Happy Holidays, and let's get ready for the concert!

I am very excited to get back to work with all of you in January!

All of you should have assignments for your next band class in your most recent Band Update from me.  They are always available to you on http://whatsnewinband.blogspot.com if you have deleted the message.  Just look for the most recent update from your school!

I would like to encourage all of you to start looking at page 21, where you will find "Montego Bay" and "Regal March", which will be on the March 11 concert program.  It's absolutely not too early to start getting comfortable with those!

Happy Holidays to All!

West El. Update, 12/18/13

A special thank you for the hearty nine of you who dug out and found your way to band this morning!

There are some really mature sounds starting to develop, and I am pleased with everyone's preparation.  For over the holiday break, I am asking everyone to make sure they are comfortable with pages 18 and 19, and start looking at page 21, which includes "Montego Bay" and "Regal March", which will be on the program for our concert in March.  They should all have a look at any of the "yellow box" concepts leading up to page 21, so they understand everything.

I wish you all a peaceful holiday and a happy new year!  Looking forward to seeing everyone back on January 3!

Sanborn Update, 12/16/13

Once we had all the windshield scraped and walks sanded, we were eventually able to get a pretty good crowd this morning, and they did good work!

As I told the kids, our next band class (January 6) will be led by Amy McGlothlin.  Amy is the saxophone teacher for the Andover After School Music Program and does wonderful work.  This will allow me to get a chance to see what is going on at High Plain for one class, which is taught by my colleague, Catherine Hofius.

I only gave them one page (Page 15) to work on over break, as I know things can get hectic with holidays and travel.  Please make sure they take a shot at "Star Search" (#60), where they fill in the notes that are missing from "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to make it complete.  Some might find that intimidating.  All I want is them to give it a shot, and I'll help them make it whole when I am back on the 13th.  Amy can also get them headed in the right direction with it.

As always, if they find themselves  breezing through the assignment without difficulty, it is perfectly ok for curious minds to go ahead a page or two to see what's next.  Just be sure they read everything along with the music.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and I am very much looking forward to preparing for our March 11 concert!

South Update, 12/13/13

Thanks to all of you who were able to drop by this morning!  It was so nice to put some faces to some e-mail addresses.  Your support and encouragement played a huge part in any success we were able to demonstrate this morning.  I look forward to seeing more of you as the year(s) go on!

As most of you heard, we will continue work on pages 17 and 18, adding to our arsenal the concepts of 3/4 time, dotted half notes, dynamics, and naturals.  If all is going well, I would encourage them to start looking at page 21, which includes "Montego Bay" and "Regal March", which we will be performing on our March 11th concert at Andover High School.  The concepts of accents as well as 1st and 2nd endings, needed for these pieces, are introduced on page 19.

Also, a reminder that we will not meet next Friday, December 19.  Have a wonderful holiday, and safe travels to everyone doing so!

Bancroft Update, 12/12/13

Thanks so much to all of you who were able to join us this morning.

This group is REALLY catching momentum.  I really look forward to Thursday mornings.  Thank you for your encouragement, and for keeping them playing.  Each one of them is showing genuine growth, and It was nice that they could show you that today!  Once they were warmed up, they sounded great.  I was really happy for them!

We will NOT MEET next Thursday (December 19), as I will be attending a conference in Chicago.  Enjoy a sane Thursday morning for a change.

We will get right back at it on Thursday, January 2!  Don't forget about us!  We will finish up playing page 14, and move on to page 15, where we will learn about pickups and slurs.

Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!

West El. Update, 12/11/13

What a wonderful turnout this morning.  It was a treat to make music with so many of you there this morning!  Thank you for coming out!  It is just that sort of support from the family that is helping make this band experience such a success so far!

We continue our work on page 17, which introduced 3/4 time, dynamics, and dotted half notes.

Just as a heads up, over the holiday break, we will forge forward with pages 18 and 19.  I will go over them next Wednesday and help them get comfortable with them, but it will be three weeks before I see them again, and when we get back, it will be time to start thinking about preparing for the March concert.  Page 17 was in pretty good shape this morning, so I think we will be able to move pretty quickly into the next couple.

All Bands Night will be March 11th.  The concert will start at 7:00, and there will be a brief rehearsal in order to combine all the first year players (etc.) together at 5:45.  The students will perform together in one band made up of 4th and 5th graders from five elementary schools, as well as the first year players from the middle schools.  It will be a band of about 100!  

In preparation for this, the kids will need black clothing.  I know this is an age where kids' bodies grow about as fast as their hair, and that going out and buying a tuxedo or cocktail dress is not practical at this point.  All I am asking is that the clothes they wear are black, unadorned with logos or stripes, etc, including socks and shoes.  Collars and buttons are nice, but a nice black t-shirt, if that's all one has, can work for now.  In regards to pants or skirts, everyone's outfit needs to be such that they can sit in a chair in proper playing position with dignity.

More details well be coming, but I thought a heads up on the date and the clothing might be helpful.  Maybe a last minute call to the North Pole might be in order. 

Jazz Band (Level 1) Update, 12/10/13

What a treat it was to get started this afternoon with the Andover Level One Jazz Band!  We are off to a quick start, and it is a wonderfully talented group!

We started off with a very simple construction of Duke Ellington's C Jam Blues.  It gave us a chance to discuss the form of the blues, it's origin and structure, the scales needed for improvisation, and it also got us up and running with something that sounds like legitimate jazz, because it is!  They were terrific, and I am looking forward to moving forward with this next week!

For this week, I have asked them to find something on YouTube about Duke Ellington.  There will be a different "YouTube Artist of the Week", and we will talk it over each week as we get set up for rehearsal.

I have also asked them to review the melody (or rhythm parts for piano and drums) for C Jam Blues, and to have a look at the scales at the bottom, which are, as I described, their "crayon box" for creating solos.

The last bit of homework I gave to them was for them to be sure to give you the instructions to register for the jazz program, which we are doing on-line this year.  I have also included those instructions below in this e-mail, just in case that sheet does not fall under your notice any time soon. The only part of the registration process we are not yet equipped to manage on line is the fee, which we are asking you to bring to next week's rehearsal. (See below for details)

I am resolved to send you a weekly update including the YouTube Artist, and anything else in particular that may require your attention.  The calendar of performances will be forthcoming in one of these updates in the not-too-distant future.

Thank you in advance for your child's regular and prompt attendance.  Life gets busy and things pop up, but the ensemble counts on its members for success.  As a fellow parent of a middle school student, I am empathetic to all this, I assure you!  I can be reached at this e-mail address if conflicts arise.

As with all of my e-mail updates to the various bands, I will be posting these as well in fttp://whatsnewinband.blogspot.com, so that they are always available to you there!

All the best,

Joe Wright

Andover Level I Jazz Band

Joseph Wright

Instrumental Music, Andover Public Schools

Andover, MA

Band and class updates:

http://whatsnewinband.blogspot.com

Thoughts, stories, opinions:

http://www.adifferentkindofbeautiful.com

2013/2014  Andover Jazz Band Registration

Welcome (or welcome back) to the Andover Jazz Band Program.  Each year our goals are to create jazz ensembles, at various grade and difficulty levels, that produce high quality, performance level programs.  We also try to improve and expand every year.  The program is supported by its membership.  There is no stipend or other funds provided by the Andover Public School system.  There is a yearly activity fee of $125 for participation in the Jazz Band Program.  The jazz band staff includes Mr. Joseph Wright (j2wright@aps1.net), who will be directing the LEVEL 1 band on Tuesday afternoons in the WOOD HILL band room.  Mr. Garret Savluk (gbosshorn@verizon.net) will be handling both the LEVEL 2 and LEVEL 3 bands, while Mr. Jeff Buckridge (jbuckridge@rcn.com) will be directing the LEVEL 4 band and continuing to serve as the program coordinator.

Here are a couple guidelines for jazz band expectations:

• Students are expected to attend every rehearsal.  If you can’t make a rehearsal because of a conflict with sports or other afternoon activities, please let the director know before the rehearsal via email. 

• Students are expected to be prepared.  This includes bringing their instruments, all of their music, and having practiced the material that is to be done in rehearsal.

• We only perform a relatively small number of concerts every year, so it is expected that students will be at all performances.  The dates will be announced well in advance, so please make sure that those dates are free.

Because we are an extracurricular group, sometimes communication with students is difficult.  In order to make sure all of the important information regarding concert and rehearsal scheduling actually makes it home, I am trying to assemble a reliable database for communicating with the families of the students in jazz band.  Please fill out the registration form online (as instructed below) and send in the registration fee.

TO REGISTER, please go to this link:

andoverjazzband.weebly.com

Fill out the registration form on the HOME page.  This will go directly to a database that I will use for all jazz band communication.  It is important that you enter email info accurately and that you give me addresses that you actually check with some frequency.

PLEASE SEND A CHECK PAYABLE TO AASMP (Andover After School Music Program) FOR $125 WITH THE STUDENT TO THE NEXT REHEARSAL.  Thank you.

Sanborn Update, 12/9/13

I'm so glad so many of you were able to make it this morning!  Nice to meet/re-meet you!  Thanks for coming, and thanks for showing the kind of encouragement all year that would compel you to show up on a snowy morning like this!  I was very pleased with how well the kids played, and responded to your presence.  I am sure it will have gone a long way to help propel our momentum!

Next week, the kids will take the work we did this morning on pages 13 and 14, and learn the exercises that put those rhythms into practice.  There is an exercise on page 14 (#54 - "Baffling Barlines" that requires their written response.  They need to fill in the bar lines in the music, dividing the notes and rests in to four beat measures.  Please get in touch with me if this presents a challenge.  I only need them to give it a shot.  We can fix it next week.

Thanks again for this morning, and welcome to the Andover Band family!

South Update, 12/6/13

Hey there,

Looking forward to seeing as many of you who are able to join us next week.  Today we spent a little bit of time polishing up the holiday stuff we are planning to play for you, and got to work on pages 15 and 16.  For this coming week, I asked the band to review the three holiday pieces, and well finish up pages 15 and 16 right after we play them for you.  Please encourage them to give Star Search (page 15, #60) the old college try.  Some of them have already completed it, and others have yet to.  The point of this is that the song "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" has some notes left out, and they need to use their powers of reason as well as their ears to fill in those missing notes.  For some kids, this is a piece of cake, and for others, it could be a real challenge.  All I ask is that they give it a try.

So, this weeks assignment…

Please review:

Page 9, #26 – Good King Wenceslas

Page 10, #32 - Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Page 12 – Jingle Bells

…and be prepared to finish pages 15 and 16.

Hope to see you next Friday!

Bancroft Update, 12/5/13

Great morning today.  I hope Garrett is alright!

We took the morning to work as an ensemble and to get comfortable with the holiday favorites that we will be playing next week in our open house band class (nextThursday morning.) 

Details about the open house are available here:

http://whatsnewinband.blogspot.com/2013/12/bancroft-special-invitation-12213.html

The band should be reviewing the following tunes this week:

Page 9, #26 – Good King Wenceslas

Page 10, #32 - Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Page 12 – Jingle Bells

After we play these for you, we will do some work on pages 13 and 14, which they have looked at, and have one more week to really dig into.

I hope you are able to make it next week.  They are a hard working little group of aspiring musicians!  I very much look forward to your seeing what they've been up to!

All the best,

Joe Wright

Bancroft Band

West Update, 12/4/13 (with special invitation)

SPECIAL INVITATION

Our first performance in concert will be on March 11 at the annual Andover All Bands Night.  There will be more details coming soon about that, but in the meantime, we'd love to give you a short and easy way to check in with us and see how we are doing!

Wednesday, December 11, 7:45-8:30am, Open Rehearsal for the West Elementary School Band.

One week from today, during our regular morning band time, we will are inviting you to see how our band classes work, and to hear our progress.  We have a couple of old holiday favorites that are coming along nicely that we would love to work on for you.  It's not exactly a performance, it's just a chance to see how we operate, and to hear how the band is coming together.  Park your car, come in with your kids, bring your morning coffee, and enjoy.  I would be happy to hang out and answer any questions you have after the kids pack up and head off for their day of school!  Due to a special presentation planned for the auditorium that morning, the band class will be held in the back half of the auditorium.  It will be a little unorthodox, but you'll still get a good idea of what we do.

