Sanborn Update, 3/31/14

We missed Gabby and Shubam this morning, but we got a lot done!

There were a few things to talk about today, including sharps, key signatures, and alternate fingerings for saxophone and clarinet.  We are moving confidently on to Page 24 for next week.  Be sure they are paying attention to key signatures, time signatures, accidentals, and dynamics!

Thanks so much to Simran and Nikita for the cool shells from Florida.  That was very thoughtful!  They have assumed a display position with my Ludwig van Beethoven action figure on a shelf in my office at Wood Hill!

South Update, 3/28/14

Sorry, everyone!  Playing a little catch-up after a very busy weekend.

We worked on some challenging interval leaps, with lots of success.  The percussionists are well on their way to playing some great sounding double-stroke rolls, and the clarinets are having success getting into their upper register.  After band, Mrs. O'Donnell and I had a good discussion about some ways to approach that very topic, as she is an excellent clarinetist.  She was able to demonstrate a couple of fingering techniques for me on her lamp.  I found it amusing enough to include a picture.

Next week we will be working on page 28, which adds 'tempo' into the mix, as well as the 'mezzo' (MET-zo) or media, dynamics: mf =mezzo forte (medium loud) and mp = mezzo piano (medium soft).

Bancroft Update, 3/27/14

Sorry!  I am playing a little bit of catch-up with a very busy weekend!

Once again, I am really pleased by the progress!  We move on to page 26, where they are learning to use dotted-quarter note and single eighth notes.  Their focus and attention was excellent, we got a lot done!  Looking forward to this Thursday!

Jazz Update, 3/25/14

There was a good level of preparation going into Tuesday's rehearsal, and that made it much easier to move forward!

We had a good chat about Jaco Pastorius (1952-1987), about his genius on electric bass and about his demons that lead to his untimely end.  This week our YouTube artist is Jeff Coffin.

Here are some suggestions for videos to share with them:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA8ijzDSzIg – Jeff with his own "Mu'tet"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gIlLOowyP0 – Jeff with the Dave Matthews Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUMGSr3b67g – Jeff with Bassist Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones)

We had a good session with "Spooky", and were able to add some horn backgrounds for the tune.  I asked them to have a look at the Bb concert (D or G) Dorion Scale (on the bottom of their music to "Spooky" for use in solos.

West El Update, 3/26/14

Good to have everyone this morning!

Nice work today for everyone.  We move on to page 27.  This is an exciting time for clarinets and percussion in particular, as we introduce upper register and double stroke rolls (respectively).  Their introduction went very well, and I am confident that we will have a good week with these concepts.  It would be a good week to be sure that we don't try to fit practice into a couple of longer sessions, but rather keep at these things a little everyday, or as well as we can do.

Looking forward to next week!

Sanborn Update, 3/24/14

Perfect attendance this morning!  That always puts me in a good mood!

The kids did a nice job on Page 22.  There was a lot of creativity on Exercise #90.  I am looking forward to seeing what Luke and Lemuel come up with next week, and I hope we have a couple of brave souls who are interested in performing their compositions.

We move on to page 23.  Please encourage them to get plenty of practice sessions in!

I hope Nikita and Simran have a nice trip!

South Update, 3/21/14

Kind of a big deal today for drums and clarinets!

Upon getting through page 25 this morning, we move on to page 26, where two very important concepts are introduced:  For snare drum, they will be doing more with the "double stroke roll", in the form of a nine stroke role.  Be sure to ask them to demonstrate them for you.  They all did a good job getting off to a start with them.  Clarinets are "going over the break", which means they will begin to use the upper register of the instruments.  This can present a challenge for a little bit, but the three players there this morning did a great job, and have been working with it in their lessons prior to our reaching it in class.  I think in both cases, we are in good shape.  Gianna may well need a little help getting comfortable with this.  Please let me know and we can arrange a little time to catch her up.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Bancroft Update, 3/20/14

Good momentum this week, and we move on to page 25!  Thank you for encouraging their regular practice!

We move on to page 25, and please be aware that there is a written assignment on this one.  Exercise #110 asks the kids to write a knee-tapping composition to work as a duet with the clapping exercise above it, and it also needs a title.  We'll try to read a couple of them next Thursday!

