Welcome
to the
American Fork High School
Concert Band !

Students playing in the AFHS Concert Band will be provided these bench marks for a passing grade. Bench Marks are broken down into 3 categories: 1) Scales 2) Etudes and Solos 3) Tuning.

There will be 3 scales that will be need to passed off each term totaling 12 scales.

Etudes and Solos are broken up into 3 segments throughout the school year. The first segment is an etude that will be handed out at the beginning of the year OR Audition for All-state. Students will need to pass them off in early November. The second segment is required participation in School Solo and Ensembles. Students will pick 1 of the 4 listed solos and perform the solo for a grade at School S&E. The last segment will be another etude that will need to submitted for a grade early May.

Lastly, students will demonstrate proficiency on their instrument for tuning. 

Below access to all of the material will be listed.

Scales and the first Etude: 

Solo and Ensemble Material: 
Scales:
There are three scales that will need to be passed off each term. Students can pass of the scales in two ways. 
1) They can play them for a band director in person. Students can pass them off as many times as they want in order to obtain their desired grade. 
2) Students can submit a video of them playing their scales on Canvas by the end of the term. These videos will be graded at the end of the term. Students should submit their best performance. No other submissions for higher grades will be accepted after the final grade has been give if submitted on Canvas. 

Etude 1: Due November 19th:
This first etude the students in Concert Band have 2 options.
1) Students can audition for All-State Band playing the all state etude.
2) Students can play the preselected etude.
Regardless of which option is chosen both will need to be submitted for a grade. Making or not making the All-state band will not factor into the grade. Students will need to submit a video recording to Canvas by November 19th or play it for a band director by that date. Students can play the etude for the director as many times as they want prior to November 19th to obtain their desired grade. If they submit to Canvas it will be graded after November 19th and no other submissions for higher grades will be accepted.

Etude 1 Option 1 (All-state Etude)
- Click here for link to All-state Etude

​
The scales along with your Etude 1 Option 2 can be found by clicking on your instrument: 

​Flute: 
Oboe: 
Bassoon:
Clarinet: 
Bass Clarinet:
Alto Sax/ Bari Sax:
Tenor Sax:
Trumpet:
French Horn:
Trombone/ Baritone: 
​Tuba: 

Tuning Through Remington Long Tones

Tuning is an essential part of a musicians development. Without the ability to play pitches in tune, students begin to lag behind. These exercises are intended to help student develop a better sense of tonal center. 

Students will play two separate long tones at the end of each semester to demonstrate proficiency of tuning. 

The below document shows all of the tuning tendencies for each instrument. The long tones can be found on page 3. 

Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
Clarinet
Bass Clarinet
Alto Sax
Tenor Sax
Bari Sax
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba

Remington 1: Due December 10th
  • Students will play Long Tone 1a on page 3 of the document. 
  • Students will need to play it with a tuner. 
  • Students will need to keep each pitch + or - 5 cents from pitch center. 
  • Students will play this for the band director, in person, by December 10th. 
Remington 2: Due May 6th
  • Students will play Long Tone 1c on page 3 of the document
  • Students will need to play it with a tuner. 
  • Students will need to keep each pitch + or - 5 cents from pitch center. 
  • Students will play this for the band director, in person, by May 6th. 

Recommended Tuners: 
  • Tonal Energy: This app is the best app. It is a metronome and tuner along with other really cool stuff.
  • Korg TM-60: Good metronome tuner. 
Music Stores: Purchase Tuners at these locations. 

Everyone in Concert Band will be required to play a solo for School Solo and Ensemble on Feb 23rd. Students will receive a grade based off of the score from the judge. Students will be required to pick solos from the Prescribed Solo List (PSL). There are a few exceptions when choosing from the PSL.
  1. Students who take private lessons can choose a solo that is not on the PSL with approval of their private lessons teacher and band director.
  2. Students who wish to choose the easier solo must have band director approval.
  3. Students who wish to do the more advanced solo must have band director approval.
  4. Students who want to play a more advance solo from the Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble PSL can do so with band director approval.

    Grade Scale Based on Judges Score:
    Score:              Grade:
    1 to 1-                   4
    2+ to 2-                3
    3+ to 3-                2
    4+ to 4-               1
    5+ to 5-                0 

Below is the link to the Prescribed Music List: 

             Click Here for PSL

Etude 2: Due May 6th

Information Coming Soon