In preparation for this class, I will the students to pay particular attention to the following pieces of music.

Page 9, #26 – Good King Wenceslas

Page 10, #32 - Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Page 12 – Jingle Bells

They will also be preparing page 17, which introduces the concepts of dotted half notes, 3/4 time signature, and dynamics (forte and piano, or loud and soft)

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving!

Bancroft Special Invitation, 12/2/13

SPECIAL INVITATION

Our first performance in concert will be on March 11 at the annual Andover All Bands Night.  There will be more details coming soon about that, but in the meantime, we'd love to give you a short and easy way to check in with us and see how we are doing!

Thursday, December 12, 7:45-8:30am, Open Rehearsal for the South School Band.

One week from next Thursday, during our regular morning band time, we will are inviting you to see how our band classes work, and to hear our progress.  We have a couple of old holiday favorites that are coming along nicely that we would love to work on for you.  It's not exactly a performance, it's just a chance to see how we operate, and to hear how the band is coming together.  Park your car, come in with your kids, bring your morning coffee, and enjoy.  I would be happy to hang out and answer any questions you have after the kids pack up and head off for their day of school!

In preparation for this class, I will the students to pay particular attention to the following pieces of music.

Page 9, #26 – Good King Wenceslas

Page 10, #32 - Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Page 12 – Jingle Bells

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving!

South Special Invitation, 12/2/13

SPECIAL INVITATION

Our first performance in concert will be on March 11 at the annual Andover All Bands Night.  There will be more details coming soon about that, but in the meantime, we'd love to give you a short and easy way to check in with us and see how we are doing!

Friday, December 13, 7:45-8:30am, Open Rehearsal for the South School Band.

One week from next Friday, during our regular morning band time, we will are inviting you to see how our band classes work, and to hear our progress.  We have a couple of old holiday favorites that are coming along nicely that we would love to work on for you.  It's not exactly a performance, it's just a chance to see how we operate, and to hear how the band is coming together.  Park your car, come in with your kids, bring your morning coffee, and enjoy.  I would be happy to hang out and answer any questions you have after the kids pack up and head off for their day of school!

In preparation for this class, I will the students to pay particular attention to the following pieces of music.

Page 9, #26 – Good King Wenceslas

Page 10, #32 - Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Page 12 – Jingle Bells

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving!

Sanborn Update, 12/2/13 (with special invitation)

SPECIAL INVITATION

Our first performance in concert will be on March 11 at the annual Andover All Bands Night.  There will be more details coming soon about that, but in the meantime, we'd love to give you a short and easy way to check in with us and see how we are doing!

Monday, December 8, 7:45-8:30, Open Rehearsal for the Sanborn Band.

Next Monday morning, during out regular band time, we will are inviting you to see how our band classes work, and to hear our progress.  We have a couple of old holiday favorites that are coming along nicely that we would love to work on for you.  It's not exactly a performance, it's just a chance to see how we work, and to hear how the band is coming together.  Park your car, come in with your kids, bring your morning coffee, and enjoy.  I would be happy to hang out and answer any questions you have after the kids pack up and head off for their day of school!

For this class, I have asked the students to pay particular attention to the following pieces of music.

Page 9, #26 – Good King Wenceslas

Page 10, #32 - Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Page 12 – Jingle Bells

I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving!

West El. Update, 12/27/13

A bit of a skeleton crew this morning.  Lots of folks headed beginning the holiday routine a bit early, I suppose.  Thanks to those who gave me the heads up.

Albeit small, this intrepid group accomplished a lot.  Grace had a great day, and was getting some really nice sounds on some high notes that had been giving her trouble, and repeating them.  It was great to see the smile that created!  Jack was a big help in getting Joey off to a good start on his new adventure on clarinet.  Abby and Zeena are developing a really warm and beautiful saxophone sound, and Emily's sound just keeps getting more grown-up every week!

We move on to page 16, everyone.  Please help me get that word out to those who were not able to make it this morning.  We have a new note, and many of us are dealing with a new key signature.

