Hey there!

If you’re visiting, that means you actually signed up for my class, you actually read the syllabus for band 6, 7 or 8, Intro to Band  or General Music and you actually took the initiative to visit without me making this an assignment.  So click on the title of this post and print this page for an additional 150 bonus points.

I’ll be uploading the new syllabus for all of the band classes, updating information (including what books and supplies you need to purchase) very shortly.   Stay tuned and be listening in class.

Mr. Gilliard

Hey everyone.

200 points to any student who clicks on the title of this entry, prints it out and brings it to school WITH your homework log.

Speaking of which, here’s your assignment.  You will have two playing tests upon your return to school.

Mods 2a and 4a

Method Book: Standard of Excellence Bk. 2 – #2, 6-13

Song 1: Finale mm. 23-38
Song 2: American Spirit March mm. 13-32
Song 3: Carpathia mm. 1-20
Song 4: Mt. Ranier March (whole song)

Scales: Bb, Eb and F major scales.

Mod 3a

Method Book: Standard of Excellence Bk. 2 – #20-36

Song 1: Chester (whole song)
Song 2: Allegretto mm. 1-25
Song 3: African Folk Triology (whole song)
Song 4: Earl of Oxford’s March mm. 1-33

Scales: Bb, Eb, F and Ab

Blank homework logs are located here: PDF | Word.

Percussion:

All related music above

5, 7 and 9 stroke rolls
Ruff (Drag)
Single Paradiddle
Long Roll
Single Stroke roll (matched grip – suspended cymbal, tympani, etc…)

Percussion practice logs are here:  Word | PDF

You have my permission to use http://www.vicfirth.com/education/rudiments.html to help you out.  In fact, I absolutely insist you use http://www.vicfirth.com/education/rudiments.html to help you out here.

Important Dates for upcoming performances and rehearsals. This calendar was distributed the first week of January to all band students.

January

1/19 – 7^th Grade After School Rehearsal (4-5:20)

1/20 – 8^th Grade After School Rehearsal (4-5:20)

1/21 – Jazz Band Interest Meeting (4-5 pm)

1/26 – Percussion Sectional Rehearsal (including ‘added’ percussionists) (4-5:20) Cancelled due to meeting.

1/27 – Trumpet Sectional Rehearsal

1/28 – Jazz Rehearsal Day #2

February

2/1 – Librarian Training (4-5:10) – selected students, grades 7 & 8

2/2 – 7^th Grade After School Rehearsal (4-5:20)

2/3 – 8^th Grade After School Rehearsal (4-5:20)

2/4 – Jazz Band Rehearsal (4-5:20)

2/8 – Percussion Sectional Rehearsal (4-5:20)

2/9 – 7^th Grade Baritone Sectional Rehearsal (4-5:20)

2/10 -  7^th Grade Trombone Sectional Rehearsal (4-5:20)

2/16 – 7^th Grade After School Rehearsal (4-5:20)

2/17 – 8^th Grade After School Rehearsal (4-5:20)

2/18 – 7^th Grade Clarinet Sectional Rehearsal (4- 5:20) and Music Department ‘Wax Museum’ (evening, TBA)

2/23 – Jazz Band Rehearsal (4-5:20)

2/24 – Percussion Sectional Rehearsal (4-5:20)

2/25 – 7^th Grade Flute Sectional Rehearsal (4-5:20) (may be cancelled) and Black History Program (evening performance) 6:00 pm (8th grade performs)

2/26 – Black History Program (daytime performance) during school hours – 8th grade performs

New feature for parents and students – http://mrgilliardmusic.com/music/?page_id=28. Check weekly as it gets updated weekly.

It’s also a permanent menu item on the bar above, as well as in the menu on the right.

Students and parents: it is absolutely ESSENTIAL that homework assignments get completed and passed in weekly.  20% of your quarterly grade is nothing to play with.   When the low grade YOU earned comes, don’t complain and say that something was ‘given’ to you.  Mr. Gilliard doesn’t GIVE grades.  I just write down what you do. Mod 4a – don’t make me have to call you out.

All that said:

Mods 2a and 4a (7th grade)

Method book: Foundations for Superior Performance, Long Tone 1a, 1b and 1c. (p. 4) Please take the time to learn your fingerings correctly! If you do not put in the work NOW, you will STRUGGLE the remainder of the year.

Finale from Symphony no. 1 - mm. 13-21.

Northwinds Festival mm. 1-23

Scales: Bb Concert Scale (p. 10 of Foundations)

Please review the following concepts: Attack, Sustain, Release. Remember – attack is how we start a note. After that, we need to keep a steady stream of air going to sustain the note. Finally, we stop breathing in order to release the note.

