FLAGSTAFF COMMUNITY BAND
Providing music for our community for the past 30 years
Summer 2020 "Virtual" Junior Band
Just like everything else right now, our plans have changed. While an in person Junior Band is not going to be possible this summer, we are excited about our “Virtual” Junior Band!
Before you begin...
What is “Virtual” Junior Band?
This year’s Junior Band will be made up of a number of challenges that you can achieve at your own home. It will also include a weekly bonus question. Let’s see how many of the challenges you can meet by July 31! Our hope has always been that every young person participating in this group will be inspired and motivated to achieve a higher level of musicianship, and will bring that experience and knowledge with them back to their own school at the end of the summer. While this summer's program will be happening in a different way, we still hope that inspires students to take out their instruments and keep playing over the summer!
Who’s eligible to join?
Any student who plays ANY instrument. This is geared for late-elementary school and middle school students, but we won’t turn away other students who are interested in taking on these challenges. Because we are not meeting as an ensemble, we are happy to include non-band instruments in this, as well!
Did we mention that because this is virtual you don’t even have to live in Flagstaff to participate?
As always, Junior Band is FREE!
Here are the 4 Junior Band Challenges of the summer,
should you choose to accept them:
Challenge #1: Perform
Perform a “socially distanced concert”. Choose and prepare at least 3 songs of any length for your performance. Your performance could be for your family, in your front yard for your neighbors, or on the internet for friends or family who can’t be there in person right now. Submit to us what songs you performed and what your “venue” and audience was. Feel free to submit a picture of your performance! Don't forget to practice first!!!
Challenge #3:
Name that Tune!
Think of a song that people would know and figure out how to play it. (This could be a song from the radio, a movie, classical music...whatever you want!) You are welcome to use the internet as a resource for the notes, or give your ears a good workout and try to figure out the melody on your own! Record yourself playing the main part of the song that people would recognize and submit it to us. At the end of July we will put together a “Name that Tune” compilation of Jr. Band Members.
You and a parent can choose whether you want to:
1. Submit the video for us to listen to but not have it be watched by others.
2. Submit an audio clip that can be used for our compilation video.
3. Submit a video clip that can be used for our compilation video.
Here's an example for you!
Challenge #2:
Listen!
Take time to listen to others who play the same instrument as you do! Find and listen to four different performers on your instrument. Make two of these examples be solo performances (solos could include a piano or orchestra playing to accompany your instrument, as long as your instrument is the main performer) and two performances that include your instrument in a group (this could include a band, orchestra, jazz band, smaller group) *Here are some links for ideas* Submit to us what you listened to and what you thought about it. What was your favorite?
Challenge #4: Composing!
Download the music for your instrument (click on link below). You will notice that there are blank measures throughout the sheet of music. Those blank spaces are for you to compose! Learn the melody that is already provided and decide what you can add during the open spaces. Make sure that what you add fits into the measures that are blank. At the end of July we will put together a compilation of Jr. Band Members’ own creations.
You and a parent can choose whether you want to:
1. Submit the video for us to listen to but not have it be watched by others.
2. Submit an audio clip that can be used for our compilation video.
3. Submit a video clip that can be used for our compilation video.
Click here for the materials needed for this project!
Each Monday, beginning June 22, anyone signed up will receive an email that includes the link for the Weekly Bonus Question from a "Flagstaff Music Education Celebrity"!
All challenges should be submitted to flagstaffjuniorband@gmail.com
Please include the challenge number and student's last name in the subject line.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions about this. We are happy to help!
Weekly Bonus Questions!!!
(check back every Monday for a new question)
Week One Bonus Question:
Week Two Bonus Question:
Week Three Bonus Question:
Week Four Bonus Question:
Week Five Bonus Question:
Week Six Bonus Question:
