Freshman Concert Band Syllabus -2012
Mr. Ryan Arp
arp.ryan@iccsd.k12.ia.us
319-688-1040
OVERVIEW
This band is open to freshmen with previous instrumental experience. Class emphasis is on preparation of grade-level
appropriate literature with some exposure to marching band fundamentals. This band will march at all home football
pre-game performances, the City High Homecoming Parade, the U of Iowa Homecoming Parade and give a concert at
the annual Bates Field Follies. Students will also be required to have band lessons at school or with private instructors.
PERFORMANCES
Public performances are school requirements just like final examinations in other academic subjects, except they cannot
be made up. An excused absence must be approved five days prior to the performance to be missed. The exceptions are
if the student is ill or has a death in the family. Unexcused missed performances will result in the lowering of the
student’s grade.
Aug. 31 Home Football Game
5:30pm
Sept. 7 Home Football Game
5:30pm
Sept. 27 City High Parade
5:00pm
Sept. 28 U of Iowa Parade
4:00pm
Sept. 28 Home Football Game
5:30pm
Oct. 17 Bates Field Follies
7:00pm
Oct. 19 Home Football Game
5:30pm
REHEARSAL EXPECTATIONS
The Freshmen Concert Band will rehearse every 2nd Period from 9:03-9:56am. Minimal extra sectional time may
be offered and is strongly encouraged. Students are expected to be in their assigned seats with their instruments
and ready to play at the start of all rehearsals. Profanity and/or abusive language will not be tolerated at any
time. Having all materials (pencils, valve oil, reeds, mutes, etc.) is a component of their rehearsal grade.
INSTRUMENTS
All students must provide an instrument in proper working condition. In some cases, school owned instruments will be
loaned to students. Students are required to maintain school owned instruments with all reasonable care. Additionally,
all materials needed to maintain the instrument, such as oil, grease, swabbing cloths, etc. must be provided and used by
the student
UNIFORMS
For the marching band performances, students will be provided with a full uniform. Students must provide appropriate
black shoes, black socks and white cotton gloves that are part of the marching band uniform. Additionally, a "heck
week" t-shirt, provided by the band, is to be worn under the marching band uniform for all performances.
LOCKERS
Lockers are available to all students for storing all instruments and band materials. Please refrain from storing food in
the lockers. Additionally, students will be provided with a lock. Only school issued locks are to be used on band
lockers.
GRADING
Grading in this class is divided into 4 components: Performance (30%), Rehearsal (30%), Lessons/Playing
Exams (30%), and Assignments (10%).
To earn an A+, students must satisfy the following components:
1)Play the following major scales (memorized) C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D, A, E, in eighth notes at a metronome
speed of quarter note = 100 (ascending and descending –play at least one octave). Scales must be
performed all tongued ascending and all slurred descending or all slurred ascending and all tongued
descending.
2) Play a two octave chromatic scale (memorized) in eighth notes at minimum tempo of quarter note =
100. No specific articulation pattern is required.
PARKING LOT CLEAN-UP
Each morning following a University of Iowa Hawkeye home football game, the City High Little Hawk Marching
Band and Freshman Concert Band cleans the areas used for parking vehicles of those attending the game. For our
efforts, the U of I contributes $2500.00 per clean-up to our band program. All students and parents participating on any
Sunday must arrive by 7:00am, and remain until all lots have been properly cleaned. This means that in many cases
workers will be required to clean in more than one parking area. A parent chairperson and/or a band director will be on
hand to send clean-up teams to these sites appropriate to the task. A sign-up sheet for each Sunday will be placed on the
bulletin board in the band room.
Clean-up dates: September: 9, 16, 22, 30, October: 21, November: 11, 24
Remaining Required Performances
Aug. 31 Home Football Game………………………..5:30pm
Sept. 7 Home Football Game…………………………5:30pm
Sept. 27 City High Parade……………………………..5:00pm
Sept. 28 U of Iowa Parade…………………………….4:00pm
Sept. 28 Home Football Game………………………5:30pm
Oct. 17 Bates Field Follies…………………………….7:00pm
Oct. 19 Home Football Game………………………..5:30pm
December 5……………...Band Concert, Opstad @ 7:30pm
February 21……………..Band Concert, Opstad @ 7:30pm
May 4……………………….Large Group Contest, Linn-Mar in the morning
May 7……………………….Band Concert, Opstad @ 7:30pm
May 24……………………..Graduation, Carver Hawkeye @ 6pm