Minimum class size is 30

Concert band instruments are:  flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, euphonium, trombone, tuba, bells, xylophone, bass, drum kit & many percussion instruments.  Big Band adds piano and guitar. 

Concert Band Classes

Beginner I

This class is open to new or “newish” woodwind, brass, and percussion players. If you have had one year (or less) experience playing, then this class is for you. This class is also open to anyone who wishes to learn a new concert band instrument.

The Beginner I class teaches instrument technique and basic music reading and rudiments, with a focus on posture, embouchure and getting a good characteristic sound from your instrument. No musical experience is necessary. This class performs at one NHBT concert each term.

Beginner II

This welcomes players of any concert woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments with a moderate amount of band experience on their instrument – 1-2 years playing in a concert band setting.

In this class, the focus is on playing together as a group and following the conductor, while exploring a wide range of musical styles. Members of this class will play contemporary music, traditional concert band styles, and holiday-themed songs in a concert band ensemble. This class performs in public at two NHBT concerts per year.

Prerequisites: Rent/own an instrument or purchase a stick/mallet kit if playing percussion. Be able to read notes in the clef of your instrument, including above and below the staff.

Play the Concert B-flat Major scale, one octave.

Read rhythms in 3/4, 2/4, and 4/4 time including whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes.

Should not be writing in note names, fingerings, slide positions.

For percussion: Vic Firth rudiments – single stroke roll, flam, paradiddle (both hands), scales as above on mallet instruments.

Concert Band

This class welcomes players of any concert woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments with some band experience on their instrument – 2+ years playing in a Concert Band setting is recommended.

In this class, the focus is on performing pieces with dynamics, articulation, and expression, while following the conductor and playing as a group. This band is for those who wish to be challenged on their instrument and explore a wide range of musical styles in traditional concert band instrumentation. This class performs in public at two NHBT concerts per year.

Prerequisites: Rent/own an instrument or purchase a stick/mallet kit if playing percussion

Be able to read notes in the clef of your instrument, including up to two ledger lines above and below the staff

Be able to follow a conductor

Play the Concert B-flat Major scale, two octaves

Play Concert C, F, and E-flat Major scales (one or two octaves)

Play Concert g minor scale – all three forms

Read rhythms in 3/4, 2/4, 4/4, and 6/8 time including whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes and dotted rhythms

For percussion: Vic Firth rudiments – double stroke roll, ratamacue, paradiddle (both hands), scales as above on mallet instruments

Symphonic Band

This class welcomes players of any concert woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Open to anyone who has significant band experience on their instrument – 4+ years playing in a Concert Band setting.

In this class, the focus is on developing a diverse repertoire and moving at a quicker pace while still creating enjoyable musical experiences. The class will perform pieces at tempo with good intonation, style, and expression. This band is for those who wish to be challenged on their instrument and explore a wide range of musical styles in traditional concert band instrumentation. This class performs in public at NHBT concerts and for special events in the community.

Prerequisites:

Rent/own an instrument or purchase a stick/mallet kit if playing percussion

Play with a characteristic tone.

Play the Concert B-flat Major scale and Concert g minor scale (all three forms) two octaves, from memory

Play Concert C, F, and E-flat Major scales (one or two octaves), and their relative minor scales

Read rhythms in simple, compound, and cut time. Mixed meter is used frequently.

For percussion: Vic Firth rudiments – double stroke roll, ratamacue, paradiddle (both hands), scales as above on mallet instruments, timpani skills

Wind Ensemble

This class welcomes experienced players of concert woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. This ensemble is limited to players with significant band experience on their instrument – 4+ years playing in a concert band setting. A performance assessment may be required for placement in this class.

The focus of this class is on developing a diverse repertoire for performance and moving at a quicker pace while still creating enjoyable musical experiences. The class aims to perform challenging pieces at tempo with good intonation, style, and expression. This band is for those who wish to be challenged on their instrument and explore a wide range of musical styles in traditional concert band instrumentation. This class performs in public at NHBT concerts and at numerous public events throughout the year. This class also creates reference recordings for other classes.

Prerequisites:

Rent/own an instrument or purchase a stick/mallet kit if playing percussion

Play with a characteristic tone

Play Concert Major and minor scales from five flats to three sharps – two octaves where possible, minor all three forms – from memory

Read rhythms in simple, compound, and cut time. Mixed meter is used frequently 

For percussion: Vic Firth rudiments – double stroke roll, ratamacue, paradiddle (both hands), scales as above on mallet instruments, timpani skills

Big Band I

This is for members who play at Concert or Symphonic Level bands, or otherwise approved by the teacher for this class. 

Most repertoire studied will be drawn from the Amercian Big Band and Swing tradition. Jazz improvisation will not be a component of these classes.

This is open to all concert band instruments.

Big Band registration for each new term is done by “first-right-of-refusal”: registration will first be granted to members taking a concert band class within the same term. Those wanting to play in only Big Band (and not concert bands), can then be registered but only if seats are still available. 

For sound balance there is a maximum registration for saxophones – 4 alto, 3 tenor, 2 bari 

Please note: this band will only run if there is one drummer, one keyboard player and one bass/guitar player, and a minimum of 30 participants.

Maximum class size of 35.  

Patricia Wheeler is tentatively scheduled to teach this class.  

Big Band II

This is for members who play at Symphonic and Wind Ensemble Level bands, or otherwise approved by the teacher for this class.

Most repertoire studied will be drawn from the American Big Band and Swing tradition. Jazz improvisation will not be a component of these classes. 

This is open to all concert band instruments.                     

Big Band registration for each new term is done by “first-right-of-refusal”: registration will first be granted to members taking a concert band class within the same term. Those wanting to play in only Big Band (and not concert bands), can then be registered but only if seats are still available. 

For sound balance there is a maximum registration for saxophones – 4 alto, 3 tenor, 2 bari

Please note:  this band will only run if there is one drummer, one keyboard player and one bass/guitar player, and a minimum of 30 participants. 

Maximum class size of 35. 

Patricia Wheeler is tentatively scheduled to teach this class.