The bandlings sounded GREAT this week in their lessons! I can't believe how much progress we've been making! Good thing, too, because our concerts are coming up! Remember, Tuesday, December 7 at SGS and Thursday, December 16 at RGS.
Speaking of practicing, I'm going to be purchasing a really cool web-based program called Smart Music. Learn more about it by clicking HERE to go to the website. I've been thinking about purchasing it for a while now and a couple of weeks ago, when the RGS 5th grade was on a field trip, I went and observed another teacher in my husband's school district who uses it with his 5th graders. He had a Smart Board, which made it even cooler, but I can still use it with just my lap top with the 5th graders. The program has everything in our book in it and the students can play the music from their screen with a cursor, if they wish. There are multiple accompaniment styles to choose from for each song. So think of playing Jingle Bells with a ragtime feel, or a latin feel, or a march feel, etc. The coolest thing I saw was a group of clarinetists playing Jingle Bells, then when they were done, the program recorded and assessed their performance! They got a 98% and the kids were beaming! Another group got 67%, not bad considering there were about 6 students playing at the same time! On the screen after their performance were the notes they played correctly in green and the notes they played incorrectly in red! What an innovative way to practice! If the students like it in class, you may consider purchasing the student version, it is MUCH less expensive than the educator version.
Many of the students are very familiar with You Tube, so I created my own "channel" on the site. Click HERE for the link. If your child is allowed to, have them take a look at the videos I've posted. There are playlists for every instrument (almost done getting every instrument on there) and there are videos of the two longer pieces we're playing for the Winter Concert. Today, I showed some of the students a video in my "Clarinet Playlist" of a man making a clarinet out of a carrot! Of course, there are also videos of serious musicians, as well! Have fun watching these!
I have to address one thing, and I HATE to even bring it up. There have been a few people in the last few weeks that have quit band. This happens for many reasons, although I think it's pretty early to be throwing in the towel at this juncture. There is not anyone in either of the bands who are struggling so much that they should quit, or are beyond catching up. There aren't even that many people who are really behind at all. I STRONGLY encourage you to keep encouraging your children to stick with it. A parent recently voiced a concern that their child wasn't practicing much at home. I tried to explain that some weeks the students will need more practice than others and that as long as they can keep up in lessons and full band, I'm not worried. Just like anything, there will be hills and valleys. Band is such a great thing for your child to be involved in, not only now, but once they are in middle school and hopefully even high school! Encourage, encourage, encourage!
I hope you have a great week, and as always, let me know if you ever have any questions or concerns. Remember, T-shirt forms are due next week!
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