CH Band Newsletter
September 6, 2024
- Teacher Introductions
- Bring Instruments to Band Next Week
- Practice & Brain Hacks
- Upcoming Events & Calendar
- Supply Order Information
Meet your Band Teachers
Mr. Lechner (6th Grade Band)
Ms. Lechner is back again this year - this time full time at our school, leading our 6th Grade Bands! (Last year she split her time between Prairie View & Central Heights). She plays many instruments, but has been playing alto saxophone since she was in 5th grade. She is excited to be back home in Sun Prairie for year #2 at Central Heights!
Mr. Melrose (7th & 8th Grade Band)
Ian Melrose
BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT NEXT WEEK!
All Bands have now gone over procedures, new students know what instrument they are playing, and we're ready to begin PLAYING!!
Reminder - if you have a school owned Tuba, Euphonium, Horn, or Tenor Sax you have a School Instrument and a Home Instrument. Keep the "Home" one at home!
PRACTICE
Practice is a crucial part of learning something like a band instrument. We'll work on "brain hacks" and how to practice smart. Stay tuned to our newsletter to find practice expectations and tips.
BRAIN HACKS - PRACTICE TIPS (work smarter!):
- CHUNK: break difficult things into smaller parts before putting them together
- SLOW: Go slow so your brain and muscles have time to learn how to work together
- FREQUENCY over AMOUNT: better to practice every day for 10 minutes than 2 hours on Saturday
6th Grade:
- Mouthpiece sounds (full & clear)
- First 5 notes
- "Band Starts Now" Packet (Hot Cross Buns & Mary Had a Little Lamb)
PERCUSSION: Review drum basics of grip and full strokes, review your mallet songs on the "Band Starts Now" packet
7th Grade:
- Foundation Warm-Ups #2 (if that's easy.. try #4!)
- Songs: Embark, Dragon Lord & Shout it Out (themes sheet)
8th Grade:
- Foundation Warm-Ups #6
- Songs: Celtic Air & Dance, Whirlwind, Fragile & Shout it Out (themes sheet)
Central Heights Band Calendar 2024 - 2025
Cardinal Heights Band Calendar 2024 - 2025
Please see linked tentative schedule above. Please communicate in as much advance as possible with any conflicts.
Upcoming Dates:
Thursday October 17, 8th Grade Band Concert (7pm)
Thursday November 7, 6th & 7th Grade Band Concert (6:30pm)
Saturday November 9, Sun Prairie Honors Band (optional & by audition)
Tuesday December 10, 8th Grade & SP East Band Concert (7:30pm @ SP East)
TBD - Playing at Wisconsin Herd Basketball Game! (date & time tbd)
SUPPLY ORDER
Need to update on supplies (reeds, swabs, valve oil, etc....)?
Click on the button link below.
Need help with supplies - no worries, reach out to Mr. Melrose.
THIS & THAT
Bucky Books
- Anyone interested in selling Bucky Books to raise funds for band events (field trips, private lessons, camps, Sound of Sun Prairie) can check out books from Mr. Melrose. Books are $35 payable to SPBB (Sun Prairie Band Boosters).
- 8th Graders: If you sell 6 books - you will raise enough money to pay for Kalahari field trip in May!
CH Jazz
- Central Heights Jazz will begin in early October - stay tuned!
- Rehearsals will be Tuesday & Thursday Mornings from 7:30 - 8:15am
CH Band Practice & Pep Band Club - Thursday after school
- Will begin soon - stay tuned.
- ALL students (grades 6 - 8) are welcome practice, have snacks, and play pep band music together!
Sun Prairie Honors Band
- 7th & 8th Grade Band students looking for a challenge should consider auditioning for the Sun Prairie Honors Band that meets on Saturday November 9th.
- Auditions are due by October 8th.
- Info here: https://www.spbb.org/sun-prairie-honors-band.html
Questions?
If you have ANY questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Renee Lechner
CHMS Music Educator
(608) 318-5832 [Voicemail]
(608) 618-2843 [Google Voice]
Ian Melrose
CHMS Music Educator
(608) 318-5864 [Voicemail]
(608) 618-2843 [Google Voice]
Central Heights Bands
Email: ipmelro@sunpairieschools.org
Website: https://www.spbb.org/chms.html
Location: 220 Kroncke Drive, Sun Prairie, WI, USA
Phone: (608)318-5864
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunprairiebands/