in the Concert Bb Scale
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 15 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: "Slo-Mo" Slow the tempo WAY down. Remember** even though the tempo is slow, It's still CONSISTENT. Always use a metronome to practice. You can find these for free online or download an app. Once you can play at a certain tempo, start to increase the tempo in small chunks. Ex. If you can play the passage at 60 Beats per Minute, increase to 64 BPM, then 70, etc.
Homework: You need to complete this Key signature Quiz before Friday. You can use any device to complete this quiz.
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play intervals in the key of concert Bb (#30 in the book) paying special attention to Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Advanced Band
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to Sight read four patriotic songs in unfamiliar key centers, Perfect their Warm-ups, and Practice Proficiency in the 6/8 time signature ie. Marches of the armed forces
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 30 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: "The 10 penny game" Once you have practiced at a slow tempo and gained mastery of a passage, do you REALLY have ownership of it? Musicians don't practice until you can play it right once, they practice until they can't get it wrong. Can you play it right 10 times in a row with no mistakes? Set up 10 pennies in a row, and each time you play the passage correctly, move a penny up until you've moved all 10 pennys. if you make a careless mistake before you've moved all 10 pennies, you must start back at 1!
Homework: You need to complete this Key signature Quiz before Friday. You can use any device to complete this quiz.
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play a scale and a passage in the key of Concert C (Star Spangled Banner)
Jazz Band
Goal: The Goal this week is for students to:
-
- Play in Three different styles: Swing, Rock, and Bossa
- Improvise using some memorized 'licks'
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Focus on the tunes we are learning from the book
Practice technique of the week: "The 10 penny game" Once you have practiced at a slow tempo and gained mastery of a passage, do you REALLY have ownership of it? Musicians don't practice until you can play it right once, they practice until they can't get it wrong. Can you play it right 10 times in a row with no mistakes? Set up 10 pennies in a row, and each time you play the passage correctly, move a penny up until you've moved all 10 pennys. if you make a careless mistake before you've moved all 10 pennies, you must start back at 1!
Homework: None
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play a scale G Dorian Scale
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Week 5 (9/9 - 9/13)
Beginnig Band:
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to play the first three notes (#2,3, and 5 in the book) with Perfect Hand Position and Posture.The sound will come and students should always be striving to produce a characteristic sound (what a professional sounds like). The best way to get an idea of what that sounds like is to listen to professionals. There are MANY resources online to listen to any instrument.
Practice: This week's homework is to practice a minimum of 15 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: "man (or woman) in the mirror". Use a mirror to check your embouchure and correct mistakes.
Homework: You need to complete this Note Naming quiz before Friday. You can use any device to complete this quiz.
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on playing our First three notes (#6 in the book) paying special attention to Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Intermediate Band:
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to Sight read their concert music, Perfect their Warm-ups, and Practice Proficiency in the Concert Bb Scale
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 15 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: "Slo-Mo" Slow the tempo WAY down. Remember** even though the tempo is slow, It's still CONSISTENT. Always use a metronome to practice. You can find these for free online or download an app. Once you can play at a certain tempo, start to increase the tempo in small chunks. Ex. If you can play the passage at 60 Beats per Minute, increase to 64 BPM, then 70, etc.
Homework: You need to complete this Key signature Quiz before Friday. You can use any device to complete this quiz.
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play intervals in the key of concert Bb (#30 in the book) paying special attention to Embouchure production (how the musician holds their face to produce a characteristic sound), Posture, and position, and Air usage.
Advanced Band
Goal:The Goal this week is for students to Sight read four patriotic songs in unfamiliar key centers, Perfect their Warm-ups, and Practice Proficiency in the 6/8 time signature ie. Marches of the armed forces
Practice: Students should aim to practice a minimum of 30 minutes each day. It's MUCH better to practice a little each day rather than a bunch on the last day. Pick a set time and place each day that is free from distractions.
Practice technique of the week: "The 10 penny game" Once you have practiced at a slow tempo and gained mastery of a passage, do you REALLY have ownership of it? Musicians don't practice until you can play it right once, they practice until they can't get it wrong. Can you play it right 10 times in a row with no mistakes? Set up 10 pennies in a row, and each time you play the passage correctly, move a penny up until you've moved all 10 pennys. if you make a careless mistake before you've moved all 10 pennies, you must start back at 1!
Homework: You need to complete this Key signature Quiz before Friday. You can use any device to complete this quiz.
Friday's Assessment: We will be assessing on the students ability to play a scale and a passage in the key of Concert C (Star Spangled Banner)
