East High School

Symphonic Band Course Syllabus

Fall 2016
Instructor: Ms. Shelby Brookshire
Room Number: 123 West wing (Band Room)
Email: s.brookshire@mi.kyschools.us
Phone: 123-456-7891

Course Description and Standards:

This course is designed to promote students playing technique for their applied instrument of
choice. They will develop their skill level on their individual instrument technique as well as
mature their expressive abilities as individual musicians and as an ensemble member. Literature
for Symphonic Band in more advanced and incorporates orchestral literature transcribed for
band. This course will cover the structures, humanities, purposes, and the interrelationship of
the arts as they apply to music.
*Class meets Monday-Friday from 10:00am-11:00am

Course Texts and Resources

Method Book, Materials

Foundations for Superior Performance, by Richard Williams and Jeff king (provided by
school)
Performance pieces as chosen by director
Pencil
Selected sheet music for band, chorales, chamber groups, and solos
Materials required for your instrument and appropriate care
The following items will be needed for your applied instrument:
Flute: cleaning rod and cloth, polishing cloth
Clarinet: at least 3 Vandoren reeds (strength 3-4), reed storage, a cleaning swab, cork
grease
Saxophone: at least 3 Vandoren reeds (strength 3-3 1/2 ), reed storage, a cleaning swab,
cork grease, neck strap
Trumpet: valve oil, slide cream, mouthpiece brush, soft cloth
-French Horn: valve oil, slide cream, mouthpiece brush, soft cloth
Trombone: Main Slide cream (Superslick), Tuning slide cream, mouthpiece brush, soft
cloth
Baritone: valve oil, slide cream, mouthpiece brush, soft cloth
Percussion: most items will be provided by the school, however, drumsticks, mallets,
etc. may be needed on a case by case basis
Additional(optional): Wire music stand, metronome, tuner
Class Objectives:
To have a positive experience through the performance of a variety of meaning music
literature
Develop their ability to practice good work ethic and goal setting and management.
To be able to play the full circle of 5ths- ALL majors and relative natural minors
o Played by memory by Juniors and Seniors
To be able to play a 2 Octave chromatic scale from memory
Develop sight reading skills- rhythmic and melodic

Description of Ensemble: The HS Symphonic Band is a performance group that represents

Alexander East in various facets of music performance. During the fall semester, the Symphonic
Band will also work on looking at and enhancing musical skills through marching band literature
on some days.

During the marching band season (until mid-October), the schedule is as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: Symphonic Band

*Scale Class on Wednesday for Freshman
Thursday, Friday: Marching Band Music

Attendance Policy:
Band is a group effort; therefor, students are expected to be at every band function (Members
who are not involved in the marching band are NOT expected to be at the marching band
rehearsals/performances). Rehearsal and performance schedules will be distributed and you
will know the dates of these ahead of time and so you must tell me of a scheduling conflict with
a performance by at least 2 weeks in advanced. Students must attend all concerts and
rehearsals. Each concert performance and attendance is worth 100 points. This includes the
Winter Concert in December, the HS Concert Festival Assessment Performance in December.

Academic Dishonesty:

Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, or helping others to commit these acts will not be tolerated.
Academic dishonest will result in severe disciplinary action including, but not limited to, failure
of the student assessment item or course, and possibly dismissal from Alexander East. If you
are not sure what constitutes academic dishonesty, read The Hedgehog : Student Handbook, or
ask your instructor.
Americans with Disabilities Act:

In compliance with the ADA, all students with a documented disability are entitled to
reasonable accommodations and services to support their academic success and safety. Though
a request for services may be made at any time, services are best applied when they are
requested at or before the start of the semester. To receive accommodations and services the
student should immediately contact the Disability Services Coordinator in the Office of
Academic and Career Services, 273 Allie Young Hall, 231-783-5198,

Campus Safety Statement:

Emergency response information will be discussed in class. Students should familiarize

themselves with the nearest exit routes in the event evacuation becomes necessary. You should
notify your instructor at the beginning of the semester if you have special needs or will require
assistance during an emergency evacuation. Students should familiarize themselves with
emergency response protocols

Assignments/Quizzes/Exams:
All assignments and quizzes will be assigned based on the performance of the band on the
given literature at the time. Playing quizzes will be performed either in front of the class or in
my office-depending on the given situation.

Mid-term:
Freshman/Sophomores- Full Circle of 5ths, Major and Relative Minors and 2 octave Chromatic
Scale. Played in eighth notes at quarter note equals 100.
Junior/Senior- Full Circle of 5ths, Major and Relative Minors and 2 octave Chromatic scale.
Played in eighth notes at quarter note equals 100. MEMORIZED.

Final Exam:
Freshman/Sophomores: Same material as mid-term with the addition of sight reading. Must
choose at least THREE scales from the circle (Major and relative Minor) that must be
memorized for Final Exam.
Junior/Senior: Same as mid-term with the addition of sight reading and a chosen solo. The
tempo must be moved up at least to 120.

