SRVCA Concert Band Page
On this page:
- Introducing the SRVCA Beginning Concert Band
- Under the Direction of Mr. Reggie Coates
- The Essential Elements 2000 Music Series
- National Standards for Arts Education Performing Groups
- FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
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Introducing the SRVCA Beginning Concert Band
This page has the pertinent information for the San Ramon Valley Christian Academy’s Concert Band. There has not been a band program at SRVCA for years, but this is about to change. Jan Brunkel, the Principal of SRVCA, and Reggie Coates, the Executive Director of Heartfelt Music, met together and worked out an after school Concert Band program that will be enjoyable for students to learn an instrument in an educational atmosphere which works toward the National Standards for Arts Education Performing Groups Grades 5-8 (see below).
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There are many advantages to being in a band and playing a band instrument. Students learn how important they are to make a complimentary sound with others. Students learn how to listen to their peers and follow the director in producing a beautiful sound as a team. Students will learn the basics of music reading. Students experience the fulfillment of playing an instrument and working toward excellence. The information from the “Training” page is repeated below for your convenience.
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Concert Band Course 1 (Grades 5-8): September 8-January 19, (Wed) 3:15pm-4:15pm
Wednesday, grades 5-8, 3:15pm (Every Wednesday beginning September 8th following the school calendar), at San Ramon Valley Christian Academy, 220 W. El Pintado, San Ramon, CA 94526. This is a beginning course for students grades 5-8 who want to learn how to play a concert band instrument and experience the basics in music. Students start developing instrumental technique, essential musical listening skills, foundational understanding in reading music, and how to care for their instrument. Sign-up online with Heartfelt Music through PayPal (email your name, email address, and phone number to [email protected]). The cost is $365 for the 16 week course which also includes a method book, sheet music, and a folder. There will also be relevant & educational hand-outs for each class. Each student must supply their own instrument. The exact Wednesdays will be 9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, (no class 10/6), 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, (no class 11/24), 12/1, 12/6, 12/15, (no class 12/22 & 12/29), 1/5, 1/12, and 1/19. If you have any question, you can call Reggie at (925) 206-9895.
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Under the Direction of Mr. Reggie Coates
The Concert Band will be under the direction of Mr. Reggie Coates. Reggie is a warm and compassionate teacher who makes learning fun. He is the Executive Director of Heartfelt Music Ministry (The training arm is AKA Heartfelt Music Academy) and has experience in directing high school, middle school, and elementary school bands. In 2007, he successfully started the band program at Los Altos Christian School. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Teaching Credential in Music Education. For more information CLICK HERE.
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The Essential Elements 2000 Music Series
(the learning materials we will be using)
Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements 2000 series is one of the most comprehensive musical instrument methods available. The first difference you will notice between this method and others is that it integrates a video DVD and audio CD with the traditional method book. This improves learning significantly and enables them to be used independently (learning on your own at your own pace) as well as traditional classroom or private instruction.
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Looking a little deeper, you will find that Play-Along accompaniment tracks are included on both the CD/CD-ROM (known as a “CD extra”) and DVD. Book 1 DVDs also includes a “Startup Video” to cover the basics, plus Duets and Trios and a Music Listening Library. Additionally, the CD and DVD also feature SmartMusic® Software, which enables the student to practice, record, and e-mail a performance, and it gives on-screen assessment. Your own private helper! To learn more agout this software, Go to http://www.essential-elements-2000.com/software.html
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 FeaturesThe CD covers the first 58 exercises. From the very beginning, students can model tone production and technique by listening to a professional soloist on their specific instrument! The exercises are played twice – students can first play along with the professional player, and then play “solo” with the accompaniment track. These accompaniments (on real instruments, not synthesized) teach phrasing and dynamics, encouraging musicality from the very beginning, while students explore a wide variety of musical styles and cultures – classical, rock, jazz, country and world music! The CD can also be used as a CD-ROM with a PC or Mac computer.SmartMusic, Finale Notepad, Tempo Adjustment Software included.
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FeaturesThe DVD offers even more features for student learning. In addition to the tools on the CD, the DVD gives each student a start-up video to learn the basics for their instrument – just like a private lesson with a teacher! The DVD can also be used with a PC or Mac computer for additional features that do not appear on the CD: • All play-along tracks – for the entire book (with tempo adjustment software) • Additional, printable Duet and Trio Music (for any combination of instruments) • A Band Music Listening Library.
National Standards for Arts Education Performing Groups (Grades 5-8)
The National Standards for Arts Education were developed by the consortium of National Arts Education Associations under the guidance of the National Committee for Standards in the Arts. The Standards were prepared under a grant from the U.S. Department of education, the National Endowment for the Arts, And National Endowment for the Humanities.
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The concert band method series we are using for this course, Essential Elements 2000 for Band, is based on the National Standards. By structuing this course of study around the National Standards, teachers and students begin to construct a vital relationship with the arts, and in so doing, as with any subject, approach this curriculum with discipline and study. The National Standards spell out what every young musician should know about the arts and provide a framework for achieving these goals.
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Outlined below, you will find a listing of the Content Standards of the National Standards for Arts Education:
- Singing alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
- Performing on Instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
- Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments
- Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines
- Reading and notating music
- Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
- Evaluating music and music performances
- Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts
- Understand music in relation to history and culture
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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hold of an instrument?
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SRVCA owns 5 flutes, 5 clarinets, 3 trumpets, 1 baritone, and 2 alto saxophones. You can use one of these instruments for only $20.00 for the quarter. Call or email Reggie Coates to reserve one of these instruments. You can rent an instrument from Danville Music for $20 a month (alto saxophones are $40 a month). Contact information:
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Danville Music
www.danvillemusic.com
3 Railroad Avenue
Danville, CA 94526
(925) 743-0898
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My child wants to play drums. What is needed for the class?
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You will need a snare drum, a snare drum stand, and a pair of sticks. Danville Music rents a set of these for $20.00 a month (which includes a glockenspiel). We will have limited opportunity to play on a drum set, but we will give them the opportunity to play it at least once a quarter. We will also introduce some percussion instruments such as a triangle, block, cow bell, and cymbals.
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How will my child learn an instrument in a classroom setting?
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A common question is how learning will take place in a concert band setting. It is recommended for each student to have some private lessons outside of the course experience, but it is not mandatory. There are three things designed in this course to help each student learn their instrument: Reggie’s instruction, the method book provided for each student, and the accompanying DVD and CD. Reggie will be showing each student every aspect of holding the instrument, proper posture, how to produce a good tone, and understand how to read music. The method book, Essential Elements 2000 for Band, gives clear instruction for beginning students. There is a DVD and a CD that comes with the book which gives visual instruction necessary for each student to learn the foundations of their instrument.
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Is it alright if my child waits in the music room until 5:00pm to be picked up?
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Yes. Reggie will be teaching guitar until 6:00pm and, with your permission, they can wait to be picked up. They must wait quietly and not distract the guitar course.