Peñasco Panther Music Class
2014-2015
Music Director:
Ms. Vanessa Tonelli
vtonelli@penasco.k12.nm.us
Phone: 587-2395 ext: 1025
Welcome to band!
In band, each student will learn how to play a band instrument of his/her choosing. We will
work on the following things:
1. Playing the musical instrument with appropriate techniques, including posture, hand
position, breath-support, tone-quality, and intonation.
2. Identifying and performing basic musical terms and symbols.
3. Playing a varied repertoire of music using correct style.
4. Preparing for and participating in school programs.
5. Discussing and describing the music that we are listening to.
Rehearsal (Class) Procedures:
1. Arrive at class quietly and on time. Upon entrance of the classroom, immediately
prepare for rehearsal: set up a chair and stand, set up instrument, put music and pencil on
stand. All students are expected to be ready to play two minutes after the bell rings. Any
student standing around and/or not getting ready for class will be considered tardy.
2. Students are expected to stay in their chairs for the entire class period unless permission
is given or directed to do otherwise. Percussion students must stay at their instrument for
the entire class, unless needing to change places based on the music.
3. No one will play on their instruments until the director has started class. We will
warm-up as a class every day.
4. Each student is expected to have the necessary equipment at each rehearsal and class,
including, but not limited to, an instrument, music, pencil, and maintenance supplies.
Not having the necessary equipment will affect the student’s participation grade.
5. When the director stops directing, everyone should stop playing in a timely manner and
listen to what is being said. Listen even if what is being discussed is not directed at you
or your section, because it may be applicable to your parts as well.
6. Students are welcome to ask questions or make clarifications during class, but must raise
a hand and get called on before speaking.
7. Rehearsals are a group activity in which all parts are needed to complete the whole.
Rehearsal is not the time to learn your part or to do other schoolwork. Other schoolwork
and personal belongings are not allowed in the band set.
8. Students will be shown how to properly care for their instruments. All instruments and
equipment should be treated with respect and care, as they are expensive and difficult to
repair or replace.
Student Conduct:
1. Have respect for yourself, others, and the equipment.
2. Only touch equipment that is assigned to you.
3. Only band students are allowed in the band room. Others must wait outside.
4. Be prepared to give your best effort every day.
5. No food or drink or gum allowed in the band room (except water). Please spit out your
gum at the trashcan before preparing for band.
6. All other school policies also apply in the band room.
Peñasco Panther Music Class
2014-2015
Discipline Policy:
Students who are not prepared to play in band or who disrupt the rehearsal or the learning of
others will be asked to not participate. He/she will be given a zero for participation for that day
and given music worksheets to complete for a grade. After multiple disturbances, parents will be
notified of the student’s behavior, and further action will be decided on, including lunch
detention, involvement of the principal, or permanent dismissal from the band program.
Grading Policy:
1. Participation: 20%
To receive full participation credit students must:
 Attend class everyday (unless excused) without being tardy
 Have all necessary equipment
 Be actively engaged in rehearsal
 Not be disruptive during class (including talking when not called
on, playing when not supposed to, using cellphones, or any activity
that distracts from others’ learning)
 Take care of his/her instrument properly
A student’s participation grade will be affected every day that the student is
unable to play due to failure to bring proper equipment or failure to prepare the
music before coming to class. Students are expected to practice 20 to 30 minutes
four days per week. That is about two hours of practice per week. Instrument
maintenance will also be regularly checked. If a student is not cleaning and
maintaining his/her instrument properly, his/her grade will be affected.
2. Playing/Written tests: 30%
Playing and written tests will be given throughout the school year (usually at the
end of every week). Students will be asked to perform an assigned part of their
music for each playing test. They are expected to take the music home and
practice it before each playing test. Students that miss a test can make it up within
one week (before school or during lunch), as long as they speak with the director
before or during their next band rehearsal.
Playing tests will also be used for chair placements. The students will be awarded
their chair placements according to how well they perform during their playing
test. Students who practice and show improvement will be awarded higher chair
placements than those students who are unable to play the music correctly. If a
student is absent during the playing test, he or she will be assigned last chair until
the next playing test.
3. Performances: 50% (only 30% if taking the class for Dual Credit)
20% of the Performance grade will be the semester final.
Performances are considered mandatory. Band is a performance art therefore
every student is expected to attend every performance, including all pep band
related performances. If a conflict arises, it is the student’s or the parent’s
responsibility to notify the director well in advance of the conflict. If the director
is notified well in advance, the student’s grade will not be adversely affected by
the performance absence. If a student forgets to come to a performance or chooses
to not perform with the band, his/her grade for that performance will be a zero.
