MacArthur Concert Band
The MacArthur Concert Band is one of the finest middle school performing ensembles in the state of Illinois. The group has consistently received 1st place superior ratings at IGSMA contest since the late 1960s. In competition, the group has won overall best concert band at the regional Music in the Parks Competition for 5 years in a row. The group has also been invited to the highly selective University of Illinois Superstate Festival for 5 out of the past 6 years. In 2013, the group performed as honor band - the highest achievement of a middle school band program in the state of Illinois. The band has also received acclaim on the national festival circuit by receiving superior ratings at Chicagoland Invitational Concert Band Festival.
The 7th and 8th Grade Concert Band meets every day during 10th period as a full band class. Students are also pulled out from classes once a week on a rotating schedule for a group sectional. These sectionals are the instrument-specific training classes, and the full band class focuses on ensemble techniques. All students have had previous band instruction to be part of this group. If you are interested in enrolling your child in the MacArthur Band program as a 7th or 8th grader, please reach out to the director. All students are welcome!
Materials Needed:
Instrument: All students must have their own instrument to participate in the class. Instruments are available through rentals from the district or area music store business. Feel free to reach out to the director for more information about instruments for band.
Sheet Music: Students will be given sheet music for the band ensemble. The sheet music is district property and students may be liable for lost music.
Folder: Each student will be given a complimentary music folder at the beginning of the year. Students should take good care of their folder because it will be where they keep their sheet music. If the folder happens to wear out, they will be issued a new folder upon request.
Pencil: Each students should keep a pencil in their folder. Pencils are used in class to make markings in the music. Pencils will also be provided in class, but it is the responsibility of the student to have access to a proper writing utensil as part of band class.
Method/Technique Book: Students will need to purchase a technique book at the beginning of the year. Each instrument has specific challenges and intricacies. The technique book is like the textbook for band. Books are for sale through the director at the beginning of the year or better deals may be available through local music vendors or online resources like amazon. Other resources may also be given to students by the director.
iPad: An iPad will be issued to each child in the district. Students may be asked to download educational resources from app stores or other educational sites.
Smart Music: Students are not required, but strongly encouraged to use the Smart Music app and software on their iPad. It is the new wave of learning in band instruction across the globe. The app is a yearly membership and has a fee attached. The program is being piloted for the school year and students may be provided with alternate assignments if necessary.
Grading Policies: Band is a graded class with a curriculum. Students may have written assignments, playing assignments, and homework like any other class.
Written Assignments: As part of the curriculum, students may have written assignments to demonstrate knowledge of content. Written assignments may also include permission slips to co-curricular events. Please turn these in in a timely fashion.
Performance Assignments: As part of the curriculum, students may be asked to demonstrate their ability to perform on their instrument. This may be in person or recorded. With the influx of technology, computer recorded work is becoming a larger part of the assessment of performance.
Attendance at Sectionals: Each week students are asked to attend their instrument-specific group class. It is the student's responsibility to check when the lesson will meet and proactively plan for what they will miss in the class they are coming from. The director will be happy to aide in this process if needed for support. Missing classes will result in a lower grade. The director will aide in problem solving before conflicts occur if asked in a timely fashion.
Rehearsal Techniques: The rehearsal techniques grade encompasses individual etiquette among the group. While behavior is not normally a part of a grade, certain behaviors and techniques in band class are specific learned behavior in the band curriculum and may be considered part of the grade.
Practice: In the past, practice may have been graded in minutes per week. While practice is an integral part of learning an instrument, grading practice will be more focused on accomplishing weekly goals and objectives rather than number of minutes spent per week.
The 7th and 8th Grade Concert Band meets every day during 10th period as a full band class. Students are also pulled out from classes once a week on a rotating schedule for a group sectional. These sectionals are the instrument-specific training classes, and the full band class focuses on ensemble techniques. All students have had previous band instruction to be part of this group. If you are interested in enrolling your child in the MacArthur Band program as a 7th or 8th grader, please reach out to the director. All students are welcome!
Materials Needed:
Instrument: All students must have their own instrument to participate in the class. Instruments are available through rentals from the district or area music store business. Feel free to reach out to the director for more information about instruments for band.
Sheet Music: Students will be given sheet music for the band ensemble. The sheet music is district property and students may be liable for lost music.
Folder: Each student will be given a complimentary music folder at the beginning of the year. Students should take good care of their folder because it will be where they keep their sheet music. If the folder happens to wear out, they will be issued a new folder upon request.
Pencil: Each students should keep a pencil in their folder. Pencils are used in class to make markings in the music. Pencils will also be provided in class, but it is the responsibility of the student to have access to a proper writing utensil as part of band class.
Method/Technique Book: Students will need to purchase a technique book at the beginning of the year. Each instrument has specific challenges and intricacies. The technique book is like the textbook for band. Books are for sale through the director at the beginning of the year or better deals may be available through local music vendors or online resources like amazon. Other resources may also be given to students by the director.
iPad: An iPad will be issued to each child in the district. Students may be asked to download educational resources from app stores or other educational sites.
Smart Music: Students are not required, but strongly encouraged to use the Smart Music app and software on their iPad. It is the new wave of learning in band instruction across the globe. The app is a yearly membership and has a fee attached. The program is being piloted for the school year and students may be provided with alternate assignments if necessary.
Grading Policies: Band is a graded class with a curriculum. Students may have written assignments, playing assignments, and homework like any other class.
Written Assignments: As part of the curriculum, students may have written assignments to demonstrate knowledge of content. Written assignments may also include permission slips to co-curricular events. Please turn these in in a timely fashion.
Performance Assignments: As part of the curriculum, students may be asked to demonstrate their ability to perform on their instrument. This may be in person or recorded. With the influx of technology, computer recorded work is becoming a larger part of the assessment of performance.
Attendance at Sectionals: Each week students are asked to attend their instrument-specific group class. It is the student's responsibility to check when the lesson will meet and proactively plan for what they will miss in the class they are coming from. The director will be happy to aide in this process if needed for support. Missing classes will result in a lower grade. The director will aide in problem solving before conflicts occur if asked in a timely fashion.
Rehearsal Techniques: The rehearsal techniques grade encompasses individual etiquette among the group. While behavior is not normally a part of a grade, certain behaviors and techniques in band class are specific learned behavior in the band curriculum and may be considered part of the grade.
Practice: In the past, practice may have been graded in minutes per week. While practice is an integral part of learning an instrument, grading practice will be more focused on accomplishing weekly goals and objectives rather than number of minutes spent per week.