Mr. Andrew German – Band Director

Instrumental Ensembles ◦ Symphonic Band (open to all) ◦ Wind Ensemble (“select group”) ◦ Jazz Band (after school) ◦ Marching Band (after school in the fall) ◦ Indoor Percussion (after school in the winter/spring) ◦ Indoor Guard (after school in the winter/spring) Music Courses ◦ World Of Music – “General” Music Course, -music history ◦ Music Majors (I, II, AP) – Music Theory ◦ Intro to Music Tech – Electronic Composition, Sound Editing/Engineering, Recording ◦ Beginner Guitar – covers the basics ◦ Beginner Piano – covers the basics

Symphonic Band (every other day) – about 65 Members - Open to anyone, no audition if you’ve been in band before - Music is a little harder than Middle School, approx. 5 pieces per concert - Receive a “Sectional/Lesson” on your schedule (all flutes, all saxes etc…) once a cycle Wind Ensemble (every other day, opposite of Symph Band)–about 40 Members - Must audition, “Select Group” (You will get information in the Spring) - Harder music, 1 person per part, approx. 5 pieces per concert - No Sectional/Lesson – work at home or in private lessons -Yes you can be in both! Many Wind Ensemble members play a different instrument in Symphonic Band for fun! -Yes you can be in Band and Chorus, they meet different periods! (Chorus meets period 2) - Yes you can be in Band, and still take AP/Honors courses, almost every Band member is enrolled in these courses (make friends with the older members who have already taken the courses…) -Yes you can be in both! Many Wind Ensemble members play a different instrument in Symphonic Band for fun! -Yes you can be in Band and Chorus, they meet different periods! (Chorus meets period 2) - Yes you can be in Band, and still take AP/Honors courses, almost every Band member is enrolled in these courses (make friends with the older members who have already taken the courses…)

 Concert Participation (easy points show up!)  Preparedness and Responsibility (did you bring your materials and participate in rehearsal?)  Smart Music assignments (playing tests on the computer)  Scales  Sight Reading  Excerpts from Concert Music  * Combination of “Raw Score” and submitting the recording  Concert Critiques  What about practice cards??? ◦ I expect you to practice the amount you need to be prepared for rehearsal and your assignments

 This year – Choir = NYC, Band= Kimmel Center  Next Year –Possible combined Band/Chorus/Marching Band trip  Overnight for a few days, performances, and sight seeing  Hoping around $ (there will be lots of fundraisers)  We have not made any decisions yet but possible options include…  Chicago  Cleveland  Canada (Niagara/ Montreal/ Quebec tour)  Look for info in April  Hope to alternate big trips and small trips to keep costs down

Music Courses ◦ World Of Music  “General” Music Course, -music history, History of Rock ◦ Music Majors (I, II, AP)  Music Theory, Composing and Analyzing music – You must start at level I ◦ Intro to Music Tech  Electronic Composition, Sound Editing/Engineering, Recording ◦ Beginner Guitar – covers the basics * wait list? * ◦ Beginner Piano – covers the basics * wait list? * Yes you can take these courses in addition to ensembles! - World of Music not recommended

 There are fees associated with after school groups  Jazz Band ($50.00 club fee)  Winter/Spring, after school  Auditioned, only “jazz” instruments accepted  Travel to Jazz Festivals on Friday evenings Feb-April  Indoor Guard/ Indoor Percussion ◦ (District Activity Fee, + $75, + Championships Fee)  Winter/Spring, - evenings and Saturdays  Percussion – “indoor” marching band percussion  Guard – Dance/Flag/ “Weapons”  Travel to competitions on Saturday afternoons/evenings  Championships in Wildwood NJ 1 st weekend in May

 Meets outside of school  Aug. Band Camp, Fall Tue/Thurs evenings 6-9pm,  Fri Games (5-10), Sat Competitions (take up most of the day)  Not required but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!  The best Wind Ensemble players are also in marching band. Coincidence?!?!?!  Lots of focus on the correct way to play your instrument, much more individual attention  It is FUN!  We have the most fun at football games, you get to go to really cool places, and make lots of new friends

 How much does it cost? ◦ District Activity Fee ($150), Booster Fee ($100)  Yes it is a lot, but there are fundraisers available  What is Band Camp? ◦ Band Camp is when we learn how to do everything. ◦ New format! 2 weeks in Aug Mon-Thurs 9-6 or 12-9 (almost 30 hours less than past years!) ◦ We have fun! theme days, contest, pool party  Is it hard? ◦ It might be unfamiliar at first, but not hard. If you can walk, you can march! We teach you EVERYTHING you need to know. ◦ Awesome instructors, with very accomplished backgrounds!

 What do we play? ◦ Competition Show – has a theme (i.e. USA, Rome) ◦ Pep Tunes – Fight Song, Go Boone Go, NFL, Mortal Combat, Eye of the Tiger, Beat ‘em Up ◦ Encore Tunes – Good Time, Thriller, 1000 Dances  Next year… Uptown Funk? Superstition? You guys tell me!  Where do you perform? ◦ Home Games at DB ◦ Local Competitions – Gov. Mifflin, Springford, etc. ◦ Large Events – Met Life Stadium, Hershey, Navy, WCU ◦ Parades – Birdsboro, Amity, West Chester

 I’m too busy, I don’t have time for marching band ◦ You actually have more time that you think, you just have to learn to manage it. We will teach you how to manage your time. Most marching band members also hold jobs, take AP courses, and are also involved in other activities, but still have time for marching band  I won’t have time for homework ◦ Yes you will, you just have to plan ahead, and there are lots of others in marching band than can help with your homework.  I won’t have time for my boyfriend/girlfriend ◦ You can find time, or have them join too!  I can’t afford to be in marching band ◦ Don’t let money be the reason. We can ALWAYS work something out for you!

 I won’t know anyone. ◦ You will know SOMEONE from your class, and you will become BEST FRIENDS with the others fast, trust me. We are very much a FAMILY! ◦ You will also have an advantage over your classmates by already knowing your way around the building, and by having a bunch of “older” friends in the High School  I don’t know how to march/ memorize music ◦ That’s actually a good thing, we will teach you everything  I don’t like football… ◦ That’s OK, there is a lot more to the football games than the game itself. Some of the most fun you will ever have! I didn’t like football until I joined marching band, now I love it!  I just don’t know it if is for me ◦ Come give it a try for 1 year (and stick it out to the END of the season). Make a decision AFTER that.

 Not official yet but…  “The Ides of March” – the murder of Julius Caesar  Herald Trumpets  Adjusted uniform – Roman Helmets, Roman sashes  2 characters? Guard Roman soldier uniforms?  Big Columns?  This is going to be a cool show! The staff is already VERY excited!

 – Mr. German’s site Mr. German’s Contact Info: ext  – Music Boosters  Facebook –Daniel Boone Music Boosters