ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL LESSON PLAN

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Name:
Brandon Fisher
Date of Lesson: Friday, February 6, 2015
Ensemble: Wylie East High School Symphonic Band
Primary Goal: To achieve a higher level of clarity amongst the ensemble,
and make performance ready.
Secondary Goal: To increase listening and awareness and independency
across the ensemble.
TEKS to be addressed in this lesson:
Performance/Expression 1.1.1 (A)-Posture, breathing, vowel
formation, hand position, embouchure (etc.)
The student will sing/play with correct posture, breathing technique,
vowel formation, hand position, embouchure, etc. At all times (Warmups and sight reading included)
Performance/Expression 1.2.1 (B)-Perform expressively using
correct techniqueThe student will perform with musicality and using healthy
singing/playing technique
Performance/Expression 1.2.2 (B)- Read melodies and rhythms
using standard music symbolsThe student will sight read a melody individually, in a small group, and
with the ensemble.
Materials or Resources:

Fisher

Score for Starships by John OReilly

Score for Heroes Triumphant by Williams Owens
Baton
Harmony Director
Pencil
McAdams Metronome
Visual Metronome
Dry Erase Board and Marker

Modifications:
ELL: Communicate information with different analogies to widen the
variety of opportunities for comprehension. Demonstrate and model
on my own primary instrument.
Gifted and Talented: Use as models for other students and redirect
attention to help teach other students when applicable.
SpEd: Redirect information and describe in different ways with
analogies. Check in often to assess knowledge gained and continue
accordingly.

Fisher

Lesson Plan Format

Procedures
Warm-ups:

Time
2:37 PM 2:50 PM
(13 Minutes)

Needed:
1. Exercise #1: Concert F 8x8
a. Objectives: Achieve a well-balanced and blended ensemble
sound with an in tune pure tone quality.
b. Assessment (informal): Listen and redirect individual players
and/or sections as needed.
2. Exercise #2: F Descending followed by F Major scale down and up in
half notes.
a. Objectives: Achieve a well-balanced and blended ensemble
sound with an in tune pure tone quality.
b. Assessment (informal): Listen and redirect individual players
and/or sections as needed.
3. Exercise #3: F Ascending to Concert C followed by F Major scale up to
Concert C and back down in half notes.
a. Objectives: Achieve a well-balanced and blended ensemble
sound with an in tune pure tone quality.
b. Assessment (informal): Listen and redirect individual players
and/or sections as needed.
4. Exercise #4: Articulation Patter #1
a. Objectives: The student will be able to accurately and properly
demonstrate ensemble articulations.
b. Assessment (informal): Listen and redirect individual players
and/or sections as needed.

Fisher

Starships Rehearsal

2:50 PM 3:05 PM
(15 Minutes)

1. Objectives: The student will demonstrate an accurate knowledge of the

style of the
piece.
2. Activities/strategies/review:
a. Measurers 1 9 (Quarter Note = 112)
i. Strong Beginning
ii. Review releases in measurers 2, 4, 6 and 9
iii. Separate and lifted style
b. Measurers 10 18 (Quarter Note = 112)
i. Change dynamic at measure 10 to mf
ii. Relate style and pattern of piece to the beginning
c. Measurers 19 33
i. Lyrical playing
d. Measurers 34 48
i. Review tempo changes
ii. Play through transitions
e. Coda End (Quarter Note = 112)
i. Relate to the beginning of the piece
ii. Review rhythms and explain sameness
iii. Lead to the end of the piece
iv. Last note with resonance
3. Items to Anticipate:
a. Students may play triplet figures instead of dotted
eighth/sixteenth figures.
b. If students grasp on to the concepts quicker than anticipated,
then review lyrical section as well.
c. Prepare transitions
d. Prepare ensemble to perform piece without the metronome.
4. Assessment (informal): Listen and redirect individual players and/or
sections as needed.

Fisher

Heroes Triumphant Rehearsal

PM 3:22 PM

3:05
(17 Minutes)

1. Objectives:
2. Activities/strategies/review:
a. Measurers 1 10 (Quarter Note = 116)
i. Strong Beginning
ii. fp in measures 2 and 6
iii. Lean on accented eighth note slurs
iv. Dynamic reset in measures 3 and 7
v. Crescendo in measure 10
b. Measurers 11 21 (Quarter Note = 116)
i. Review the fast trill in measure 18
ii. Review the release on count 1 of measure 20
iii. No breath between measures 18 and 19
c. Measurers 22 38
i. Work transitions
ii. Perform lyrically
d. Measure 39 End (Quarter Note = 116)
i. Play strong/big (driving groove feel)
ii. Review fast trills
iii. Bring out moving notes in measure 38
iv. Articulation in measure 42
v. Review style of piece
vi. Crescendo in measure 46
vii. Review fp in measure 48
2. Items to Anticipate:
a. Woodwinds may be confused by the driving rhythm at the
beginning since it is not all in unison. Have student play parts by
sections and listen to each others part to resolve this issue.
b. If students grasp on to the concepts quicker than anticipated,
then practice increasing the tempo.
c. Work transitions and starting the piece without the metronome.
4. Assessment (informal): Listen and redirect individual players and/or
sections as needed.

Fisher

Closure:

3:22 PM 3:23 PM
(1 Minute)

1. Summarize objectives of lesson

a. We worked on fast and technical aspects of our pieces, and
reviewed style and articulation.
b. Monday we will take our final preparations before the concert.

Reflection on Lesson:

Fisher