Level I

At the conclusion of Level I, beginning band students studying percussion shall be able to:

A) Perform the following one octave major scales in quarter notes
with a metronome marking of quarter note = 100 on a keyboard instrument.
Concert Bb, Eb and Ab

B) Perform a chromatic scale on the range of the instrument
with a metronome marking of quarter note = 132.

C) Engage in an appropriate warm -up procedure on a daily basis.

D) Perform alone and with others a varied repertoire of music
with a level difficulty of I (on a scale of 1 - 6) on the following instruments:
Snare Drum Triangle Woodblock
Bass Drum Tambourine Cowbell
Crash Cymbal Suspended Cymbal Maracas

E) Demonstrate a controlled open roll at a middle dynamic level
on the following instruments:
Snare Drum, keyboard instrument

F) Demonstrate proper posture and hand positions and have instrument in proper playing position while using appropriate matched grip.

Level II

At the conclusion of Level II, middle school students studying percussion shall be able to:

A) Perform the following one octave major scales in quarter notes
with a metronome marking of quarter note = 100 on a keyboard instrument.
Concert Bb, Eb, Ab, F and C

B) Perform two 2 octave chromatic scales
with a metronome marking of quarter note = 132 on a keyboard instrument.

C) Engage in an appropriate warm -up procedure on a daily basis.

D) Perform alone and with others a varied repertoire of music
with a level difficulty of II (on a scale of 1 - 6) on the following instruments:
Snare Drum Triangle Woodblock Timpani
Bass Drum Tambourine Cowbell
Crash Cymbal Suspended Cymbal Maracas

E) Execute basic skills of tuning the following instruments:
Snare Bass Drum Timpani

F) Perform the following skills on snare drum:
Rim shot and tap
five, nine, seventeen stroke rolls (multiple and double strokes)
drag
double paradiddle
triple paradiddle
single ratamacue
flamacue

G) Demonstrate the following skills on timpani:
Proper instrument playing position
Proper hand grip
Appropriate sticking and dampening technique
Ability to tune appropriate timpani(s) to Bb, F and Eb
Perform music of grade II difficulty level.

H) Be given the opportunity to use, practice and/or perform on a drum set.

Level III

At the conclusion of Level III, proficient high school students studying percussion shall be able to:

A) Reinforce all skills in levels I and II.

B) Perform the following one octave scales in quarter notes
with a metronome marking of quarter note = 100 on a keyboard instrument.
6 Major scales
2 Minor scales
1 two octave chromatic scale

C) Engage in an appropriate warm -up procedure on a daily basis.

D) Demonstrate ability to perform within a Marching Percussion Section on either snare drum or within a multiple bass drum section.

E) Tune timpani in fourths and fifths during short measures of rests within a composition. Tune a second timpani from the pitch of one other timpani.

F) Demonstrate ability to keep good time in a variety of styles on the drum set.

G) Demonstrate ability to improvise ÒfillsÓ of various lengths while playing drum set.

H) Begin to explore improvisation on pitched percussion using simple tonal and rhythmic patterns

Level IV

At the conclusion of Level IV, advanced high school students studying a wind instrument shall be able to:

A) Reinforce all skills in levels I, II and III.

B) Perform the following scales in quarter notes with a metronome marking of quarter note = 100.
12 major scales (one octave)
3 major scales (two octaves)
6 minor scales (one octave)
1 chromatic scale over the practical range of instrument

C) Engage in an appropriate warm -up procedure on a daily basis.

D) Demonstrate ability to start a tone at fortissimo and decrescendo in a smooth manner so as to reach pianissimo.

E) Brass Players will demonstrate:
1. Multiple tongueing patterns for double and triple beat divisions
2. Advanced lip slur exercises as stated in Foundations for Superior Perfornance
3. Pedal tones

F) Woodwind Players will demonstrate:
1. Advanced scale exercises as stated in Foundations for Superior Perfornance
2. Harmonic Fingerings and contemporary musical techniques

G) Demonstrate ability to hold a long tone for 40 seconds. (flute or tuba - 25 seconds)

H) Consistently demonstrate the correct sitting and standing position as used in playing the individualÕs instrument.

I) Demonstrate vibrato as it relates to tonal enrichment for those styles of music when and where it is characteristic of the instrument.

J) Perform music from four of the following compositional periods with characteristic interpretative elements:
Baroque Classical 20th Century
Romantic Impressionism

K) Perform musical selections that contain the following time signatures:
4/4, 2/2, 3/4, 3/2, 2/4, 3/8, 6/8, 5/4