Mr. Assimacopoulos - Band

• Students will not be permitted to eat or chew gum in class. Water bottles with a top are the only acceptable beverage in the band room.

• Students are expected to come into class in an orderly manner. Each student is to set up his/her instrument, be seated and be ready to begin when class begins.

• Students are expected to come prepared, with an instrument and other necessary materials, to each and every rehearsal. 

• Students are expected to follow all directions, and not to play out of turn.

• Students are expected to take care of all school property. All
  school instruments are to be taken care of properly and with complete care.

• Students are to play only their own instruments! Percussionists, for example, are the ONLY ones allowed to play on percussion instruments. 

• Students are expected to treat everyone, including each other, with respect.

• Students are expected to try their best and take pride in themselves and their playing!

All band students need to download the materials below. You may still have your scales sheets and Band Book

5th Grade Essential Materials (Download if you don't already have a copy from Band Class)

Mini Scale Sheets

•      Flute
•      Clarinet
•      Alto Saxophone
•      Trumpet
•      Trombone
•      Euphonium(Baritone)
•      Percussion

Pitch Grids

•      Flute
•      Clarinet
•      Alto Saxophone
•      Trumpet
•      Trombone
•      Euphonium(Baritone)
•      Percussion

Band Book Pages

•      Flute
•      Clarinet
•      Alto Saxophone
•      Trumpet
•      Euphonium(Baritone) Bass Clef
•      Euphonium(Baritone) Treble Clef
•      Percussion

6th Grade Essential Materials (Download if you don't already have a copy from Band Class)

Full Scale Sheets

•      Flute
•      Clarinet
•      Alto Saxophone
•      Trumpet
•      Trombone
•      Euphonium(Baritone)
•      Euphonium(Baritone) Treble Clef
•      Tuba
•      Percussion

Band Book Pages

•      Flute
•      Clarinet
•      Alto Saxophone
•      Trumpet
•      Trombone
•      Euphonium(Baritone) Bass Clef
•      Euphonium(Baritone) Treble Clef
•      Tuba
•      Percussion

Enjoy Exploring the specific instrument videos below...these might give you any idea of what instrument you may want to play!

Flute

• Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars) for FLUTE
• Beginner Flute Lesson 6 - New Note (Eb) & Shark Attack!

Clarinet

• Beginner Clarinet Lesson - The First Three Notes
• Fight Song (Rachel Platten) for CLARINET!

Alto Saxophone

• See You Again (Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth) for ALTO SAX
• Star Wars for ALTO SAX 

Trumpet

• https://youtu.be/nVUK2Lx1PG0'
• Havana - TRUMPET Tutorial

Trombone

• Hot Cross Buns for TROMBONE
• Havana TROMBONE tutorial

Percussion 

• Beginner Percussion- How to Play HOT CROSS BUNS on BELLS
• Happy Birthday Song on BELLS - Tutorial
• HELLO by Adele for Bells (Notes work for FLUTE too)

Three types of grades are earned in band:   

1. Performance
2. Tests/Quizzes
3. Daily Performance At the end of the grading period, all grades earned will be averaged to arrive at your basic grade.

Performance Grade – Performances are a very important part of the curriculum and attendance of every student is both needed and expected. Performances are truly a group effort and it is critical to continued growth and success that everyone is in attendance. A Performance schedule will be handed out to all students. You should review this schedule with your parents and put the dates on your family calendar so that no conflicts arise. If an unavoidable conflict does come up, you must notify the director with a note from your parent/guardian at least two weeks prior to the performance date. The note must describe the specific reason for your absence so that the director can determine if you may be excused. Two weeks’ notice will give the band ample time to rehearse without you for the performance. A note asking to excuse you from a performance less than one week prior to performance, or after the fact, cannot be accepted (except for in emergency circumstances). For pre-excused absences, the student will be required to do a make-up assignment in order to receive credit.

         Below are the requirements for performance grades:

         A – You arrive on time for the warm-up, are dressed appropriately, and demonstrate

                   appropriate concert etiquette both on stage and in the audience.

         C – You fulfill all but one of the requirements for an “A”.

         D – You fulfill all but two of the requirements for an “A”.

         F – You fail to fulfill three of the requirements for an “A”.

An unexcused absence from any performance, including performances not yet scheduled, will result in a GRADE of “F” for that performance. You may also be required to attend a conference with the director to reevaluate your participation in a musical performing group.

Tests and Quizzes Grade – Music students will have written music theory quizzes approximately every 1-2 weeks, usually on a Friday. These quizzes will cover the music theory taught during class and will be an average of 10 questions. Students will also periodically have playing tests done in class. I am dedicated to doing my best to help all students achieve mastery in the content being taught in class. All students will have the opportunity to retake written/playing quizzes as many times as necessary during the unit. Retakes may be done before or after school or at lunch by appointment. Extra help is available for students to achieve mastery on all units. Students should see their director to schedule a time to receive extra help.

Daily Performance – Students will be given a grade for daily performance. This grade will include: having your instrument, having your music, having a pencil, being engaged in all band activities happening in the classroom, and having appropriate behavior.

Mr. Assimacopoulos was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He lived there until the age of 5 when his family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Mr. A attended school in Sioux Falls until he graduated from Washington Senior High School in 1989.

Mr. Assiamcopoulos was accepted into the School of Music at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.  While at the U of MN he studied classical and jazz saxophone, music education, and conducting. He has played in Wind Ensembles, Saxophone Quartets (both classical and jazz repertoire), University Jazz ensembles and with the Orchestra on several occasions.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Education, Mr. Assimacopoulos worked in Shakopee, MN for 4 years while working towards his Master’s Degree during several summers at VanderCook College of music in Chicago, ILL..

Mr. Assimacopoulos graduated with a Master’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education in 1999.  Following his Master’s Graduation, Mr. A. started working at Westwood Middle School in Blaine, MN and continued to educate young musicians for the next 18 years.

Mr. Assimacopoulos has a wife that currently teaches in Glendale and two daughters that attend the New School for the Arts in Tempe, Arizona. His oldest daughter is in 11^th grade and is pursuing an acting career while maintaining a dedicated life to dancing in all forms.  Eleana is his youngest in 10^th grade, loves reading and wants to pursue journalism as a career in high school and college. She has already written several stories and has started 2 novels that are still in the works. Eleana also works hard at competitive cheerleading at California All Starts in Mesa, Arizona.

Mr. Assimcopoulos has relocated to the Phoenix area this last June and is excited to continue his long career in the Anthem School Band Program.

“I have heard great things about the Deer Valley School District and Instrumental Music Program from several local public school band directors and from the Instrumental Music Department at ASU. I am honored to have been chosen to join the Deer Valley Band Program and thrilled to work with the proud and talented young musicians here.”

-Chris Assimacopoulos