Dolan Middle
School Band
Greetings!
My name is Mr. Giannios and I am currently the Band Director at Dolan Middle School. I also teach General Music for grades 6-8. Here on this page you will find more information about both the Dolan Band Program as well as the material that I plan to cover in my General Music Class. If you have any questions regarding this information, please feel free to email me at ggiannios@ci.stamford.ct.us
Dolan Middle School offers a variety of ensembles and clubs that will enhance your child’s musical experiences. Here is a comprehensive list of those activities:
DOLAN CONCERT BAND
Dolan Concert Band consists of students from grades 6-8. In this band the students will learn the importance of team work and playing together as a group. They will practice and perform pieces of concert band repertoire that are both challenging and rewarding.
DOLAN BAND LIST 2008-2009
6th Grade(See Schedule) 7th Grade(See Schedule) 8th Grade(See Schedule)
Marvin Bellote Urdis Castrovillari Juan Acevedo
Alex Brokowski Victor Constanza Titus Bruno
Mardochee Bruno J.D. Dorelus Marco Campos
Michee Bruno Diavonni Edington Kevin Dawkins
Denis Fahey Efrain Farciert Angel Gonzalez
Harold Fleurancy Alex Flores Harry Kliewe
Anthony Flores Melanie Jones Kimberly Lemus
George Hancock Gabrielle Joseph Rainer Moy-Huwyler
Christopher Hernandez Kathryn Negron Otniel Revangil
Ivan Li Caroline Perez Christian Solano
Teddy Lionetti Rebekah Putzig William Vercosa
Nasser Louis Nicole Ramos Oscar Yatsynnch
Apryl Malachi Felipe Rodas
Josue Martinez Oscar Triana
Sergio Ojeda Rachel Trimarchi
Michelle Santander Wayne Vercosa
Oliver St. Victor
Christina Thomas
I have a small list of expectations that each student must abide by:
-Students must ALWAYS bring in their instruments on the day of their rehearsal
-NO FOOD OR GUM is allowed in the rehearsal room. The only beverage that is acceptable is water
-Each student MUST practice their music at least 20-30 minutes per day. Rehearsal time is not meant for students to learn their parts, rehearsals must be used to bring the parts together as one. This is the most important part of the music-making process
-Each student MUST bring a pencil in order to take notes on their music
-Each student MUST have the proper materials for their instrument (woodwind players should have reeds, brass players should have valve oil, etc.)
-Most importantly, each student MUST have a strong desire to be a member of the Dolan Concert Band. The members of this ensemble must behave professionally during rehearsals and performances and they must be dedicated to making great music at all times
These are the basic guidelines for membership in this band. Any student who does not abide by these guidelines may not be allowed to participate. Of course, some are more important than others (no student shall be excluded from band just because they forgot their pencil!) but if a student repeatedly forgets his/her instrument or does not practice his/her music, they may not be allowed to be a Dolan Band member.
JAZZ CLUB
This is an after-school extra-curricular activity that takes place every TUESDAY after school from 3:00 – 3:50 P.M. The purpose of this activity is to teach students how to play in the style of Jazz music and, more importantly, how to improvise. Jazz Improvisation is the element of music that makes Jazz so unique. It involves creating a solo that fits harmonically with specific chord changes and progressions found within some of the finest Jazz compositions and standards in history. These standards can be as simple as a 12-bar blues or as complex as a 32-bar Rhythm Changes tune. We will listen to and play some of the finest pieces of Jazz music from composers such as Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, and Louie Armstrong.
Students who want to be a part of this group must be willing to take time after school every TUESDAY and they must be serious about becoming better musicians. Students who are in Concert Band may join the Jazz Club but if any other students want to be a member and they have their own instrument(s), they are welcome to join as well.
DOLAN DRUMLINE
This is also an after-school extra-curricular activity that takes place every THURSDAY after school from 3:00 – 3:50 P.M. This group is open for anyone to join, whether they are in Band or not. The purpose of this activity is to teach students the basics of rhythm, percussion techniques, and how to play simple beats with consistent tempo and accurate meter. The beats learned will range from marching-style beats to hip-hop beats.
Just like the other ensembles, the students who join this group must be willing to take time after school every THURSDAY and they must be serious about being a member of the Dolan Drumline. They must come to each session prepared and ready to learn.
