Braddock Hills High School
1500 Yost Boulevard, Suite 2
Braddock Hills, Pennsylvania 15221
Course
Course Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite Course(s): Previous
enrollment in a band class at any level.
Syllabus
Course Title: Symphonic Band
Course Year: 2012-2013
Course Instructor: Mr. Ross Cohen
Required Texts:
Course Instructor’s Email:
rcohen@propelschools.org
Room Number: 178
Period and Meeting Time:
Course Instructor’s Classroom Telephone
Number and Extension:
Course Instructor’s Web Page:
Planning Period Time Frame:
Teacher Conference or Tutorial Times:
Mandatory Course Materials
Students will need an instrument. If they do not have one of their own, the school has a limited
number of instruments available to loan for the school year.
Description of The Course
Symphonic Band is a performing ensemble that will rehearse every day, and perform concerts
in school and around the community. The ensemble will perform traditional symphonic band
literature, and select students will also perform with the jazz band at concert time. The band will
go on field trips both as performers and as audience members.
Purpose and Goals of The Course
Purpose – The purpose of this course is to provide a performing outlet for students where they
will learn to play an instrument at an advanced level and perform a variety of musical literature
as a group.
Goals – Through performance, students will learn about music from different periods of music
history.
Students will learn the historical context of the music they are performing, as well as
the historical context of the composer and the genre. As to aid in their performance and
development as musicians, students will learn scales, harmony and other music theory that
relates to playing in an ensemble.
Standards Addressed In The Course
A. Skills and Techniques/Performance
MHSBB.1 - Singing, alone and with others, through a varied repertoire of music
a. Sing to recognize fundamentals of tone production.
b. Sing to match pitch through call and response (stepwise and major
intervals).
MHSBB.2 - Performing on instruments, alone and with others through a varied repertoire
of music
a. Recognize characteristic tone quality utilizing proper embouchure,
playing position, posture, breathing techniques, articulation, and
appropriate percussion technique.
b. Demonstrate proper warm-up techniques through the use of long tones,
lip slurs, chorales, and technical exercises.
c. Recognize the following ensemble skills through performance of
musical literature: rehearsal etiquette, dynamic expression, style, blend
and balance, steady tempo, rhythmic accuracy, and intonation.
d. Demonstrate all performance skills through “sight-reading” performance
of music literature at the appropriate level.
MHSBB.3 - Reading and notating music
a. Identify and define standard notation symbols for pitch, rhythm,
dynamics, tempo, articulation, and expression.
b. Define and describe the musical terms incorporated in the literature as
well as identify key signatures.
c. Demonstrate a steady beat and identify rhythms and meters through a
systematic counting procedure.
B. Creation
MHSBB.4 - Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments
a. Improvise rhythmic patterns by clapping, singing, or playing an
instrument.
b. Improvise a melody or variation of a melody using a five-note diatonic,
pentatonic, or blues scale.
C. Critical Analysis/Investigate
MHSBB.6 - Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
a. Identify and describe compositional devices, techniques, meters, tempo,
tonalities, intervals, and chords.
b. Compare and contrast musical works based on genre and culture.
MHSBB.7 - Evaluating music and music performances
a. Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of performances, compositions,
arrangements, and improvisations.
b. Compile a list of strengths and weaknesses in performances and suggest
areas of improvement.
c. Identify the interpretations in a band performance in relation to the intent
of the composer.
D. Cultural and Historical Context
MHSBB.8 - Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines
outside the arts
a. Describe how music relates to fine arts and other disciplines.
b. Examine the chronological development of various music styles and
contextual elements, composers, and influences from each time period.
c. Identify the influence of music on society and society’s influence on
music within a given time period.
MHSBB.9 - Understanding music in relation to history and culture
a. Describe the characteristics of music from different cultures.
b. Analyze American music in relation to its historical and cultural context.
c. Identify genres, styles, and composers within specific time periods.
Course Objectives
Students will rehearse/perform music from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern eras.
Students will rehearse/perform jazz, including improvisation.
Students will learn all 12 major and minor scales, as well as the blues scale and other scales
necessary for jazz improvisation.
Students will be able to spell chords and play through chord progressions as an ensemble.
Students will develop their sight reading skills.
Students will develop their tone production and technical skills on their instrument.
Course Schedule
Concerts, field trips, guest artists TBA.
Non-Negotiable Student Expectations
Students are expected to act respectfully at all times. This includes appropriate use of
language, appropriate topics of conversation, listening quietly will the director or other students
are speaking, or when there are musical examples being played. Students should have their
instruments and music with them every day. Students should show up to class on time,
promptly get their instruments and music out and be prepared to start rehearsal in a timely
fashion.
Cell phone use is absolutely not allowed in class. If a cell phone is out, it will be taken until the
end of the class period. After multiple offenses, the cell phone will be taken and kept until a
parent can come pick it up.
Technology Utilization and Expectations
Instructional Methodology
The instruction in Symphonic Band will be mostly rehearsal based, with the ensemble
performing pieces of literature, scales and warm up exercises, chorales, and sight reading
materials.
Course Evaluation
Grades will be based on the following percentage weights earned from assignments, quizzes,
exams, class participation and attendance. Grades must be updated on daily or weekly basis
and the frequency schedule of the updates must be posted in this section of the syllabus.
Assignment Domain
Class Attendance and Participation
In Class Assignments
At Home Assignments
Quizzes
Concerts/Performances
Special Projects/Major Papers
Final Exam
Percentage Weight
60
20
20
The following grading scale will be utilized to measure student performance.
A
B
C
F
90 - 100
80 - 89
70 - 79
A Grade of 69 or Below
Course Policies
Please type your course policies under each heading in this section.
Academic Honesty
Classroom Environment and Culture
The environment in this classroom will be one of respect, maturity, mental engagement and
curiosity. Students will listen to the teacher, and to each other, intently and without interruption.
Students will give their best effort at all times, demonstrating a willingness and desire to improve
and learn. As music is an aural art form, students will also listen to musical examples intently
and without interruption. Students will act in a manner that is safe and courteous at all times.
Communication and Conferences
Attendance
This should be the same school wide.
Parent and Student Syllabus Acknowledgement Form
By signing my name below, I certify that I have received a copy of the syllabus for
Symphonic Band, and that I understand ALL expectations, policies and requirements
set forth in this course. Furthermore, I understand that the instructor reserves the right
to modify this syllabus at anytime throughout the school year and it is my responsibility
to stay abreast of and adhere to any changes made.
I also understand and acknowledge that it is the personal responsibility of the parent
and student to utilize resources provided to me by Propel Braddock Hills High School to
remain apprised of all grade postings and academic progress throughout the duration of
this course. This in no way excuses teachers’ obligation to effectively communicate with
parents and students. This does however, place shared responsibility with the parent(s)
and student(s) involved to ensure and strengthen the connection between the teacher,
student and parents.
Student Name Printed: ______________________________________
Student Name Signed: ______________________________________ Date: ________
Parent(s) Name Printed: ______________________________________
Parent(s) Name Signed: _____________________________________ Date: _______
jo/bw 2012