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!