Welcome to BAND!

Hello Band Parents! Welcome to my blog where I try and keep you updated on what we are doing in our band lessons. This week was a fun one! Everyone has their instruments (almost everyone, if your child doesn't and you need my help with anything, let me know) Most students have their books as well. If your child doesn't have their book yet, it is called Measures of Success and we are using Book 1. This is the first year we're using this book. I'm really excited about it! All of the composers who have contributed are my favorites and the layout is really great. The book is split into 4 section, each are called "Opus" 1 or 2, etc. At the end of each "Opus" there is a review of all of the concepts and a few longer, more challenging, but fun songs that encapsulate what they learned in that unit.

Almost all of the instrumentalists (except for the percussion) are working on page 4 in their books this week. You'll notice that there is no "music" on this page. This week I want the students to really focus on getting a great tone (sound) and learning the fingerings of the first three notes. Next week we'll start on pages 5 and 6 and note reading.

I'm sure your children will tell you that the first lesson FLEW BY! In case they are having troubles remembering everything we went over, there are videos of me playing and demonstrating most of the concepts we learned this week on my website. Feel free to watch them together and play along! Click HERE to find the page with the videos on them.

If you ever have any questions, comments or concerns, please email or call (815-678-6726. I'd be happy to answer questions, or help figure out something that's troubling you about the schedule, lessons, etc. The kids were SO incredibly excited when they came and left me this week! I look forward to seeing them next week. Please make sure their practice records are filled out and signed before they leave the house on their lesson day next week. I told the kids they should aim for 80 minutes throughout the week. That's only practicing for 20 minutes 4 times a week. Hopefully that is doable.

Have a great week!