I wish you all a safe and joyous Thanksgiving.  If you are at the Feaster Five or the AHS/Cen. Catholic game, be sure to say hello!

Sanborn Update, 11/25/13

It was an uplifting morning!

There was a good energy, and lots of signs of good preparation.  Gabriela showed up with some great questions that came right out of her having practice a couple of specific concepts. Luke is playing very well, and shows the fruits of a regular practice routine.  Lemuel made some big steps in the right direction, and worked quite hard this week.  Every individual in attendance this morning showed genuine growth.  It was a nice way to start the holiday week.

We have a fun assignment this week.  Most of page 12 is a band arrangement of Jingle Bells.  Not everyone has the same part.  Most instruments have 2 distinct parts to learn.  They have been asked to be ready to play either.  When we get together next week, we put it all together and play a real band arrangement.  I hope between all the football and the naps that we'll find time to practice!

Thanks again for supporting their efforts!  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Bancroft Update, 11/21/13

Such a great morning!

We missed Grace, and would really feel badly that she missed such a great rehearsal if she weren't having what we are sure is a great experience.

It was a morning of real growth for everyone.  Katherine was plucking off notes that were four scale steps higher than ever before, seemingly without effort, and Brandon's sound got beautiful over the last week!  Everyone exhibited real signs of preparation, and maybe most importantly, we were a focused team this week.  We got a lot done, and it was fun to be part of it all!   Great job, everyone!

We have two weeks to accomplish our next assignment, and that will be pages 13 and 14.  We had a chance to go over eighth notes, and put some of that theory into practice.  I am pretty confident that everyone understands them, and that will make this assignment go pretty smoothly.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Joe Wright

Bancroft Band

West El. Update, 11/20/13

A very good morning.  The band did not have any real trouble with pages 13 and 14!

We move on to page 15, where we work on slurring and pick-up notes.  We had time to discuss them, and I think everybody is on top of it.  Feel free to let me know if there is any confusion.

On occasion, there are exercises that require a written response.  Last week and this week both have these.  I asked those who didn't get around to doing "Baffling Bar Lines" (page 14, #54), please ask them to take a quick moment to do that.  It won't take long.  There is also a written response required of "Star Search" (page 15, #60).  This one may or may not come easily.  There are notes left out of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".  They need to provide the missing notes (as best as they can) and play it.  If it gives them to much trouble, no problem.  I just want them to do their best.

Just to be clear, we are indeed meeting before school next Wednesday.  Hope to see everyone there.

West MS Found Music Update, 11/19/13

STORYBOARD AND SCHEDULE for FOUND MUSIC (West-6)

STORYBOARD

Bus

Lockers

Classroom

Hallway

Gymnasium

Front Hallway

Cafeteria

Music Room

Library

Hallway outside library

Detention

Mr. Murray and Ms. Franks humming

WORKING SCHEDULE

-      Decide of a theme or motif  - Nov 26

-      Select resources – Nov 26

-      Choose teams – Nov 26

-      Teams compose music for segments – Dec 3-10

-      Rehearse music – Dec 17-Jan 14

-      Record Soundtrack – Jan 21 – Feb 11

-      Shoot video footage – Feb 25 – Mar 25

-      Edit video – Apr 3 - 10

-      Changes/additions - April 28

-      Produce final video - May 20

West Middle (6) Update, 11/19/13

Several of our members were involved in a math event this morning, so while I asked their colleagues to make sure they got this information, I thought I'd send it along to you as well.

For Friday's band class, I am asking them to be prepared to play through pages 19 and 20, which includes a few new concepts, such a accents, 1st and 2nd endings, naturals (for many of them), and a cool full band arrangement of a tune called "Sawmill Creek".  I wanted to give our mathematicians a chance to be up to speed.

Thanks!

Sanborn Update, 11/18/13

Welcome back to the Sanborn Band after a week off honoring our veterans!

