JFHMS

THE BAND PROGRAM: JFH Band Descriptions

Band 6 - Sixth Grade Band is for students wishing to learn how to play a Band instrument. Emphasis is on learning music fundamentals including proper care of the instrument, proper playing of the instrument, reading music, counting rhythms, and developing good practice skills. A primary goal of this group is the beginning development of student leadership skills. Students will participate in several required concerts including one Winter and two Spring Concerts. 6th grade Band members will be eligible to participate in extra-curricular Pep Band activities in the Spring.

All Band members in Band 7, Band 8, Advanced Band and Stage Band will participate in several required concerts including one Winter Concert, two Spring Concerts, a Band contest, and Band Festival in selected years. Extracurricular activities including Pep Band (and Jazz Combo and Percussion Ensemble in select years) will be open to all interested 7th and 8th grade Band members, along with optional participation in several competitive District events including All District Band, City-County Honors Band and Solo & Ensemble Festival. Class outlines are as follows.

Band 7 - Seventh Grade Concert Band is for those students who have successfully completed one year of Band. Emphasis will be on the reinforcement and continued development of music fundamentals, and developing both musicianship and music interpretation. A primary goal of this group is the development of student leadership skills. Band 7 will combine with Band 8 to form one ensemble for performances. Students who have not been in a Band class in the past should talk with the Director to receive permission to be in this class. Extra study during the summer prior to the 7th grade is required to join this class as a beginner, and private lessons are recommended to help beginner students catch up on basic skills in this second year class.

Band 8 - Eighth Grade Concert Band is for those students who have successfully completed two years of Band. Emphasis will be on the continued development of music fundamentals, and developing both musicianship and music interpretation. A primary goal of this group is the development of student leadership skills. Band 8 will combine with Band 7 to form one ensemble for performances, but will function as an independent group at times also. Students who have not been in a Band class in the past should talk with the Director to receive permission to be in this class. Extra study during the summer prior to the 8th grade is required to join this class as a beginner, and private lessons are strongly recommended to help beginner students catch up on basic skills in this third year class.

Advanced Band - This accelerated class is for those eighth grade students and seventh grade students who have been selected by an audition administered by the Director. Emphasis is placed on learning music fundamentals, technique, performance and musicianship, while reading through many new pieces of music A primary goal of this group is the development of student leadership skills. Students who have been in a Band class at another school in the past should talk with the instructor to schedule an audition to be in this class. Joining as a beginner musician is not recommended. Advanced Band will combine with the Stage Band to form one ensemble for concert performances.

Stage Band is a select group of 8th grade students who perform a variety of challenging music including Jazz, Blues, Big Band, Rock & Roll, and Broadway show tunes. There are many opportunities for featured soloists in this group. Many required performances will be given outside the regular Band calendar, out in the local community. Instruments include Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones, Keyboard, Drum Set, and possibly Bass Guitar and Electric Guitar. Members of the Stage Band are also members of the Advanced Band, and will combine with the Advanced Band to form one ensemble for the required concert performances. Members will learn Advanced Band concert music during the Stage Band class, in addition to the Stage Band repertoire.

Before and After School, Extra Curricular Band opportunities include....

Pep Band is a high energy, unpredictable, power house group of students who perform rock music at home basketball games and other informal activities that need a little livening up. All 7th and 8th grade students are eligible, membership is by participation. Pep Band will meet after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-5:00. Sign ups for performances at Pep Band games will be posted in the Band room throughout both basketball seasons. Practice and performance schedules will be sent home with all Seventh and Eighth Grade Band students during the first few days of school.

(In select years) Jazz Combo is a dedicated, hard working group of 7th and 8th grade students who perform a variety of challenging music similar to the Stage Band but with one big difference--the majority of these students are newcomers to the instruments they are playing, having established a strong foundation on their own concert instrument before doubling on the new one. Members of this group will be learning the majority of the music on their own, in practice time at home. At times, small groups of students from this group may perform separately in duos, trios or small combo groups. There are opportunities for featured soloists in this group, and some performances will be given outside the regular Band calendar out in the local community, with the combo members at times performing alone or in conjunction with the Stage Band. Instruments include Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones, Keyboard, Drum Set, and possibly Bass Guitar and Electric Guitar. Group rehearsals will be scheduled to prepare for upcoming performances as needed, schedules will be sent home when developed. This group may meet from time to time in the mornings before school starts, from 8:00 am - 8:25 am

(In select years) Percussion Ensemble is a small group of students playing only percussion instruments including traditional snare, bass, auxiliaries, mallets, and drum set as well as more contemporary percussion instruments such as trash cans and brooms (ala the hit Broadway show “STOMP”). Music will include a variety of styles including some familiar tunes (“George of the Jungle”, “Mission Impossible”) and some percussion ensemble originals in contemporary, latin and jazz styles. Members of this group will be learning the majority of the music on their own, in practice time at home. Instrumentation will be assigned on a rotating basis, all members will play all instruments at some point (including mallets!!). At times, small groups of students from this group may perform separately in duos, trios or small combo groups. Group rehearsals will be scheduled to prepare for upcoming performances as needed, schedules will be sent home when developed. This group may meet from time to time in the mornings before school starts, from 8:00 am - 8:25 am.

Drill team The Drill team is a group of seventh and eighth grade girls, selected by audition in May of the previous school year. The Drill team will perform in a variety of styles including dance and indoor guard (show flags) at home basketball games and other local community activities. Practices will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:00, schedules will be sent home during the first few days of school. While this is not an instrumental performing group, it is still a part of the JFH Band program and the expectations of Drill team members are the same as with all Band groups.