Percussion Ensemble is designed for percussion students to gain a more advanced understanding of the various percussion instruments. Students will improve on their instrument technically and musically. Students will also be exposed to a wide variety of advanced repertoire.
Grading Policies
Product Grades
Each student will be expected complete 4 units of percussion. Students will rotate each marking period to a new unit. Students will perform rudiments, scales and etudes at different levels depending on their experience.
Snare Drum.
Students will be required to perform from the Standard 40 rudiments to a metronome as well as play exercises that help with each rudiment. Students will play along to the Vic Firth Website for their tests. Students will need to play the application exercise as well and the rudiment by itself. The website to practice these rudiments is: http://www.vicfirth.com/education/rudiments.php
Keyboards
Students will work out of “A Fresh Approach to Mallet Percussion” by Mark Wessels developing music reading skills technique and Musicianship on the Keyboard percussion instruments.
Timpani
Students will complete a unit of Timpani including ear training, tuning the drum, passing strokes, muffling the timpani and complete a series of etudes on the timpani.
Accessories
All students will complete a tour of percussion. Instruments will include, Concert Bass Drum, Crash Cymbals, The Tambourine, The Triangle, and the Suspended Cymbal as well as other devices.
Process Grades
Each week you will get 25 points for having your music, Sticks, Pad or any other materials that have been specified or required by Mr. Bly, and performing your part to the best of your ability. Percussionists must have their drum sticks and practice pads at every rehearsal. If you fail to do any one or more of the above, you will be penalized some or all of the points.
All students will be required to attend one full ensemble rehearsal per week during lunch dependent upon which ensemble they perform with. Wind Ensemble will meet every Tuesday A Lunch and Concert Band will meet every Thursday B Lunch. This will be included in your process grade.
Each student will be expected complete 4 units of percussion. Students will rotate each marking period to a new unit. Students will perform rudiments, scales and etudes at different levels depending on their experience.
Snare Drum.
Students will be required to perform from the Standard 40 rudiments to a metronome as well as play exercises that help with each rudiment. Students will play along to the Vic Firth Website for their tests. Students will need to play the application exercise as well and the rudiment by itself. The website to practice these rudiments is: http://www.vicfirth.com/education/rudiments.php
Keyboards
Students will work out of “A Fresh Approach to Mallet Percussion” by Mark Wessels developing music reading skills technique and Musicianship on the Keyboard percussion instruments.
Timpani
Students will complete a unit of Timpani including ear training, tuning the drum, passing strokes, muffling the timpani and complete a series of etudes on the timpani.
Accessories
All students will complete a tour of percussion. Instruments will include, Concert Bass Drum, Crash Cymbals, The Tambourine, The Triangle, and the Suspended Cymbal as well as other devices.
Process Grades
Each week you will get 25 points for having your music, Sticks, Pad or any other materials that have been specified or required by Mr. Bly, and performing your part to the best of your ability. Percussionists must have their drum sticks and practice pads at every rehearsal. If you fail to do any one or more of the above, you will be penalized some or all of the points.
All students will be required to attend one full ensemble rehearsal per week during lunch dependent upon which ensemble they perform with. Wind Ensemble will meet every Tuesday A Lunch and Concert Band will meet every Thursday B Lunch. This will be included in your process grade.
Mandatory Concert Dates
Concert Attire
How an ensemble dresses for concerts is extremely important. A group who comes onto the stage well-dressed shows respect for their audience, reflects personal pride, and gives off an aura of “something special is going to happen.”
For all performances, Northern Band students wear the “uniform” of professional musicians, Concert Dress Black, also called Dress Blacks, or simply Blacks.
What is Concert Dress Black?
First and foremost, it is completely black (thanks, Captain Obvious). Dress blacks are formal, classy, and elegant. Students are free to choose the components of their dress blacks within the following guidelines.
What is not Concert Dress Black?
Some hints on putting together your dress blacks
For all performances, Northern Band students wear the “uniform” of professional musicians, Concert Dress Black, also called Dress Blacks, or simply Blacks.
What is Concert Dress Black?
First and foremost, it is completely black (thanks, Captain Obvious). Dress blacks are formal, classy, and elegant. Students are free to choose the components of their dress blacks within the following guidelines.
- black dress pants, skirt, or dress (skirt length is at the knee or longer)
- black dress shirt (collar, buttons, and long sleeves), sweater, or blouse
- black socks or black opaque stockings
- black shoes
- black jackets, ties or scarves are welcome, but not mandatory
What is not Concert Dress Black?
- jeans, sweats, yoga pants, mini-skirts or shorts
- t-shirts, tank tops, spaghetti straps,
- flip-flops, sneakers or black sneakers with colored stripes or logo
- white socks, colored socks, or sans-socks, bare legs or feet
Some hints on putting together your dress blacks
- because students are growing, borrowing from older siblings, or even parents (especially shoes) is a great idea
- if you decide to buy, allow for growing (not quite clown suite big, but enough for a year or two)
- thrift stores can be a great place to find formal clothing in good shape
- if you are not sure if something meets the requirements, ask before you buy or make sure you can take it back.