Percussion

Instructor:  Mr. Beratis

Prerequisite: 8th Grade Band or equivalent ensemble instruction

1 credit

H1

A class for the percussion section of Concert Band has been formed to accommodate the increasing number of percussionists in the program. The class provides more meaningful and rigorous instruction than a band experience alone. The focus is on skill development primarily in the idioms of snare and mallets.

This class is heavily student centered and directed, with student leaders acting as mentors for less experienced players. The percussion class provides all of the percussion needs for the entire music department in Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Orchestra, and Symphonic Orchestra. Each student is considered a member of both groups, though the class is fundamentally an extension of Concert Band. Members of this class are required to attend all rehearsals held outside of school time.

As this course is taught by Mr. Beratis, you can find his page here:

The Percussion section of Concert Band has been formed to accommodate the large numbers of incoming percussionists in order to provide more meaningful and rigorous instruction than just a band experience.  With so many percussionists, band class would consist largely of sitting in the back of the band waiting to hit the triangle in your big moment for many players.  It is our intention that percussionists become highly skilled musicians. 

In this class, all percussionists learn snare, mallets, timpani, and various forms of hand percussion.  Proper sticking techniques and rudiments are studied at length.  Percussionists fulfill all percussion needs of the instrumental department at RHS and play for Concert Band, Symphonic Orchestra, and auxiliary percussion for Jazz Band in concerts.  Its main affiliation is with Concert Band.  We assimilate with Winds for a couple of evening rehearsals before putting on the concert. Members of the class also form various small percussion ensembles that perform at our concerts.
 
The Concert Band includes students in grades 9-12 who play woodwind, brass or percussion instruments. No audition  is required to be a member of this group. Developing and refining higher level performance skills is a major focus of this performing group. The Concert Band performs at concerts, festival competitions, and other community events. Students are  required to attend 1-2 evening combined rehearsals just before each concert. Pep Band (sometimes referred to as  marching band) is no longer a requirement as in years past.  The Concert Band also participates in the Memorial Day parade and graduation ceremony.  

Members of Concert Band are encouraged to participate in Pep Band, which plays in the stands at home  football games and rehearses a few evenings during football season.

The Band has an amazing sense of community and provides a place where its students can feel like home.  

If you have any questions about the course, please e-mail Mr. Mac 

Some links to the type of repertoire we perform are below.  Enjoy!

Midway March by John Williams                  Performed December 18, 2013



Overture for Winds by Charles Carter              Performed April 29, 2014



Into the Storm by Robert W. Smith               Performed April 29, 2014