Back into the Routine!

Back into the Routine!

This week was all about getting back into the band routine.  The band room was redone over the summer and so many of the students were interested in seeing what the band room looked like and what it sounded like.    We had a couple of bus glitches that I believe are now worked out.   We have seen everyone at least once.   It is so nice to see the Grade 7's and 8's again, and so nice to get to know the Grade 6's.    

In Grade 6 Band .....

This week in Grade 6 Band we established the routine of coming into the band room and the expectations while in it.   Our main goal this week was to reinforce what was done on the weekend clinics and reinforce that playing an instrument is fun.   To do this we concentrated on the first three notes students learned, we watched for proper posture, embouchures, and use of air.   For percussionists this is proper posture, grip and use of air.    As their assignment students were asked to name their instrument, find a favourite note, and a favourite  sound effect (that is safe for them and their instrument).    We asked students to practice a few lines from Page 5 and demonstrate their favourite line in sectionals next week.   

In Grade 7 Band.....   


This week in Grade 7 Band we are getting back into the routine.   Many students were concerned because they "forgot some notes."   We started with a chromatic scale that used their fingering charts.   This was so that they could look at the note, note name and fingering.   We are hoping this will refresh memories!   Students are reminded to get some practicing in.   Students who we saw in sectionals this week were asked to practice the first three lines on Page 3 (from the Orange book) as well as their chromatic scale using their fingering chart.  

In Grade 8 Band......

The Grade 8's this week are also getting back into a routine.   Students began with some new music - Joy and Shadows Unleashed.   They are also working on the Circle of 4rths.    We will continue to work at this next week.   

Welcome Back and Congratulations!

Welcome Back!

We are looking forward to a great year of music making.   


Congratulations to all Grade 6 students on a wonderful weekend at our Headstart Clinics.  

This week in Grade 6 Band classes we will be following up on many of the concepts demonstrated at our headstart clinic.   In grade 6 band we focus on getting a characteristic sound on our instrument and enjoying music making.   This week in class we are hoping to find out from students if they have a favourite sound or note their instrument makes.   We will be emphasizing that in band we move carefully, not always quickly and that learning an instrument is not a race.   We have many different learners and so we will learn some of our music with notes, some by ear, and some by pure experimentation.   We will post on our blog each Friday so that you know what has gone on in band class.   We will also ask students to write down in their composition books what it is they are supposed to practice each week.   We are looking forward to a great year with the Grade 6's.   Thank you for sharing your children with us this past weekend.   

Band classes are beginning this week.  Please have instruments at School for your first class!  
First Band Class  - McVeety - Tues. Sept. 9 (Day 1) afternoon 
First Band Class - Massey - Wed. Sept. 10 (Day 2) afternoon
First Band Class - Grant Road, RCS and Perry - Thurs. Sept. 11 (Day 3) morning


Thank you to all the Grade 7 and 8 students who helped at our Headstart Weekend!  Your help was greatly appreciated!  

Grade 7 and 8 Band Classes start this week!

First Band Classes
Tues. Sept. 9 - Day 1 - All Massey students in the morning
Tues. Sept. 9 - Day 1 - All McVeety students in the afternoon
Wed. Sept. 10 - Day 2 - All Grant Road, RCS, and Perry students in the morning (full band)

*Please have your instrument with you!   We will be playing!  We are looking forward to seeing each of you.   

Trips and Concerts

To Remember:
-Band Camp forms have been handed out, please take a look and give consideration to
-Band Camp Scholarship forms have been handed out.  If your child is interested, please get this form into us!

Congratulations 
Congratulations to the Grade 8's and to Junior Winds on great performances at Music Monday.  Music Monday is celebrated across the country.   It was wonderful to be a part of the celebrations.

Everyone has been working at getting ready for our final concert and the Grade 7's for their trip.   The next few weeks will be a little confusing because of all kinds of things going on.  We will do our best to keep the blog updated with changes and communicating changes with you.  

This week!
May 12
- Grade 7's are off to Moose Jaw!
Students are reminded to bring a bagged snack or light lunch for the bus, their instrument and music, band uniform, and swim suit and towel.  Parents are reminded that we will be back at 5:45p.m.   AT CAMPBELL!
*There are no band classes on Monday

May 13
-Junior Winds are in Moose Jaw!
Junior Winds students are to meet at Campbell at 7:45.   We will return at 3:00p.m. to each of the elementary schools.    Students are asked to remember their band instrument, uniform, lunch and a little spending money for ice cream.  
*There are no band classes on Tuesday, however there WILL be Jazz Band after school from 4-5p.m.

May 14
-No Massey Grade 7 Sectionals
- Massey Grade 8's will still have sectionals
- Massey Grade 6's will have sectionals

May 15
- No Perry Grade 8 sectionals
- There WILL be Perry Grade 6 and Grade 7 Sectionals

May 16-19 - No School

May 20  - Day 1
9:15 -10:15 - Grant Road and Perry Grade 7s
10:45-11:30 - RCS Grade 7's
1:30-2:30 - All Grade 6's Dress REhearsal

May 21 - Day 2
9:30-10:30 - Grade 7's  - Massey, RCS, McVeety
10:35-11:35 - Grade 8's
Afternoon - Massey Grade 6 Sectionals

CONCERT 7:00 at Campbell - All Grade 6,7,8 Bands

Thurs. May 22 - Day 3
- No Grade 6 Band

Fri. May 23 - School tours GRade 6 Band
- No other band Classes

Mon.-Thursday May 26-29 - Normal Band Classes
May 29 - Last Day of Band Classes

May is here!

Reminders:
-Music Monday on Monday May 5 - Grade 8's and Junior Winds are asked to be ready at 11:30 for the bus.
-Grade 7's and Junior Winds students - Moose Jaw permission forms are due on Monday!
-Band Camp Deadlines will be quickly approaching.    Please make sure if you are planning on attending that you have registration handed in.

In Grade 6 Band
In Grade 6 Band this week we reviewed the two new pieces of sheet music we will be performing at our concert on May 21.   We also reviewed the 4 scales that we have been working on.    We took a look at the solos that were handed out.

We began experimenting with the concept of "audition."    We have many students who go to one of the summer band camps that are offered in the province.    Sometimes they are asked to "audition".    We explained to students that the purpose of these auditions were so that teachers can figure out what to teach a particular student for a week.  We tried having an audition.   Students who "auditioned" played a scale, something that was prepared (most played one of the solos) and we ended with a little bit of sight reading.   We also explained that auditions can be fun when you think of it as choosing what you practice.   Next week in sectionals to make sure everyone is comfortable with this idea, we are going to have a "mock audition."    Students were asked to choose what to practice and then show me next week.    I'm looking forward to hearing their choices!

In Grade 7 Band
We are preparing for Moose Jaw.   Students will be playing Prelude et Celebration and Sanctus.    We have not played this for awhile.   There were a couple of rough spots.   Students are asked to take a look at this.    We are also working on Pandora.   This one will not quite be ready for Moose Jaw but we will for sure be playing it at our end of the year concert on May 21.  Grade 7's have also begun discussing auditions and how to do an audition on their band instrument.   This is in preparation for those attending any of the summer camps.

In Grade 8 Band
In Grade 8 Band we are looking forward to joining forces with the Balfour Area 7/8 Band on Monday, May 5th.  On Monday the 8's won't have full band in the morning but will instead be bussed to Balfour at 11:30 where they will have lunch (bring a bagged lunch) and then rehearse and perform for each other.  Students will be bussed back at 3.  Only a few weeks left in band so students need to keep practicing for our final concert on Wednesday May 21st.

Have a Good Break!

Things to Remember:
- All instruments need to go home for the break!
-Grade 7's and Junior Winds Moose Jaw permission forms are due May 5

Congratulations!
Congratulations to all Grade 8's on a wonderful trip!  You are a pleasure to travel with.   Congratulations to all Junior Winds and Jazz Band students on an excellent concert on Wednesday night.  A special congratulations to all soloists.

Have a good break!  
We did not see all students this week.  For those we did not see, we look forward to seeing you after the break.  This next part of the school year goes quickly, please make sure you are staying caught up in practice.   We do not have a lot of time before our next concerts.

The first day back after the break will be a DAY 2.   This is full band for Grade 8's, and Massey, McVeety and RCS grade 7's.   It is also sectionals for Massey Grade 6's.   Please make sure your instruments are at school.