One thing we all need to work on as a band is keeping focused and task-oriented in class.  There are so many wonderful spirits and lots of energy, and not a shred of sinister in that room.  We worked on keeping the conversation to what we are doing, raising hands, and being ready.  The cool stories and jokes are more than welcome when we are cleaning up or setting up.  It's a work in progress, but we have a little bit of work to do to change that culture a little.

I hope MCAS goes well for everyone!

West El. Update, 3/19/14

Nice work for the hearty eight of you that came this morning.  Looking forward to getting us all back in full force next week!

The group did a nice job with Page 25 today!  I did ask them to be sure that all of them had completed the exercise in #110.  Most had, but my goal is to have everyone complete it.  Anyone who is interested in partnering up with someone and performing his or her composition next week is encouraged to do so!

We move on to Page 26 this week, and we went over dotted-quarter notes and single eighth-notes this morning to get them off to a good start!

Looking forward to next Wednesday!

Jazz Update, 3/18/14

Missed Rishi and Ely, but made some progress.

We started work on Michael Sharpe's "Spooky" (made famous by the Atlanta Rhythm Section).  The winds need to work on getting the melody up to tempo for next week, and the rhythm section should keep working on getting comfortable with the head.  Next week, we will hopefully be comfortable enough to play the head at tempo, and we will add some background riffs to it, as well as talking about the dorian scales for solos.

This week's YouTube artist is Jaco Pastorius.  Here are a couple of "shortcut" links to get them started!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgntkGc5iBo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjS9Y-T589g

Looking forward to next Tuesday!  Keep Jazz Night (Wed April 16) in your sights!

Sanborn Update, 3/17/14

Playing a little catch up this week!

We are back on track with the book.  Albeit missing three members on Monday morning, we talked a bit about our wonderfully successful concert.  We then spent some time on Page 22, and that will be this week's assignment.  Looking forward to seeing them all on Monday, and thank you so much for all of your support in helping their first performance go so smoothly.

South Update, 3/14/14

Right back to work after a wonderful concert.

Today we went through page 25, which we have been looking at along with the concert music for a couple of weeks.  This week we move on to page 26, and we started it with a little bit of help understanding dotted-quarter-notes.  I feel like they all are off to a good start, but if there is any confusion, don't hesitate to get in touch with me over the course of the week.

I was so proud to be in front of that group of fourth and fifth graders on Tuesday night.  They were like pros up there, and the rebirth of elementary band in Andover is off to such a heartwarming start.  Of course this is the result of an extraordinary group of young musicians, but equally important is a school and group of parents supporting them in this endeavor.  That was as loud and as present on that stage as any instrument that played.  Thanks to all of you, from the bottom of my heart!

This is the most recent entry from my "other" blog that goes into a little more detail than what I said before their performance on Tuesday.  Thank you again for all that you have done to help bring about such a special event! ---> http://jwright781.blogspot.com/2014/03/allan-minkkinen-and-triumphant-return.html

Bancroft Update, 3/13/14

Thank you for getting to band through some pretty slick roads!

I went home in a really good mood after the concert on Tuesday night.  The elementary band made me so proud!

We are right back to work in the book!  For this week,  the kids should be working on Page 24.  This deals with key signatures, and being sure they understand them.  If they grasp these and use them every time, they'd be one of the earliest bands in my 26 years of teaching to do it, but I say we give it a shot!

At this pace, we should easily be looking at starting Book 2 by the middle of May!  More details on acquiring this book to come!

This is the most recent entry from my "other" blog that goes into a little more detail than what I said before their performance on Tuesday.  Thank you again for all that you have done to help bring about such a special event! ---> http://jwright781.blogspot.com/2014/03/allan-minkkinen-and-triumphant-return.html

West El. Update, 3/12/14

Thank you for getting to band after a relatively late night.  I went home in a really good mood after the concert on Tuesday night.  The elementary band made me so proud!

We are right back to work in the book!  For this week,  the kids should be working on Page 25, including an opportunity to compose a "knee slapping" part for a rhythmic duet with clapping in exercise #110.  Lets see if ALL of them can come in with something written for that!  I also told them that I would like to hear "Roses from the South" and "Hansel and Gretel" (#104 and #105) from page 24.

