PS 3: Owen Sheedy

Subject Area
Grade Level
Topic
Length of Unit
(days)

Band
Grade 8
Back in Band
19 Classes

Rationale
This unit is called Back in Band and will place a heavy emphasis on
establishing a positive, effective, and hard working classroom environment. The
goal is that in these 19 classes students will not only establish individual musical
habits and routines that will set them up for success this school year, but that they
will also positively contribute to each collective rehearsal. This unit will be seven
weeks in length and will culminate with our fall concert, on October 19th. By the end
of this unit my hope is that students understand that greatness, either as an
individual or as an ensemble, does not simply appear, but it is achieved by continual
perseverance and dedication. As these students will be graduating from Gilbert
Patterson Middle School at the end of this year, I would like them to push
themselves musically so that they leave knowing that they creating something
special with this group.
To achieve this result we will emphasize many basic musical elements that if
enforced during the beginning weeks can make a world of difference. These
elements include: Breathing, Posture, Intonation, and Balance. To help with the
students buy in process the two pieces that we will be performing at the Fall
Concert are:
John Williams: Movie Adventures, arranged by Michael Sweeney:
-

Includes themes from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and E.T. all themes that
students will recognize and will want to perform.
In the keys of Concert Bb/Eb, contains many different tempo and character
changes, all instruments have an engaging part.

Legend of Devils Lake, composed by Michael Sweeney:

PS 3: Owen Sheedy

Subject Area
Grade Level
Topic
Length of Unit
(days)

Band
Grade 8
Back in Band
19 Classes

Musically depicts a Native American legend of a battle between the serpents

of Devils Lake and the thunderbirds of the surrounding cliffs.
In the key of Concert F, high energy (especially for the percussion) contrasted
with gentle melodies, foot stomping adds to the intensity of the piece.

General Learner Outcomes:

1)PERFORMING
1.1 Todiscover,developandevaluatetheirtalentsandabilitiesinmusicalperformancethroughestablishing,
extendingandreinforcingcorrecttechnicalskills.
1.2 Torecognize,interpretandperformrhythm,melody,harmony,formandexpressionastheyappearinmusical
notation.
1.3 Todevelopandperformarepertoireofqualityliterature.

Understandings:
Students will understand that
- The musical growth that we will experience
this year will be largely decided by the work
habits and the rehearsal routines that we
establish in the beginning weeks of the school
year.
- In order to present a concert that captivates the
audience all members of the ensemble need to
buy in to what we are doing in daily rehearsals.

Essential Questions:
1. What procedures and routines need to be
implemented to ensure a successful year in band
class, both musically and otherwise?
2. What do we need to do as individuals and an
ensemble to perform a concert that captivates the
audience?

Specific Learner Outcomes:

2.Technical/Theoreticalskills
2.1Demonstrateproperinstrumentassembly,maintenanceandcare.
2.2Demonstrateproperplayingposition.
2.3Produceacharacteristictonebasedonacceptable:
2.3.1Embouchureformation.
2.3.2Breathsupport.
2.3.3Auralconceptofthecharacteristictone.
2.3.4Initiationofthetone.
2.3.5Releaseofthetone.
2.4Demonstrateacceptableintonation.
2.5Watchandrespondtotheconductor.
2.6Exhibitpositivemusicalattitudecharacterizedby:

PS 3: Owen Sheedy

Subject Area
Grade Level
Topic
Length of Unit
(days)

Band
Grade 8
Back in Band
19 Classes

2.6.1Regularattendanceatclasses,rehearsalsandperformances
2.6.2Efficientpracticehabits
2.6.3Adherencetorehearsalpractices

3.Pitch
3.1Recognizeandunderstandthefunctionofthefollowing:intervalsofM3,m3,P4,P5,P8,doublesharp,double
flat,chords,triad,I,IV,VandV7.
3.2OrganizeandperformpitchesofLevelIIIrangesinmajorscales,arpeggiosandthirdsin:ConcertGb,Db,Ab,
Eb,Bb,F,C,G.Quarternote=144.Relativeminors,Chromaticscalesoverentirerange.
4.Dynamics
4.1List,defineanddemonstratesforzando,fp,fpandmorendo.
4.2Performfourdynamiclevelsdemonstratingcrescendoanddecrescendo.
10.Terminology
10.1Demonstratethroughperformanceanunderstandingofadlib,agitato,animato,appassionato,bravura,brillante,
cantabile,dolce,expressiveo,grandioso,grazioso,scherzando,sostenuto,tranquillo,attaca,cadenza,listesso,loco,
8va,meno,molto,mosso,senza,con,subito,piu.
11.InterpretivePerformanceSkillsCommontoallLevels
11.1 Recognize that the phrase is the musical equivalent of a sentence.
11.2 Identify and perform phrases, achieving musical sensitivity through stylistic practices such as:
Development of intensity; i.e., tension and release.
11.2.2 Adding flexibility of tempo; i.e., rallentando, rubato, accelerando.
11.2.3 Adding dynamic contrast to repeated phrases or figures and extended passages or selections.
11.3 Develop an awareness of balance, blend and texture within the ensemble.
11.4 Perform stylistically the repertoire chosen from various historical periods and genres.

PS 3: Owen Sheedy

Subject Area
Grade Level
Topic
Length of Unit
(days)

Band
Grade 8
Back in Band
19 Classes

Resources Needed:
- Baton
- Parts Copied
- Ipad
- Tuner/Metronome
- Scores: John Williams: Movie Adventures, arranged by Michael Sweeney and Legend of Devils
Lake, composed by Michael Sweeney
- Cardstock
- Band to Band pre assessment activity

PS 3: Owen Sheedy

Subject Area
Grade Level
Topic
Length of Unit
(days)

Band
Grade 8
Back in Band
19 Classes

Assessment Tool Overview

Assessment
Tool Title

Practice Sheets

Outcom
Description
es
Each week students are expected to practice a minimum
of 75 minutes. If students practiced 75 minutes they
receive 100%. These minutes only count if a parent or
2.6.2
guardian signs the sheet each week. Students who are ill
or away on holidays may practice extra to make up the
time missed.

Responsibility

2.6.1
2.6.3

Playing Test

2.2
2.3
2.4
3.2
4.1
4.2
11.2

Theory Test

Class Rehearsals

Questioning/ Exit
Slips/ Back to Band

3.1
4.1
10.1

All SLOs

All SLOs

Students will be marked for concert attendance as well as

for regular/extra rehearsals. Students will also be
expected to show up to class prepared (instrument, music,
pencil) and on time. With each infraction student will lose
1% of their mark.
Students will be informed of the scales and passages that
will be tested well ahead of time. Students will be
provided a rubric as well. Testing will take place during
the week of Oct 3-7. Students will leave the main
rehearsal one at a time and will record themselves playing
a specific passage of one of the pieces that we will be
playing on the concert.
Students will need to show that they understand various
theory concepts that we have discussed during class. All
of the theory concepts that will be on the test will
somehow relate to the pieces that we performed on the
concert.
During rehearsal, we will cover all of the SLOs
identified for this unit. We will address the SLOs by
working out of the Standard of Excellence method book,
working on the required scales, rehearsing the two
selected pieces, and through class discussions.
Using questioning and exit slips are two more strategies
that I can use to assess student understanding. Although I
will not regularly use exit slips, they will be used to
ensure that students have a thorough understanding of
music theory before the theory test. The Back to Band
assessment will be a pre assessment that will be done first
thing on the first class.

30

15

30

25

Fo
r

AS

OF

Subject Area
Grade Level
Topic
Length of Unit
(days)

PS 3: Owen Sheedy

Band
Grade 8
Back in Band
19 Classes

Week 1: Sept 6 - 9

Class 1

Class 2
First rehearsal: Legend
of Devils Lake

Bb Major

Introduction
Class Procedures
Poll Everywhere

Week 2: Sept 12 - 16

Class 3

Class 4

Seminar #1: Sept 15

9:00 11:30

Class 5

Begin rehearsing John

Williams: Movie
Adventures

Bb Major (3rds)

Week 3: Sept 19 - 23

Class 6

Class 7

Class 8

Class 9

Class 10

Class 11

Bb Major (3rds)
G Minor

Week 4: Sept 26 - 30

Bb Major (3rds)
G Minor (3rds)
Eb Major

Subject Area
Grade Level
Topic
Length of Unit
(days)

PS 3: Owen Sheedy

Week 5: Oct 3 - 7

Class 12

Class 13

Class 15

Class 16

Class 17

Class 18

Playing Test
Bb Major (3rds)
G Minor (3rds)
Eb Major (3rds)

Week 6: Oct 12 - 14
Seminar #2: Oct 13
9:00 11:30
Bb Major (3rds)
G Minor (3rds)
Eb Major (3rds)
Week 7: Oct 17 - 19
Concert: Oct 19th, 7 PM
GPMS Gym. Gr 7 & 8
Bb Major (3rds)
G Minor (3rds)
Eb Major (3rds)
Week 8: Oct 24
Review the Concert
Bb Major (3rds)
G Minor (3rds)
Eb Major (3rds)
C Minor

Class 19

Band
Grade 8
Back in Band
19 Classes

Class 14