We hope that everyone gets to have an opportunity for a little down time with friends and family over the spring break.  

Nearing a Break!

Reminders:
-Grade 8 Band Trip - Grade 8's please meet at 2:00p.m. in the band room on Sunday.
-Jazz Band students reminder that all jazz band students will have jazz band on Tuesday after school.   Jazz rehearsal on Wednesday is cancelled because of the recital.
-All Jazz Band and Junior Winds Students - recital on WEDNESDAY APRIL 16

In Grade 6 Band
This week in Grade 6 band we continued to review our two new pieces, as well as Mr. P.C.   We also have continued working on our Concert Bb scale, Concert Eb Scale, Concert F scale and concert Ab scale.    As well this week grade 6 students were given a piece of "solo" music.   We discussed different places that solo music was played and how it was played.  Some students did not realize their band instrument could also be a solo instrument.   We watched a few examples of professional soloists.  We practiced playing a solo.   We played together, and then many students tried playing a solo on their own.  We are hoping that if the opportunity arises, students will feel comfortable playing a solo.

In Grade 7 Band
This week in Grade 7 band we worked on intonation and tuning.   Students practiced tuning their own instruments.   As we practiced this we noted a few students who needed to make sure they were putting slide grease on slides and cork grease on corks.   Students also tried using a tuner but were asked to always trust their ears.    We have started to hand out trip itineraries.   Students are asked to return these by Monday May 5.   Students continue to work on moving together in slow music and creating phrases.  We listened to Pandora this week.   We still have a lot of work to do with this piece.   Students are asked to take a look at 48 to the end.

In Grade 8 Band

This week we worked more on our new piece, Beatles 1964.  This will be a main focus of our clinic with Nick Fanner in Saskatoon.  We are also trying to keep our other 5 pieces up to snuff.  Phrasing and rhythmic accuracy seem to be concepts that we keep needing to work at.  This requires consistent focus as well as an in depth knowledge of ones own part which only comes from individual practice.  This becomes difficult after a major performance like the Optimist Music Festival but with two months left in band we can't rest on our laurels.

See you all on Sunday at 2 p.m.  Don't forget your instrument, music, and concert dress!  We are looking forward to a rewarding and fun trip.

Reminders:
-Grade 8 Band Students all permission forms need to be in for your trip
-Jazz Band and Junior Winds - Concert April 16

In Grade 6 Band
This week in Grade 6 Band we got another piece of sheet music.  It is called Penguin Promenade.    It was fun to read through and we look forward to working more on it next week.    As well in Grade 6 Band we reviewed the Concert Bb scale, reviewed the Concert Eb scale and began work on the Concert Ab and Concert F scales.   Students found it interesting how everyone has different favourite scales.   This is largely due to the ranges each of these scales are in.   Concert Bb scale is a very common band scale.  It is not a great scale for clarinets or for french horns.   Many of the students are enjoying discovering ranges of their instruments as we do this.   Students also this week learned the third part of Mr. P.C.  Most students are around 3.14 in their books (P.19-20).   We circled the lines to practice.  Many students are now finding the things in their  books are now review.

In Grade 7 Band

This week in Grade 7 band we continued to read some new music.   We also did some experimentations with intonation or tuning.   Students were asked to make their instruments as "out of tune" as possible so that we could experiment with trying to get their instruments back in tune.  In order to work on our tuning we have been using a solfege exercise.   We will continue to work at this.   We have also been working on sustaining chords, watching, listening and balancing.   We have used our piece Sanctus to work on this.   We made it beginning to end of Pandora this week.   We will work at the accidentals and at increasing the tempo.   Students are asked to take a look at Pandora from 34 - 48. 

In Grade 8 Band

This week in Grade 8 Band we returned to our pieces from the beginning of the year, Chesapeake Serenade, Chant and Tribal Dance, and Spania.  We also started reading a new piece, Beatles 1964.  Finalized itineraries went home today for the band trip on April 13-14th.  The most important change is that we will return to Campbell at 4 p.m. on Monday.  We'll need to practice our old pieces for our concert in Saskatoon at Silverwood Heights Elementary School.  Some of our students had the opportunity to work with Nick Fanner, our clinician, when he was in town directing the South Saskatchewan Junior Honour Band.  We're looking forward to a fun and musically rewarding trip.