*NOTE – The Dolan Drumline has been put on hold until further notice. The reason for this is that the Concert Band needs extra time to rehearse. Concert Band will meet every THURSDAY from 3:00 to 3:50 P.M. and when the extra rehearsal time is no longer needed, the Dolan Drumline will return.
TRI-MUSIC HONOR SOCIETY
This is an after-school extra-curricular activity that takes place every MONDAY after school from 3:00 – 3:50 P.M. This program is actually a partnership between Dolan Middle School and Stamford High School. Every MONDAY, the finest musicians from Stamford High School come to Dolan after school and they offer one-on-one assistance with Dolan Band members. I will be present at these sessions and I will be helping the students as well.
-If your child is having trouble reading music, he/she should come to these sessions.
-If your child is having difficulty playing his/her instrument, he/she should come to these sessions.
-If your child simply wants some extra practice time with excellent and encouraging musicians from Stamford High, he/she should come to these sessions.
And the best part? It’s completely free! These extra-help sessions for Dolan Band members are totally free of charge and your child will learn from high school musicians who have spent many years perfecting their instruments. That is why these high school students are members of the Tri-Music Honor Society.
*NOTE – If I notice that your child is having a lot of trouble with their instrument or if they have not been practicing enough, I will require him/her to come to at least 2-3 of these MONDAY sessions.
Dolan Middle School General Music Curriculum
Weeks 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade
Week 1 Basics of Basics of Basics of
Music Theory Music Theory Music Theory
Week 2 Basics of Basics of Basics of
Music Theory Music Theory Music Theory
Week 3 Basics of Basics of Basics of
Music Theory Music Theory Music Theory
Week 4 Basics of Basics of Basics of
Music Theory & Music Theory & Music Theory &
Music History Music History Music History
Overview Overview Overview
Week 5 Middle Ages Renaissance Baroque
Week 6 Middle Ages Renaissance Baroque
Week 7 Dixieland/Swing Bebop/Hard Bop Cool Jazz/Soul
Era
Week 8 Dixieland/Swing Bebop/Hard Bop Cool Jazz/Soul
Era
There will indeed be musical activities (listening, games of identification, rhythmic activities, etc.) amidst the instruction to change the pace of learning and to create a fun atmosphere.
THEORY
The Basics of Music Theory will involve an understanding of notation, note values and duration, the Musical Alphabet (note names, half-steps, whole steps, etc.) the Major Scale, Major Keys and Key Signatures (The Circle of Fifths). If there is any extra time and the students display a strong understanding of the material, further instruction may include more advanced theoretical concepts or even an introduction to those concepts as a preview of what to expect in the next year for that particular grade.
HISTORY
Music History instruction will involve an understanding of the historical events occurring during each period, new forms of music and new terms that apply to the composition and performance of the music, and to identify the greatest and most influential composers of each time period as well as their works. Eras will be presented in a formula that consists of an older Era (Middle Ages, which began in 1450) followed by a later Era (Dixieland/Swing, which began in the early 1900s). This will create a sense of contrast and the later Eras are more likely to be appealing to the students.
Reasons Why Music Should Be Taught
In Schools
1. Teaching Music helps students to recognize and appreciate different styles of music. This will allow them to choose the music that they can relate to and enjoy the most.
2. Music helps to teach basic skills in Mathematics, such as addition, subtraction, division, fractions, etc. This is taught through the Basics of Music Theory.
3. Music History allows students to understand how music developed from one century to the next. This will give students knowledge of the historical events that occurred during those times as well as how music influenced each specific Era or Time Period.
4. Music encourages students to develop self-discipline and a strong work ethic through the practice and dedication of participating in Band.
5. Music helps to develop good posture as well as good hand-eye coordination through participation in Band.
6. Music will give the students a chance to work together as a team towards a common goal, which is the performance. Even outside the Band realm, students can still work together as small ensembles playing simple instruments such as bongos, maracas, finger cymbals, etc.
7. Most importantly, students will be able to feel an emotional bond to music, whether it is their favorite style or a style they have never heard before. They will feel a connection to the music, both from the perspective of a listener as well as a performer.
Thank you for taking the time to read about everything Dolan has to offer. Again, if you have any questions, email me at ggiannios@ci.stamford.ct.us Take care!
-Mr. Giannios