Students will learn the fundamentals of playing a woodwind instrument, posture, embouchure, breathing and tone production. Learners will learn or reinforce the skills of reading music on the treble clef including notes and rhythms and will learn how to take care of their instrument and how to play using a metronome to stay on beat. Learners will identify time signatures and key signatures. Learners will be able to identify dynamics and other musical markings as used in each piece of music we study as we play. Learners will be able to perform a virtual concert combining all of the skills they have learned their first semester and will be proficient to enroll in Beginner Band Part 2 in January. 

As a band director (woodwind specialist) for ten years, teaching in the public school setting as well as teaching individual private lessons, I have gained a varied skill set and a love of all things music and band. I graduated in 2000 from the University of North Texas and have had many years of professional development and practice as both an assistant band director and head band director in the public school setting. I have since left teaching to pursue teaching as a homeschool educator of my own children. As a YouTube content creator, I have learned how to create and edit videos including adjusting sound quality. These two passions are combining to serve the online learning community by providing a safe way for students to learn music as a fine art and to be able to have the shared experience of performance. Music has been my passion since I was a child and I knew by age 12 that I would teach music. I love to share the fine arts with everyone and look forward to an amazing community experience. 

Homework Offered
Learners will need to practice what is learned for 20 minutes at least five times per week. If reinforcement is needed with music theory, worksheets will be provided to help. Learners will also need to be able to record themselves playing our concert pieces outside of class using the metronome and headphones that we will learn to use so that Ms. Valerie can edit our performance together to create our virtual band performance. I will also create practice logs, worksheets and exercises as needed and will post into the classroom.
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Our big assessment is our concert where we will combine all of our knowledge into a final package to share with our families and friends. In addition, we will have daily checks where individuals will practice their skills so they can be evaluated and supported. We will always be assessing our basic fundamentals through visual cues and auditory cues. Learners must feel comfortable on camera as I must be able to see their posture, hand position and embouchure the entire time we are in class.
Grades Offered