We are moving on to page 11 this week.  There are many members of the band who are enjoying the fruits of a regular practice regimen.  For all the different learning styles there are out there, what seems to be a constant for us is that regular practice speeds up growth.  Olivia and Brigitte are particularly successful from week to week, and they both talk about what sounds like a very regular practice routine.  They are certainly not alone, but from one week to the next, when there is one person who is really struggling with a given page, it is very often the case that they did not have the instrument out a lot that week.  I very much encourage you to help them schedule a number of times, even if they are short, to get out the instruments and play.  Congratulations to Shubam for having a particularly good couple of weeks of growth!

Thanks everyone, and I am looking forward to seeing all of them next Monday!

South Update, 11/15/13

The South School Band always puts me in a good mood!

Great work this morning.  They all seem to have good preparation routines, and seem to be excited about making music together.  They respond so well, and fill me with a positive energy.  Thanks so much for getting up early on Fridays to get them in!  Jingle Bells was appropriately festive!

We are going for TWO pages this week, but I think they will go smoothly.  We introduce eighth notes to them in pages 13 and 14, with a variety of patterns to help them understand.  We had time this week to run through all the patterns, and I am confident that they understood them.  It's only a matter at this point of training muscles to execute.

Thanks again, and see them next week, our last before Thanksgiving!

Bancroft Update, 11/14/13

We are progressing nicely, and have some good momentum.  One of the things we talked about today was how we need to support each other as a team, and that there were some really wonderful examples of those in the band who support each other, and encourage one another, and that is a great goal for all of us. Let Mr. Wright point out the areas for improvement, and work with each other as a teammate and a resource.

Musically, we are on the right track.  Please continue to encourage regular practice, and it is ok so step back and just let them enjoy playing.  That can and should be an important part of their routine.

This week we have a fun assignment.  Page 12 is a full band arrangement of "Jingle Bells".  It is longer than anything we've played together as a band, and it passes the melody around to different sections.  All together, the product is pretty cool!  There is also a "School Song" at the bottom of the page.  They should have that prepared as well.

Looking forward to next Thursday!

West El.Update, 11/13/13

Hello all.  We were only missing one this morning.  Today we serenaded the Media Center, due to Student Council assembly preparations in the auditorium.

Today, as hoped, we rehearsed and ran through a full band arrangement of "Jingle Bells".  It was a real success!  This band is making great progress!

The next two pages introduce the concept of eighth notes.  We have been working at a clip of about one page per week.  What I asked of them this week is that we will work on pages 13 and 14.  It is a little more than we typically do in one week, but the whole rhythmic concept of the eighth note very cleverly spans those two pages.  After going through the basics with them, I have little doubt that they will be able to handle it.  I did tell them that if next week comes, and they are feeling overwhelmed, we can easily stretch this goal out to the following week, which will be the day before Thanksgiving.  I have not overestimated them yet!

Ms. Hofius and I thank you again for your continued support!

South Update, 11/8/13

What a great morning!

Everything this morning was a LOT more like the way it should be.  We were all there today, and pretty much on time!  We got a lot done, and were really able to dig into some details that made us sound great.  The morning was filled with smiles.  It was great to have my friend Amy McGlothlin along to help out.  Amy teaches saxophone in the Andover After School Music Program.

It was also clear to me that most of the students came prepared to work.  That also makes a tremendous difference.  I was very much encouraged by how many of you had shared my practice tips with them!  Thank you for that!

Next week should be fun.  Page 12 has our first band arrangement, meaning music where there are many different parts being played, rather than one melody or even a duet.  We will be learning an arrangement of "Jingle Bells" to play as a real band.  The more familiar they are with the parts, the more gratifying the outcome will be.  It also speaks well of our pacing that "Jingle Bells" is being presented three weeks before Thanksgiving!

Thank you again for you continued support.  There is a really good energy and momentum in this little band!

Bancroft Update, 11/7/13

Hello!

It was a very encouraging morning.  My friend Amy McGlothlin, saxophone teacher for AASMP, joined us this morning and sat in with the kids.  I heard lots of evidence of preparation at home this week.  We have a good energy and momentum, and the effort and focus in class goes well beyond what I might reasonably expect from musicians this age.  They work hard, and make a great team.

