Advanced Band

Group work - NOT to be confused with group lessons which are an absolute disaster - enables students to apply their knowledge and to experience the joy of playing with others - it really is a blast - and the students grow hugely during this process.

In Advanced Band we leverage off the skills the students have learnt and are learning in their private lessons and apply them in the band context. The learning in Advanced Band is hugely rich – from paring back the chosen songs and listening to individual stems in Jonathan’s studio, to exploring new genres, to analysing complex rhythmic structures and learning to play them, exploring what works when and why, exploring different voicings and ways of playing various chords, experimenting with what to play when, exploring structure, volume and layer balance, developing their own parts in the process. The skills developed by the students are spectacular to witness.

We believe our band is a unique offering. Band action is of course available for students at many high schools. However, it is very rare for high school classroom music teachers to be experienced performers. It is rarer still for that teacher to play in the band with students regularly. Some schools may offer the opportunity to play by learning a pre-existing part, but we offer the chance to create your part along with us.

During the course of the term both Jonathan and Emma will be involved in the band rehearsals. We both have experience of group and band work, but our spheres of expertise are different. As a result, students are going to get HEAPS from this experience. In fact, we wish we’d had this opportunity when we were kids LOL!

THE PRACTICAL STUFF:

PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS
Pianists

Pianists in this group will need to be strong music readers and be able to read charts. They need to be able to change chords quickly, have a basic understanding of playing chord notes in non-root positions (i.e. inversions – that is the same notes but in a different order). We will develop this over the course of the year.

Limit = two pianists.

Guitarists

Guitarists in this group need to be able to play 6 string bar chords at speed and need to be either proficient in 5 string bar chords or be working on gaining speed and proficiency with 5 string bar chords. They need to be able to read charts and tab charts.

Limit = five guitarists

Singers need to contact Jonathan so that we can check ability, experience and your range.

Please note that Band members need to be continuing to have private music lessons with either Jonathan or Emma on their instrument of choice.

If you are unsure whether this option is right for your youngster, please just give us a call to
discuss.

Places in the bands will be limited. In both instances – pianists will be limited to two. Guitarists numbers are limited to five. Singers are limited to four. There will be a minimum number of students required for these groups to go ahead and maximum number we can take.

The intent – a bit like orchestra or ballet - is that students will sign up for the year. Of course, we are not going to force someone to do the full year. It will be invoiced on a per term basis, but the intent is for everyone to commit to the whole year. This is because we will be working on some really challenging stuff which, in many cases, will require more than more than one term to perfect. So, it will be very hard for the group if someone drops out during the course of the year. Drop-outs may mean that a song we have been working on may no longer be possible or. In the worst case, it may mean that that group becomes unviable. 

 

Please also note that at this stage it will not be possible for students to join during the year.

The key of a song, and the tempo of a song are very important for singers…the younger and less experienced the singer is, the more important these things are for the singer. As a result, perversely, we actually need an advanced, experienced singer who can fit in with the musicians’ needs.

DETAILS
There will be a minimum of 7 rehearsals per term. Each session will be 70 minutes of action within 75 minutes. The sessions will be both fun and focused.

ATTENDANCE
Someone signing up for a band should be looking to do will do the full year. This will provide continuity, and a foundation of repertoire and skill.

Band members will need to be aware that they will have to prioritise band rehearsals, sound checks and performances over all other activities. In the lead up to a performance, the final rehearsals and any sound checks – and of course the performance itself - are compulsory for all band members.

WHEN
Mondays 7.15 to 8.30pm

WHERE
Currently we run The Advanced Band at our home. There may come a point where we need to hire a venue.
9 Rymore Terrace, Fernside.  This is just off Oxford Road, between Boundary Rd and Hayfield Tce.

 

NB.  Rymore Tce is a new, private, deadend road.  Unfortunately, as it is new, Google Maps is a bit confused about where exactly it is!  So, rather than relying on Google Maps, Rymore Tce is off Oxford Rangiora Road between Boundary Road and Hayfield Tce.

WHAT TO BRING
All students will need to bring a folder with their music, a pencil, an eraser. All students except pianists will need to bring their instruments, and anything else they need for their instrument – plus a music stand.

MARKETING
In the course of the services we provide, there will be times when we photograph, video, and record students or groups. These images/recordings/videos may then be published on our website or social media pages.  If you do not wish for you or your student to be included in these images/recordings/videos, please let us know as part of each registration.
 

COST
The fees is $225.00 (including GST) per term each student. The fee is payable before the start of the term for which payment is for – just like football and dancing fees. The spaces for the Bands are limited. Payment secures your spot. Please see Our Terms for further details.

Payment details:
Thinking Music Please Ltd
Bank account: 12-3616-0051598-00
Please include the following references on the transaction:
- Student Name
- Advanced Band
- Term for which payment is being made
NB. This is a separate bank account number from our private music lesson account. Please
use this account number for group activities such as Band and Glee.