Calendar

• December 18, 2019, 7:00pm @ Western Academy
  Christmas Concert
• March 27, 2020, 2:00pm @ Western Academy
  Spring Concert
• May 15, 2020, 8:00pm @ Western Academy
  Spring Show, various levels of student participation, details to come

Grading

Grades are given on an A-F grading scale and determined based on the student’s practice card, class and concert behavior, as well as performance assessments.

Assessment Breakdown

• 50% Practice cards
• 25% Concert performance assessment, including attendance
• 25% Classroom performance assessment and behavior

Practice cards will be issued for students to keep track of their practice time outside of class and to be signed by parents and returned every Monday for a grade. Students are asked to practice around 25 minutes at a time with a goal of 100 total minutes per week. A regular and short practice routine is always recommended over scattered and extended length practice sessions.

How do I obtain an instrument?

Western Academy used instruments (trumpets only)

• Western-owned instruments are limited in number and are available on a “first come–first serve” basis
• Requires signed agreement and payment of $125 fee
• Must also agree to pay up to a maximum of $250 in the event of breakage or loss of an instrument or its accessories
• Click here to rent and pay online

Instrument rental from Music & Arts

• Visit musicarts.com
• Click “Rentals” in the menu bar
• Enter your zip code and son’s grade level
• Select Western Academy from the school listings page
• Select instrument (only clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone—we cannot provide instruction on any other instruments at this time)

Providing your own instrument

• We always recommend renting an instrument and learning to play fairly well before purchasing a new or used one.
• Please be aware of cheap unplayable horns and ask if you need advice. As a rule of thumb, do not buy any off-brand, Chinese-made or plastic instruments. These usually don’t play well or in tune, and they do not last long.
• We ask that boys make sure to clearly label and care for their instruments.
• Make sure that your instrument is working properly before bringing it to school. If you need to have repairs done, let Mr. Gabbart know and he can put you in contact with some preferred workshops.

Recommended Instruments

Listed below is a quick list of good starter instruments and accessories. These brands are recommended but not an absolute “must-have” list. Please contact Mr. Gabbart if you have questions.

B-flat Clarinet

• Buffet E11 or E12, Yamaha YCL-255
• Vandoren M13 Lyre Clarinet Mouthpiece
• Bonade Inverted Clarinet Ligature
  Accessories:
  • Hodge Clarinet Silk Swab
  • Protec Clarinet Reed Case
  • Selmer Cork Grease
  • Vandoren 2.5 Bb Clarinet Reeds

Alto Saxophone

• Yamaha YAS-23
• APM Sax Strap with Open Metal Hook
• Selmer C* Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
• Bonade Inverted Alto Saxophone Ligature
  Accessories:
  • Hodge Alto Saxophone Silk Swab
  • Protec Alto Saxophone Reed Case
  • Selmer Cork Grease
  • Vandoren 2.5 Alto Saxophone Reeds

Trumpet

• Bach TR300 or TR302, Yamaha YTR-2330
• Bach 7C or 5C mouthpiece
  Accessories:
  • Al Cass Fast Valve Oil
  • Bach Tuning Slide Grease
  • Trumpet Cleaning Snake
  • Trumpet Mouthpiece Brush

Euphonium (Baritone)

• Yamaha YEP-201, Jupiter JEP700
• Schilke 51D Small Shank Mouthpiece
  Accessories:
  • Al Cass Fast Valve Oil
  • Bach Tuning Slide Grease Euphonium Mouthpiece Brush
  • Euphonium Cleaning Snake Euphonium Mouthpiece Pouch

Trombone

• Bach TB300 or TB301, Yamaha YSL-354 or YSL-200
• Bach 6 ½ AL Small Shank Mouthpiece
  Accessories:
  • Yamaha Slide Lubricant or Slide-O-Mix
  • Bach Tuning Slide Grease
  • Trombone Mouthpiece Brush
  • Trombone Cleaning Snake

Other Music Accessories

The following will not be provided to students:

• Mouthpieces (if not renting from Western) and reeds
  • See instrument list for specific brand recommendations
  • We recommend 2.5 Vandoren reeds
• Foldable/collapsible music stand for home practice
• Tuner and metronome for home practice
• Korg TM-50 Metronome or TE Tuner app for smartphones
• Lubricants (cork grease, valve oil, slide cream, etc)
  • See instrument list for specific brand recommendations

Spring Solo Contest

March 9-13, 2020

Students are to prepare and perform a solo (with piano accompaniment) of their choosing from those listed below. Each student's performance will be scored and averaged into their house’s total score, and this will rank each house with the ability to collect house points for the Western House Cup. All Middle School Band members must prepare and perform one of the three solo choices. Top soloists will be featured at the Spring Concert on March 27, 2020.

Information and Rules

• All students must participate as part of their participation grade
• Solos will be performed in front of a judge or judging panel
• Solos do not have to be memorized
• Class time will not be spent teaching each solo, boys are expected to learn and prepare these primarily independently
• There will be opportunities to learn each solo as a “masterclass” with Mr. Gabbart, more information about this will be provided later
• Soloists must be performed along with the play-along accompaniment (see links below)
• Top soloists for each instrument to be featured on Spring Concert (March 27) accompanied by a pianist (provided by Western Academy)

Judging Guidelines and Scoring

• Soloists will be graded on: Rhythm & Time; Note Accuracy; Sound & Style; Overall Musicality

Eligible Band Solos (Clarinet, Trombone, Trumpet and Tuba)
Click the title to hear each solo. See below for practice play-along audio.

• 3rd Class: “Cavatina” by Mozart (Easy, eligible for up to 50 points)
• 2nd Class: “Menuetto” by Beethoven (Easy-Medium, eligible for up to 75 points)
• 1st Class: “Minuet and Trio” by Beethoven (Difficult, eligible for up to 100 points)