BAND

BAND COURSE SEQUENCE

*INTERMEDIATE CONCERT BAND                                  0817

(Freshman Concert Band)

2 Semesters       2 Credits       Grade: 9

Prerequisite: Currently enrolled in a band class or by permission of the instructor

Fee: $45.00 (Class fee includes a 12 month subscription to SmartMusic software)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This developmental course is open to all freshmen students who play a band instrument at an intermediate level. Emphasis is placed on tone, technique development and sight reading. Participation in the ISSMA Solo/Ensemble contest is encouraged. Interested students may audition (in January) for the marching band. The band performs several times during the year.

*INTERMEDIATE CONCERT BAND                                  0819

(Concert Band)

2 Semesters       2 Credits       Grade: 10-12

Prerequisite: Currently enrolled in a band class or by permission of the instructor

Fee: $$45.00 (Class fee includes a 12 month subscription to SmartMusic software)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This concert band class is open to all Penn students who play a band instrument at an intermediate proficiency or better. Emphasis is placed on tone, technique development and sight reading. Participation in the ISSMA Solo/Ensemble contest is encouraged. Interested students may audition (in January) for the marching band. The band performs several times during the year.

*ADVANCED CONCERT BAND                                        0839

(Symphonic Band)

2 Semesters        2 Credits      Grade: 10-12

Prerequisite: Audition or permission of the instructor.

Fee: $$45.00 (Class fee includes a 12 month subscription to SmartMusic software)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This advanced concert band class is available by audition to Penn students who play a band instrument at an upper intermediate to advanced level. Participation in marching band is expected unless a waiver is granted at the time of the audition. Emphasis is placed on tone, technique development and sightreading. Advanced performance techniques are emphasized. Participation in the ISSMA Solo/Ensemble contest is encouraged. Serious band literature is selected from a variety of periods in music history.

*ADVANCED CONCERT BAND                                        0841

(Symphonic Winds)

2 Semesters       2 Credits       Grades: 10-12

Prerequisite: Audition or permission of the instructor

Fee: $$45.00 (Class fee includes a 12 month subscription to SmartMusic software)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This advanced band is considered the top concert band at Penn High School and includes participation in marching band unless a waiver is approved at the time of the audition. The band represents Penn High School in public performances and competitions. Advanced performance techniques are emphasized. Serious band literature is selected from a variety of periods of music history. Private lessons are required.

*INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE                                         0823

(Percussion Studies)

2 Semesters       2 Credits      Grades: 9-12

Prerequisite: Audition or by permission of the instructor

Fee: $$45.00 (Class fee includes a 12 month subscription to SmartMusic software)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The percussion studies class is comprised of students who have completed three years of middle school band as a percussionist or have successfully completed previous years of percussion studies. Students meet as a separate class to learn percussion techniques and reading skills for a wide variety of percussion instruments and literature. All students will perform with one of three concert bands (817, 819 or 839) for all concerts and contests. There will be 3-4 required performances throughout the year. 

*INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE                                    0825
(Advanced Percussion Studies)
 

2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Audition or by permission of the instructor
Fee: $$45.00 (Class fee includes a 12 month subscription to SmartMusic software)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The advanced percussion studies class is comprised of students who have completed three years of middle school band as a percussionist or have successfully completed previous years of percussion studies. Students meet as a separate class to learn percussion techniques and reading skills for a wide variety of percussion instruments and advanced literature. All students will perform with one of two concert bands (839 or 841) for all concerts and contests. There will be several required performances throughout the year. Private lessons are required.
 

*INTERMEDIATE JAZZ ENSEMBLE                             0827

2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 9-12

Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in Symphonic or Concert Band and permission of instructor

Fee: 20.00

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is open to students also enrolled in an Intermediate or Advanced Concert Band. Pianists and guitarists may audition into the ensemble without participation in a concert band. Emphasis is placed on tone and technique development and sight-reading skills. Jazz theory and improvisation are included in the course of study. The group performs several times each year.

*ADVANCED JAZZ ENSEMBLE                                    0829

2 Semesters       2 Credits       Grades: 10-12

Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in Symphonic or Concert Band and approved by audition

Fee: $20.00

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is available by audition to students also enrolled in an Intermediate or Advanced Concert Band. Pianists and guitarists may audition into the ensemble without participation in a concert band. Emphasis is placed on tone and technique development and sight-reading skills. Jazz theory and improvisation are included in the course of study. The group performs several times each year. Students with previous instrumental study may enroll.

*INSTRUMENTAL CHAMBER MUSIC                            0849
 

2 Semesters        2 Credits          Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Must be also enrolled in an appropriate band or orchestra class
Fee: $25.00
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to offer advanced instrumental performers an opportunity to study and perform chamber music literature. String Quartet, wind/string combinations, and other chamber literature will be studied, arranged, rehearsed, and performed. These groups could perform many times per year at various places in the community.
 

*Attendance at concert performances is required.