Beginning band is a class designed to teach band instrument playing to students who have had little or no previous musical experience. Students with piano background are especially encouraged to participate in learning to play a band instrument. A limited number of school instruments are available to students who wish to play a larger instrument, i.e., trombone, baritone, French horn and tuba. A limited number of flutes, clarinets and trumpets are also available for students who have financial needs. Piano and guitar are not taught in beginning band. 

 

 

 

Intermediate band is especially designed to address the fundamentals of music in relation to band performance. The class is for the student who has had previous band experience but does not possess the experience or expertise required for advanced band participation. Intermediate band students should know how to play the "B flat" concert scale well and understand whole, half, quarter and eighth notes. They should also know most of the names of their notes. Piano and guitar are not taught in intermediate band. 

 

 

Advanced band and jazz band are the highest levels of band at Arden Middle School. To qualify for this advanced band class, students must have a good knowledge of music and instrumental technique. Advanced band students should know at least three major scales: Bb, Eb and Ab concert scales. They should also know how to play their Bb concert chromatic scale as well as know the note names of that scale. These band members should also be able to recognize and play rhythms with dotted quarters and eighth notes, dotted eighth and sixteenth notes, various combinations of sixteenth notes, and have a fair understanding of 6/8 time, cut (2/2) time and basic syncopation. 

 

ADMISSION TO ADVANCED BAND IS BY AUDITION ONLY OR RECOMMENDATION FROM ARDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL’S BAND DIRECTOR. Piano and guitar are not taught in advanced band.  

 

 

 

Jazz band and advanced band are the highest levels of band at Arden Middle School. Jazz band is offered to students enrolled in the band program by audition only. Instruments included are: saxophone, trombone, trumpet, piano, bass guitars, electric guitars and drums. This class is highly competitive. A great deal of responsibility is demanded from the participants. Music relates to the jazz idiom with emphasis on style, improvisation and technical aspects of jazz performance.