Ensembles that I teach

High School Band:
Consists of marching band for the first quarter.  We don't do anything overly competitive, but we do go to a few local festivals and competitions.  Second quarter, we make the transition into concert band mode.  Third quarter is concert band and small ensembles.  Everyone is assigned to a small ensemble.  Fourth quarter, we visit the lighter side and have one big final concert with everyone included.  They perform at least 10 times per year, not including school functions/athletic events/assemblies.

High School Choir:
Choir follows the same layout as band, aside from the marching part.  We do a mix of stuff during the first quarter with our real aim on trying to get the group working together.  Second quarter is transition and seasonal time.  Third, small ensembles and concert choir.  Fourth quarter is when we do some show choir stuff.  They perform around 5-6 times per year, not including school functions/athletic events/assemblies.

Middle School Choir:
This group is made of 7-8th graders and meets during their half-hour enrichment period after lunch/recess.  It is not a actual class, meaning they don't receive grades.  The main purpose of this group is to spark interest and give the kids a chance to sing.  We do a little with rhythm and solfege, but we mainly just sing.  They perform 4 times per year.

**Tuesdays:
MS Jazz Band meets for the half hour time instead of choir.  It was something that I started this year just to spark interest in jazz band...and it worked! 

**Thursdays:
I meet with my MS percussionists for the half hour and go over different things. 

High School Jazz Band:
Jazz band is open to any high school band member.  They must pass an audition to make it into the group.  I do make exceptions for rhythm players if need be, otherwise they are required to be enrolled in full band in order to stay in jazz band. We learn about the history, discuss what jazz means to our culture, and why it is important.  They perform 7-10 times per year.

Beginning Band:
My beginners start in 6th grade.  It is a pull-out class, so they have to give up their enrichment time to be in band.  We start with woodwinds two days a week, brass two days a week, and full band on Fridays.  I do not start percussionists until later.  Once we get some of the basics down, I start moving to more days of full band and usually reserve one day for percussion tips/sectionals.  This also gives kids at least one day off to work with their teacher during enrichment if need be.  They perform 3 times per year.

Middle School Band:
I have close to 40 7-8th grade students during the very last hour of the day.  I have started using method books 2 and 3 so my 8th graders can have some new concepts to work on.  We work on concert music and fundamentals all year long.  I do throw in some small ensemble work and of course, to keep it fun, pep band music.  They perform 4 concerts per year, along with a festival and a few elementary assemblies.