Instrumental Music

The Lenape Elementary Instrumental Music Program has continued to achieve new levels of excellence every year. This school year will continue to build upon those successes as we work to build a stronger community by making music every day.

Students will receive the highest quality music education through

The performance and challenges of a variety of music
Developing an appreciation for different styles and genres of music
Challenging students on a musical and academic level
Developing skills necessary to succeed in and outside of the music classroom

All of this is possible through ensuring that a positive, challenging, constructive, and inclusive learning and musical environment is created.

LE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Concert Band – First Year Students

This course focuses on the performance practices of quality elementary band literature. A variety of literature will be studied, with emphasis on developing proper playing posture and techniques, the basic study of music theory and rhythms, building individual and ensemble playing, and leadership skills. Individual practice is REQUIRED for this course. This is a performance class, with required lessons, rehearsals, and concerts. Students are responsible for supplying his/her own instrument and lesson book. When needed, arrangements can be made with the director to use school equipment if it is available.

Symphonic Band – Second/Third Year Students

The Lenape Elementary Concert and Symphonic Bands are the premier concert bands. This course will focus on higher-level pieces of music, challenging the students as musicians to expand their musical knowledge and ability. A variety of literature will be studied, with emphasis on small ensemble playing, large ensemble playing, and leadership skills. Individual practice is REQUIRED as part of this course. These are performance-based classes, with required lessons, rehearsals, and concerts. Students are responsible for supplying his/her own instrument and lesson book. When needed, arrangements can be made with the director to use school equipment if it is available.

Lenape Jazz - Second/Third Year Students

This ensemble will start the exploration of Ear Training, Rhythm, Improvisation, and Theory in Jazz Education. Instrumentation will include: Flute, Clarinet, Alto/Tenor Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Bass Guitar, Electric/Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Drum Set, Auxiliary Percussion.

Level	Ear Training	Rhythm	Improvisation	Music Theory
1	Match pitches Imitate simple melodic patterns	Duple subdivision Triple subdivision	Theme Variation Invent simple themes	Identify half and whole steps Identify simple blues progression
2	Call and response Identify major, bebop, and blues scales Play tunes by ear	Clap/play cross-rhythms of duple vs. triple Listen to examples of cross-rhythm	Tension and release Explore improvisation using major, blues, and bebop scales	Identify thirds Identify ¾ meter Identify key signatures (simple) Chord notation

Director - Mr. Lou Ribar IV