Instrumental Studies

Instrumental Studies at Overture Music Academy exist to provide musical training and excellence for wind, percussion, and string instrumentalists.  Our three foundation ensembles– Primo Ensemble, Crescente Ensemble, and Cantabile Ensemble — primarily comprise wind and percussion students.  Learning an instrument can be a fun adventure and is even better when you meet friends in the process!  Our students will gain instrument-specific skills, knowledge of music theory, and participate in ensembles with other growing musicians.  Students will learn more about their God-given talents as they grow in discipline, self-esteem, and ability through intentional ensemble instruction.  

Shayna Bosquet, Woodwinds and Bands | sbosquet@overturema.org

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Primo Ensemble

Primo means “first” and that is exactly the purpose for Primo Ensemble.  All instrumentalists have to start somewhere, and this is the place for woodwind, brass, and percussion beginners.  Students will learn to play and care for their instruments, learn basic music theory, work together as a part of an ensemble, follow a director, and have opportunities for lots of fun!  Students will use a band method book and additional pieces of music as the year progresses.  Primo Ensemble will perform in a concert at the end of each semester and will have additional opportunities to serve our community by playing for retirement homes and/or other possible venues.

  • Age: minimum of 9-10 yrs. old is recommended due to student maturity and mouth development (for wind players).  Ask the director for special exceptions, if needed.
  • Private lessons:  New Primo Ensemble students should have a minimum of 4-6 private lessons with an instructor of their choice to lay a foundation for their involvement in Primo.  These 4-6 lessons should be completed prior to July when a  screening appointment with the director will be held to ensure a student’s readiness for Primo.  We can provide private lesson teacher recommendations for you, if needed.  These lessons are not covered in the Primo class fee, but they have proven valuable to a student’s future musical success.
  • Screening dates:  Primo screenings will be in July by appointment with Mrs. Bosquet to assess student readiness to begin Primo Ensemble in the fall semester. Students should have received several private lessons prior to this screening.  During their screening appointment, each potential Primo student will spend approximately 15 minutes with Mrs. Bosquet to ensure students are on their way for a successful year in Primo.  Please contact sbosquet@overturema.org if you have any questions about the screening process.  
  • Required materials:
    • Instrument in good working condition
    • Instrument supplies such as reeds, valve oil, swab, etc.
    • Band method book:
    • Music stand, black binder (1.5 inch), and pencil
    • Concert attire:   All black; ladies will wear a long sleeve black blouse and dress slacks or skirts; the bottom of the skirt should be no more than 3” to the floor; gentlemen will wear black dress slacks and a black button-down long sleeve shirt; black shoes and socks for all. Tie optional for gentlemen.
  • Practice commitment and grades:

At Overture, we have group rehearsals one day a week.  As a result, the bulk of the “work” happens at home during the rest of the week as students practice to reinforce the lessons learned in rehearsals.  Practice time at home is imperative for growth as a musician.  

We recommend a minimum of 120 minutes of practice each week for Primo students.  This equates to about 20-30 minutes most days of the week.

  • Assessment is conducted twice quarterly to track student progress
  • Grades are assigned (and made available to parents) based on attendance, practice time outside of rehearsals, and in-class and out-of-class assessments. 
  • Google classroom access will be a requirement.

Crescente Ensemble

The meaning of crescente is “growing and increasing.”  Students in Crescente Ensemble build on the foundational skills they previously learned as beginners.  Crescente Ensemble primarily serves woodwind, brass, and percussion students.  Students will grow in the knowledge of their own instrument, music theory concepts, and their ability to work with an ensemble and director.  They will also have the opportunity to be in a fun community of fellow musicians.  Crescente Ensemble will use a combination of a band method book, Bach chorales, and additional pieces of music throughout the school year.  Crescente Ensemble will perform in a concert at the end of each semester and will have additional opportunities to serve our community by playing for retirement homes, churches, and/or other venues. 

  • Audition dates:  New band students will make an appointment with Mrs. Bosquet after receipt of registration.  This audition will assist our instructors as they place students in the appropriate ensemble based on experience and readiness.  To be placed in Crescente Ensemble, students will need to show a working knowledge of material typically covered in year one of band instruction.  This audition should take 15-20 minutes.
    • Please contact Mrs. Bosquet if you have any questions about the audition and placement process.
    • Current Overture band students will receive a recommendation for ensemble placement.  This recommendation will be based upon director observations of students readiness made during spring semester rehearsals.  
  • Audition requirements: 
    • Students will be asked to play 4 major scales and a chromatic scale (one octave minimum, two preferred).
    • Students should prepare a solo of their choice, or a piece from a band method program such as Sound Innovations book 1, Band Expressions book 1, Essential Elements book 1, or Accent on Achievement book 1, etc.  
    • Sight Reading skills will be assessed by the director.
    • A short assessment of theory knowledge will be given by the director.
  • Required materials:
  • Instrument in good working condition
  • Instrument supplies such as reeds, valve oil, swab, etc.
  • Band method books:
  • Music stand, black binder (1.5 inch), and pencil
  • Concert attire:  All black; ladies will wear a long sleeve black blouse and dress slacks or skirts; the bottom of the skirt should be no more than 3” to the floor; gentlemen will wear black dress slacks and a black button-down long sleeve shirt; black shoes and socks for all.
  • Practice commitment and grades:

At Overture, we have group rehearsals one day a week.  As a result, the bulk of the “work” happens at home during the rest of the week as students practice to reinforce the lessons learned in rehearsals.  Practice time at home is imperative for growth as a musician.  

We recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of practice each week for Crescente students.  This equates to 30 minutes several days of the week. 

  • Assessment is conducted twice quarterly to track student progress
  • Grades are assigned (and made available to parents) based on attendance, practice time outside of rehearsals, and in-class and out-of-class assessments.  
  • Google classroom access will be a requirement.

Cantabile Ensemble

Cantabile means “in a singing style” or “songlike,” and that is the goal for our instrumentalists in Cantabile Ensemble.  This ensemble comprises the most outstanding instrumental musicians in Overture.  While students already possess a high degree of ability, the further advancement of musical skills is paramount to the success of the student and the organization. Great emphasis is placed on individual musical responsibility.  This group of advanced instrumentalists will dive into more difficult musical repertoire together.  Membership in this group is by audition every year.  Cantabile Ensemble will perform at semester concerts and have additional opportunities to serve our community by playing at retirement homes, churches, and other possible venues.  Depending on our enrollment and instrumentation, we hope to participate in Concert Performance Assessment (CPA) hosted by the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (MTSBOA).  

  • Audition dates:  New students will make an audition appointment with Mrs. Bosquet after receipt of registration.  This audition will assist our instructors as they place students in the appropriate ensemble based on experience and readiness.  To be placed in Cantabile Ensemble, students must show a working knowledge of material typically covered in year one and two of band instruction.   Please contact sbosquet@overturema.org if you have any questions about the audition and placement process.
    • Current Overture band students do not need to schedule an audition and will receive a recommendation for ensemble placement.  This recommendation will be based upon director observations of students readiness made during spring semester rehearsals.  
  • Audition requirements: 
    • Students will be asked to play 8 major scales and a chromatic scale.  
    • Students should prepare a solo of their choice, or a piece from a band method program such as Sounds Innovations book 2, Band Expressions book 2, Essential Elements book 2, or Accent on Achievement book 2, etc.  
    • Sight Reading skills will be assessed by the director.
    • A short assessment of theory knowledge will be given by the director.
  • Practice commitment and grades:

At Overture, we have group rehearsals one day a week.  As a result, the bulk of the “work” happens at home during the rest of the week as students practice to reinforce the lessons learned in rehearsals.  Practice time at home is imperative for growth as a musician.  

We recommend a minimum of 180 minutes of practice each week for Cantabile members.  A deeper level of commitment to the excellence of this ensemble is expected.  Preparedness for rehearsals and performance is expected of Cantabile members.  To remain in Cantabile, members need to come prepared each week and do their part to contribute to productive rehearsals. 

  • Assessment is conducted twice quarterly to track student progress
  • Grades are assigned (and made available to parents) based on attendance, practice time outside of rehearsals, and in-class and out-of-class assessments. 
  • Google classroom access will be a requirement.

 

Instrumental Overture students in grades 7 and above are eligible to audition for Mid-State and All-State bands and orchestras through the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (MTSBOA).  Our students may also choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble Performance Assessment through MTSBOA.  

Please contact Mrs. Bosquet at sbosquet@overturema.org to inquire further or express interest.

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