Wednesday, December 18, 2013

7th Grade PLC

Hello 7th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. You will be working on "Linus and Lucy," which is your student selected piece. You will be working on Pirates and Holiday Swing Along as well. 

You will come in to band hearing a recording of "Linus and Lucy."

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "Linus and Lucy". Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along," "Variations," and "Pirates." Please remember your music!

Today we will warm up with a fun selection of seasonal favorites!

Next we will move on to the scale sheet. Drummers will review rudiments.

The first piece on the agenda today is  Linus and Lucy.

Direct instruction: I will conduct and we will do an assessment. 

Student Conductors (we perform a section)

Assess: discuss what needs improvement.

Student conductors: (we will re-perform a section)

Re-assess.

Move on to next section if we are able. If not, I will intervene with direct instruction, sectionals, or modeling

Once we can run through Linus and Lucy successfully we will move on   to "Pirates" and "A Holiday Swing-Along"

Looking forward to seeing you!

Mr. A

6th Grade PLC

Hello 6th Grade Band!

You will come in to a recordings of  "Carol of the Bells!"

Our beginning of the rehearsal routine is always the same. Come in: check off your name on the sign in sheet, quietly take out your instrument and take your seat while listening to the recording. You should have copies of Variations, Wipe Out, Dance of the Jabberwocky, and Knight's Kingdom already. If you need an extra copy, see Mr. Akter while the music is playing and everyone is getting set up. PLEASE remember your music! While you are walking in volunteers will be handing out copies of our scales.

Band council plans for this month will be shared.

1)Seasonal Warmups! We will be waring up with an assortment of holiday favorites.

2) ) Next, we will run through Wipe Out and Jaberwocky. Drummers can volunteer for the drum set part. Let's have some new drummers today!

3) It's time for Carol of the Bells!

4) We will begin with a run through and assessment. What do you remember from last week? 

5) Direct Instruction

6) Sectionals

7) run through and assessment

8) student conductors. 

9) Final run through and assessment.

10) Closure: 5 min.

Monday, December 16, 2013

8th Grade PLC

Hello 8th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. You will be working on "Linus and Lucy," which is your student selected piece. You will be working on Pirates and Holiday Swing Along as well. 

You will come in to band hearing a recording of "Linus and Lucy."

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "Linus and Lucy". Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along," "Variations," and "Pirates." Please remember your music!

Direct Instruction: We will warm up with scale sheet. Drummers will review rudiments. Next we will learn the intro. to Linus and Lucy via direct instruction.

Break for Lunch

Upon returning from lunch,  for each of the main sections of the piece, we will follow this schedule:

Student Conductors (we perform a section)

Assess: discuss what needs improvement.

Student conductors: (we will re-perform a section)

Re-assess.

Move on to next section if we are able. If not, I will intervene with direct instruction, sectionals, or modeling

Once we can run through Linus and Lucy successfully we will move on   to "Pirates" and "A Holiday Swing-Along"

Looking forward to seeing you!

Mr. A

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

6th Grade PLC

Hello 6th Grade Band!

You will come in to a recordings of  "Carol of the Bells!"

Our beginning of the rehearsal routine is always the same. Come in: check off your name on the sign in sheet, quietly take out your instrument and take your seat while listening to the recording. You should have copies of Variations, Wipe Out, Dance of the Jabberwocky, and Knight's Kingdom already. If you need an extra copy, see Mr. Akter while the music is playing and everyone is getting set up. PLEASE remember your music! While you are walking in volunteers will be handing out copies of our scales.

Band council meeting notes will be shared. New band council initiatives will be announced. First three band council officers elected will be announced.

1) Major Scales / Rudiments. It is time to really focus on this. Key Signatures will be discussed. We will work on mastery by playing, listening, analyzing, practicing in groups, and then playing in whole groups. 

2) After focusing on scales and rudiments, we will warm up with a fun selection of Carols

3) Next, we will run through Wipe Out and Jaberwocky. Drummers can volunteer for the drum set part. Let's have some new drummers today!

