5th Grade Band is off to a great start!

5th Grade Band is off to a great start! We have been making sounds on our mouthpieces, and we have started learning our first few notes. Students should practice at home at least 20 minutes a day Thursday through Monday, or a total of 100 minutes.

Blanco 5th Grade Band - Important Dates

Week One

Thursday, August 23^rd:           Band Directors will meet with all fifth grade students during Specials. Students will be given Band/Instrument Choice Sheet to take home.  

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Week Two

Tuesday, August 28^th:            Band/Instrument Choice Sheet due today!  

We will begin 5^th grade band tryouts during Specials. We will start with students that brought back the Instrument Choice Sheet in a timely manner. (If your child wants to play saxophone or percussion, then be sure to return the form by today because these sections usually fill up the fastest!)

Thursday, August 30^th:           We will continue with band tryouts during class.

5^th Grade Parent Meeting–BES Band Hall–6pm to 7pm.

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Week Three

Tuesday, September 4^th:         Final Deadline to return Band/Instrument Choice Sheet. This is the last day to join band for the 2018-19 school year.

                                                School Picture Day.

Thursday, September 6th:      We will continue with band tryouts during class, if needed.
                                               

Friday, September 7^th:            Students will find out which instrument they will be playing in fifth grade band. A letter will be sent home with each student that explains what to do next to obtain an instrument and supplies. Please do not buy or rent an instrument before this date without approval from a band director!

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Week Four

Tuesday, September 11^th:       Band Instrument Drive–BES Band Hall–6pm to 8pm. For those wanting to rent an instrument or buy mouthpieces, come by any time between 6pm and 8pm. Will take about 15 minutes per student. 
Thursday, September 13th:     Book orders due today!

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Week Five

Tuesday, September 18^th:       All Band Students are expected to have all band supplies (instrument, book, accessories) by today. We will separate into woodwinds, brass, and percussion classes.

Spring Concert - May 14th, 2018

5th Grade Band members will perform for an audience for their very first time on Monday, May 14. The concert will begin at 6:00pm and will take place in the BHS Cafeteria. Students should be in their seat, ready to warm-up before 5:45pm. Students are to wear nice, dressy clothes for this concert.

Fingers crossed that we will not have heavy rain (or snow) the day of our Spring Concert!

Celebrate the small things!

We had a fun time practicing Jingle Bells today in the woodwinds class!

Reminders!

Band only meets 2 days a week. Please do not forget to bring your instruments!

Instruments should be brought to school every Tuesday and taken home every Thursday.

Students are expected to practice their assigned lines at home Thursday through Monday so they don't get behind. Playing tests will try to be scheduled only on Tuesdays, allowing students time to practice before the test.

5th Grade Band is in progress!

All students should have their instrument and band book by now. If not, your child is getting behind in class. If you are having difficulty getting an instrument or book, please let the band director know.

Clarinet and saxophone students should have at least 3 reeds at all times! If a reed breaks, they need to have a back up. A box of 10 reeds should last the entire school year. A limited supply of reeds are available to purchase at school. This is to be used for emergencies only (i.e. "My last reed just broke."). Clarinet reeds are $2.00, and alto saxophone reeds are $2.50. Please do not rely on the school to provide students with reeds. Just like students are expected to have supplies for other classes, reeds are part of their band supplies.

Please do not hesitate to contact a band director if you ever have any concerns or questions. We are here to help.

Important Band Meetings!

We have two very important 5th grade band parent meetings coming up.

Thursday, August 31 - General Meeting to go over everything you've always wanted to know about 5th Grade Band. 7:00pm. BES Music Room

Tuesday, September 12 - Band Instrument Drive for students that have not yet purchased or rented an instrument. Representatives from Veritas will be present to set up rentals through their company. 6:00pm-8:00pm (You may come anytime during the two-hour block. It will take about 15-20 minutes total to complete the rental process. Please bring a credit card.)

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below or email Mrs. Conard.