6th Grade Songs

Hey 6th Graders! I found a place for you to listen to your songs for free! (You can buy them if your really want to, but why would you when you can listen for FREE!!!)
Stompin' on the Housetop can be found here:
http://www.alfred-music.com/product_info.php?products_id=5509
Click on "Listen with Flash" to hear it.
Starlight can be found here:
http://www.alfred-music.com/product_info.php?products_id=2494&osCsid=8654cd840cf6bac8df38b37351fbb432
Same as "Stompin'"...just click on "Listen with Flash" to hear the song.
"Holiday Sampler" can be found on the CD that came with your book. If you didn't get a CD, let Ms. C-ham know and something can be arranged.
Have a listen and keep up the good work!

Come Prepared for Class

I couldn't believe the number of students who were not prepared for class today! It was stated in the information that went home at the beginning of the year and I repeat it in class all the time:
Students are expected to come to class prepared. Being prepared means having your instrument, band music, method book, pencil and any other supplies that you need in order to play - reeds, drumsticks, oil, etc. Being prepared also means that you practice your music and your method book.

Sadly, I will have to do as other teachers do and start handing out MIR to those students who repeatedly come to class unprepared.
Remember, we are a team and everyone needs to do their part...this includes being prepared for class!

Will I get a good review from Mr. Garner?

Hope everything went well in class today. I missed you guys! 3rd period, I won't see you until next week :-( so be sure to start practicing page 10.

Hope that everyone is keeping up with their practicing! If you want to keep track of how much time you spend practicing, use the chart in the back of your method book. Keep up the good work!

Page 8!

Has everybody prepared page 8 for this week? Be sure to read everything on the page. For 6th and 7th grade, that means looking at the top of the page for new notes, rhythms, and musical concepts that are being introduced or reviewed. 8th graders should look at all of the musical information presented: key signatures, accidentals, articulations, rhythms, intervals, etc.
I'm looking forward to great week ahead. Remember, Monday is a "B" day!

Where did the week go?

I can't believe that tomorrow is Friday! We've accomplished a lot this week, but there's always more to do. The 6th grade intermediate band took a test today on page 7 and did a great job with a lot of 92%, 96% and even 100%. GREAT JOB! Beginners have a test tomorrow as well. Be sure to practice!

7th and 8th graders, I'm pleased with how you're doing on Sleigh Ride, Twas in the Moon... and Hanukah Dance but you know me, I always want more expression, dynamics, correct notes and rhythms, etc. Keep up the good work!

Thanks to everyone that voted in the poll! Looks like it's Ms. Grizzlewartz that teaches Art. Serves her right for calling me Ms. Honeyham!

Trills

7th and 8th grade flutes and clarinets are starting to work on trills. Wow, are they confusing!
I found some online trill fingering charts to help you out:
Flutes -
http://www.cgconn.com/pdf/Flute%20Trill%20Chart.pdf

http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/flute/fl_tr2_1.html

http://fluteconnection.net/inst08/trillChart.pdf

Clarinet -
http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet/cl_tr2_1.html

Everyone can check online for fingering charts, helpful hints, music etc.

Yay for the weekend!

The good things just keep happening! I saw a lot of instruments going home for the weekend. Good. Now, don't forget to practice and don't forget to bring those instruments back next week! Start practicing page 7 in your method books and keep practicing that band music - it's coming along, but some pieces need more practice than others. 7th and 8th grade - keep working out the tough parts of "Sleigh Ride".

Don't forget to turn in those blue papers is you are interested in All-County, Tri-County, Solo and Ensemble or CHS Band night.

Have a great weekend!

Interim Grades

Today is the day that students receive their first quarter interim grades. I've stressed to students that this is not their "permanent" grade, but rather a way to check where they are going and what they need to change or continue doing.

If a student has an A or B in band, they are coming to class prepared, participating and cooperating. If a student receives a C, D, or E, chances are that he or she has not been prepared which means that they cannot participate. If a student does not have his or her instrument on the day of a test, the test score is then a 0%.

For those student with a C, D or E - all is not lost! Students can do many things to improve their grade before the end of the quarter:
BE PREPARED PART 1 - This means bringing band materials to school on the correct day. The A/B schedule can be confusing, but everyone received a copy of this schedule when they received their CCPS calendar. The page before "August" shows the entire school year in A and B days. Please refer to this schedule when you get confused.
BE PREPARED PART 2 - Once students get their instruments and music to school, they cannot leave them in their lockers. Locker passes cannot be issued for forgotten materials. It is the student's responsibility to take the necessary materials from their lockers for their morning and afternoon classes. Make a check list that can be posted in the locker or color code folders to help with organization.
BE PREPARED PART 3 - Practice! See the earlier post about what and how to practice.
EXTRA HELP OR SECOND CHANCES - Students can come to me during AM advisory to make up any tests that they missed, failed, or would just like to try to do better. Students can also sign up for after school practice starting October 6th.

Hopefully, by the end of the quarter, everyone will be happy with the grade that they've earned.

What should I be practicing?

Students, have you ever started to practice and were confused as to what you should practice?
Here's what I recommend:

Start with long tones. Play a nice comfortable note for as long as you can. Do this 3-5 times breathing normally between each note. Drummers practice long sustained rolls going for a nice smooth "buzz".

Move on to basics - the "Circle of 4ths" or scales. Drummers practice rudiments.

Practice 2 or 3 lines from your current method book assignment. If you are sight reading the line for the first time, use STARS. Challenge yourself to follow all dynamics, articulations, accidentals, etc.

Move on to band music. Practice those areas that we've been working on in class. Start slowly and gradually speed up. Always focus on STARS. Don't forget: PRACTICE LONGER ON THE HARD STUFF! (I know that it is not as much fun to play something you haven't mastered, but think of how rewarding it is to work on something and finally get it!) You don't need to practice whole pieces...just the parts that are the hardest.

Reward yourself after a practice session by playing something you enjoy: a favorite song from years past, that song that is not allowed in the band room, an improvised melody...whatever makes you happy.

Cool down with more long tones.

Practicing just 15-20 minutes a day will make a difference.