Sellwood School
Music
Sellwood Middle School offers several levels of band and marimba classes, as electives taught during school and as before/after-school classes.
Band
The band program offers much to the student who plays a band instrument. Four levels of band are available:
Marimba
Sellwood Middle School's Marimba program is offered to students at all grade levels. Marimbas are a user-friendly instrument, requiring no musical background. The music is taught in an aural tradition - usually by a master teacher who comes to the school - and is based on specific patterns and rhythms. Some of the songs include singing in Shona (the language spoken in Zimbabwe). In addition, Marimba students learn about the origins of the music, which is typically from Zimbabwe and Botswana, Africa.
The Marimba band has 13 marimbas which go with them when they play at community events such as the Rose Festival/World Stage, lunchtime concerts at Pioneer Place, and Earth Day Celebrations as well as local venues such as the Moreland Farmer's Market, retirement homes and school carnivals. Each year, the Marimba band records a CD with the Advanced Band and Jazz Band.
The band program offers much to the student who plays a band instrument. Four levels of band are available:
- Beginning Band gives the student an opportunity to start with the basics at reading notes and rhythms. Correct technique is practiced to help develop good sound on a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument.
- Intermediate Band continues with exposure to actual band literature, giving students a chance to produce musicality in performance.
- Advanced Band offers a higher level of focus during rehearsals. Students learn to blend and balance within the group, creating music that is technically advanced and aesthetically satisfying.
- Jazz Band runs before school every Wednesday and Thursday. Students (typically advanced level) are exposed to a variety of jazz styles, including swing, blues, Latin beats and funk. This group takes the students out into the community for various "gigs" throughout the year.
Marimba
Sellwood Middle School's Marimba program is offered to students at all grade levels. Marimbas are a user-friendly instrument, requiring no musical background. The music is taught in an aural tradition - usually by a master teacher who comes to the school - and is based on specific patterns and rhythms. Some of the songs include singing in Shona (the language spoken in Zimbabwe). In addition, Marimba students learn about the origins of the music, which is typically from Zimbabwe and Botswana, Africa.
The Marimba band has 13 marimbas which go with them when they play at community events such as the Rose Festival/World Stage, lunchtime concerts at Pioneer Place, and Earth Day Celebrations as well as local venues such as the Moreland Farmer's Market, retirement homes and school carnivals. Each year, the Marimba band records a CD with the Advanced Band and Jazz Band.
