Desert Mountain High School

Syllabus

Percussion Ensemble

General Information:

Fall/Spring 2004/2005 Instructor: Mrs. Michelle Irvin

Dr. Schultz Bennett

Room Number: 4022 Telephone # 484-7054

Time: 6th period

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide the percussion students with experience in performing at concerts, festivals, and as a drumline. The students will also gain valuable skills to effectively rehearse in a musical group, self-criticism, and artistic principles of musical expression.

Course Objectives:

It is assumed that the students taking this course have had previous music experience. This class in not for the beginning instrumentalist. Upon completion of this course the student should be able to demonstrate the following skills:

1. Technical skills of performing on each of the Percussion instruments

2. Aspects of artistic musical performance

3. Skills in rehearsal preparation and procedures

4. Evaluation Skills

5. Leadership skills

6. Teaming Skills

7. History, Theory, and Style applications of Percussion instruments in music.

Course Structure

The format of this course will be music rehearsals, lecture, and sectional rehearsals.

Text and Materials Required

* Each students must have a pencil for all rehearsals

* Each Student must have sticks for each rehearsal

* Each student must have their music for each rehearsal

Course Outline

This course is structured to isolate and to improve communication in the concerns of music preparation, ear training, score marking, and interpretation. The following aspects of music will be studied:

1. Music Rehearsal

2. Ensemble balance

3. Sticking and terminology

4. Music Phrasing and note grouping

5. Focal points of a melodic line

6. Festivals

7. Major/Minor Scales

8. Style Characteristics

9. Music Form

10. Musicality

11. Skill packets on Timpani, mallets, snare drum, and auxiliary instruments.

Evaluation Method

70% of the grade will be based on regular rehearsal attendance, attitude,

participation, and preparation

30% of the grade will be based on the member’s musical improvement.

(Scales, etudes, class assignments, technique, and test)

Course Policies

* Regular attendance is expected

* Regular evaluation in class is impossible to reschedule

* All written assignments must be typed

* Performances are considered test and must be excused by Mrs. Irvin, otherwise will result in a grade of F.

* An absence from a performance must be received in writing 2 weeks prior

to the performance

website: www.dmhsband.com email: mirvin@susd.org sbennett@susd.org