ST. JOSEPH MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC
5-8 Band & Chorus
St. Joseph Middle School
St. Joseph, IL 61873
Mr. Jeremy Dassow - Director
5th Grade Beginning Band
The Band program at St. Joseph Middle School starts in 5th grade. Students will learn an instrument, how to read music, and have a lot of fun. 5th Grade Band occurs during PE and Study Hall time 7th and 8th periods. Students will meet in large groups of Woodwinds/Percussion and Brass. Besides large group time, students will recieve mini-lessons during recess with students who play the same instrument as them. They will have a mini-lesson every other week. Students will need the Essential Elements 2000 book 1 for 5th grade.
5th Grade Beginning Band Instruments:
- Flute
- Oboe
- Clarinet
- Alto Saxophone
- Trumpet
- French Horn
- Trombone
- Baritone
- Percussion (students learn snare drum & xylophone)
This group performs at the Winter Concert and the Spring Concert.
6th Grade Band - Concert Band
The 6th Grade Concert Band is made up of all 6th Graders in Band. 6th Grade Concert Band meets on B-Days during 6th period. Students will also receive a small group pull-out lesson during 1st, 2nd, or 3rd periods. The 6th Grade Concert Band continues working with Essential Elements Book 1 and then continues into Essential Elements Book 2. In 6th grade we start to play more Concert Band pieces and work more as a group rather than individuals.
This group performs at the Winter Concert and Spring Concert. There is also the option to participate in IESA Solo & Ensemble Contest.
7th & 8th Grade Band - Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is made up of all 7th and 8th graders in band and a few selected 6th graders. This group meets seperately, 7th grader during 7th period and 8th graders during 8th period. Every Friday during Study Hall we have rehearsal together. Students in this group receive a small group pull out lesson during 1st, 2nd, or 3rd periods just as they did in 6th Grade.
This group performs at the Veteran's Day Assembly, Winter Concert, Music Exchange Concert, IESA Organizational Contest, and the Spring Concert. There is also the option to participate in ILMEA All District Band and IESA Solo & Ensemble Contest.
5th & 6th Grade Chorus
The 5th & 6th Grade Chorus works on beginning singing skills. We start work on singing correctly and singing as a group, learning songs in unison, parts and harmony. The 5th & 6th Grade Chorus meets on B-Days during 9th period, except for on Fridays.
The 5th & 6th Grade Chorus performs at the Winter Concert and the Spring Cocert. There is also the option to participate in the IESA Solo & Ensemble Contest.
7th & 8th Grade Chorus
The 7th & 8th Grade Chorus works on advancing singing skills. The majoriy of songs that we sing work on harmonies and proper singing skills. The 7th & 8th Grade Chorus meets on A-Days during 9th period, except for Fridays.
The 7th & 8th Grade Chorus performs at the Winter Concert, Music Exchange Concert, and the Spring Concert. There is also the option to participate in the ILMEA All-District Chorus and the IESA Solo & Ensemble Contest.
SJMS Jazz Band
Jazz Band is an extra-curricular ensemble that practices after school on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:30 and starts in early October. Jazz Band will perform at the Winter and Spring concerts and during a monthly meeting of the St. Joseph Senior Citizens Club. We are always looking for more places to perform so if you know any please contact me! The focus of this group is on jazz music. We focus on different stlyes of jazz, from swing and blues to latin and rock. We work on improvisation, jazz articulations, jazz history, and ensemble playing.
The SJMS Jazz Band started in 2012. The project was initiated with a private donation. The interest in the jazz band has grown greatly over the past year! This year we are including a few students from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in the group.