Band Rehearsal Times, Orientations, Tryouts and other FAQ
For (1) the playing of musical instruments that cannot be done with a face covering (e.g., wind instruments); or (2) when wearing a mask during play poses a choking hazard, at least one of the following options is required:
a. Conduct these activities outdoors;
b. Use modified face coverings and bell coverings when playing wind and brass instruments, and maintain 6 feet of physical distancing;
c. Perform at least weekly screening testing with either PCR testing (1:1 or pooled PCR) or antigen testing of all individuals, including those who are fully vaccinated.
Band starts Week of September 26th
Please note: Introduction to Band class starting Wednesday -Friday from 8/26-8/28 11:am -2pm.
Mandatory for all new band students.
Beginning Band: -Monday and Wednesdays 3:15- 5pm
Concert Band: -Monday 7am - 8:25 / Thursday 3:15p - 5:30p
Advanced Band:
Woodwinds/Strings/ Rhythm Section: -Tuesday / Thursday 7a - 8:20a
Brass -Wednesday and Thursday 7:00a -8:20a
Combo A - Additional Rehearsal - (Friday 3:15 - 5:30p)
Concert Band : (No audition)
- Get Essential Elements Book 1&2 for your instrument
Combo B Requirements:
Play all major scales (one octave), chromatic scale (full range of your instrument)
Play the melody to Au Privave, by Charlie parker
Arpeggiate a Bb blues (Contact Mr. Kennedy for materials).
Combo A Requirements: (Must have had two years of prior band or improvisation experience).
Play all major scales (one octave), chromatic scale (full range of your instrument)
Arpeggiate a Bb Blues
Play the head to Au-Privave, Tenor Madness and Blue Monk.
Play solo scales for an F blues (Contact Mr. Kennedy for materials).
The
Basics:
· Register before Wednesday, August
30 and order the Band Book(s) specified below. Band Orientation Meetings for Parents (REQUIRED):
Lower School Parents: Monday, September 13, 6:15 pm–7:00 pm (Live on Zoom)
Upper School Parents: Monday, September 13, 7:15 pm–8:00 pm (Live on Zoom)
Band Orientations for Beginning & Concert Bands/Auditions for Advanced Band:
These are mandatory, including for returning Band students:
Beginning Band (4th & 5th): Thursday, September 2, 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm
Concert Band (6th & 7th): Thursday, September 9, 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm
Advanced Band Combo A & B (8th): Friday, September 10, 4:30 – 5:45 pm
Plan to stay the whole time. Reach out if you have a schedule conflict. This is a chance for Jerry to assess skills and give direction.
* Students are not accepted into the Band Program mid-year.
Student Orientations Requirements:
Beginning Band: Bring your instrument and Essential Elements Book 1 (available online and at most local music stores ).
Concert Band: Bring your instrument and Essential Elements 2000 Book 1 and 2 for your instrument.
Advanced Band: At your orientation be prepared to play the list below. Also get a 6th edition Real Book and a Charlie Parker OmniBook for your instrument.
Play one-octave scales (all keys) and Chromatic Scale (full range of your instrument)
Play “Au Privave” , Blue Monk and Tenor Madness (melody only)
F Blues solo scales (see Mr Kennedy)
Arpeggiate of Comp Bb blues and solo one chorus over Bb blues
Drums: - Example of swing/jazz and funk beat
- Solo one chorus over Bb jazz blues,
- Play Jazz head on the vibes
- Play all major scales on vibes (one Octave)
Piano:
- Play all major scales with two hands (two octave)
- Comp chords over Bb blues.
- Play the head to Au Privave
- Demonstrate solo scales F Blues (see Mr Kennedy)
Need help? Contact Jerry Kennedy before you audition!
Concert Band vs. Advanced Band and what are the "Combos"?
If your child is in 6th grade, they will be in Concert Band for the whole year.
If your child is in 7th grade, they will start in Concert Band, and then will have an opportunity to audition (in mid-November, exact date TBD). At that point, they may be invited to join the Advanced Combo B (Combo B for short), which begins at that point and has a different weekly schedule than Concert Band. That's right: your student's band schedule will likely change in mid-November to Tues/Thurs mornings.
If your child is in 8th grade and was in Combo B last year, they may audition for Advanced Combo A.
