Meet the Teacher

Mrs. Abigail Kurtz

Hello everyone, my name is Abigail Kurtz! I am a UNI alum of 2020. I am currently in my third year of teaching and this is my first year at Sumner-Fredericksburg Middle School. I spent my last two years teaching at Tripoli Community School and did some long term subbing at West Central Community School and Hoover Middle School in Waterloo, Iowa.

My primary instrument is the flute but I can play multiple instruments at a middle school or high school level. I am not an active musician outside the classroom but if I have a performance opportunity I take it! When I am not teaching or performing, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our two dogs, and our families and friends. I love being outdoors hiking, caving and spending time in my flower beds and vegetable gardens.

Phone: 563-237-5334

Email: ingwersena@sfcougars.k12.ia.us

Degrees & Certifications:

University of Northern Iowa - Bachelor of Music

Music Education K-12 Instrumental, Vocal, and General Music

Currently working on a Master's Degree in Music Education through the University of Northern Iowa.

Daily Schedule

A day - 5th grade band 1:06-1:47 and 8th grade band 2:34-3:15

B day - 6th grade band 1:06-1:47 and 7th grade band 2:34-3:15

Lessons for the rest of the school day

Music/Repertoire:

All music for 5th grade band, 6th grade band and the 7th/8th grade band will be selected from the SFMS Music Library, come from the Essential Elements Books, or may be purchased from J.W. Pepper
- SFMS Music Library Link: SFMS Band Scores Library
Potential pieces that could be purchased for the 2023-2024 School Year:
- Encanto by Robert W Smith
  - https://www.jwpepper.com/Encanto/2213114.item
- Alligator Alley by Michael Daugherty
  - https://www.jwpepper.com/Alligator-Alley/2476792.item
- Arabian Dances by Roland Barret
  - https://www.jwpepper.com/Arabian-Dances/10066628.item
- Afterburn by Randall D. Standridge
  - https://www.jwpepper.com/Afterburn/10066564.item
- Rippling Watercolors by Brian Balmages
  - https://www.jwpepper.com/Rippling-Watercolors/10521011.item
- Dark Ride by Randall D. Standridge
  - https://www.jwpepper.com/Dark-Ride/10907719.item
- Celtic Air and Dance by Michael Sweeney
  - https://www.jwpepper.com/Celtic-Air-and-Dance/10033567.item
- Ancient Flower by Yukiko Nishimura
  - https://www.jwpepper.com/Ancient-Flower/10521868.item
- Sunchaser by Carol Britten Chambers
  - https://www.jwpepper.com/Sunchaser/10759713.item
- Groove by Richard L. Saucedo
  - https://www.jwpepper.com/Groovee/10095464.item

Marching Tunes for the Homecoming Parade (7th and 8th grade)
- Tunes selected from the following:
  - http://www.cpmsband.com/uploads/8/4/4/9/8449784/pep_band_all_instrument.pdf
Veteran’s Day Program 2023 (7th and 8th grade)
- Marches from Armed Forces by Michael Sweeney
- Star Spangled Banner
  - Arrangement Link:
    - http://www.erband.org/uploads/8/6/5/7/8657833/the-star-spangled-banner-score-and-parts.pdf

Curriculum Standards

See the Curriculum Map and Components of Playing Map for specifics.

All set curriculum comes from the Essential Elements Books and pieces of music students are working on in bands below.

Classroom Resources

Materials/Resources Used in MS Band:

Tonal Energy - Music app for a metronome, tuner, pitch wheel, and sound analysis
Essential Elements Books 1-3 - Main method book for all instruments. Used in lessons and rehearsals.
Major Scales Sheet - Used for warmups, contains all 12 major scales
- https://beginning.band/scale-sheetsfingering-charts/
Warm ups for 5-8 bands by John McAlister
- 5th grade band https://www.johnmcallistermusic.com/first-fundamentals.html
- 6th grade band https://www.johnmcallistermusic.com/foundation-warm-ups.html
- 7th and 8th band https://www.johnmcallistermusic.com/framework-fundamentals.html
Embouchure Boot Camp for Trumpets - used in lessons as supplementary material
- https://www.brainerdmusic.org/uploads/1/3/1/3/13138097/embouchure_boot_camp_-_trumpet.pdf
Sight reading boot camp - used in full band and lessons
- https://www.johnmcallistermusic.com/sight-reading.html
Breathing exercises - used in full band
- https://www.johnmcallistermusic.com/breathing.html
Jazz Band Resources
- https://www.johnmcallistermusic.com/jazz-center.html
- https://www.johnmcallistermusic.com/improvisation.html

Sumner-Fredericksburg Schools