Instrumental lessons, offered to 4th and 5th grade students, are separate of their weekly music classes. While there is a rental fee for the instrument, lessons for select instruments are provided by the school. Students who are learning an instrument receive an extra 30 minute small group lesson in an addition to a full ensemble recess rehearsal once a week. There are two full band ensembles at Monmouth Junction. Beginning Band, which is designed for students who are new to an instrument and the weekly lessons. The second ensemble is Advanced Band, which is designed for students who have played an instrument for at least one year. In addition to these two band ensembles, there is a Jazz Band, which is an audition based ensemble. It is required for the student to have played for a year prior to auditioning for jazz band. Auditions are usually held in the winter in preparation to start rehearsals before school when students return from winter recess. As the year progresses, there may also be opportunities for small ensemble work.
The small group lessons are set up on a pull out schedule. Instrumental students are expected to check the bulletin board outside the entrance of the music room at the ending of each week to see what their lesson time will be for the upcoming week. The schedule will be on a rotating basis, so students will not be pulled out of the same class or time each week. In these small group lessons based on instrument or instrument family, students will learn basic pedagogy of their instrument. Musical concepts such as articulation, breathing, posture, technique, and style will all be discovered and practiced during these 30 minute sessions. The lessons are designed for the teacher to give individualized instruction based on certain instruments. The goal is for each student to leave with a good understanding of how to make a great sound on their instrument, and then transfer their techniques to the large ensemble setting.
The instrumental ensembles at Monmouth Junction rehearse primarily for once a week during a 30 minute recess. Additional rehearsals may be added as a before school activity when concert dates approach. During the rehearsal, students will not only perform pieces of music as a large ensemble, but continue to reinforce the musical concepts from prior general music classes and learn new elements as well. The students will receive weekly rhythm sheets that are expected to be handed in as part of their homework. In addition, students are required to practice at least 15 minutes a day in order to to receive their grade in lessons, and contribute their learned part to the ensemble. These large ensemble rehearsals are the most exciting part for the growth of an instrumental student since this is the time they can not only play the parts they learned, but also hear and balance to the others in the group. Large ensemble rehearsal gives students the opportunity to discover and learn how to develop not only their playing skills, but also their musicianship skills through the course of playing warm ups, chorales, and fine orchestral and band literature.
The small group lessons are set up on a pull out schedule. Instrumental students are expected to check the bulletin board outside the entrance of the music room at the ending of each week to see what their lesson time will be for the upcoming week. The schedule will be on a rotating basis, so students will not be pulled out of the same class or time each week. In these small group lessons based on instrument or instrument family, students will learn basic pedagogy of their instrument. Musical concepts such as articulation, breathing, posture, technique, and style will all be discovered and practiced during these 30 minute sessions. The lessons are designed for the teacher to give individualized instruction based on certain instruments. The goal is for each student to leave with a good understanding of how to make a great sound on their instrument, and then transfer their techniques to the large ensemble setting.
The instrumental ensembles at Monmouth Junction rehearse primarily for once a week during a 30 minute recess. Additional rehearsals may be added as a before school activity when concert dates approach. During the rehearsal, students will not only perform pieces of music as a large ensemble, but continue to reinforce the musical concepts from prior general music classes and learn new elements as well. The students will receive weekly rhythm sheets that are expected to be handed in as part of their homework. In addition, students are required to practice at least 15 minutes a day in order to to receive their grade in lessons, and contribute their learned part to the ensemble. These large ensemble rehearsals are the most exciting part for the growth of an instrumental student since this is the time they can not only play the parts they learned, but also hear and balance to the others in the group. Large ensemble rehearsal gives students the opportunity to discover and learn how to develop not only their playing skills, but also their musicianship skills through the course of playing warm ups, chorales, and fine orchestral and band literature.
For more information about the band,
please contact Michael Ippolito at [email protected] |