Marching Band
Course Description
The Kirkwood band program provides students with opportunities to develop technical performance skills, knowledge, and understanding of music necessary to make music a part of their lives. Students develop critical thinking skills at every level of band education and grow an appreciation of music that will continue into their adult life. Critical thinking skills developed through band will enhance the development of thinking skills necessary to be successful in other academic areas.
The band program also assists students in developing knowledge of our musical heritage, which is necessary to become a discerning listener and/or performer. Students learn to thoughtfully analyze the music they hear and perform, with informed opinions they can explain and defend.
Finally, training received in the Kirkwood band program enables students to feel confident contributors to a community of amateur performers. Students will be well-prepared, should they choose music as a career, to enter a professional training program in a college or conservatory. Aesthetic education gained through all levels of participation in the program will enhance students' appreciation of the arts for life.
Required marching clinics and rehearsals for the Pioneer Pride Marching Band will be held two weeks before the first week of school in August. The Pioneer Pride Marching Band performs at school assemblies, all home football games (including home playoff games and the state final playoff game), and the Greentree Parade. All percussion students are required to complete an audition in April administered by Kirkwood band teachers to be considered for Marching Drumline the following year. Public performances are a requirement of this class.
Grade Level(s): 9th-12th grade
Related Priority Standards (State &/or National): Missouri Grade Level Expectations for Music
Course-Level Scope & Sequence (Units &/or Skills)
Learning targets remain constant for grades 5-12, while content knowledge and techniques spiral to provide continuous refinement of band music skills. Components of musical performance can be demonstrated at levels ranging from beginner to advanced. Teachers select music literature that is matched to levels of proficiency as the vehicle for student growth in reading skills and performance skills of tone quality, intonation, technique, rhythm, articulation, and musicality. The level of difficulty is determined by the repertoire chosen at each grade level.
Students will:
- Perform instrumental skills
- Demonstrate expression and technical skills
- Perform a varied repertoire of music
- Imitate melodic and rhythmic patterns
- Sing in a group
- Perform in a group
- Improvise melodic and rhythmic patterns and melodies
- Create rhythmic and melodic compositions and arrangements
- Notate rhythms applicable to grade level
- Notate melodies applicable to grade level
- Identify, describe, and apply symbols of expression
- Identify, describe, and apply symbols of rhythm, pitch, and expressive elements
- Sight-read music
- Identify and analyze musical forms
- Identify and describe musical characteristics and events
- Develop criteria to distinguish a quality musical performance and composition
- Critique musical performances and compositions
- Make connections between music and related arts and humanities
- Make connections between music and non-arts disciplines
- Identify and characterize music of various genres and historical styles
- Describe stylistic practices of various musical examples
- Describe the role and function of music in various cultures
- Identify careers in music
Date Last Revised/Approved: 2008