General Information
We made it through our first full week of band this semester! The students have done an excellent job of jumping back right into where we left off last semester. Both bands spent time reviewing concepts and also starting to work on new pieces and ideas. So far I do not have a lot of dates at the bottom for everyone to be aware of. On paper, this semester seems to be easier schedule wise with performances, but things may pop up as we go along so I appreciate your continuous flexibility as things are possibly added. Just like last semester, if students are interested in taking private lessons please feel free to reach out. I am more than willing to help you connect with some of the amazing private instructors here in the area.
Student Recordings: To submit a video or audio recording to me, students should ask to use a parent’s device such as a phone, iPad, computer etc. to record the asked for music. This can then be sent in an email to Miss Beumer.
Announcement: none
Advanced Band
This week we continued work in our blue books and started to look at pieces to perform for the semester. The piece I have picked for them to work on for Grandparent’s Day is called Zig Zag. They will receive their parts in class on Tuesday. We have been actively playing on page 12 in the books if students wish to continue working on the concepts from class at home. At the tops of their pages are explanation boxes for any of the new topics covered in class so they have reminders or a way to learn a new concept on their own at home if they wish to work ahead. We continued to work on the various types of minor scales in the key of Concert G minor. We explored what made each one unique and started to see if we could identify which type was used in the following book exercises. Bb, Eb and F major scales are still open to turn in for the scale challenge. Students can submit a video by email of the full scale through the thirds to be added to the leaderboard. 3 hours overall for each week is a good goal with any of the music.
Beginning Band
This week we worked on page 11 in our red books. No. 37 has become our starting point and it introduces a new note (A or B depending on the instrument). This is a great one to practice at home. The exercises after it also work on playing tied notes. This was their other new concept this week. Tying the notes means the value of the note is held longer and works on testing their counting as they play. Another helpful thing for them to practice at home is long tones. Long tones means picking a note and playing it for as long as they can with a good sound. It may start as only a few seconds, but with time it can grow to multiple measures of music at a time. As their confidence grows on remembering how to play each note, long tones work on their breath support. Breath support is vital in helping them sustain sound longer, louder, and cleaner. By playing long tones at home, they are exercising their muscles just like they would in PE to help build support. Keep encouraging them to clean out their instruments after a practice session. This helps keep their instruments in the best working order.
Upcoming Events
03/14- A AND B BAND- GRANDPARENTS DAY PROGRAM
05/15- A AND B BAND- FINE ARTS NIGHT AT 6:30 PM