On Tuesday we passed out Pirates of the Caribbean to the majority of band members. This piece will be for our end of the year concert.
The Spring Concert will include the following pieces:
Ramsgate March
To A Wild Rose
United We Stand
Fanfare and Dance
The End of the Year Concert will be:
Pirates of the Caribbean
Appalachian Air
The Summit
Ancient Voices
Click any of the links to hear/download mp3's of the songs!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
First Student of the Week (SotW)
I'm proud to announce that the first recipient for our Student of the Week (SotW) is beginning band member Mark S!
He's been a fabulous member of the clarinet section, being very attentive and eager to follow instructions.
He now will be in charge of directing the warm up of the band for this coming week as well as be entered to win a gift certificate to a local music store.
Here is a picture he drew in celebration of becoming SotW!
Congratulation Mark! Well done!
He's been a fabulous member of the clarinet section, being very attentive and eager to follow instructions.
He now will be in charge of directing the warm up of the band for this coming week as well as be entered to win a gift certificate to a local music store.
Here is a picture he drew in celebration of becoming SotW!
Congratulation Mark! Well done!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Percussion sticking patterns
For our snare drum practicing we'll be using Mark Wessels "A New Approach to Snare Method" that will be provided by the band. This is an excellent method that includes play along cd's as well as a dvd. We currently have 1 book with 3 more on order, which will be loaned to each student for the remainder of the year.
I will upload a .pdf of the sticking patterns for practicing until the other 3 books arrive.
Please practice each pattern for AT LEAST 2 minutes per day. Practice along with a metronome. If you don't have a metronome use the online metronome by clicking on the link under the "Related Links" category.
Start each pattern at 80 bpm (beats per measure) and increase by 3 clicks (ex. from 80 to 92, from 92 to 104 etc.) until you can play up to 176.
There will be a quick practice playing test next Monday on patterns 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Thanks,
Mr. S
I will upload a .pdf of the sticking patterns for practicing until the other 3 books arrive.
Please practice each pattern for AT LEAST 2 minutes per day. Practice along with a metronome. If you don't have a metronome use the online metronome by clicking on the link under the "Related Links" category.
Start each pattern at 80 bpm (beats per measure) and increase by 3 clicks (ex. from 80 to 92, from 92 to 104 etc.) until you can play up to 176.
There will be a quick practice playing test next Monday on patterns 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Thanks,
Mr. S
Friday, January 11, 2008
Beginning Band Practice Assignment
All beginning band members are to practice numbers 26, 27 and 28, on page 11 from their band method books for rehearsal on Wednesday the 16th.
Music for Tikal and Two for Band were passed out to the students inside music folders. Students are responsible for bringing their music inside their folders to every rehearsal and are to be returned immediately following our concert(s).
Music can be written upon in erasable pencil only!
Any damaged or destroyed music will have to be replaced and costs $2 - $3 per piece.
Please encourage your students to practice and take good care of the music as it will become part of the Schools library and can/will be used multiple times in the future.
Music for Tikal and Two for Band were passed out to the students inside music folders. Students are responsible for bringing their music inside their folders to every rehearsal and are to be returned immediately following our concert(s).
Music can be written upon in erasable pencil only!
Any damaged or destroyed music will have to be replaced and costs $2 - $3 per piece.
Please encourage your students to practice and take good care of the music as it will become part of the Schools library and can/will be used multiple times in the future.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Reports due.
Reports are due by the following students.
Matthew: History of the Trumpet
Eric: History of the Trumpet
Nathanael: History of the Getzen Company
Olivia H: History of the Flute
Emily S: History of the Clarinet
Thank you and I look forward to receiving and reading them on Tuesday the 15th or Wednesday the 16th!
Matthew: History of the Trumpet
Eric: History of the Trumpet
Nathanael: History of the Getzen Company
Olivia H: History of the Flute
Emily S: History of the Clarinet
Thank you and I look forward to receiving and reading them on Tuesday the 15th or Wednesday the 16th!
New Music!
We have received the following music for the March Concert.
Beginning Band:
Tikal
Two for Band
Intermediate Band:
To a Wild Rose
Ramsgate March
On order for May: Pirates of the Caribbean
Beginning Band:
Tikal
Two for Band
Intermediate Band:
To a Wild Rose
Ramsgate March
On order for May: Pirates of the Caribbean
Intermediate Band Playing Tests
Tuesday, January 15th
Flutes: United We Stand measures 45 - 53
Thursday, January 17th
Trumpets: Fanfare & Dance measures 3 - 11
Please be prepared to play the specified measures on the posted days.
Flutes: United We Stand measures 45 - 53
Thursday, January 17th
Trumpets: Fanfare & Dance measures 3 - 11
Please be prepared to play the specified measures on the posted days.
Spring Semester 2008
Hello Parents and Students!
Hopefully, you all had an enjoyable winter break and are excited to get back into band!!
There will be several changes to our rehearsal methods as many suggestions have come in asking for primarily two things:
More communication and a more focused and respectful rehearsal environment.
Firstly, this blog/website hopes to fill the communication gap between myself, Mrs. Lee and all of the Parents by keeping you up to date with Upcoming concerts, Outstanding Students, Current Music as well as practice assignments.
Secondly, in an effort to keep a more orderly and respectful teaching and learning environment, all disruptive behavior will be met with the following actions:
1. First, the student(s) will be asked ONCE to refrain from any further disturbances. These include but are not limited to:
Talking
Playing out of turn
Distracting fellow students
Rude Comments or Behavior
Etc...
