Instrumental Music
Daniel Luongo
Instrumental Music Teacher
Daniel Luongo teaches band and orchestra at Wolcott Elementary School. After student teaching at Wolcott and graduating from The University of Hartford’s The Hartt School in 2008, Daniel taught middle school where he served as Team Leader and taught band, orchestra, jazz band, chamber orchestra, jazz combo, percussion ensemble, and general music. Daniel has taught at Wolcott since 2012. Daniel also directs the Hall High School group, “A Cafella,” co-directs the Sedgewick Stage Band, and teaches privately.
“Good music is good no matter kind of music it is.” - Miles Davis
The instrumental music program provides intensive instruction to develop music skills and is a natural extension of the classroom music curriculum. Students in grades four and five have the opportunity to study a band or orchestra instrument. Small group lessons occur during the school day. Large ensembles rehearse weekly before school.
Student Progress Report:
Performs with correct position and posture.
Correct playing position and posture is the foundation for all successful instrumentalists.
Demonstrates good technique.
Technique is dexterity and facility on an instrument.
Plays with correct breath, bow or stick control.
Control of breath (winds), bow (strings), and sticks (percussion), is essential to produce a characteristic sound.
Applies proper bowing/tonguing/slurring technique.
Articulation of notes with the tongue (winds) and bow (strings) is important to develop good technique.
Performs with characteristic tone, on pitch.
Playing on pitch with characteristic tone is the product of proper breath control and embouchure (winds), bow control, finger placement and finger pressure (strings).
Reads rhythmic/melodic notation.
Students are taught to read music notation.
Is developing ensemble skills.
Ensemble skills in band and orchestra include responding to conducting gestures, playing music in two or more parts, and performing with proper blend and balance.
Work Habits
Shows evidence of consistent practice and high quality preparation.
Students are expected to practice daily, demonstrating careful preparation of assigned music, with emphasis on repetition and self-evaluation.
Focuses attentively during the lessons and rehearsals.
Brings necessary equipment to lessons and rehearsals.