T.C.

Williams High School

Wind Ensemble
C.O. Gonzalez
D108
Office Hours: 8:00am-9:30am or by appointment
carlos.gonzalez@acps.k12.va.us
703.824.6859

Syllabus
Course Description:
This course is offered for students able to perform music successfully at Grade V and VI levels of the
VBODA rating system. The bands repertoire includes a wide variety of musical styles and periods to
enhance the students knowledge of music and performing skills. This ensemble performs a minimum
of three concerts and one Assesment performance per year. This course may include opportunities for
teacher workshops, artists-in-residence private lessons, special guest conductors and master classes
with professionals on their instruments as part of the ACPS Center for the Arts K-12.
Course Essential Questions:
How can we translate the composer/arrangers ideas from the sheet music to the audience?
How can we maximize our knowledge and technique to express our own interpretations of written
music?
How do I fit into the ensemble?
Course Transfer Goals:
Perform with characteristic tone quality throughout all registers and dynamic levels
Perform with appropriate articulation
Perform with appropriate technique
Perform with proper balance, intonation, and musicality to communicate composers intent
Course At A Glance: Include the course at a glance document for the given subject area (See
Blackboard). All other content areas that do not have a course at a glance should complete an
Instructional Sequence as defined below:
Instructional Sequence:
Quarter 1: Scales, chords, intonation, chorales, musical structure, sight reading skills
Quarter 2: Continue scales in different patterns, increase technical demands of music, increase
level of sight reading
Quarter 3: Increase rhythmic demands of music, increase musical demands. Traditional literature,
State Concert Band Assessment
Quarter 4: Auditions, Solo & Ensemble Festival, Modern literature, Spring Concert
Materials: Pencil, folder, music, instrument & accessories such as valve oil, swab, reeds, etc.
Supports Available:
After school public lessons with directors, private lessons (scholarships available), videos, local
military band concerts, recording technology

50 Years of Titan Success

Grading Criteria:
Students will be evaluated as a group and as individuals based on this rubric:

TRANSFER
TASK
TONE
RHYTHM
TECHNIQUE
MUSICIANSHI
P

SUPERIOR/EXCE
LLENT 5

GOOD

FAIR

POOR
2-1

Class Specific Assessment Grading Policy:

Please see band handbook for band-specific grading, expectations, responsibilities.
NOTE: All policies listed in the Common Course Expectations document posted on Blackboard,
including, the ACPS Honor Code http://www.acps.k12.va.us/board/manual/jfc-r2.pdf ), apply to all
classes at T.C. Williams High School.

50 Years of Titan Success