Band (optional)

Grade:  5  |  6  |  7  |  8

Grade 5

Instrumental Technique

Wind instruments:
Assembly, disassembly, cleaning and maintenance of all instrument parts
Proper performance position of body frame, hands and embouchure
Proper air support, sound production and tonguing techniques
Proper clef/notes for instrument
Pitch and rhythm awareness while fingering notes
Foundational articulation studies
 
Percussion instruments:
Proper instrument adjustment
Performance posture and stick/mallet grip
Proper Stroke, rebound and fundamental rudiments
Treble clef note names/position and proper playing technique of keyboard mallet instruments

Musical Elements
Note values: whole through eighth
Time Signatures
Subdivision
Key Signatures, accidentals, enharmonics and the Circle of Keys
Dynamics

Ensemble Development
Basic conducting patterns and signals
Ensemble etiquette for rehearsal and performance
Instrumental techniques
 

Grade 6

Instrumental Technique

Wind instruments:
Well supported sound with a consistent tonal center
Proper performance position of body frame, hands and embouchure
Proper and consistent embouchure, range embouchure adjustment, tongue placement,  articulation types and tongue/finger coordination
Consistent performance of the correct partials in the overtone series: brass
Developing range
Manipulation of instrument intonation and pitch matching
 
Percussion instruments:
Proper instrument adjustment
Proper performance posture and stick/mallet grip and position
Differential sound locations on each instrument
Measured rolls and six rudiments
Basic mallet skills on various keyboard mallet instruments
Peripheral vision

Musical Elements
Note values: whole through sixteenth
Time Signatures to 6/8 and cut time
Subdivision to sixteenth notes, dotted notes and syncopation
Key Signatures, accidentals, enharmonics and the Circle of Keys
Dynamic extremes
Music mapping

Ensemble Development
Conducting patterns and musical gestures
Rhythmic precision
Musical styles and forms of band literature
Ensemble etiquette for rehearsal and performance
Instrumental techniques  

Grade 7

Instrumental Technique

Wind instruments:
Well supported sound with a consistent tonal center
Proper performance position of body frame, hands and embouchure
Proper and consistent embouchure, range embouchure adjustment, tongue placement, articulation types and tongue/finger coordination
Consistent performance of the correct partials in the overtone series: brass
Developing range
Pitch matching through manipulation of instrument and embouchure to correct intonation
Practical use of alternate slide/finger positions
 
Percussion instruments:
Proper instrument adjustment
Proper performance posture and stick/mallet grip and position
Differential sound locations on each instrument
Measured rolls and 10 rudiments
Performance of basic mallet skills on various keyboard mallet instruments
Peripheral vision
 

Musical Elements
Note values: whole through sixteenth and demonstrate use of subdivision in combinations, dotted rhythms and tied groupings
Major and minor key Signatures, accidentals, enharmonics and the Circle of Keys
Extended dynamic range
Basic musical terms
Different articulations: legato, staccato, marcato, accents, etc.

Ensemble Development
Conducting patterns and musical gestures
Rhythmic precision
Musical styles and forms of band literature
Adjustment of intonation while playing with other instruments
Musical styles and compositional elements
Ensemble etiquette for rehearsal and performance
Instrumental techniques
 

Grade 8

Instrumental Technique

Wind instruments:
Well supported sound with a consistent tonal center
Refinement of pitch matching through manipulation of instrument and embouchure to  adjust intonation
Development of range
Tone color shading
Vibrato
 
Percussion instruments:
Patterns, dynamics and open/closed rolls
Simple melodies on the keyboard mallet instruments
Tuning changes on the timpani
18 rudiments and rolls in 6/8  

Musical Elements
Note values: whole through sixteenth, subdivision in combinations, dotted rhythms and  tied groupings
Major and minor key signatures, accidentals, enharmonics and the Circle of Keys
Extended dynamic range
Basic musical terms
Different articulations: legato, staccato, marcato, accents, etc.
Music from other cultures
Basic areas of technology in music performance

Ensemble Development
Conducting patterns including mixed meter and musical gestures
Rhythmic precision
Musical styles and forms of band literature
Adjustment of intonation while playing with other instruments
Musical styles and compositional elements
Ensemble etiquette for rehearsal and performance
Instrumental techniques