Mod 3a (8th grade)

Method book: Foundations for Superior Performance, Long Tone 1a, 1b and 1c. (p. 4)

Fire Dance: mm. 45-67

Chester Variations: mm. 40-56

Please review the following concepts: Attack, Sustain, Release. Remember – attack is how we start a note. After that, we need to keep a steady stream of air going to sustain the note. Finally, we stop breathing in order to release the note.

Please remember that all sections at the beginning (mm. 1-19) are to be played tenuto so that the ‘sound of one note touches the next’. Same with Fire Dance at mm. 36 and mm. 60.

Scales: Bb, Eb and F major scales

Blank homework logs are located here: PDF | Word.

Percussion (3A only)

Welcome.  Let’s get you all busy.

You are required to practice the entire song for Fire Dance and mm. 1-40 of Chester Variations.  Three essential parts need to be covered: snare/tom, Bass and Suspended Cymbal.

Rudiments:

Single Stroke roll, played open for 4 measures at 90 BPM and closed at 120 BPM for 8 measures.

Double Stroke Roll, played at 120 BPM for 8 measures.

Flam – played as quarter notes for 8 measures at 90 BPM and for 8 measures at 120 BPM.

Percussion practice logs are here:  Word | PDF

Mods 2a and 4a (7th grade)

Method book: Foundations for Superior Performance, Long Tone 1a, 1b and 1c. (p. 4) Please take the time to learn your fingerings correctly! If you do not put in the work NOW, you will STRUGGLE the remainder of the year.

Remember: ATTACK, S-U-S-T-A-I-N and RELEASE.  Keep the air moving.

Finale from Symphony no. 1 – mm. 1-12.

Please review the following concepts: Attack, Sustain, Release. Remember – attack is how we start a note. After that, we need to keep a steady stream of air going to sustain the note. Finally, we stop breathing in order to release the note.

Mod 3a (8th grade)

Method book: Foundations for Superior Performance, Long Tone 1a, 1b and 1c. (p. 4)

Fire Dance: mm. 36-60

Chester Variations: mm. 20-40

Please review the following concepts: Attack, Sustain, Release. Remember – attack is how we start a note. After that, we need to keep a steady stream of air going to sustain the note. Finally, we stop breathing in order to release the note.

Please remember that all sections at the beginning (mm. 1-19) are to be played tenuto so that the ‘sound of one note touches the next’.

Scales: Bb major

Blank homework logs are located here: PDF | Word.

Percussion – see me for this assignment.

Well, we’re full swing into things.

Mods 2a and 4a (7th grade)

Method book: Foundations for Superior Performance, Long Tone 1a, 1b and 1c. (p. 4)

Finale from Symphony no. 1 – mm. 1-12.

Please review the following concepts: Attack, Sustain, Release. Remember – attack is how we start a note. After that, we need to keep a steady stream of air going to sustain the note. Finally, we stop breathing in order to release the note.

Mod 3a (8th grade)

Method book: Foundations for Superior Performance, Long Tone 1a, 1b and 1c. (p. 4)

Fire Dance: mm. 27-44

Chester Variations: mm. 1-19.

Please review the following concepts: Attack, Sustain, Release. Remember – attack is how we start a note. After that, we need to keep a steady stream of air going to sustain the note. Finally, we stop breathing in order to release the note.

Please remember that all sections at the beginning (mm. 1-19) are to be played tenuto so that the ‘sound of one note touches the next’.

Scales: Bb major

Blank homework logs are located here: PDF | Word.

Percussion – see me for this assignment.

Well, we’re full swing into things.

Mods 2a and 4a (7th grade)

Method book: Foundations for Superior Performance, Long Tone 1a, 1b and 1c. (p. 4)

Mod 3a (8th grade)

Method book: Foundations for Superior Performance, Long Tone 1a, 1b and 1c. (p. 4)

Fire Dance: mm. 1-26

Percussion students – your meeting with me on WEDNESDAY after school will count for this assignment.

ALL STUDENTS: If you HAVE NOT picked up your book yet from Music and Arts in Bowie, you need to call IMMEDIATELY and make sure they keep a copy of your book in stock.  The lines are out the door at the store and some books now may need to be ordered because they are not currently in stock.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you and give you a deadline date earlier. You’re still going to be held responsible for the work (with the exception of students who are still getting instruments assigned to them).

Blank homework logs are located here:  PDF | Word.

Okay students, here’s your first assignment. Let’s see how well you can follow directions.

Download this file and follow the instructions inside of it.     Word | PDF

See you Monday!

Hello parents and students!
Welcome to another year at TJMS and I’m excited as usual. I look forward to having a great year with your students.

Not much information has changed this year compared to last, only the dates.  The majority of the site has been updated to reflect those changes.  In addition, a few new things have been added to the band section, including Fingering Charts, courtesy of Alfred Music.

All in all, look around, and if you have any questions, drop me an e-mail at kerry dot gilliard at pgcps dot org.