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Sparkman Band

Harvest, Alabama

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April 10, 2015

What is the Marching Proficiency Test?

The marching proficiency test is an evaluation each student must pass to participate in the Competition Band.  This evaluation will determine the student’s ability to march and play on the level required by the Competition Band and only pertains to “wind players”.  Evaluations will be given twice during each school year for students to qualify for the following marching season.


The evaluation will consist of two parts (Playing and Marching) and the adjudicator will determine a “pass” or “fail” status for each.  A student must pass both portions of this evaluation in order to be eligible for Competition Band.

Playing Test

Each student must perform 5 major scales of their choice with their associated arpeggios.  The student will perform the scale with an eighth note feel as defined by the ABA Middle School All-State Audition.  Students must compelete the scale with no wrong notes or the scale will not count.  Students will not be allowed to attempt the scale multiple times.

When the student successfully performs 5 scales the adjudicator will notify the student they have passed and the student has successfully completed the evaluation.  The student must pass these scales on the instrument they wish to march.

Physical Requirements

Each student should demonstrate the ability to overcome the physical demands of marching a 10 minute program at a very fast pace and high physical demands.  This will be done by running 1 mile in 12 minutes or less and can be done by setting a steady pace with a simple jog.

Director Review

Each student will be evaluated by the three directors according to their work ethic, attitude and attendance throughout each season.  Approval must be accepted by the majority of the staff.  Any student that does not pass the Director Review may elect to participate in the Marching Band unless the student has discipline issues inappropriate for band.

Marching Test

Each student must successfully perform a “Box 8” exercise at 160 bpm.  Students must hit the corners of each mark with reasonable accuracy.  Students will play a long tone during each series of 8 counts starting the note on count 1 and releasing the note on count 8.

  • The student will start the exercise in playing position.
  • The evaluator will start the metronome.
  • After 8 clicks of the metronome the student will:
  • Forward March 8 counts
  • Left Slide 8 counts
  • Backwards March 8 counts
  • Right Slide 8 counts
  • Forward March 8 counts
  • “Touch and go” backwards” 8 counts
  • “Touch and Go” left oblique 8 counts
  • “Touch and Go” back oblique 8 counts
  • Halt

The evaluator may ask to see the exercise more than once.  The results will be posted later and the evaluator will NOT give student results after the exercise is complete.

Rubric

mrubric

Posted in: Band FAQ

Last Edited on March 30, 2017 Author-

Calendar

January 2021

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
  • Winter Break
    Winter Break
    Starts: 12:00 am
    Ends: 11:59 pm



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2
3
4
  • Indoor Percussion Rehearsal
    Indoor Percussion Rehearsal
    Starts: 5:00 pm
    Ends: 8:00 pm

    Location: Sparkman 9th Grade School, 2680 Jeff Rd NW, Harvest, AL 35749, USA



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5
6
  • E-Learning Day
    E-Learning Day
    Starts: 12:00 am
    Ends: 11:59 pm



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  • Virtual ONLY Class Meeting
    Virtual ONLY Class Meeting
    Starts: 10:00 am
    Ends: 11:00 am



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  • Symphonic Band Virtual Meeting
    Symphonic Band Virtual Meeting
    Starts: 1:00 pm
    Ends: 2:00 pm



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  • Wind Ensemble Class Meeting
    Wind Ensemble Class Meeting
    Starts: 1:40 pm
    Ends: 2:10 pm



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• • • •
7
8
  • Indoor Percussion Camp
    Indoor Percussion Camp
    Starts: 5:00 pm
    Ends: 9:00 pm

    Location: Sparkman 9th Grade School, 2680 Jeff Rd NW, Harvest, AL 35749, USA



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•
9
  • Indoor Percussion Camp
    Indoor Percussion Camp
    Starts: 8:00 am
    Ends: 5:00 pm

    Location: Sparkman 9th Grade School, 2680 Jeff Rd NW, Harvest, AL 35749, USA



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•
10
11
  • A-K 3rd and 4th Final Exams
    A-K 3rd and 4th Final Exams
    Starts: 12:00 pm
    Ends: 3:30 pm



