Grade 6 Band

Avon Lake City Schools 

Curriculum Framework

Grade 6 Band

Course Overview:

Sixth Grade Band continues content instruction on the fundamentals of wind and percussion instruments and is designed for students with some prior experience in playing a musical instrument, however beginners are welcome.  Students will develop essential musical skills including reading music, understanding basic music theory, building instrumental proficiency, and ensemble playing.  The primary goal is to provide a strong foundation in playing a wind/percussion instrument while fostering a love for music.

Students will have opportunities to showcase their progress through performances/concerts.

Textbook (Title and Publishing Company): 

Method Book: Measure of Success Method Book - A Comprehensive Musicianship Band Method, book one by Deborah A. Sheldon, Brian Balmages, Timothy Loest, and Robert Sheldon. Percussion written and edited by David Collier. The FJH Publishing Company, Inc.

Online/Supplemental Materials:

Grade 1-1.5 musical compositions from classical standard band literature to current modern musical compositions.

Assessments: 

Teacher created assessments may include worksheets and playing tests to assess student progress on instrument playing progress and music reading comprehension.






Content/Topics/Learning Goals

Subject to Pacing and Schedules

1st Quarter- 

  • Review/relearn/introduce Fifth Grade concepts

  • Development of tone quality

  • Development of proper instrument-specific technique

  • Application of different time signatures

  • Reading/performing music in simple meters

  • Reading/writing/performing music notation: whole, half, quarter, eighth dotted quarter, dotted half notes and rests

  • Identifying and performing notes within the Concert Bb, and Eb major scales

  • Develop skills in playing together as a cohesive unit (ensemble playing)

2nd Quarter- 

  • Continued review and reinforcement of the first quarter goals

  • Identification of articulations commonly found in beginning band literature

  • Development of dynamics

  • First performance preparation and execution

  • Concert reflection 

3rd Quarter- 

  • Continued review and reinforcement of the first and second quarter goals.

  • Introduction to more complex rhythmic patterns

  • Introduction to extended notes on the scale

  • Accidentals/Chromatics

  • Advanced dynamics and expressions

4th Quarter -  

  • Continued review and reinforcement of the first, second, and third quarter goals.

  • Advanced ensemble playing

  • Second concert preparation and execution

  • Concert reflection

Last Updated:

September, 2023