High Plain Update - 9/30/15

Hope everyone is staying nice and dry!

The “Blue Book” (experienced) band (7:30-8:10) worked on the Bb Concert scale (top two lines of page 42 in the red book) and they are expected to perfect that over the next week, as well as find something they love to play, and be prepared to share that with the group next Wednesday.

The “Red Book” (beginning) band (8:10-8:50) played as a full band today!  We performed Exercise 1: “Time for Band” on page 6.  We discussed the clef, time signature, whole rests, and whole notes, (quarter notes and rests for percussion).  They are expected to work on all of page 6 for next week.  If that goes easily, it’s fine if they want to have a look at page 7.  I told them that they should read each page carefully every time they practice, an in particular the concepts featured in the gold boxes on each page.

I realize that with the rain and the holiday last week that there were challenges in getting the whole group here this morning.  I hope we get everyone next week so we can all move forward together.

Bancroft Update - 9/29/15

The “Blue Book” (experienced) band (7:30-8:10) worked on the Bb Concert scale (top two lines of page 42 in the red book) and they are expected to perfect that over the next week, as well as find something they love to play, and be prepared to share that with the group next Thursday.

The “Red Book” (beginning) band (8:10-8:50) played as a full band today!  We performed Exercise 1: “Time for Band” on page 6.  We discussed the clef, time signature, whole rests, whole notes, (quarter notes and rests for percussion), and each section was able to quite well demonstrate their first note!  They are expected to work on all of page 6 for next week.  If that goes easily, it’s fine if they want to have a look at page 7.  I told them that they should read each page carefully every time they practice, an in particular the concepts featured in the gold boxes on each page.

Thanks to all of you for helping us achieve a pretty remarkable level of attendance and punctuality!

Sanborn Update - 9/18/15

Nice to see so many kids either beginning or continuing the adventure on their instruments!  I was very happy to see Aimee, Marc, and Nicholas this morning!  Glad to have them back!  After a year of clarinet, Nicholas is beginning the great trumpet journey, and is off to a brilliant start!

The “Blue Book” (experienced) band (7:30-8:10) got the scale sounding pretty solid this morning, and we great about helping bring Mark and Nicholas up to speed.  We played through an old favorite from last year.  They are to keep looking at page 42, and review page 21, in the red book.  Meiling needs to have her flute looked at, and I have a loaner in case that will take any length of time.

The “Red Book” (beginning) band (8:10-8:50) got themselves to a point where we all played Exercise 1: “Time for Band”, on page 6, together as a band.  I asked them all to work on all of page 6, and encouraged them to use the accompaniment CD’s.  I encourage you to load them into you digital library so they might be available to your/their devices.

Pretty alert group for all staying up to see the lunar event!

South Update - 9/25/15

The South Band is up and running.  There were a handful of people whom we did not see on Friday, and I’m sorry if there was any confusion regarding the start date.  We will get them up to speed on our next meeting!  In general, I will try to get this update out on a weekly basis, within a day or two of band class.

The “Blue Book” (experienced) band (7:30-8:10) dusted off the cobwebs a little and got things going.  We read through some of out music from last year to loosen up the “summer chops”.  They are going to be looking at the Bb Concert Scale (C for trumpet, G for alto sax) on page 42 of the red book.  We will be needing the blue book soon, so if they don’t have it, and you want to send them to band with $9.00, I’d be happy to get the books for them.  I also asked them to find some stuff from last year that they enjoyed, and just play for fun.

The “Red Book” (beginning) band (8:10-8:50) got off to a good start.  There are a big bunch of them, which really makes me smile.  Today was all  about introducing them to their instruments, including proper assembly and care.  Over the week, please have them look at pages 2-5 in the book.  They are encouraged to give the exercises a try, and we will, as a group, get out first band sound happening together.  If for some reason the student does not yet have an instrument, let me know if I can be of any help in making that happen.

