Ruth Cahn, Instructor<\/p>\n
The goal of the percussion department is to use the \u201cwonderful world of percussion instrument\u201d study to connect the student with the wider world of music. Our other lead goal is to build both technical and musical skills of students so that they will become valued participants in their school and community music programs. Orchestra or total percussion instruction may start with the snare drum, but will include keyboard and timpani instruction. Students may be accepted who wish to study just one instrument, for example marimba. We encourage all students to reach level V on snare drum so that they will have a solid skill set to apply to drum set study.<\/p>\n
Suggested Methods<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n G. Green \u2013 Elementary Studies<\/em> Solos<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Hathway\/Wright \u2013 Graded Music for Tuned Percussion Book 1<\/em> Technique<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Reaching exercises single and double directions in C, F, G, D, Bb, A, and Eb Musicianship<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Dynamics F and p as needed Ensemble<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Playing bell parts in school band Suggested Methods<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n G. Green \u2013 Elementary Studies<\/em> Solos<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Hathway\/Wright \u2013 Graded Music for Tuned Percussion<\/em> Technique<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Reaching exercises in all keys, both directions Musicianship<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Good voicing between chords in 3 mallets \/ Legato chord connections Ensemble<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n At school playing bells, xylophone, marimba Suggested Methods<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Joliff \u2013 Music for Marimba Vol. 2<\/em> Solos<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n M. Peters \u2013 Sea Refractions<\/em> Technique<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 4 mallet technique usable in both chordal, arpeggiated and independent mallet styles Musicianship<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Full dynamic range \u2013 good use of expression Ensemble<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Plays well with an accompanist Suggested Methods<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n McMillan \u2013\u00a0<\/em>Masterpieces for Marimba<\/em> Solos<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Moore\/Bach \u2013 Kom Susser Tod\/Bach for Marimba<\/em> Technique<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Well-developed rolled legato \u2013 2 and 4 mallets Musicianship<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Plays several recitals each year-with or without accompanist Ensemble<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Adds experience with chimes and vibes (vibe pedaling) Suggested Methods<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Green \u2013 Instruction Course for the Xylophone<\/em> Solos<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Moore\/Bach \u2013 Jesu, Joy of Man\u2019s Desiring\/Bach for Marimba<\/em> Technique<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Emphasis on virtuoso 2 mallet techniques Musicianship<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Developing expression and style in a wide range of music Ensemble<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Solo work with school ensembles, All County and All State Auditions, youth orchestras and community groups Suggested Methods<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Stevens \u2013 Methods of Movement for Marimba<\/em> Solos<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Creston \u2013 Concertino<\/em> Technique<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Consistent and reliable virtuosity in 2 and 4 mallet techniques Musicianship<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Exciting performer to watch and to hear \u2013 a person who considers all aspects of a performance in presentation
\nJoliff \u2013 Music for Marimba Vol. 1<\/em>
\nMcMillan \u2013 Keyboard Percussion Technique<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBarnett \u2013 Musical Clock<\/em>
\nJ. Lamb \u2013 Classic Festival Solos Vol. 2<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAll major scales and arpeggios one octave keys: C, G, F, D, Bb, A, Eb
\nLegato roll and leading hand exercises
\nAlternating sticking protocol
\nGood hand position\/ Fulcrum<\/p>\n
\nIdentifying musical phrases
\nEar Training<\/span> \u2013 identifying intervals by sight and sound. Playing familiar tunes by ear in different keys.
\nNaming<\/span> the different keyboard instruments and the sticks normally used on them.
