September Band Updates

5th graders have been working hard getting to know their schedules and remembering to bring their items. This may seem like an "easy" task, but it just isn't! I'm so impressed with how well the students have been doing to know their 6-day rotation during specials and their RTI pull M-Th.

Students should be attending classes even if they forget their items! This is so important, as we will be learning newer skills that make it imperative they are there.

Please reference the schedule (attached below) for exact days and times your 5th grader has band. Each student got a paper copy, as well as a hand-held half sheet of paper to reference. It is part of their DVUSD curriculum that they demonstrate the ability to show up regularly with all necessary materials, so be aware that forgotten items or attendance that is not due to school absence is recorded. This curriculum standard is scored at the end of each quarter and is based upon the tracking data. The first two weeks were a freebie! See 6th grade section for exact wording of benchmark/outcome.

Students need their Measures of Sucess book 1 this week!! If you still do not have your required book for the course, please feel free to send in money (pricing sheet on our band website) for Milano Music and I'd be happy to get your child their book within the week! Rhapsody School of Music in Anthem may have some. There is always Amazon, but we will begin playing in the book this week, so all students need their required materials.

Students should be practicing a minimum of 10 minutes 5x per week! This week starts all homework from our Measures of Success books. Please ensure students have this resource.

6th grade band has been working hard on tone production, endurance, and muscle rebuild after a summer off. Students have been studying from John McAllister's Foundation Warm-Ups (we are already on set #2!) and have already begun working on their DVUSD Honor Band Audition etude! We are about to embark upon scales (concert Bb Major and Chromatic) as well as some sheet music to perform for you in November.

6th graders have been doing an OUTSTANDING job showing up on their scheduled band days with minimal issues of forgettng instruments. Please reference the schedule below, which each student got a hard copy for. Scheduels are also listed on our band website.

As with 5th grade, students do receive an end of quarter grade stemming from our DVUSD Benchmark Outcome: The student will demonstrate increased learning through a variety of music activities. (MU.PR.6.PE.5a)

1. Maintain attendance with required materials.

2. Demonstrate completion of assignments and/or practice.

3. Participate in concerts, performances, cross disciplinary activities, and co-curricular

activities.

4. Demonstrate concert etiquette as a performer and listener.

Speaking of assignments, students had their first Canvas assignment due 2 weeks ago. Students had one full week to submit the assignment. They could choose what selection they wished to play from their first foundation warm-up. Hopefully they are regularly checking Canvas and reading our objective boards in classes for reminders.

Polos are ordered and should arrive within the next two weeks. When polos arrive, they will be $21. Payments can be made by cash, check made out to Stetson Hills, or online payment with credit card. If you do an online payment, please screenshot the receipt and email it to me for proof of purchase. I do not yet have access to the online payment information and I want to ensure there are no missing payments. All performing arts polo payments will be entered through band (this includes choir members), as that is the account used to fund the polos. If you do cash, it must be exact... no change can be given. My apologies for that!

Students in middle school band have been BUSY! They have all their concert music, pep tunes for 8th grade feeder night at O'Connor, as well as music for our Veteran's Day assembly. Students should be praciticing a minimum of 15 minutes 5x per week. This means their music binders MUST go home with them. There are quite a few that are living in the band room and they miss their owners dearly! Please keep your music binder company by bringing it home with you.

Upcoming dates:

October 25 - SDOHS Feeder Night (marching band) for 8th graders only

October 29 - Middle School Band concert @ Stetson

November 8 - Veteran's Day assembly

November 14 - Middle School Festival pre-assessment (during day @ BCHS)

Did you the band website and Canvas courses hold more than just schedules or assessments? I encourage each parent to ask students to show them around their online course and/or the band website.

Tools -- the band website has links to tuners and metronomes to assist students in their home practice.

Practice -- the band website has links to online resources to offer more website based assistance with things like music staff note names, note and rest names/values, expression markings, counting, and more!

Finger Charts -- the website holds links to finger charts so students can look up notes and what keys on their instruments produce those pitches.

Instrument maintenance/cleaning guides -- There are diagrams and tutorials linked to the band website to assist all students with daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance for their instruments. Often times, we do not get a chance to do these in the classroom, as we only have one sink and limited time. These are things taught during the 5th grade year, but if anyone forgets, check out the online resources.

Videos for extra help - In canvas, I have linked videos to help students with grade level topics: instrument assembly, first sounds, reading the staff, playing bass clarinet, and so much more! As we discuss things and students need assistance, more links will be added to their resource list to ensure maximum availability for them. Obvioulsy the teacher is only availble during class! Hopefully these videos get utilized. There are even flash cards for note name and rhythm review!