Instrumental Music at Highland Junior High School     Students will establish the habits and skills needed to be successful in any music program.  Students will learn how to play an instrument with a characteristic sound appropriate for the instrument and using appropriate posture, breath and learn how to hold the instrument.  They also learn basic care and maintenance of their instrument.     In class students will learn to read music, count rhythms, clap and play rhythms. They should prepare for class by daily at home practice.  They are required to bring instruments home to practice and record minutes practiced on a practice log I provide that counts as homework for 25% of their grade.  40% of their grade is given for progress reports/communication/concerts (Performances) and 35% of their grade is based on in class quizzes taken from music books or rhythm worksheets given to the class.  Courses Offered Choir This is an exploratory course for students with little or no singing experience.  Music fundamentals will be taught through sight-reading, ear training and vocal technique. Music Elective The Music Elective Class provides an opportunity for students to learn about and experience music in a setting, which is an alternative to a “performance” music class. The Music Elective Class teaches some of the basics of the “music world” and how music works.  Students are exposed to several styles of music.  Additionally, our students are given the opportunity and guidance to create and perform music. Beginning Band Beginning Band is where a student's band experience begins!  In this class our students have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument.  Some of our beginning band students have a little experience playing an instrument, others have never had that opportunity. In Beginning Band class, each student is allowed to pick an instrument to try.  Students are instructed on two things: how to master their own instruments, and how to play music as part of a group. Beginning Band students are given the opportunity to let the wonderful music inside of them to come out! Our main goal is to help young people have fun playing music together. Varsity Band Varsity Band is the intermediate level band.  In Beginning Band students “get their feet wet” playing an instrument.  In Varsity Band our students develop their skills and increase their abilities by playing progressively more difficult music.  One band student put it best:  “Varsity Band is where you really learn to play the instrument!” Concert Band Concert Band is the “engine” of the Band Department “train.”  The music in Concert Band is very challenging, and when our young musicians master it, the experience is very satisfying for them. Concert Band provides two important things.  One, it prepares our musicians for the next level of playing, namely, high school band.  Two, it provides a vivid example for our less experienced students in Beginning Band and Varsity Band of where they are headed, and what is possible for them.