Bancroft Update, 1/30/14

Bancroft, the littlest band in Andover, may well be the one with the most momentum.  I perceive that as a group, they have very good practice habits, and we are lately in a position to make a lot of progress on Thursday mornings.

I am in the process of reinforcing the use of pencils in the elementary school bands.  With pencils, they will be able to make notes of trouble spots, and making note of the week to week assignment.  They also know that you have access to that assignment via these updates.

I try never send them off without specific instructions for next week.  It might be prudent to make sure they are aware of it when they practice.  They might make it from Thursday to Thursday appearing to practice a specific assignment, and quite likely making genuine progress, but in earnest are not quite being aware of what was assigned.  I know I pulled that trick a few times at their age.

I would never do this without parent consent, but if there are additional e-mail addresses that your kids read that you would like me to include in my updates and communications, I would be happy to do so.  Just let me know.   Nothing will be sent to them without also being sent to you.  As you also probably know, all of my updates get posted to http://whatsnewinband.blogspot.com

FOR NEXT WEEK: We are moving on to page 23, adding a new scale, a new note, and in some cases, new symbols! (Sharp/Natural)  In addition, I want them to keep working on page 21 for the March 11 concert repertoire. ("Montego Bay" and "Regal March")

Having said all this, I do think that it is absolutely appropriate and desirable for them to just play the thing once in a while.  For them to figure out easy pop or folk tunes (or read them from some book or internet resources), and spend some time learning to love the instrument.  A little bit of off-task time on the horn can be just as soul filling as perfecting your articulation and counting skills, and may help them develop a genuine affection for the art form.  If you are having trouble getting them to practice, try once in a while saying, "Why don't you just take 10 minutes and play something you are good at.  We'll worry about the assignment tomorrow", or "Let's see if we can find "The Harry Potter Theme" on line, and see how many notes you'd have to learn to play it."  If there is something specific you can't find, let me help. :)

Thanks again for all your support.  I am seeing lots of confidence and growth coming from all of them.  Let's continue on a path to not only make them competent musicians, but to help them fall in love with music. :)