School District of Marshfield

Course Syllabus
Course Name: 8th Grade Band
Length of Course: Year
Credits: Credit
Course Description:
In addition to the advancement of musical and technical skills through daily
rehearsals and regular lessons, students will have the opportunity to show
their talents through the solo ensemble festival, winter and spring band
concerts, jazz band, and the annual 8m grade Pops Concert. With the
consent of the instructor beginners with no band experience may also enroll.
Learning Targets:
Sound
o Tone (Breathing, Embouchure)
o Class C & B: Students will demonstrate a focused tone for this class
with consistently appropriate breathing and embouchure skills.
o Class A: Students will demonstrate an open, resonant, full tone in
all registers and ranges. Students will demonstrate consistently
accurate breathing and embouchure skills.
o Intonation (Consistency, Pitch Adjustment Skills)
o Students will demonstrate accurate intonation in all ranges and
registers. Pitch adjustments are made instantly.
Mechanics
o Accuracy (Notes, Rhythms, Pulse)
o Students will demonstrate outstanding accuracy with all notes and
rhythms being performed accurately with correct pulse throughout.
o Technique (Posture, Articulation)
o Students will demonstrate consistently appropriate posture and
articulation.
Expression
o Style Elements, Interpretation, Phrasing, Dynamics, Tempo
o Students will demonstrate excellent expression with accurate style
elements, interpretation, phrasing, dynamics, and tempo.
Presentation
o Attention to Director, Ensemble Deportment
o Students will demonstrate the ability to watch and respond to the
director throughout the performance. Ensemble members will act in
a respectful, courteous and cooperative manner throughout
rehearsal and performances.

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Involvement
o Participation, Preparedness, Attitude, Leadership, Taking Direction
Students will demonstrate that they understand and can implement
the importance of: respect for others and rules; being prepared for
class and performances; being an active participant in rehearsals
and performances; seeking improvement through independent
practice.
Movement
o Introduction to Marching 4th Quarter
o Rhythmic and Directional Accuracy, Alignment
o Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to move in a
rhythmically accurate manner. Students will be able to demonstrate
knowledge spatial relationships and how the individual fits into the
whole.
Showmanship
o Marching basics 4th quarter
o Precision, Attention to Detail
o Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to dress, carry
themselves and their instruments, play, and move in a precise and
deliberate manner.

Detailed Topic/Content Outline-Units and Themes:

First Quarter (9 weeks)
1. Audition for chair placement (week 2)
2. Lessons (weeks 1-9)
3. Challenges (weeks 3-9)
4. Invitation extended for Milwaukee Honor Band (week 5)
5. Pep assemble performance (week 6)
6. Begin Winter concert prep (week 7)
Second Quarter (9 weeks)
1. Winter Concert prep (weeks 1-5)
2. Selection and prep for Solo & Ensemble Festival (weeks 3-4)
3. Lessons (weeks 1-9)
4. Winter Concert (week 5)
5. Challenges (weeks 1-5)
6. Invitation extended for WSMA Honors Project (week 6)
7. Prep for school holiday performance (week 6-7)
8. Holiday School performance (week 7)
9. Selection and Preparation for Pops Concert (weeks 8-9)
Third Quarter (9 weeks)
1. Solo & Ensemble Preparation/performance (weeks 1-6)
2. Pops & Spring Concert prep (weeks 1-8)
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3. Lessons (weeks 1-9)

4. 4. Pops Concert performance (week 8)
5. 5. Challenges (weeks 1-9)
Fourth Quarter (9 weeks)
1. Lessons (weeks 1-9)
2. Spring Concert prep/performance (weeks 1-6)
3. Challenges (weeksl-6)
4. Introduction to marching basics (weeks 7-9)
Required Core Resources:
Music Library - Concert Music
Music Library - Solo & Ensemble Music (purchase own copy)
Musical Equipment (Instruments, sticks, mallets...)
Materials and Supplies for concerts
Lesson Book (Standard of Excellence Book 2 and 3, Kjos Publishing1993

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