Band Communications
There are separate email groups for each band. Questions about the Band Program should be directed to Mr. Kennedy at bpcbands@gmail.com.
Communications
There are separate email groups for each band. BPC parent Julia Katz will, once again, help coordinate Band activities and volunteering. By default, both parents will be added to your band kid's email group (but one of you may unsubscribe if you prefer). Email Mr. Kennedy if you don't receive a welcome email to the Band Program by Monday, September 11, or if you need assistance with email, calendars or the blog.
Band Parent Leadership
This is Evan’s last year and likely Elizabeth’s as well. So by mid-year, we are going to ask for parents to step up and learn the ropes. Maybe it will be you!
Concert Band : (No audition)
- Get Essential Elements Book 1&2 for your instrument
Combo B Requirements:
Play all major scales (one octave), chromatic scale (full range of your instrument)
Play the melody to Au Privave, by Charlie parker
Arpeggiate a Bb blues (Contact Mr. Kennedy for materials).
Play all major scales (one octave), chromatic scale (full range of your instrument)
Arpeggiate a Bb Blues
Play the head to Au-Privave, Tenor Madness and Blue Monk.
Play solo scales for an F blues (Contact Mr. Kennedy for materials).
Band Orientation Meetings for Parents (REQUIRED):
Lower School Parents: Monday, September 13, 6:15 pm–7:00 pm (Live on Zoom)
Upper School Parents: Monday, September 13, 7:15 pm–8:00 pm (Live on Zoom)
Band Orientations for Beginning & Concert Bands/Auditions for Advanced Band:
These are mandatory, including for returning Band students:
Beginning Band (4th & 5th): Thursday, September 2, 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm
Concert Band (6th & 7th): Thursday, September 9, 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm
Advanced Band Combo A & B (8th): Friday, September 10, 4:30 – 5:45 pm
Plan to stay the whole time. Reach out if you have a schedule conflict. This is a chance for Jerry to assess skills and give direction.
* Students are not accepted into the Band Program mid-year.
Student Orientations Requirements:
Beginning Band: Bring your instrument and Essential Elements Book 1 (available online and at most local music stores ).
Concert Band: Bring your instrument and Essential Elements 2000 Book 1 and 2 for your instrument.
Advanced Band: At your orientation be prepared to play the list below. Also get a 6th edition Real Book and a Charlie Parker OmniBook for your instrument.
Play one-octave scales (all keys) and Chromatic Scale (full range of your instrument)
Play “Au Privave” , Blue Monk and Tenor Madness (melody only)
F Blues solo scales (see Mr Kennedy)
Arpeggiate of Comp Bb blues and solo one chorus over Bb blues
- Example of swing/jazz and funk beat
- Solo one chorus over Bb jazz blues,
- Play Jazz head on the vibes
- Play all major scales on vibes (one Octave)
Piano:
- Play all major scales with two hands (two octave)
- Comp chords over Bb blues.
- Play the head to Au Privave
- Demonstrate solo scales F Blues (see Mr Kennedy)
Need help? Contact Jerry Kennedy before you audition!
Concert Band vs. Advanced Band and what are the "Combos"?
If your child is in 6th grade, they will be in Concert Band for the whole year.
If your child is in 7th grade, they will start in Concert Band, and then will have an opportunity to audition (in mid-November, exact date TBD). At that point, they may be invited to join the Advanced Combo B (Combo B for short), which begins at that point and has a different weekly schedule than Concert Band. That's right: your student's band schedule will likely change in mid-November to Tues/Thurs mornings.
If your child is in 8th grade and was in Combo B last year, they may audition for Advanced Combo A.
Band Communications
There are separate email groups for each band. Questions about the Band Program should be directed to Mr. Kennedy at bpcbands@gmail.com.
Communications
There are separate email groups for each band. BPC parent Julia Katz will, once again, help coordinate Band activities and volunteering. By default, both parents will be added to your band kid's email group (but one of you may unsubscribe if you prefer). Email Mr. Kennedy if you don't receive a welcome email to the Band Program by Monday, September 11, or if you need assistance with email, calendars or the blog.Band Parent Leadership
This is Evan’s last year and likely Elizabeth’s as well. So by mid-year, we are going to ask for parents to step up and learn the ropes. Maybe it will be you!
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