Absences due to sickness or emergencies will be excused, as long as the parent
contacts the director prior to the performance by email or by phone. When in
doubt, please call or email!
Peñasco Panther Music Class
2014-2015
BAND SUPPLY LIST
All Band Students:
1. 1” 3-Ring Binder
2. 20 clear, plastic Sheet Protectors that fit in the binder
3. 50 sheets College Ruled lined paper
4. Pencils
5. $10 Band Lab Fee (Cash Only)
1st Year Students:
(All items should be available at Candy Man: Strings and Things music store in Santa Fe (505983-5906) or online at wwbw.com or amazon.com)
Do NOT purchase or rent an instrument until after your student is assigned one.
After you receive the Instrument Assignment Letter, you will only need to purchase:
 “Standard of Excellence” Book One (red)
If you plan on renting an instrument from the school, there will be a $20 rental fee.
2nd Year Students:
(All items should be available at Candy Man: Strings and Things music store in Santa Fe (505983-5906) or online at wwbw.com or amazon.com)
1. Flutes: Cleaning swab
2. Woodwinds: Reeds for your instrument, size 2 or 2 ½, Vandoren or Mitchell Lurie brands
(NOT Rico)
3. Brass: Valve Oil/Slide Cream
4. Standard of Excellence Book 1 (Red) for your instrument (You should still have this from
last year.)
5. Standard of Excellence Book 2 (Blue) for your instrument
If for any reason, you and your family will have difficulty purchasing the above items or paying
the band fees, please contact me.
Vanessa Tonelli
vtonelli@penasco.k12.nm.us
Phone: 587-2395 ext: 1025
Peñasco Panther Music Class
2014-2015
Optional Dual Credit:
Each student who decides to take this class for dual credit through Northern New Mexico
College will be required to complete two small projects for band. These projects will be 20% of
your final grade.
FALL SEMESTER
Each student will be required to prepare a short solo, duet, or trio to perform at the Northern New
Mexico Solo and Ensemble Festival. Solo and Ensemble Festival is an event where students play
music for judges and receive a score and comments on their playing. This event is a great
opportunity for students to gain confidence by playing for others, as well as receive feedback
from a qualified judge.
Solo and Ensemble is held on Saturday, December 13th in Santa Fe. Students will sign up in
advance. Students will be required to pay an entry fee: $7.00 for a solo, and $10.00 for a duet
or trio. More information on this event will be handed out in class when we get closer to the date.
For more information, you may also go to:
http://www.nmmea.com/ncentraldistrict/ncdistrict.htm.
SPRING SEMESTER
Each student will write about any piece of music that has value for him/her, and that he/she
would be willing to share with the class. The paper should include name, class period, song
title, and song artist at the top. The paper should also include a short introduction to prepare the
reader for the content of the paper, as well as a short conclusion to wrap the paper up.
In your paper, you must respond to the following prompts: (I suggest writing a few paragraphs
per prompt.)
1. Describe the musical elements in the piece, such as tempo, meter, rhythm, form,
instrumentation, texture, harmony, dynamics, etc. Use enough detail that someone who
had never heard the song could imagine what it sounds like. (25 pts)
2. Explain why this piece has meaning for you personally. Why do you like it? ALSO,
explain how this piece relates to you. Does it relate to your background, your family,
your race, your age, your lifestyle, your traditions, your culture, etc.? (15 points)
3. Write a persuasive argument, using at least three reasons, facts, or values, to convince
someone else why this is an excellent song that they should listen to. If you don’t know
how to write a persuasive argument, please ask! (20pts)
Grading:
Introduction and Conclusion
10 pts
Response to prompt #1
25 pts
Response to prompt #2
15pts
Response to prompt #3
20pts
Length (at least 2 pages, double spaced, 12pt font, Times, 1” margins)
10pts
Mechanics and Grammar
20 pts
Total: 100 pts (20% of final grade)
A rough draft will be due March 31st
Final Copy due May13th
Peñasco Panther Music Class
2014-2015
Schedule:
(May be updated throughout the school year, as needed)
Fall Semester
Dates
Week 1: Aug. 11-14
Week 2: Aug. 18-21
Unit
Unit 1 – Review
Unit 1 – Review
Week 3: Aug. 25-28
Unit 1 – Review
Week 4: Sept. 2-4
Unit 2 –
Syncopation
Week 5: Sept. 8-11
Unit 2 –
Syncopation
Week 6: Sept. 15-18
Unit 3 – Advanced
Concepts
Week 7: Sept. 22-25
Unit 3 – Advanced
Concepts
Week 8: Sept. 29-Oct. 2 Unit 3 – Advanced
Concepts
Week 9: Oct. 6-9
Unit 3 – Advanced
Concepts
Week 10: Oct. 13-16
Unit 3 – Advanced
Concepts
Week 11: Oct. 20-23
Unit 3 – Advanced
Concepts
Week 12: Oct. 27-30
Unit 3 – Advanced
Concepts
Week 13: Nov. 3-6
Unit 4 – Preparing
for Winter
Week 14: Nov. 10-13
Unit 4 – Preparing
for Winter
Week 15: Nov. 17-20
Unit 4 – Preparing
for Winter
Week 16: Nov. 24-25
Unit 4 – Preparing
for Winter
Week 17: Dec. 1-4
Week 18: Dec. 8-11
Week 19: Dec. 15-18
Unit 4 – Preparing
for Winter
Unit 4 – Preparing
for Winter
End of Semester
Exam
Notes
Rhythms and Note Names
First notes and scales,
Book One review
Lines 1 – 15
Performances
TEST on Aug.
