Our First Concert is in Two Weeks!

(A letter has been sent home about our upcoming Christmas Concert. If you did not receive it, please continue reading.)

We are excited to be preparing for our annual Band Christmas Concert. This year’s concert will be

held on Tuesday, December 13^th at 7PM in the High School Cafeteria. The concert will be approximately one hour long and is free and open to the public.

·         5^th Grade Band:  Be in the HS Cafeteria ready to play at 6:30PM

·         6^th Grade Band:  Be in the HS Gym ready to play at 6:20PM

·         7^th/8^th Grade Band:  Be in the HS Band Hall ready to play at 6:40PM

For musical performances, it is important to dress for success. Boys should wear, at minimum, a collared polo or button-up shirt with khakis or slacks. Suits/Ties are optional. Girls may wear dresses or a nice blouse with a skirt or dress pants. Pay special attention to skirt lengths; knees should be covered when sitting! 

For all students' attire: Please, no t-shirts, shorts, athletic shoes, or fitness type clothing. School dress code applies. Fun Santa hats and Reindeer antlers are acceptable and encouraged!

This concert is an extension of our band class. All of our hard work in class culminates with this one performance. Every student is important to the success of the bands. All band students are required to attend and stay for the entire performance. As a reminder, all band performances are counted as test grades. Band directors must be contacted in writing, in advance, if there is a known conflict.

If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Conard, Mr. H, or Mr. Aly. You may also leave a comment or ask a question in this blog.

❄Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!🎄

What should students be practicing?

Students should be practicing songs on pages 6 and 7 in their book. Reminder, they should practice each line 3 ways:

1. Clap and count it
2. Say note names and pretend to play (do their fingerings/slide positions)
3. Play it!

Students have been tested on line 14 and line 18 (woodwinds will be tested on line 18 soon). 

Ask them to play a mini concert at home!

Students have learned their first 5 notes!

Students are working on lines 1-18 in their book. Students are reading music on the staff and have learned to play their first 5 notes!

• Flutes, Bells, and Low Brass - Bb, C, D, Eb, F
• Clarinets and Trumpets - C, D, E, F, G
• Alto Saxes - G, A, B, C, D

 Practice each line at home three ways:
1. Counting and clapping the rhythm
2. Saying note names and fingering along
3. Playing

*Start slowly, then play faster as it gets easier!

Practice Sheets

A practice sheet has been given to each of the students. Students should be keeping track of how much they practice from Monday through Sunday. Practice records are due every Monday (or Tuesday, if no school on Monday) with a parent's signature. On Sunday (or Monday morning), a parent/guardian should sign the practice sheet.

Students automatically receive 20 points for a signature and no minutes practiced at home. Every minute adds another point to their grade.

Example:

Monday = 15
Tuesday = 20
Wednesday = 30
Thursday = 5
Friday = 0
Saturday = 10
Sunday = 0

TOTAL MINUTES = 80 minutes (+ 20) = 100 points

10 points are deducted for every day the practice record is late.

If a practice record is not received the week it is due, students will receive a 0.

Students may earn up to 110 points.

Oh, the joyous sounds!

Blanco 5th Grade Band members are hard at work squeaking and squawking and buzzing on their mouthpieces! They are learning to form their embouchures and make good sounds. Students are repeating rhythms their band directors play. It's so much fun!

Instrument choices have been selected!

Parents,

5th Graders have made their instrument choices! A letter was sent home with what instrument they will be playing.