The Varsity Band is the intermediate ensemble at Truman. Students in grades 9, 10, 11, & 12 and perform on a standard band instrument are welcome to join. This group performs at three concerts during the school year (Winter, Mid-Winter, & Spring). The students in this band fall into one of the following categories:
1) Interested in developing abilities and joining the Symphonic Band
2) Interested in continued performance in high school but not at the Symphonic Band level
3) learning a secondary instrument
In additional to performing, this band will focus on developing knowledge of music theory. Students who participate and achieve in the Varsity Band will have the tools necessary to take, and accel at a college level intro to music theory class.
The lesson plan below is in addition to daily rehearsal.
VARSITY BAND LESSON PLANS 2010 - 2011
SEMESTER 1
WEEK 1: RHYTHM & UNDERSTANDING THE KEYBOARD
WEEK 2: RHYTHM & MAJOR SCALES
WEEK 3: RHYTHM, KEYBOARD, & BASIC INTERVALS
WEEK 4: RHYTHM & SPECIFIC INTERVALS
WEEK 5: RHYTHM & SPECIFIC INTERVALS
WEEK 6: REVIEW
MID-TERM EXAM
WEEK 7: KEY SIGNATURES
WEEK 8: KEY SIGNATURES (RELATIVE MINOR)
WEEK 9: TIME SIGNATURES
WEEK 10: TIME SIGNATURES & MINOR SCALES
WEEK 11: MINOR SCALES
WEEK 12: REVIEW / 1ST SEMESTER EXAM
SEMESTER 2
WEEK 1: TRIADS
WEEK 2: (HOLIDAY
CONCERT)
WEEK 3: TRIAD INVERSIONS
WEEK 4: SEVENTH CHORDS
WEEK 5: SEVENTH CHORDS
WEEK 6: REVIEW
MID-TERM EXAM
WEEK 7: SEVENTH CHORDS (WITH INVERSIONS)
WEEK 8: CHORD EXTENSIONS
WEEK 9: SUSPENSIONS & TRANSPOSITION
WEEK 10: OTHER SCALES (BLUES, WHOLE TONE, DIMINISHED)
WEEK 11: MID WINTER CONCERT
WEEK 12: REVIEW / 2ND SEMESTER EXAM
SEMESTER 3
WEEK 1: ROMAN NUMERAL ANALYSIS
WEEK 2: ROMAN NUMERAL ANALYSIS (WITH ALTERATIONS)
WEEK 3: ROMAN NUMERAL ANALYSIS (WITH ALTERATIONS) (FLORIDA TRIP?)
WEEK 4: CHORD PROGRESSIONS
WEEK 5: CHORD PROGRESSIONS
WEEK 6: REVIEW
MID-TERM EXAM
WEEK 7: PROJECT (VIDEO OR COMPOSITION – 4 PEOPLE MAX/GROUP)
WEEK 8: PROJECT (VIDEO OR COMPOSITION – 4 PEOPLE MAX/GROUP)
WEEK 9: SPRING CONCERT
WEEK 10: MOTOWN HISTORY
WEEK 11: MOTOWN FIELD TRIP
WEEK 12: REVIEW / 3RD SEMESTER EXAM