Where are your beginners at in May? Or rather where SHOULD they be?
Playing Grade 1's? 2's? Able to play and figure out Region music? How many scales? Should they be at a NV level? How many should be at a Varsity level? Etc........
I have a good group of 6th graders this year. I want to push them and would like to know how far have ya'll been able to get your beginners in just a year? I want to make sure I'm not biting off more than I can chew! TIA
It depends on the situation. I look forward to the next year and ask what I want my 7th grade concert band students walking in being able to do?
They should know the Bb major scale and concert f (or whatever your tuning note is). If you want to go for it, add Eb and F scales...if they are just eating it alive and playing like mad add ALL of the scales that they will do at region tryouts next year.
They should know how to count all of the 8th note rhythms (percussion 16th) in simple time. I liked to always play Crusade at the concert at my previous position - where I am at now has other issues that make the class move slower. Any other comparable grade 1 is fine. Maybe teach them one of the stand tunes that they will be playing at middle school band night next year? Whatever you decide, keep it fun for them and keep them playing.
For fun, you could write out some melodies from some popular games - the Sea of Thieves theme works well in G minor, Zelda melodies are always popular, and Mario is chromatic and difficult. Or pick movies - the main theme from Star Wars is one some will work on, as is Vader's theme. If you want to torture yourself you can teach them Baby Shark...which is always WAY too popular. I used those themes to introduce some more rhythms and notes in a fun way.