Sanborn Update, 4/28/14 - CONCERT INFO!

I really have to hand it to the band this morning.  A week off would have been a reasonable explanation for taking a while to get up to speed on this assignment, but it really would appear that most of them made sure that they worked some good time in on the horn even if they had been traveling, and in a few cases it was apparent that the vacation made extra practice a reality.  Bravo to the band!  Well done.

A few particular reasons that I smiled today:

• Lemuel had a particularly impressive week.  He has nice command of his high register, and was sitting right up and engaged today, acting like a real leader.  
• Everybody played by his- or herself for the group this week.  I heard genuine growth out of everyone.
• Utsav sat right up and gave a great effort and got some solid playing out of his horn. (also love the cool keychain from his trip to India!)
• "Band is the best part of Monday" - Ryan Entner
• Very good post-vacation attendance and punctuality!

Page 26 introduces the concept of the dotted quarter note and the single eighth note.  We did have a chance to go over that before they were sent off for the day.  Looking forward to seeing what they get done this week!

SPRING CONCERT! - The Sanborn Band WILL be performing in the Sanborn Spring Concert on Tuesday, June 3.  They will perform for the school in the morning for the school, as well as in the evening at 7:00pm, with a report time of 6:30.  The concert dress will be black, just as it was in March.  More details to come!

Bancroft Update, 4/17/14 - CONCERT INFO!

Soooo…

Between Holy Week, vacation, and all that went on immediately after our gathering on 4/17, it became apparent to me as I was updating the blog that a Band Update never went out!  I am sorry.  I hope this catches you up sufficiently with a couple of days before our next class!

We were missing Alan and Katherine to vacation, but we forged on and had a good session with page 28.  We moved on to page 29, which has a couple of fun and familiar tunes in it.  This page helps us get more comfortable with accents, slurring, register changes, and dynamics, including the introduction of crescendo and decrescendo.  I added my own little twist to the definition of these.  Crescendo=start soft, and Decrescendo=start loud.

SPRING CONCERT! - The Bancroft Band WILL be performing in the Bancroft Spring Concert on Wednesday, June 11.  They will perform for the school in the morning for the school, as well as in the evening at 7:00pm, with a report time of 6:30.  The concert dress will be black, just as it was in March.  More details to come!

West El. Update, 4/16/14 - CONCERT INFO!

Soooo…

Between Holy Week, vacation, and all that went on immediately after our gathering on 4/16, it became apparent to me as I was updating the blog that a Band Update never went out!  I am sorry.  I hope this catches you up sufficiently with a couple of days before our next class!

We move on to page 31, but please start to look at page 30.  We will come back to it.  We are starting to assemble possible repertoire for the WEST ELEMENTARY SPRING CONCERT, which will be on Monday, May 19th.  They will perform for the school in the morning for the school, as well as in the evening at 7:00pm, with a report time of 6:30.  The concert dress will be black, just as it was in March.  More details to come!

Jazz Update, 4/15/14

A reminder to the Level 1 jazz folks.

We are meeting tonight in the band room of the Collins Center at Andover HS.  The concert starts at 7:00pm.  The call time I we sent out last week was 6:30, but most of you got an e-mail from Mr. Buckridge changing that to 6:15.  I will be there then to meet everyone, but if that's a hardship, please get there when you can.

I know that a weeknight can be hectic, but a big part of tonight is hearing and supporting each other, and I would like very much to encourage the band to stay, supporting and enjoying the older bands.  Thanks for understanding.

The YouTube Artist for our next rehearsal (4/29) is "The Dirty Dozen Brass Band", and in particular, I'd like them to check out their tune "Don't Drive Drunk", which is their take on a lesser known Stevie Wonder tune.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FaDozJ8PPY

Sanborn Update, 4/14/14

That's more like it!  Nice work this week!

We move on to page 25, and that includes some more 'written homework'.  Exercise #110 asks them to write a 'knee slap' part as a duet with the already composed clapping line, and to give it a name.  Simran is off to a great start with "Cupcake".  I am looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday, particularly to those who are traveling.  Looking forward to seeing everyone back on 4/28!

South Update, 4/11/14

We are in the homestretch with Book 1!  I have assigned for them to work on Page 31, which among other things introduces the concept of 'ritardando' or gradually slowing down.  I also asked them to at least have a look at page 30, which has potential for a performance piece, as does "Sakura" on page 31.

Because of the religious holiday and school vacation, we won't see each other for three weeks!  Please help them not to go too long without playing!

Have a wonderful and safe holiday, particularly to those traveling!

