Creatures in the Attic - Brain Balmages - FJH Starter Series

Here's a recording of a really cool piece we're starting to work on called Creatures in the Attic, by Brian Balmages. Have your bandling play along! Remember, the dots on the notes are called stacattos and they mean that those notes should be played short.

Getting out of Dodge!

After the AWESOME full band rehearsal I had with RGS on Wednesday afternoon, I came home and got my husband and myself ready to travel to Peoria for the Illinois Music Educator's Association All-State Conference from Thursday-Saturday. My husband also teaches 5th grade band, although he travels to FIVE schools! We SO look forward to this conference each year because we get to be in one place with loads and loads of OUR people. Don't get me wrong, I have fantastic collegeagues at each of my schools, but within our little NSD2 bubble, there are 4 other music teachers. Here at this conference we are surrounded by people who teach what WE teach and can talk to us about the cool things they do and how they do them. So far, I've gone to 6 sessions ranging in topics from creating my own Professional Learning Network for my own professional development (like I said, only 4 other people at home to bounce things off of), using the cool new program I recently purchased called Smart Music, and incorporating Special Learners into the band program. I've been able to shop in the convention center for music, teaching supplies, etc. I'm having a ball learning new ideas and getting re-energized to teach your children. I can't wait to try out some of the new things I'm learning!

Last week I posted a video of one of the new pieces we're going to perform. A few students told me that they watched it because their parents shared it with them. THANK YOU!!! One parent said that her daughter was practicing the song with the recording. That is WONDERFUL! Encourage your children to do the same! I'm constantly trying to find ways to excite the students about practicing. It's definitely more fun to play with a recording than by themselves.

Have a great weekend and Practice, Practice, Practice!

[Video] Super Mario Bros. Medley - PAF Clarinet Trio (Starts 1:08)

[Video] Super Mario Bros. Medley - PAF Clarinet Trio (Starts 1:08)

[Video] Jason (age 7) Jazz Flute player - The Girl from Ipanema

[Video] Jason (age 7) Jazz Flute player - The Girl from Ipanema

Back In the Saddle Again...

This is our third week back from Winter break and we're almost starting to get back in the groove of things. Last week I was gone from SGS because the stomach flu invaded my household and this week was weird at RGS because half the 5th grade was gone on Wednesday for the Challenger field trip which they always look forward to! Since I only had half the band for full band on Wednesday, we went to the computer lab and played music games with the smart board! It was SO fun!! Here's a link to the website I found a ton of really cool music games. I told the students that if they play ANY of the games on this website during the week, they can add up to 15 minutes total to their practice record for the week. There are a lot of cool games on there and you don't have to download them or sign up for anything.

Like I said, it's the third week back and we're only starting to get back in the saddle completely...that's the biggest challenge of my once a week schedule. It really gets sticky when I'm sick one week, then your child is sick the next week, or there's ISTEEP testing, or Scantron, etc....Did you know that I post the homework from each week's lesson in the 5th grade hallway AND on the internet each week? My student should never have the excuse that they couldn't practice because they didn't know what the homework was. Here's the link to the homework page of my website. If ypur child misses their lesson during the week, please direct them to this website to find out what the homework was. If, for some reason, I have forgotten to post it, have them check the 5th grade hallway or call a friend.

Have a great weekend!

Heavy Metal

This is one of the pieces that we'll be starting to work on next week! It has an awesome low brass part that keeps the band groovin'! I predict it will be the band's favorite piece for the Spring Concert!

Happy New Year!

This week back to school and back to band went pretty well! I was extremely proud of my SGSers! There were only a couple of people who forgot to bring their instruments on Tuesday and NOT ONCE did I hear, "I thought it was Monday, or Tuesday (at RGS)" There were quite a few RGSers who forgot instruments (I won't name any names!)

During lessons this week, we talked about the game plan for the rest of the year and how we have 3 concerts left. A lot of the students were surprised that we have that many concerts left this year! The next concert is in March (date TBA) and will be during the school day at each school. This concert's purpose is to show the 4th graders what the instruments sound like by themselves and to give us a chance to perform one or two of the full band pieces we will have been working on since January. Then in May, there is Fine Arts night which is totally optional for band members. Those who would like to can perform solos, duets, or in other small ensembles. Then, on Thursday, May 19 we will have our BIG concert at NMS where I combine both of the elementary schools and we perform a concert alongside the 6th grade band. It is a big deal and a lot of fun! Make sure to mark your calendars if you already haven't.

There was kind of devastating blow of quite a few students quitting band this week at RGS. A lot of the band members questioned me about it. I asked them who was involved in a sport (quite a few raised their hands) and if they would even consider telling their coaches that they wanted to quit mid-season. They all seemed to "get it" after that comparison. I know we're back to our routine and some people have a harder time than others getting back into the swing of things. Please encourage your child to stick with band! We've already come so far in just a few months. This is honestly one of the most talented groups of kids I've taught in a while. I told the students that I haven't been able to put two full-length band pieces on the Winter concert in probably 5 years! And that was back when I was full-time and the band members had TWO full bands and lessons each week as opposed to one of each! I'm so proud of these kids and I can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds!

Have a great weekend and remind your children to practice because almost everyone has a playing test next week!