At this pace, we should easily be looking at starting Book 2 by the middle of May!  More details on acquiring this book to come!

This is the most recent entry from my "other" blog that goes into a little more detail than what I said before their performance on Tuesday.  Thank you again for all that you have done to help bring about such a special event! ---> http://jwright781.blogspot.com/2014/03/allan-minkkinen-and-triumphant-return.html

Sanborn Update, 3/10/14

We are ready!  First, let me point out that we have enjoyed at least three weeks in a row with PERFECT ATTENDANCE!  I love that.  It goes a VERY long way in helping us grow.

I am very much looking forward to the concert!  There has been remarkable work done getting ready for this, and I hope you can all see that when they take the stage.

I will see all of them at AHS in the Collins Center ready to play at 6:00pm, in black clothes.  Check the blog for further details. (http://whatsnewinband.blogspot.com/2014/02/all-bands-night-important-information.html)

Next Monday, we will debrief a little bit, and then get back to work on progressing through the book!

West El. Update, 3/7/14

I hope it WERAWC was gratifying and successful!

Our concert is next week!  Looking forward to seeing you all at the Collins Center (AHS) ready to play at 6:00pm.  I'm glad Isabel and Tyler were able to join us on Monday at Sanborn!  Good to have you!

The details about All-Bands Night can be found on this blog:(http://whatsnewinband.blogspot.com/2014/02/all-bands-night-important-information.html)

E-mail me if you have any questions.

South Update, 3/7/14

Ready or not, here it comes!  All Bands Night is next Tuesday.

I think we are ready.

There were plenty of little details to iron out in order for us to feel confident and comfortable for the concert this morning, but it was time well spent, and I think the objective has been met!  I am really looking forward to the show!

We missed Lucas.  Hope he feels better soon.  I told the band that now we are going to see just how much work and hustle Lucas puts into set-up and clean-up this week, because he's not here to do it!  We all had to actually do some work!

Eliza was on fire by the end of the class.  She sounded like she was starting to believe that the is the rock star that she is!

Here is a link to the information blog that has all the concert details, in case you need to review them!  (http://whatsnewinband.blogspot.com/2014/02/all-bands-night-important-information.html)

Thanks for everything.

Bancroft Update, 3/6/14

Fine work this morning!  We all seemed to be pretty excited to get out on stage next week!

We did spend our time making sure we were all set for the concert, and I am really proud of these kids.  They are strong and confident, and their presence will absolutely have a positive impact on the sound of the big band!

Next Thursday we will debrief a little from the concert, and we will get some momentum in the book again!

The information about All-Bands Night can be found on the blog (http://whatsnewinband.blogspot.com/2014/02/all-bands-night-important-information.html)

E-mail me if you have any questions.

Sanborn Update, 3/3/14

We did spend our time making sure we were all set for the concert, and I am really proud of these kids.  They are strong and confident, and their presence will absolutely have a positive impact on the sound of the big band!  Shubam beat all of us to band this morning, including me!  Nice job!

We were joined by two of their colleagues from West Elementary this morning, as their band rehearsal was cancelled this week due to their Readers and Writers Conference (WERAWC).  

I will listen to page 23 next Monday, and we will get some momentum in the book again after the concert.

The information about All-Bands Night can be found on the blog (http://whatsnewinband.blogspot.com/2014/02/all-bands-night-important-information.html)

E-mail me if you have any questions.

South Update, 2/28/14

Sorry I am a bit behind!

The band is certainly within one rehearsal from being ready for the concert on March 11.  Percussion had a particularly good rehearsal, and I think they can come into our last one with a lot of confidence!

Please make sure that we get a few runs of the concert music this week at home, and we are continuing work on the book on page 26, which gives us our first look at dotted-quarter notes (1.5 beats).  I will also have a look at page 25, exercise #110 where they have a written/creative component.  Many of them have done it already, but I am in hopes of trying a few with them.  Kate's use of all rests was definitely creative, and I give her points for thinking outside the box, but I encouraged her to replacing some of the rests with notes for this coming Friday.

The information about All-Bands Night can be found on the blog (http://whatsnewinband.blogspot.com/2014/02/all-bands-night-important-information.html)

E-mail me if you have any questions.