Band
Jennifer Johnson – Instrumental Music
Education: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
(B.A., Humanistic Studies and Music 2001)
(Education Certification & Environmental Science, 2010)
Visit the Band Photo Gallery
About our Ensembles
Mozart Band
Mozart was a musical genius who showed his gifts at an early age. At Resurrection School we provide the opportunity for students as early as 4th grade to learn a band instrument because we know how powerful music can be for overall brain development. Students entering 4th grade can choose from Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone or Percussion. Lessons are given weekly during school hours. Band students also experience one group rehearsal per week.
Beethoven Ensemble
Band students in 5th-8th grade continue to build their musical knowledge and instrumental skills through this ensemble. We meet once per week as a large group to rehearse our performance pieces. Students also meet once weekly during school hours for a group lesson. Numerous performance opportunities present themselves throughout the year, including Heroes Day (November), Christmas Concert (December), Spirit Day (January), Solo & Ensemble (March) and the Spring Concert and Arts Fair (April).
Pep Band at the All-School Pep Rally, January 2012
Jazz Band
This ensemble is comprised primarily of 6th-8th grade students. We rehearse once weekly and work on jazz style, improvisation, and transcription. Jazz Band is extracurricular and therefore, not a graded class. We do, however, perform during the Winter and Spring Concerts each year.
Expectations
Choosing to play a musical instrument requires a financial commitment as well as a time commitment. There is a $150 fee for participating in band per student per year. Families also need to secure their own instrument and supplies (method book, cork grease, reeds, valve oil, etc.) We use the Essential Elements 2000 book.
Improvement on a musical instrument is also dependent on time spent practicing. For students in Grade 4, I expect they spend 10 minutes of at-home (“homework”) time on their instruments, 5 days each week. Students in Grades 5-6 should spend approximately 15-20 minutes practicing for 4-5 days each week, and students in grades 7-8 might spend 20-30 minutes practicing for 3-4 days each week.
Information on Grading & Tips for Success
Each student will be given a letter grade at the conclusion of each rehearsal and each lesson time. Play tests or Scale tests may be given once per trimester. At the end of the trimester, the final grade will be equal to the average of those accumulated grades.
Students in band will be assessed according to how well they are learning the skills necessary to play a musical instrument, both individually and within a group. Effort is paramount and the number one factor in the determination of letter grades. Click here for Grading Rubrics.
Middle School Students Click Here to login to PBWorks