\nSight reading<\/span> \u2013\u00a0keeping eyes on the music<\/p>\n
\nRead the music and see the conductor with no memorizing<\/p>\n
\nLevel II<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nMcMillan \u2013 Keyboard Percussion Techniques<\/em>
\nJoliff \u2013 Music for Marimba Vol. 2<\/em><\/p>\n
\nElgar\/M. Boo \u2013 Chanson de Nuit<\/em>
\nM. Peters \u2013 Chant for Marimba<\/em>
\nL. Pimentel\/Moore \u2013 Solo Marimbist<\/em><\/p>\n
\nScales and arpeggios in all keys-one octave
\n3 mallet technique well developed-2 sticks in left hand\/ 2 sticks in right hand<\/p>\n
\nTwo mallet playing at faster tempos with good inner rhythm
\nDeveloping an ability to evaluate sticking choices
\nContinue sight reading emphasis \u2013 read at sight level I materials
\nContinue development of phrasing<\/p>\n
\nReading the music with appropriate dynamics
\nContinue development of watching conductor and music<\/p>\n
\nLevel III<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nGreen \u2013 Instruction Course for the Xylophone<\/em>
\nMcMillan \u2013 Masterpieces for Marimba<\/em><\/p>\n
\nT. Frazeur \u2013 A Quiet Place<\/em>
\nGomez \u2013 Scenes from Mexico<\/em>
\nBrahms \u2013 Hungarian Dance #5<\/em><\/p>\n
\nEven tone quality on two mallet technical passages \/ Listen and execute
\nAnalyze patterns- grouped by ideo- Kinetic movement
\n2 octave scales and arpeggios: Keys C, G, F, D, Bb, A, Eb<\/p>\n
\nCreative use of marimba tone by student
\nPerforms well from memory in solos
\nContinue sight-reading emphasis – duets<\/p>\n
\nParticipates in school ensembles on all mallet instruments \u2013
\nPossibly All County Ensembles
\nSwitches between mallet instruments in ready for ECMS percussion ensemble<\/p>\n
\nLevel IV<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nMoore \u2013 Bach for Marimba<\/em>
\nGreen \u2013 Instruction Course for the Xylophone<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHathway\/Wright \u2013 Graded Music for Tuned Percussion Bk.3<\/em>
\nKreisler\/Green \u2013 Caprice Vennois<\/em>
\nLecuona\/Peterson \u2013 Malaguena<\/em><\/p>\n
\nGood use of doublings when appropriate in sticking patterns
\nAbility to choose own sticking and explain choices
\nSolidify inner rhythm<\/p>\n
\nGood expression and energy in playing
\nMemorizes pieces more quickly continuing emphasis on sight-reading
\nCreative execution of musical content independent of teacher<\/p>\n
\nMay try playing with jazz ensemble at school
\nReady to play in school musicals
\nParticipates in All County Festivals & Ensembles & ECMS percussion ensembles<\/p>\n
\nLevel V: Diploma level<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nMoore\/Bach \u2013 Bach for Marimba<\/em>
\nGoldenberg \u2013 Modern School for the Xylophone<\/em>
\nStevens \u2013 Methods of Movement<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBach \u2013 Violin Concerto in a minor<\/em>
\nBreuer \u2013 Mallet Solo Collection<\/em>
\nHathway\/Wright \u2013 Graded Music for Tuned Percussion Book 4<\/em>
\nPeters \u2013 Yellow After the Rain<\/em><\/p>\n
\nDeveloping the Ragtime Style on xylophone
\nExpanding 4 mallet repertory<\/p>\n
\nBeginning studies of orchestra repertoire
\nSeveral recitals from memory this year
\nSight-read at level IV material securely
\nExplore tonal qualities<\/p>\n
\nECMS percussion ensemble<\/p>\n
\nLevel VI: Honors Level<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nGreen \u2013 Instruction Course for the Xylophone<\/em>
\nDelecluse \u2013 Twenty Studies for Xylophone after Kreutzer<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBach \u2013 Sonatas and Partitas for Violin<\/em>
\nMusser \u2013 Etudes<\/em>
\nHathway\/Wright \u2013 Graded Music for Tuned Percussion Book 4<\/em><\/p>\n
\nDeveloped \u201cindependent style\u201d of 4 mallet techniques
\nGood ragtime style
\nExtreme high level of accuracy
\nExcellent sight-reader including all musical elements<\/p>\n
\nAbility to analyze and choose appropriate interpretation and make creative decisions
\nInterest in exploring solo and orchestral repertory
\nEffective use of ideo kinetics<\/p>\n