Concert Band VIII

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
MUSC 4230
Descriptive
Concert Band VIII
Department
Music
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
2.00
Start Date
End Term
201330
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15
Max Class Size
N/A
Contact Hours
4 hours per week
Learning Activities

Students will form a concert band consisting of flutes, oboes, clarinets, saxophones, bassoons, trumpets, horns, trombones, euphoniums, tubas, string bass and percussion. The instructor will teach the material and will conduct the rehearsals and concerts. In addition, the use of mechanical and/or electronic aids such as the TAP rhythm machine, recordings, tuning devices, metronomes, and others may be assigned and evaluated.

Course Description
Through rehearsals and performances, students will study ensemble skills such as intonation, blend, and technical facility. Emphasis will be placed on developing rhythmic accuracy and sight reading skills. In addition, the proper phrasing and interpretation of various styles of concert band music will be studied.
Course Content

Music to be rehearsed and performed will include original compositions for band and selected transcriptions of orchestral and keyboard works. Sample repertoire for one semester could include:

     J.S. Bach - Fantasia and Fugue in C minor

     W.A. Mozart - First movement from Symphony #40

     Rossini/Britten - Soirées musicales

     Percy Grainger - Molly on the Shore

     Dmitri Shostakovich - Festival overture

     J.P. Sousa - The Thunderer

     Clifton Williams - Concertino for Percussion

 

In addition to performance repertoire, students will work on technical studies and ensemble drills. Sight reading and rhythmic accuracy will be developed using the TAP rhythm system.

Learning Outcomes

The successful student should be able to demonstrate:

1.  Ensemble skills including intonation, blend and technical facility

2.  The proper phrasing and interpretation of various styles of concert band music

3.  Rhythmic accuracy, subdivision and sight reading skills

Means of Assessment

It is expected that students in third and fourth years will demonstrate a higher level of ensemble skills and musicianship than students in first and second years.  They will be assessed using the same criteria but evaluated by a higher standard.

 

Midterm TAP test                                                  15%

Midterm playing  test and/or in-class assessment     20%

Final TAP test                                                       15%

Final playing test                                                  30%

Ensemble skills (including performance at

      dress rehearsals and scheduled concerts)          20%

 

*NB. In a performing group, regular attendance is vital to the learning of ensemble skills and the achievement of high performance standards. Absences affect every member of the ensemble; therefore 5% of the final mark will be deducted for each unexcused absence, to a maximum of 30%. Excused absences will include illness and urgent family or personal matters.

 

Unexcused absence from a dress rehearsal or a concert will result in a failing grade.

Textbook Materials

All music and study materials will be provided by Douglas College.

Prerequisites

Permission of instructor.