North Grenville Intermediate Music

Band Olympics Program (BOPs) Grade Eight 2013 - 2014

Band Olympic Program Grade 8 2008-2009 BRONZE LEVEL 1. LONG TONE: 20 seconds (10 for flute & tuba)

Description If you have been practising long tones every day, this should be easy. Long tones should be part

of your everyday practice. Breathing: Youll need to fill your lungs with air. Heres the routine: 1. Open your throat as if you were yawning. 2. Draw the air low and expand your stomach. 3. Let your ribs expand naturally as you fill your lungs. No tension. 4. Gently fill your mouth, still keeping everything relaxed. Embouchure: Your mouth muscles need to be set very carefully to produce the correct sound. AWARD: You must maintain a great sound for 20 seconds (10 for flute and tuba). Sit with good posture and instrument position.
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2.

BREATHING TECHNIQUE - Review

Description You must demonstrate an understanding of correct breathing technique. With this BOP you will breathe where the breath marks () are written into your music. You will also demonstrate your understanding of quarter, half and whole notes in 4/4 metre. AWARD: Perform #25 Lightly row.
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3.

PITCH - Review

Description You need to read music appropriate for your grade level showing an understanding of the clefs, key signatures and note values. These should also be played with appropriate articulation and phrasing. You must always demonstrate proper posture and breathing technique. AWARD: Perform #38 Jingle Bells

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4.

Over the Break and Lip Slurs

Description As a clarinet player, it is important to discover the higher notes often referred to as over the break. With these exercises you will become more comfortable playing these notes. For all other instruments, you will be working on lip slurs in these exercises. #119 - Grenadilla Gorilla Jump No. 1 #121 - Grenadilla Gorilla Jump No. 2 #123 - Grenadilla Gorilla Jump No. 3 #126 - Grenadilla Gorilla Jump No. 4 #128 - Grenadilla Gorilla Jump No. 5

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5.

Scales (performed)

Description Scales are very useful for improving range and fluency. Perform this scale in quarter notes, at a comfortable speed. Play this ascending and descending and do not repeat the top note. You can find the notes for this scale on page 40 of your method book. AWARD: Perform a B-flat concert scale.

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6.

MELODY (with 1st and 2nd endings)

Description You need to read music appropriate for your grade level showing an understanding of the clefs, key signatures and note values. These should also be play with appropriate articulation and phrasing. You must always demonstrate proper posture and breathing technique. AWARD: Perform one of the following pieces:

1. #78 - Up on a Housetop OR 2. #79 - Jolly Old St. Nick

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7.

2-PART PERFORMANCE

Description For this BOP you will perform this piece demonstrating your ability to maintain a steady tempo while playing a 2-part piece in class. AWARD: Perform #54 - Frere Jacques.
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8.

EIGHTH NOTES (additional concept: Theme and Variations)

Description When playing eighth notes, you must remember to evenly divide the beat. Practice slowly, concentrating on accurate pitches and rhythms, and outstanding sound. Then gradually increase speed. AWARD: Perform #90 - Variations on a Familiar Theme

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9.

LARGE ENSEMBLE WORK

Description This will be a demonstration of your dedication to a performance piece. You should be comfortable with your part in this piece prepared in class. Your performance should include the demonstrating of correct notes, fingerings, rests and articulation. AWARD: Perform #77 - Sakura, Sakura

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SILVER LEVEL 10. Scales (performed)

Description This is a new scale to you this year. It is important to play different scales to become more aware of key signatures and increase your knowledge of new notes. AWARD: Perform an A-flat concert scale.

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11.

CONDUCTING AND PLAYING IN 3/4 TIME

Description Students in Grade 8 must demonstrate the ability to play in different time signatures and be familiar with the conducting patterns. AWARD: Perform the following piece: #69 - Morning
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12.

Composer Focus - Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Description We will share information about this prolific composer. Bring recordings or historical information about Franz Schubert to class. We will learn an abbreviated version of his March Militaire with a focus on the percussion section....YES you will all learn the snare part of this piece. AWARD: #106 - March Militaire

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13.

D.C. al Fine

Description Sometimes a composer wishes to have parts of his/her song played more than once. He may place D.C. al Fine at what looks like the end of the piece. But, the instructions simply mean repeat from the beginning and play until you reach Finewhich means the end. In this way, the editor saves space and time. AWARD: Perform one of the following:

1. #91 - Banana Boat Song 2. #112 - All Through the Night 3. #187 - La Bamba.
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14.

PLAYING A NEW STYLE OF MUSIC

Description In Grade 8 you need to play pieces in various styles. This piece is an example of 12-bar blues. You should be able to play both parts (A & B). AWARD: Perform #109 - Bottom Bass Boogie - Duet (both A & B lines)

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15.

IMPROVISING A SOLO MELODY

Description You will demonstrate your understanding of improvising a solo melody using some of the following notes: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th. It is not necessary to use all of these notes. This is simply a guideline to know what notes will sound good with the accompaniment. AWARD: Perform an Instant Melody from page 44 of your method book. The class (or a partner) will play the accompanying line from #5 on page 44.
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GOLD LEVEL 16. SMALL ENSEMBLE

Description You will demonstrate your ability to play a duet in class. You must play using correct notes, rests and rhythms. AWARD: Perform one of the following:

1. #131 - Kum Bah Yah (Trio - 3 groups)

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17.

ACCIDENTALS

Description You will demonstrate your understanding of accidentals (sharps, flats or naturals) in your performance of our national anthem. AWARD: Perform #167 - O Canada.
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18.

DOTTED NOTES (half and quarter notes)

Description We have discussed and practiced the use of dotted notes. You will prepare one of the following pieces. AWARD: 1. #117 Auld Lang Syne 2. #118 Theme from New World Symphony

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19.

LARGE ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE

Description We will be working on several band arrangements during the school year. Your class will be responsible for completing and performing at least one of these band pieces. Our goal will be at least one of the following: AWARD: 1. Midnight Mission 2. Midnight Sky

3. Midnight Madness This is a Suite of three pieces.

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20.

SOLO

Description You may choose any solo piece from the books available in the music room. 1. Film Favourites 2. Broadway Favourites 3. Movie Favourites 4. Festival Pieces 5. Or another book of your choice This could be performed just for me, at the Brockville Music Festival, school assembly or concert night.

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