Today we had very little difficulty playing together through page 10, and we are more than ready for page 11.  This introduces for many of them the concept of key signatures, and they will also be encouraged to play short excerpts on their own.  I am absolutely aware of the anxiety this might cause for some of them, and we'll bring that along as they become comfortable.  We are in no hurry for that.

I also am starting to expect students to have pencils on their music stands.  That is a habit I want them to keep at home and in band.  If it is right there, they will use it.

Thanks again for all your support.  They are all great about getting to band, and it makes a real difference.

West Update, 11/6/65

This group is on a roll!  Aparna has migrated to the trumpet section and is off to a great start.  This band is an extraordinary group of polite and focused musicians, and we get a lot done in these morning rehearsals.  I do very much appreciate your rushing them through breakfast to get them to these gatherings.  I assure you it is time well spent.

These kids are moving on to Page 12, which is quite different than any they've studied so far.  Most of the page is taken up with a band arrangement of Jingle Bells.  On their page, there are two different parts for each instrument, and we will divide the section so that the parts are covered.  I have asked them to learn both the upper and lower part of the arrangement.  We took a shot at the first four measures at the end of class this morning, and I am confident it will be great.

Most of the kids in the band have very good habits in terms of practice and preparation.  Please know that I can tell that it is happening, and it makes all the difference.  Bravo!  On behalf of Ms. Hofius and myself, thanks again!

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRACTICE

I am going to ask you to take a look at the following tips with your kids about establishing a routine for practice at home.  I hope to get students in the Andover School Bands to get into great habits with practice.

PRACTICE TEACHES YOUR MUSCLES

Most students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology could probably provide, in a very short amount of time, a very accurate and detail diagram with mathematical calculations exactly how much force and angle was necessary for a human being to put a 12" basketball through a metal hoop 24" in diameter who's plane is  120" above the floor who's feet are fifteen feet from the area directly below the hoop.  However, any of us who follow college sports at all know that all of this knowledge has not put MIT into March Madness at any point in our lives.  It's about getting out there and shooting foul shots, hundreds of them.  That knowledge has to be followed up with practice.  Your brain needs to know what to do, and your muscles need to how to do it.    (In all fairness, MIT has a history of a decent NCAA Division 3 program.  I guess they can find at least five men and women who are willing to put in the time to let their muscles catch up with their brains.)

PRACTICE IS HOMEWORK

It is not easy to work practice time into a busy routine of homework and other after school activities.  For most of us, it takes a pretty strict routine to make sure it happens.  Try dedicating fifteen minutes while dinner is being prepared, or before the evening shower, or something that happens pretty much everyday, but what might be most helpful is to include practice in what is considered 'homework'.  It gives me a little touch of heartburn to hear kids say "I couldn't practice this week because of homework".  What other homework didn't they do because of homework?   I fully understand that band is different than any other class or activity, but a significant investment of time, money, and energy is being put into this activity, and where practice is so essential to its success, it is important to include in the routine, like other homework.

MANY SHORT SESSIONS IS BETTER THAN FEW LONG ONES

One of the challenges of practice is getting everything out and ready, and then cleaning and putting everything away.  It stands to reason that if you just do it all in one 60 minute blast on Saturday, it saves that hassle.  Unfortunately, the musician, from developing to virtuoso, needs to limit the duration of time away from the instruments as much as increasing the time spent with it.  The muscles and the brain need to keep things fresh, and I assure you that you will see a difference if you can get to the instruments four to five times a week for a modest time instead of the long cram sessions.

PRACTICE CAN, AND SHOULD, BE ENJOYABLE

When one practices be his- or herself, there is no model, or support.  The truth is out there, and it can be frustrating when it doesn't sound quite like it's supposed to, or even the way it did last time.  As a teacher, I absolutely can tell the difference between someone for whom practice didn't go the way he or she wanted, and someone for whom practice didn't happen enough or at all.  It is OK to fail, and from that we learn.  Come to band or your lessons with lots of pencil marks and lots of questions.  Those are allowed and encouraged.  Enjoy the learning process!  It is also so important to play something you love, and with which you are successful.  Playing an instrument is work, but fun work.  See to that.  Have fun, and be patient with yourself!