21st!
(Sept. 1st: Labor Day – No
School!)
Lines 17-21
Lines 22-27
(Major vs. Minor)
Lines 29-34
(Eighth Rests)
Lines 36-39
Lines 40-44
(Enharmonics)
(Oct. 14th: End of 9 Week
Period)
(Oct. 23rd: Early Release)
Lines 46-51
Lines 52-62
(Cut Time)
Lines 63-72
Advanced Band
Scale Test! Oct.8
Beginning Band
Concert! Oct. 14th
New Music!
Lines 73-76 (6/8 Time)
(Nov. 26th-27th:
Thanksgiving Holiday –
No School!)
All Concert Music
ALL BANDS! –
Concert Dec. 9th
(Finals Week)
**REMINDER: All band students will be required to participate in performances with the
Panther Pep Band at basketball games! A calendar of performances will be sent out as soon as
the basketball game schedule is confirmed. **
Peñasco Panther Music Class
2014-2015
Spring Semester
Dates
Week 1: Jan. 5-8
Week 2: Jan. 12-15
Week 3: Jan 19-22
Week 4: Jan 26-29
Week 5: Feb. 2-5
Week 6: Feb. 9-12
Week 7: Feb. 16-19
Week 8: Feb. 23-26
Week 9: Mar. 2-5
Week 10: Mar. 9-10
Week 11: Mar. 16-19
Week 12: Mar. 23-26
Week 13: Mar. 30-Apr. 1
Week 14: Apr. 7-9
Week 15: Apr. 13-16
Week 16: Apr. 20-23
Week 17: Apr. 27-30
Week 18: May 4-7
Week 19: May 11-14
Week 20: May 18-21
Week 21: May 25-28
Unit
Unit 5 – Pep
Tunes
Unit 5 – Pep
Tunes
Unit 5 – Pep
Tunes
Unit 5 – Pep
Tunes
Unit 6 – New
Rhythms
Unit 6 – New
Rhythms
Unit 6 – New
Rhythms
Unit 6 – New
Rhythms
Unit 6 – New
Rhythms
Unit 6 – New
Rhythms
Unit 6 – New
Rhythms
Unit 6 – New
Rhythms
Unit 7 – Solos
Notes
Performances
Basketball Season
Basketball Season
Lines 77-80
(6/8 Time)
Lines 82-87
(16th Notes)
Lines 88-91
Basketball Season
Lines 93-96
Basketball Season
Lines 97-100
Basketball Season
Lines 102 - 109
Basketball Season
Basketball Season
Basketball Season
Lines 112-115
Basketball Season
(Triplets)
(Mar. 11th-12th: Spring Basketball Season
Holiday – No School!)
(Mar. 17th: End of 9
Week Period)
Line 116-118
(Apr. 1st: Early
Release)
Unit 7 – Solos (Apr. 2nd-6th: Easter
Holiday – No School!)
Unit 8 – Spring New Music!
Time
Unit 8 – Spring
Time
Unit 8 – Spring
Time
Unit 8 – Spring
Time
Unit 8 – Spring
Time
Spring
ALL BANDS! – Concert
Concert!
May 12th
End of Course (Finals Week)
Exams
May 30th: GRADUATION – All Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors are required to attend!