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!

Sanborn Update, 11/4/13

Greetings Sanborn Band Families,

My goal for the band is that we have a great time pushing right through Page 10 at our next band class, which is TWO weeks from today, due to the Veterans' Day observance next week.  This is one page for two weeks.  We have an opportunity to get really comfortable with it.  It's got some fun music on it, and two whole weeks to really nail it.  There are many students in the group who are doing quite well with the assignments, and I encourage those with the initiative to look forward in the book.

This morning I ask for your help.  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 will be sending these out to all of the my band students in the elementary and middle schools.  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 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!

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Looking forward to nailing page 10 with all of them on November 18!

South Update, 11/1/13

Hey there,

We ended up doing some great things this morning, but candidly we got off to a slow start.  As the parent of an eleven year old, I have all kinds of empathy for a family trying to get young ones out the door, especially after a night of trick-or-treating.  The fact is that at 7:45 there were five of us, including me, and with all the trickling in and setting up, we weren't really able to get any momentum until 8:00.  We were also missing a handful of you.  Hope everything is ok!

When the dust settled, we had managed to meet our objective and move on to page 11.  We are adding a new lower concert A (A for flute/percussion, B for clarinet/trumpets, and F3 for sax).

Thanks again for all your support, and I'm looking forward to getting off to a hot start next Friday.

All the best,

Joe

Bancroft Update, 10/31/13

Great momentum on yesterday morning!  Thanks to all of you for supporting their efforts.  We are able to move on page 10, where will deal with ties, where two note are graphically tied together with an arched line that creates one note that lasts as long as their combined durations.  We will also be using a 2/4 time signature, where as up to now, everything has been four beats to a measure.  Now we learn two beats to a measure.

Looking forward to next Thursday!

All the best,

Joe