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  • Indoor Percussion Rehearsal
    Indoor Percussion Rehearsal
    Starts: 5:00 pm
    Ends: 8:00 pm

    Location: Sparkman 9th Grade School, 2680 Jeff Rd NW, Harvest, AL 35749, USA



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• •
12
  • A-K 1st & 2nd Final Exam
    A-K 1st & 2nd Final Exam
    Starts: 11:00 am
    Ends: 2:15 pm



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13
  • E-Learning Day
    E-Learning Day
    Starts: 12:00 am
    Ends: 11:59 pm



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  • Virtual Students Final Exam
    Virtual Students Final Exam
    Starts: 2:00 pm
    Ends: 3:00 pm

    Location: Virtual Google Classroom Meets



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• •
14
  • L-Z 3rd & 4th Final Exams
    L-Z 3rd & 4th Final Exams
    Starts: 12:00 pm
    Ends: 3:30 pm



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•
15
  • Half Day of School
    Half Day of School
    Starts: 8:00 am
    Ends: 11:15 am



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  • L-Z 1st & 2nd Final Exams
    L-Z 1st & 2nd Final Exams
    Starts: 8:00 am
    Ends: 11:30 am



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• •
16
17
18
  • Martin Luther King Holiday
    Martin Luther King Holiday
    Starts: 12:00 am
    Ends: 11:59 pm



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•
19
  • Indoor Percussion Rehearsal
    Indoor Percussion Rehearsal
    Starts: 5:00 pm
    Ends: 8:00 pm

    Location: Sparkman 9th Grade School, 2680 Jeff Rd NW, Harvest, AL 35749, USA



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•
20
  • Symphonic Band Rehearsal
    Symphonic Band Rehearsal
    Starts: 2:30 pm
    Ends: 4:30 pm



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•
21
22
23
24
25
  • Indoor Percussion Rehearsal
    Indoor Percussion Rehearsal
    Starts: 5:00 pm
    Ends: 8:00 pm

    Location: Sparkman 9th Grade School, 2680 Jeff Rd NW, Harvest, AL 35749, USA



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•
26
  • Wind Ensemble Rehearsal
    Wind Ensemble Rehearsal
    Starts: 3:30 pm
    Ends: 5:00 pm

    Location: Band Room


    Description:

    Full band working on American Overture.


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•
27
  • Symphonic Band Rehearsal
    Symphonic Band Rehearsal
    Starts: 2:30 pm
    Ends: 4:30 pm



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•
28
  • Wind Ensemble Rehearsal
    Wind Ensemble Rehearsal
    Starts: 3:30 pm
    Ends: 5:00 pm

    Location: Band Room


    Description:

    Full band working on American Overture.


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•
29
  • All-State Auditions
    All-State Auditions
    Starts: 12:00 am
    Ends: 11:59 pm

    Location: 2616 Jeff Rd, Harvest, AL 35749, United States



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•
30
  • All-State Auditions
    All-State Auditions
    Starts: 12:00 am
    Ends: 11:59 pm

    Location: 2616 Jeff Rd, Harvest, AL 35749, United States



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•
31

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Official Instagram of the Sparkman High School Band.

We really enjoyed the first annual Sparkman Band P We really enjoyed the first annual Sparkman Band Pumpkin Carving Contest. Our students are so talented.
Vote for your favorite pumpkin in our contest. ht Vote for your favorite pumpkin in our contest.  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFvrbD3ypsUFx4ZN421XxLbv0vVaZHeB0rBdtFtSSF-mx80g/viewform
This feels so good! This feels so good!
So grateful for the opportunity to change our plan So grateful for the opportunity to change our plans and attend the North Alabama Night of Bands tonight in Braly Stadium!!! Looking forward to a great performance tonight at 7:45pm.
You may now see the front lobby of the auditorium You may now see the front lobby of the auditorium showcase some of the band awards over the years. More to come...
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