PLEASE ENCOURAGE PRACTICE, AND INCLUDED IT AS PART OF THEIR ROUTINE

We all have a number of things that we allow to fit into our lives when we “get around to it”, such as flossing our teeth, cleaning the patio, etc.  These things that we know we should and even want to do, but unless we schedule it, or put it into our routine, time gets past us without it getting done.

Unless the instruments are being played at home, there is a very slim chance of success in band class.  The early sounds will often be not something to which our ears are accustomed.  Please encourage them to keep at it, savor their progress, and hear everything they do as “a different kind of beautiful”.  It will be real music, and soon!  Use of the CD’s in the book are often a wonderful motivator!

West El Update - 9/24/15

The West El Band is up and running.  There were a handful of people whom we did not see last Thursday, and I’m sorry if there was any confusion regarding the start date.  We will get them up to speed on our next meeting!  In general, I will try to get this update out on a weekly basis, within a day or two of band class.

The “Blue Book” (experienced) band (7:30-8:10) dusted off the cobwebs a little and got things going.  We read through some of out music from last year to loosen up the “summer chops”.  They are going to be looking at the Bb Concert Scale (C for trumpet, G for alto sax) on page 42 of the red book.  We will be needing the blue book soon, so if they don’t have it, and you want to send them to band with $9.00, I’d be happy to get the books for them.  I also asked them to find some stuff from last year that they enjoyed, and just play for fun.

The “Red Book” (beginning) band (8:10-8:50) got off to a good start.  There are a big bunch of them, which really makes me smile.  Thursday was all about introducing them to their instruments, including proper assembly and care.  Over the week, please have them look at pages 2-5 in the book.  They are encouraged to give the exercises a try, and we will, as a group, get out first band sound happening together.  If for some reason the student does not yet have an instrument, let me know if I can be of any help in making that happen.

PLEASE ENCOURAGE PRACTICE, AND INCLUDED IT AS PART OF THEIR ROUTINE

We all have a number of things that we allow to fit into our lives when we “get around to it”, such as flossing our teeth, cleaning the patio, etc.  These things that we know we should and even want to do, but unless we schedule it, or put it into our routine, time gets past us without it getting done.

Unless the instruments are being played at home, there is a very slim chance of success in band class.  The early sounds will often be not something to which our ears are accustomed.  Please encourage them to keep at it, savor their progress, and hear everything they do as “a different kind of beautiful”.  It will be real music, and soon!  Use of the CD’s in the book are often a wonderful motivator!

Bancroft Update - 9/22/15

The Bancroft Band is up and running.  There were a handful of people whom we did not see this morning, and I’m sorry if there was any confusion regarding the start date.  We will get them up to speed on our next meeting!

The “Blue Book” (experienced) band (7:30-8:10) dusted off the cobwebs a little and got things going.  We read through some of out music from last year to loosen up the “summer chops”.  They are going to be looking at the Bb Concert Scale (C for trumpet, G for alto sax) on page 42 of the red book.  We will be needing the blue book soon, so if they don’t have it, and you want to send them to band with $9.00, I’d be happy to get the books for them.  I also asked them to find some stuff from last year that they enjoyed, and just play for fun.

The “Red Book” (beginning) band (8:10-8:50) got off to a good start.  There are a big bunch of them, which really makes me smile.  There were lots of familiar faces from last year’s adventures together with recorders at Bancroft!  Today was all about introducing them to their instruments, including proper assembly and care.  Over the week, please have them look at pages 2-5 in the book.  They are encouraged to give the exercises a try, and we will, as a group, get out first band sound happening together.  If for some reason the student does not yet have an instrument, let me know if I can be of any help in making that happen.

I have been asked to share the following police regarding parent drop off in the morning:

1. Siblings should not be left unattended.  Staff is not available for coverage until 8:15am.

2. Unless there is a musical performance, we ask that parents refrain from accompanying their child to the classroomUnless there is a musical performance, we ask that parents refrain from accompanying their child to the classroom.

