Instrumental Music

The instrumental music program is open to all fourth and fifth grade students wishing to learn how to play an instrument. The students have lessons on a rotating schedule one day a week. This time is used to master the instrument, and prepare for the winter and spring concerts. The concepts that are taught in the instrumental music program reinforce skills such as critical thinking,listening, and fine motor skills. Students participating in the instrumental program progress as an individual and as a team, and the strong team component of the full band fosters new friendships and accountability.

Some of the areas the instrumental students have been developing, strengthening or will acquire in the new year are listed below:

Beginner Band

Note Durations - whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and rest values
Bb and F concert scales
Fingerings for all the notes included in the two scales and concert selections
Musical terminology such as posture, embouchure, repeat signs, long rests, key signatures, time signatures, accidentals, first and second endings and numerous articulations, dynamics and tempos
Peer and self-assessment
Concert Critiquing and evaluation
Critical Thinking

Advanced Band

Note Durations - whole, half, quarter, dotted half, dotted quarter, eighths, sixteenth notes and rest values
Bb, F, and Eb concert scales
Chromatic scale
Musical terminology - an extension of various dynamics, tempos, and articulations, D.C. al coda and D.S. al coda
Music History-researching a composer, time period or style of music
Music Composition - Developing short musical compositions by using technology
Critiquing and assessing concert performance
Peer and self evaluation
Critical thinking

Northvail Elementary School