Band Manual Foreword “If you A.S.K., you will receive!”

Attitude “The oil which makes the machine run.”

Establish and Maintain High Standards of Excellence  Musical Performance  Behavior  Effort

Show Respect  For those in authority.  For fellow classmates.  For guests.  For your instrument and equipment.  For the facility.

Cooperation  Getting along with those in your section.  Getting along with members of other sections.  Being patient while others’ parts get worked out.  Not being judgmental.

Teamwork  Fulfilling your role in the organization, to the best of your ability.  “Buying in” to what is best for the whole organization.  Sharing the same goals.  Performing as one unified body.  Demonstrating leadership.

Responsibility  Coming prepared to class. Practicing your parts at home. Bringing in necessary equipment and rehearsal materials.  Arriving on time.  Meeting deadlines for assignments, forms, and payments.  Following the classroom rules and expectations.

SKILL “This is how we do it!” (The three T’s)

Tone Quality  How you sound on your instrument.  Described as warm, rich, bright, full, resonant, harsh,etc.  Must be present before the technical and expressive elements can be added to the music.  Imitate professionals.  Practice long tones with good posture, breath support, firm embouchure.

Technique  Playing the right notes at the right time.  Having the notes “under your fingers”. This is your homework outside of rehearsal.  Work for accuracy at all times.  Practice scales, arpeggios, techical exercises.  Practice difficult passages slowly.  “Perfect practice makes perfect.”

Interpretation  Adding expression to the music.  Dynamic Contrast.  Phrasing (crescendo,diminuendo, peak notes)  Stylistic Interpretation (legato, staccato, marcato)  Tempo (as well as ritardando, accelerando, rubato).

Knowledge “It’s not who you know, it’s what you know.”

Stuff you need to Know!  Musical Terms  Musical Symbols  Note Reading (pitches and rhythms)  Instrument Pedagogy (producing a good sound, fingerings, playing in tune)  Music History or Composer background.  Instrument Care and Maintenance.