3. If a parents needs to visit the classroom, please sign in the visitorbook and take a visitor badge.  We ask that you vacate the building before the school day begins at 8:45am.

PLEASE ENCOURAGE PRACTICE, AND INCLUDED IT AS PART OF THEIR ROUTINE

We all have a number of things that we allow to fit into our lives when we “get around to it”, such as flossing our teeth, cleaning the patio, etc.  These things that we know we should and even want to do, but unless we schedule it, or put it into our routine, time gets past us without it getting done.

Unless the instruments are being played at home, there is a very slim chance of success in band class.  The early sounds will often be not something to which our ears are accustomed.  Please encourage them to keep at it, savor their progress, and hear everything they do as “a different kind of beautiful”.  It will be real music, and soon!  Use of the CD’s in the book are often a wonderful motivator!

Sanborn Update - 9/21/15

The Sanborn Band is up and running.  There were a handful of people whom we did not see this morning, and I’m sorry if there was any confusion regarding the start date.  We will get them up to speed on our next meeting!

The “Blue Book” (experienced) band (7:30-8:10) dusted off the cobwebs a little and got things going.  They are to be looking at the Bb Concert Scale (C for trumpet, G for alto sax) on page 42 of the red book.  We will be needing the blue book soon, so if they don’t have it, and you want to send them to band with $9.00, I’d be happy to get the books for them.  I also asked them to find some stuff from last year that they enjoyed, and just play for fun.

The “Red Book” (beginning) band (8:10-8:50) got off to a good start.  Today was all about introducing them to their instruments, including proper assembly and care.  Over the week, please have them look at pages 2-5 in the book.  They are encouraged to give the exercises a try, and we will, as a group, get out first band sound happening together.  If for some reason the student does not yet have an instrument, let me know if I can be of any help in making that happen.

PLEASE ENCOURAGE PRACTICE, AND INCLUDED IT AS PART OF THEIR ROUTINE

We all have a number of things that we allow to fit into our lives when we “get around to it”, such as flossing our teeth, cleaning the patio, etc.  These things that we know we should and even want to do, but unless we schedule it, or put it into our routine, time gets past us without it getting done.

Unless the instruments are being played at home, there is a very slim chance of success in band class.  The early sounds will often be not something to which our ears are accustomed.  Please encourage them to keep at it, savor their progress, and hear everything they do as “a different kind of beautiful”.  It will be real music, and soon!  Use of the CD’s in the book are often a wonderful motivator!

High Plain Update - 9/16/15

The High Plain Band is up and running.  There were a handful of people whom we did not see this morning, and I’m sorry if there was any confusion due to the originally stated start date.  We will get them up to speed on our next meeting!

The “Blue Book” (experienced) band (7:30-8:10) dusted off the cobwebs a little and got things going.  They are to be looking at the Bb Concert Scale (C for trumpet, G for alto sax) on page 42 of the red book.  We will be needing the blue book soon, so if they don’t have it, and you want to send them to band with $7.00, I’d be happy to get the books for them.  I also asked them to find some stuff from last year that they enjoyed, and just play for fun.

The “Red Book” (beginning) band (8:10-8:50) got off to a good start.  Today was all about introducing them to their instruments, including proper assembly and care.  Over the next two weeks, please have them look at pages 2-5 in the book.  They are encouraged to give the exercises a try, and we will, as a group, get out first band sound happening together.

PLEASE ENCOURAGE PRACTICE, AND INCLUDED IT AS PART OF THEIR ROUTINE

We all have a number of things that we allow to fit into our lives when we “get around to it”, such as flossing our teeth, cleaning the patio, etc.  These things that we know we should and even want to do, but unless we schedule it, or put it into our routine, time gets past us without it getting done.

Unless the instruments are being played at home, there is a very slim chance of success in band class.  The early sounds will often be not something to which our ears are accustomed.  Please encourage them to keep at it, savor their progress, and hear everything they do as “a different kind of beautiful”.  It will be real music, and soon!  Use of the CD’s in the book are often a wonderful motivator!