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!

Wrapping up the Concert Season

Hello Band parents! A HUGE congratulations to the SGS band on a fantastic concert this past week! I got glowing compliments from not only parents, little old ladies and gentlemen, but from Mr. Pittman and our superintendent, Mr. Oest who attended the program! I thought the band looked and sounded just GREAT and I am a super proud teacher! I am positive that the RGS band will peform similarly next week. I hope you are all as excited as I am!

For those of you who brought your children to the Band Buddies meeting a week ago, what did your bandling think? I have created a little survey to find out the children's thoughts. Click HERE for the survey and please encourage your child to take it. It will take only a few minutes. I think that next time I will have a set due date for forms to be back to me so that I can plan better for who exactly will be there. That way Mr. Stiles (the RB band director) and I can prepare the high schoolers better for exactly what they can be doing. We left it more open ended this time because there was concert music that could be worked on and then we wanted everyone to get to know each other.

How do you and the kids like their band t-shirts? I think they all look so great! A big THANK YOU to Mr. Miller from Sew Hot Threads for making them for us at such a low price!

Before break starts, I will be passing out some extra holiday music for the bandlings to practice over break, if they wish. At my house during the holidays, my parents always had me play Christmas songs. These little concerts really boosted my self-esteem and showed my that my parents like listening to me and thought that band was a good thing. Maybe your family gatherings this Winter break can be enhanced with a concert by your bandling. If you would like extra copies of the music for other family members (cousins, aunts, uncles,etc.) to be able to play along, I'd be happy to send those home too.

Have a wonderful winter break! And please remember to keep enouraging your child to stick with it! I'm a realist! I don't expect everyone to practice hard over break! But, a little nudging in the direction of the instrument and music once or twice during break would be greatly appreciated!