7/8th Grade Band

7th/8th Grade Band

The Camp Hill Middle School Instrumental Music course includes Concert Band. Students participating are expected to also attend a weekly sectional. Any seventh or eight grade student attending CHMS may also participate in Middle School Jazz Band.

About the Program

As in other school systems across the country; music education is an important part of your student's academic development. Thus the band and choral classes here at Camp Hill (Middle and High School) are curricular courses. Our goals at the 7/8 band level are:

to encourage students to develop their music reading skills through performance of a wide variety of band literature.

to provide the students with a creative outlet through music.

to provide an ensemble/organization in which each and every student makes an important contribution.

to continue development of the student's technique and skill on his/her instrument.

to provide an opportunity for students to be part of a positive, fun, and social experience.

Sectional Lesson Preparation
Assessment Rubric

Points/Descriptors

5

Music assigned for the weekly sectional lesson is performed with superior technical achievement. Exemplary tone quality and intonation are evident. Preparation of the lesson is outstanding.

4
Student often demonstrates technical proficiency on music assigned for the weekly sectional lesson. Despite occasional lapses, intonation is consistent throughout the lesson.
Preparation of the lesson is obvious.

3
A focused tone is present; however, consistency of tone and pitch becomes a concern. Student demonstrates moderate success in handling of technical demands on music assigned for the weekly sectional lessons.
Appropriate preparation of the lesson is lacking.

2
Numerous individual technical problems (constant starting and stopping) on music assigned for the weekly sectional lesson. Student demonstrates uncharacteristic tone quality with no improvement.
Preparation of the lesson is non-existent.

Weekly sectional grade pts x 2 = _____

All sectional grades will be then be averaged and calculated at the end of each marking period. This will represent 50% of the band grade (see syllabus) for the marking period.

Lesson Information

Many of the students will be using the Standard of Excellence (Book 2 or 3) for their method book. Most of the time their sectional assignment will come from their lesson book. Students will be required to log their home practice time on a weekly schedule and have a parent/guardian initial the record. You can assist your child by:

scheduling a consistent time for practice.

praising your child’s efforts and achievements

helping your child build a personal music library. Wray’s, Horn Hospital, and Menchey’s are just a few of the many excellent music stores in our area. I also have many books available for student sign-out displayed in the band room.

exposing him/her to a wide varity of music.

7/8 Middle School Jazz Ensemble
Come On Out and Join the FunJJ

The 7/8 MS Jazz Ensemble is open to anyone on any and all instruments with an interest in playing jazz/pop music. Don’t know how to play jazz?? That’s okay---that’s what Jazz Ensemble does-learn to play jazz. There are no auditions.

Rehearsals begin early in February from 3:15-4:30. Rehearsals are held once a week and usually on Fridays. Occasionally they will be switched to another day depending on schedule for that week (for example, the week of the musical, the jazz rehearsal will be after school on Wednesday, probably). Calendars will be available sometime in January. Rehearsals run until the beginning of May. Winter and Spring sports coaches have been flexible with students attending jazz rehearsal since jazz rehearsals are only one day per week (typically students in sports leave at 4:00- 4:15ish to attend their sports practice).

Scheduled Performances-

Camp Hill Jazz Festival
May Day Fair
Other performances are possible

Director: Dean Zirkle -

Band Office Phone: 901-2536

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Points/Descriptors
5	Music assigned for the weekly sectional lesson is performed with superior technical achievement. Exemplary tone quality and intonation are evident. Preparation of the lesson is outstanding.
4	Student often demonstrates technical proficiency on music assigned for the weekly sectional lesson. Despite occasional lapses, intonation is consistent throughout the lesson. Preparation of the lesson is obvious.
3	A focused tone is present; however, consistency of tone and pitch becomes a concern. Student demonstrates moderate success in handling of technical demands on music assigned for the weekly sectional lessons. Appropriate preparation of the lesson is lacking.
2	Numerous individual technical problems (constant starting and stopping) on music assigned for the weekly sectional lesson. Student demonstrates uncharacteristic tone quality with no improvement. Preparation of the lesson is non-existent.

Weekly sectional grade pts x 2 = _____

All sectional grades will be then be averaged and calculated at the end of each marking period. This will represent 50% of the band grade (see syllabus) for the marking period.