Bancroft Update, 4/10/14

We are cranking ahead nicely!  This morning Mikey and Katherine both shared projects from outside of their assignments in band which were really cool.  Mikey is working a "Drummer Boy" piece on his oboe, while Katherine played a part of "The Pirates of the Caribbean" that she is working on with her brother playing the piano.  Loved them both!

We move ahead to page 28, and talked for a little while about tempos.  See you all next Thursday, except for Katherine, whom I wish a safe and exciting journey!

West El. Update, 4/9/14

On we go to page 29.  Here we reinforce our use of recently learned concepts such as dotted quarter notes, register changes, and tempo markings, and we add crescendo and decrescendo to the mix.  If you get a chance, I encourage you to ask the kids what that means, and ask them if they remember Mr. Wright's definition of them.

I made it a point to let the kids know how impressive and extraordinary I find it that they are so mature and respectful of their instruments and of each other.  This group virtually never has to be spoken to about appropriate use of the instruments, and not make silly noises, etc.  I feel as though when they play the instrument, the intent is always a beautiful sound, as is often the result.  They are also quite encouraging and positive with each other.  It's inspirational.

Look forward to hearing the familiar theme from the finale of Beethoven's ninth symphony this week.  Encourage them to use the crescendos and decrescendos!

Jazz Update, 4/8/14

My name is Lindsay Marino, and I have been student teaching with Mr. Wright for the past 4 weeks.  I attend the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and I will be finishing up my master's degree in the fall.  It is a pleasure working with all of your children and watching how they are growing with musicality within the past few weeks.  I have taken over the email duties this week.

Today, we ran through the three songs that we will be performing at the upcoming concert next week.  There has been a lot of progress, and the band is starting to sound really good, and I love hearing everyone's solos and how they are progressing.   Mr. Wright would like the students to be able to play through all three pieces ("C Jam," "Spooky," and "Watermelon Man" with more confidence and with perfected notes, especially in "Spooky."  We discussed the form of the pieces and who will take solos during the concert.  

Just as a reminder, the concert will be next Wednesday, 4/16, at 7pm in the Calling Center.  Call time for the musicians is at 6:30 sharp.  

The Youtube artist of the week is Buddy Rich.  Here are a few links that may help your child learn more about him to discuss next week:

- http://www.biography.com/people/buddy-rich-9457049#early-life&awesm=~oATGRSvbx00aD9

-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9esWG6A6g-k

-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=141o_jwG7cA

Sanborn Update, 4/7/14

The band struggled a little bit with page 24, and I think we'd all benefit from one more shot at it.  I don't think it was a total disaster this morning, but we certainly could stand a more successful run at this assignment before moving on.  With one student missing, no trumpet books, and no really clean run-throughs of anything, let's take a mulligan!

It would be a real boost if you can help those who don't already have this a practice routine that gets them playing regularly throughout the week. The pages to come will present new challenges, and everyone in this band is fully capable of meeting all of them, but not without a regular practice routine.  Thanks for your attention to this.

Safe travels to Utsav and family!

South Update, 4/4/14

As always, a very well prepared group showed up this morning and worked hard.  They get more and more musical every week.

Page 29 is our new frontier, and introduces crescendos and decrescendos (gradual increase or decrease in dynamics, respectively), and reinforces and develops or more recent concepts  such as tempo, dynamics, and range extension.

Book 2 is just around the corner.  Information on acquiring this book will be coming soon.

The South School Band will be performing in the Spring Concert at South School on Thursday, May 29.  There is a morning concert at 9:30 am for the school, and a performance for parents in the evening at 7:00pm.  Please be on the lookout from me for details, but be sure to have this on our calendars!

Also soon to come is information about continuing with band either next year at South or moving on to middle school.  One thing to bear in mind is that most of you are in a rent-to-own situation with your instruments.  Returning them for the summer would put you back to square one, where everything you currently pay (less tax and insurance) is credited toward the purchase of the instrument.  I would also be happy to help you find opportunities to do some playing over the summer, if even just an occasion or two.

Bancroft Update, 4/3/14

Great job this morning.  I am seeing more and more confidence and growth, one feeding into the other!

This morning we flew right through page 26, and moved on to page 27 for next week.  This page introduces some pretty big leaps from one register to another on the instrument, especially in the clarinet.  This doesn't always come easy, and may require a little more self-patience in practice than at other times.  Work hard, and we'll get it happening!

Thanks for everything!

West El. Update, 4/2/14

Thanks to Ms. Hofius for filling in this morning while I took my turn with this cold everyone seems to be passing around.  She reported to me that our band played very well!

 

We are moving on to 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).  Looking forward to next Wednesday!