2. If the student(s) continues to be disruptive, they will be assigned a report. The report must have the follow criteria:
1 full page (no spaces)
Hand written
Blue or Black ink
Cursive legible penmanship
Due at the next rehearsal
3. If the disturbances do not cease(in either one particular class period or over a series of rehearsals), parent involvement will be necessary . Ranging from, phone conversations, parent rehearsal attendance and ultimately, if the behavior does not improve removal from the program.
It is not my intent to exclude any student(s) from participating in the band program.
Hopefully, the reports will act as a deterrent to necessitating more severe action. And oddly enough, several students asked if they could write a report as extra credit!
I have had the pleasure of working with these students since September and know them all to be good, decent people and with improved rehearsal structure and behavioral policing, this semester will continue to foster a learning atmosphere.
Enough with the negative!
I am also introducing a "Student of the Week" program to identify and recognize outstanding students!!
The requirements are the following:
Perfect attendance for the week
Outstanding Behavior
Complete practice records, turned in on time and properly filled out
Each student is provided with a practice record each week, asking them to specify the amount of time they practiced their instrument on each specific day, then requires a parents signature for authenticity. The minimum number of minutes to be practiced each day varies on the ensemble the student participates in and is shown on the practice record.
The reward for meeting all three requirements are:
Be featured on this website, including a photograph and brief bio. Some students have asked if they can include artwork and/or music clips of them performing. All of which is possible with approval.
Second, they will be entered into a drawing to receive a $20 gift certificate to a local music store. Cash will not be given, so kids, stop asking!
Also, they will be able to assist conducting while warming up the band!!
Ways for the students to distinguish themselves are to exceed the minimum daily practice requirements and/or opting to write a 1 page report.
For parents who have students learning percussion. We have decided to move all percussion students to one rehearsal on Monday mornings. Percussion techniques are so different from wind instruments that my fear is that these students have not been receiving the attention they deserve. Also, having them meet together will allow us to work on ensemble music for both the Beginning and Intermediate bands. This will also reduce the transition time between numbers and ensembles during concerts. Mr. Faires has also graciously offered to allow us to use some of Juan Diego's percussion equipment for concerts.
Lastly, soon this semester, we will be taking a band field trip. The exact date or venue have not been determined but be prepared for further information.
Thank you all for your continued support and assistance. It is truly a privilege to work with this outstanding students. If you have any questions, concerns, comments or suggestions feel free to contact me at mr.sausedo@gmail.com
Thanks again,
Mr. S
Hopefully, you all had an enjoyable winter break and are excited to get back into band!!
There will be several changes to our rehearsal methods as many suggestions have come in asking for primarily two things:
More communication and a more focused and respectful rehearsal environment.
Firstly, this blog/website hopes to fill the communication gap between myself, Mrs. Lee and all of the Parents by keeping you up to date with Upcoming concerts, Outstanding Students, Current Music as well as practice assignments.
Secondly, in an effort to keep a more orderly and respectful teaching and learning environment, all disruptive behavior will be met with the following actions:
1. First, the student(s) will be asked ONCE to refrain from any further disturbances. These include but are not limited to:
Talking
Playing out of turn
Distracting fellow students
Rude Comments or Behavior
Etc...
2. If the student(s) continues to be disruptive, they will be assigned a report. The report must have the follow criteria:
1 full page (no spaces)
Hand written
Blue or Black ink
Cursive legible penmanship
Due at the next rehearsal
3. If the disturbances do not cease(in either one particular class period or over a series of rehearsals), parent involvement will be necessary . Ranging from, phone conversations, parent rehearsal attendance and ultimately, if the behavior does not improve removal from the program.
It is not my intent to exclude any student(s) from participating in the band program.
Hopefully, the reports will act as a deterrent to necessitating more severe action. And oddly enough, several students asked if they could write a report as extra credit!
I have had the pleasure of working with these students since September and know them all to be good, decent people and with improved rehearsal structure and behavioral policing, this semester will continue to foster a learning atmosphere.
Enough with the negative!
I am also introducing a "Student of the Week" program to identify and recognize outstanding students!!
The requirements are the following:
Perfect attendance for the week
Outstanding Behavior
Complete practice records, turned in on time and properly filled out
Each student is provided with a practice record each week, asking them to specify the amount of time they practiced their instrument on each specific day, then requires a parents signature for authenticity. The minimum number of minutes to be practiced each day varies on the ensemble the student participates in and is shown on the practice record.
The reward for meeting all three requirements are:
Be featured on this website, including a photograph and brief bio. Some students have asked if they can include artwork and/or music clips of them performing. All of which is possible with approval.
Second, they will be entered into a drawing to receive a $20 gift certificate to a local music store. Cash will not be given, so kids, stop asking!
Also, they will be able to assist conducting while warming up the band!!
Ways for the students to distinguish themselves are to exceed the minimum daily practice requirements and/or opting to write a 1 page report.
For parents who have students learning percussion. We have decided to move all percussion students to one rehearsal on Monday mornings. Percussion techniques are so different from wind instruments that my fear is that these students have not been receiving the attention they deserve. Also, having them meet together will allow us to work on ensemble music for both the Beginning and Intermediate bands. This will also reduce the transition time between numbers and ensembles during concerts. Mr. Faires has also graciously offered to allow us to use some of Juan Diego's percussion equipment for concerts.
Lastly, soon this semester, we will be taking a band field trip. The exact date or venue have not been determined but be prepared for further information.
Thank you all for your continued support and assistance. It is truly a privilege to work with this outstanding students. If you have any questions, concerns, comments or suggestions feel free to contact me at mr.sausedo@gmail.com
Thanks again,
Mr. S
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