Class Information

Wind Ensemble

 

All students involved in the instrumental music program will have the opportunity to perform music that is meaningful and emotional.  They will learn how to perform on their instruments to the best of their ability to gain an understanding and appreciation in music.  Students will always strive to perform their best and achieve their personal goals.  The students will gain skills in self-discipline, cultural awareness, and refine motor skills through group and individual performance.

 

The main emphasis of the LHS Wind Ensemble is MUSICIANSHIP. In this course students will work to achieve a high level of proficiency in both the technical aspects of performing a wind or percussion instrument, as well as understanding the cultural and aesthetic appeal in music.  The students will participate in daily band classes, small group lessons, and pep band.  Through these performance opportunities and small and classroom instruction, our students will refine the motor skills needed to perform a musical instrument and become more familiar with the terminology of music and concepts including music theory. 

 

The Wind Ensemble is the most select of the three concert band classes at LHS and is open to students in grades 10 - 12. The Wind Ensemble is a very active and experienced group, regularly performing musical works that are at the collegiate or professional level. Members of Wind Ensemble are Mid-State and All-State MTSBOA members. Students must continue to perform at a high level in order to continue as an active member of the Wind Ensemble. Wind Ensemble students are expected to practice 20 minutes to an hour daily, or the length of time necessary to be technically proficient on the excerpt requested for the following rehearsal. Students in the Wind Ensemble may have the opportunity to participate in regional and/or national events.

 

​The Wind Ensemble rehearses 90 minutes during the school day and work through structured fundamental programs, as well as music to be performed in concerts. The Wind Ensemble performs a minimal of seven concerts per year.

 

 Concert Band

 

Concert Band is the entry-level band at LHS. This band is slightly larger in size than Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. The Concert Band helps develop students’ ensemble skills and to smooth the transition to performing at the high school level. Students in Concert Band regularly perform high school literature of medium difficulty level. The Concert Band rehearses every day and work through a structured fundamental program, as well as music to be performed in concerts. The directors emphasize fundamental playing, scales, rhythms, sight-reading, tone quality, dynamics, music theory, blend & balance, and music skills while playing grade-appropriate literature. The Concert Band performs a minimum of five concerts per year. Students are expected to practice a minimum of 20 minutes daily, or the length of time necessary to be technically proficient on the excerpt requested for the following rehearsal. 

 

The Concert Band rehearses 90 minutes during the school day and work through structured fundamental programs, as well as music to be performed in concerts. The Concert Band performs a minimal of 4 concerts per year.

 

General Music

 

This course is designed to acquaint students with the elements of music and the primary musical periods of traditional Western European classical music.  Students will have a brief overview of the major composers and their music through class lectures, listening to musical examples in class, reading the text, listening to musical examples, actively engaging in class discussions, attending live concerts of suggested performances, and completing research papers and/or oral presentations pertinent to the course material. 

 

Student Learning Objectives

 

 The foundation of this educational will emphasis:  1) critical thinking/problem solving, 2) information/technology, 3) communication, 4) life-long learning, 5) effective citizenship, 6) global/multicultural awareness.  Although we will involve aspects of most of these abilities during the term, both directly and indirectly, the primary emphasis will be the communication ability, the life-long learning ability, and the critical thinking ability.