Curricular Ensembles

Symphonic and Concert Bands

Basic Info:
  • The Symphonic and Concert Bands meet everyday for 55 minutes as separate classes. Both ensembles will play their own repertoire, and address curriculum concepts that are appropriate to each ensemble. 
  • Practice at home is required for these class--which is tracked through a parent-signed practice chart, due the first school day of each week.
  • Instruments should be taken home every night and on weekends.
  • All Concerts/Performances are mandatory.
  • Playing tests will (usually) occur once a week on Fridays. 
AUDITIONS FOR SYMPHONIC BAND:
  • Audition music will be handed out to current 6th and 7th Grade students in April. This music will be handed out IN CLASS ONLY. Students will then audition in the first and second weeks of May. Special consideration will be given to students who: have participated in All-County Band, own an intermediate/advanced level instrument, receive a superior rating at Solo and Ensemble, participate in Jazz 1, or who show advanced level playing and maturity in their current ensembles. The roster for this ensemble will be set by mid-May. Students who enroll in the Fall will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
Items needed for class: 
    Binder (supplied by Mr. Sudano), sheet protectors, pencil, metronome, tuner, *Method Books.
  • Woodwinds:  3 extra reeds and cork grease for clarinet and saxophones. Swabs/Polishing cloths for all woodwinds.
  • Brass: Valve oil/Slide-o-Mix, Tuning Slide Grease, Swab, Polishing Cloth 
  • Percussion: Vic Firth SD1 snare sticks, Medium Yarn mallets, medium timpani mallets, stick bag.  

*Method Books: 
 Foundations for Superior Performance. (Williams/King, Authors) Available at: Music and Arts Online store, or the physical location (see map below).


7th/8th Grade Orchestra

Basic Info:
  • The 7th/8th String Orchestra meets everyday as a combined class. We practice and perform as one ensemble. 
  • Practice at home is required for this class--which is tracked through a parent-signed practice chart, due the first school day of each week.
  • Instruments should be taken home every night and on weekends.
  • All Concerts/Performances are mandatory.
  • Playing tests will (usually) occur once a week on Fridays. 
Items needed for class: 
  • Binder (supplied by Mr. Sudano), sheet protectors, pencil, metronome, tuner, rosin, extra strings.
  • Habits of a Successful Middle Level String Musician by Christophe Selby and Scott Rush ​

6th Grade Band

Basic Info:
  • The 6th Grade Concert Band meets every day for a full period.
  • Practice at home is required for this class--which is tracked through a parent-signed practice chart, due the first school day of each week.
  • Instruments should be taken home every other day, and on weekends.
  • All Concerts/Performances are mandatory.
  • Playing Tests will (usually) occur once every two weeks, and will be announced by Mr. Sudano. ​

Items needed for class:
  •  Binder (supplied by Mr. Sudano), sheet protectors, pencil, metronome, tuner, method book*.
  • Woodwinds:  3 extra reeds and cork grease for clarinet and saxophones. Swabs for all woodwinds.
  • Brass: Valve oil/Slide-o-Mix, swabs.
  • Percussion: Vic Firth SD1 snare sticks, medium Yarn mallets, medium timpani mallets, stick bag.  
   *Method Books: Standard of Excellence Book 1 (Red Book) by Bruce Pearson


6th Grade Orchestra

Basic Info:
  • The 6th Grade String Orchestra meets every other day for 55 minutes. 
  • Practice at home is required for this class--which is tracked through a parent-signed practice chart, due the first school day of each week.
  • Instruments should be taken home every other day, and on weekends.
  • All Concerts/Performances are mandatory.
  • Playing Tests will (usually) occur once every two weeks, and will be announced by Mr. Sudano.
Items needed for class:
  • Binder (supplied by Mr. Sudano), sheet protectors, metronome, tuner, rosin, extra strings.
  • Essential Elements 2000 Strings Book I and II. Available at: Sweetwater, Music and Arts, Amazon, and other online music retailers. ​

Extra Curricular Ensembles

Jazz I

Jazz 1 is an auditioned ensemble that meets before school to rehearse and perform Jazz, Rock, Latin, Funk and other genres of music.  Rehearsals will start on Fridays from September-October, and will change to Tuesday-Wednesday--Thursday the first week in November. Band members MUST be able to commit to this rehearsal schedule to join the ensemble. This band is limited to students who play standard Jazz instruments: Sax (alto, tenor, bari), Trumpet, Trombone, Bass, Drum set, Vibes, and Guitar. Audition music will be available through Mr. Sudano.  Jazz I will usually compete in the Mile-High Jazz Festival,  (C.U. Boulder), Greeley (U.N.C.) Jazz Festival, Canon City Music Festival, or Colorado West Music Festival (Grand Junction).