Grading Structure:
Assignment 1-100 points
Quiz 1/Chair Audition - 50 points
Mid Term- 50 points
Assignment 2 -50 points
Assignment 3- 50 points
Final Exam- 100 points
Winter Concert- 100 points
HS Concert Festival Assesment-100 points
Total: 600 points

Grading Scale:
540-600 = A
480-539 = B
420-479 = C
360-418 = D
0-359 = E

Course Calendar:

Week 1
*Symphonic Music ONLY- no Marching Band Music
August 17th/ 18th
Intro Major scales (for freshman), Review for upperclassman- sight read Everlasting Light by
Micah Burkhart as an ensemble
August 19st/ 20nd
Begin scale class for freshman (sophomores if need be)- the rest of the ensemble will work on
chair audition music (first thirty minutes of class). Read Everlasting Light by Burkhart for end of
class.
August 21st
Play Major scales as a class and work on Everlasting Light

Week 2
August 24th/25th-
Play Major scales. Work on Everlasting Light by Burkhart. Sight read The Darker Side by Donald
Robbins.
**You will be getting your chair audition repertoire today.
August 26th
Scale class for first thirty minutes of class for those required. Rest of class time spent working
on Everlasting Light and Darker Side as a full ensemble.
August 27th
Marching band music- outside if area is available and weather permits
August 28th
Marching Band music

Week 3
August 31st/Sep. 1st
Sight read Molly on the Shore by Percy Grainger as a full ensemble on Monday. Continue
working on the music on Tuesday. Possible Sectionals.
Sept. 2nd
Scale class for all grades: prepare for upcoming scale assignment.
Sept. 3rd
No Marching Band. Work on Molly on the Shore as Full Ensemble
Set. 4th
Marching band music- outside if weather permits. **ASSIGNMENT #1 DUE- Will be played for
me in my office individually
Week 4
Sept. 7th/8th
Work on all three concert band pieces handed out so far as an ensemble. Sectionals on
Tuesday.
Sept 9th
Scale Class for first thirty minutes for those required. Sectionals for the remainder of the class
time over Molly on the Shore
Sept. 10th
Marching Band music- outside if weather permits
Sept 11th
Individual practice day for chair auditions and first quiz on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 15 TH

Week 5
Sept. 14th
Individual practice day for auditions tomorrow.
Sept 15th
CHAIR AUDITIONS (Quiz #1)
This along with scales will be graded as your first quiz grade.
*Scale Requirements:
Freshman/Sophomores: Play 6 Majors and their relative minors from the circle of 5ths-
your choice. Plat them in eighth notes with the quarter note equaling 100
Junior /Senior: Play 3 Majors (w/ relative minors)- your choice-MEMORIZED

Sept. 16th
No Scale Class- Work on ALL concert band music with any new part assignments due to chair
placement
Sept. 17th
Work on all concert band music as full ensemble for thirty minutes. Sectionals for last thirty
minutes
Sept. 18th
Marching Band Music

Week 6
Sept. 21st -25th
Work only on Concert band music this week. Sectionals on Wednesday-no scale class.

Week 7
Sept. 28th-30th
Work only on concert music
Oct. 1st-2nd
Work on Marching Band music- Regional Competition this Saturday
Week 8
Oct. 5th-7th
Work only on concert band music
Oct. 8th/9th
Work on Marching Band music- State Finals Competition on Saturday
(This will be the end of the Marching Band season)

Week 9
Oct. 12th/13th
Concert Band music as full ensemble
Oct. 14th
Scale Class for those to which it applies (LAST 30 minutes of class). Remainder of class time note
in scale class will be spent on section features in perspective pieces.
Oct. 15th
Mid-term:
Freshman/Sophomores- Full Circle of 5ths, Major and Relative Minors and 2 octave Chromatic
Scale. Played in eighth notes at quarter note equals 100.
Junior/Senior- Full Circle of 5ths, Major and Relative Minors and 2 octave Chromatic scale.
Played in eighth notes at quarter note equals 100. MEMORIZED.
Oct. 16th-Oct 19th: FALL BREAK

Week 10
Oct. 19th-23rd
Work on Concert band music all week. Sectionals on Wednesday and Friday

Week 11
Oct. 26th-30th
Work on Concert band music all week. Sectionals on Wednesday and Friday. ASSIGNMENT #2
on the 30th- You will sight read a small excerpt of my choice for me in my office.

Week 12
Nov.2nd-6th
Work on Concert Band music all week. Scale class on Wednesday for all grade levels. Sectionals
on Friday.

Week 13
Nov.9th-13th
Concert Band music Monday Tuesday Thursday. Scale Class Wednesday. Individual practice day
and ASSIGNENT#4 due Friday. You will be assignment a section of the concert band music to
play for me in my office.
Week 14
Nov. 16-20th
Work on Concert band music all week. Sight read music for Christmas concert on
December 7th on Friday
**Turn in your class release permission form so you may join us in performing at concert band
festival

Week 15
Nov.23rd-27th
THANKSGIVING BREAK

Week 16
Nov. 30th
Work on Concert Band Music as full ensemble
Oct. 1st/2nd
Sectionals for concert band music
Oct 3rd
Work on Christmas Concert music
Oct. 4th
Final Exam:
Freshman/Sophomores: Same material as mid-term with the addition of sight reading. Must
choose at least THREE scales from the circle (Major and relative Minor) that must be
memorized for Final Exam.
Junior/Senior: Same as mid-term with the addition of sight reading and a chosen solo. The
tempo must be moved up at least to 120.

Week 17
Dec 7th
Touch on Christmas Concert Music. Spend remainder of time preparing for concert band
assessment tomorrow
**CHRISTMAS COCNERT TONIGHT
Dec. 8th
No class. Will be released from school today to perform at HS Concert Festival Assessment.
Dec 9th
Winter break starts