Tamarac Middle School General Music
Mr. Kevin Barcomb
All sixth graders will attend music classes every other day for the entire year. The curriculum will focus on music from many cultures around the world to coordinate with the social studies curriculum. Our “hands-on” approach will include singing, dancing, and playing instruments taught primarily in the oral/aural tradition used in many other cultures. Students will have opportunities to explore improvisation and creating in classes. We are using the World Music Drumming curriculum, which brings the excitement of African and Latin-American drumming and culture to middle school students. It also builds important work and community skills of communication, listening, cooperative learning, focus, and respect.
During the course of the year students will also spend time learning about famous composers and music of our Western culture.
All drums and other percussion instruments are provided, but students will need their own recorders. Recorders provide a wonderful way to review and improve note reading skills. Students will be asked to purchase a recorder if they don’t already own one.
Grade 7 General Music
All seventh graders will attend music classes every day for ten weeks. The music curriculum will continue with more difficult ensembles in the World Music Drumming curriculum and the addition of xylophones.
Students will continue singing, dancing and playing recorders. During the ten weeks classes will also spend time studying the history of Jazz and learning about many famous jazz musicians and jazz styles of music. The “Jazz for Young People” curriculum, produced by “Jazz at Lincoln Center” and written and narrated by Wynton Marsalis, includes student books, several CD’s and a performance video. In addition, students will spend time at computer stations learning and using music software programs including “Sibelius”, and “Rock, Rap & Roll”.
I look forward to working with your children this year. Please contact me at any time with questions or concerns.
7-8 Band
The 7-8 Band is a combined instrumental performing group comprised of the seventh and eighth grade. Once a week students meet for a small group lesson. Large rehearsals meet period 9 on B, D, F days . The lesson portion of the band requirement addresses developing pedagogical competence which improves the students overall musical development.
Students will be developing their individual musical skills, small ensemble techniques and large ensemble proficiency throughout the school year. The course will cover tone development, articulation, scale studies, musical dynamics, composition, notation, basic music theory skills, improvisation aptitude, ear training, rhythmic development, cultural origins of a piece, historical time periods of selected compositions and the ability to sight read music at multiple levels.
The Objective of 7-8 Band encompasses the intermediate mastery of the concepts mentioned above. This will be attained in conjunction with the use of Essential Elements 2000 Book 2 and multiple supplemental musical materials to complement each students learning style. The students will gain practical knowledge of these concepts and will be assessed through prepared playing exams, concert performance and quarterly exams to monitor comprehension of the material experienced in band rehearsals and in lessons.
Sixth Grade Band
The Sixth Grade Band is comprised of students who have had one year of instrumental instruction. Each week students meet for a small group lesson. Every other day students meet for a large group ensemble. The lesson portion of the band requirement addresses developing pedagogical skills which improves the students overall musical development.
Students will be developing their individual musical skills, small ensemble skills and large ensemble skills throughout the school year. The course will cover tone development, articulation, scale studies, musical dynamics, composition, notation, basic music theory competence, improvisation aptitude, ear training, rhythmic development, cultural origins of a piece, and historical time periods of selected compositions.
The Sixth Grade Band develops a basic mastery of the techniques mentioned earlier. This will be attained in conjunction with the use of Essential Elements 2000 Book 1 and multiple supplemental musical materials to enhance each students learning style. The students will gain practical knowledge of these concepts and will be assessed through prepared playing exams, concert performance and quarterly exams to monitor comprehension of the material explored in band rehearsals and small group lessons.
Fifth Grade Band
The Fifth Grade Band is the a group which meets in small group lessons before the school day for the first third of the year. Lessons meet once a week starting starting the week of September 25. Students will be learning how to read music, develop tone quality, ear training exercises, hand position, posture and basic performance skills to assist in the musical education of each individual student.
Students should purchase Essential Elements 2000 Book 1 for their lessons. Additional supplemental materials will be supplied at the lesson.
I am available to assist students: period 7 (12:03- 12:43) and after school on the following days- Mondays and Thursdays
Email: kbarcomb@brittonkill.k12.ny.us
Voice mail: 279-4600 ext. 765