4) It's time for Carol of the Bells! 

5) Direct Instruction

6) Sectionals

7) run through and assessment

8) student conductors. 

9) Final run through and assessment.

10) Closure: 5 min.


7th Grade PLC

Hello 7th Grade Band!

I hope you enjoyed your snow day yesterday!

Today we will have band during PLC. You will be working on "Linus and Lucy," which is your student selected piece.

You will come in to band hearing a recording of "Linus and Lucy."

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "Linus and Lucy". Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along," "Variations," and "Pirates." Please remember your music!

Direct Instruction: We will warm up with scale sheet. Drummers will review rudiments. Next we will learn the intro. to Linus and Lucy via direct instruction.

Next we will "warm up" with a selection of carols!

Then, for each of the main sections of the piece, we will follow this schedule:

Student Conductors (we perform a section)

Assess: discuss what needs improvement.

Student conductors: (we will re-perform a section)

Re-assess.

Move on to next section if we are able. If not, I will intervene with direct instruction, sectionals, or modeling

We will close with a run through of "A Holiday Swing-Along"

Looking forward to seeing you!

Mr. A

Monday, December 9, 2013

8th Grade PLC

Hello 8th Grade Band!

I hope you enjoyed our delay this morning!

Today we will have band during PLC. You will be working on "Linus and Lucy," which is your student selected piece.

You will come in to band hearing a recording of "Linus and Lucy."

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "Linus and Lucy". Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along," "Variations," and "Pirates." Please remember your music!

Direct Instruction: We will warm up with scale sheet. Drummers will review rudiments. Next we will learn the intro. to Linus and Lucy via direct instruction.

Then, for each of the main sections of the piece, we will follow this schedule:

Student Conductors (we perform a section)

Assess: discuss what needs improvement.

Student conductors: (we will re-perform a section)

Re-assess.

Move on to next section if we are able. If not, I will intervene with direct instruction, sectionals, or modeling

We will close with a run through of "A Holiday Swing-Along"

Looking forward to seeing you!

Mr. A

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

7th Grade PLC

Hello 7th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. Today you will be working on "Holiday Swing Along," "Pirates of the Caribbean," the "Western Region Audition Etude" and discussing our last band council meeting.

You will come in to band hearing a recording of "Pirates!"

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "Pirates of the Caribbean!". Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along" and "Variations." Please remember your music!

Direct Instruction: We will warm up with scale sheet. Drummers will review rudiments. Then, we will run through the Western Region Audition Etude.

Next we will work in sections on the Western Region Audition Etude. Mr. A will walk around and coach.
We will close with a run through of the Western Region Audition Etude. 

 Next, we will  Listen to a recording of a professional band playing "Pirates"

For each of the main sections of the piece, we will follow this schedule:
Direct instruction: listen to the recording, rehearse.

Assess: discuss what needs improvement.

Student conductors: I walk around and play with the various instrumental groups.

Re-assess.

Move on to next section.

We will close with a run through of "A Holiday Swing-Along"

Looking forward to seeing you!

Mr. A

6th Grade PLC

Hello 6th Grade Band!

You will come in to a recordings of  "Knight's Kingdom."

Our beginning of the rehearsal routine is always the same. Come in: check off your name on the sign in sheet, quietly take out your instrument and take your seat while listening to the recording. You should have copies of Variations, Wipe Out, Dance of the Jabberwocky, and Knight's Kingdom already. If you need an extra copy, see Mr. Akter while the music is playing and everyone is getting set up. PLEASE remember your music! While you are walking in volunteers will be handing out copies of our scales.

Band council meeting notes will be shared. New band council initiatives will be announced. First three band council officers elected will be announced.

1) Major Scales / Rudiments. It is time to really focus on this. Key Signatures will be discussed. We will work on mastery by playing, listening, analyzing, practicing in groups, and then playing in whole groups. 

2) After focusing on scales and rudiments, we will run through the Western Region Audition Etude. I will play a recording of the etude for you. We will break into groups for practice. I will coach.

3) We will return to whole class instruction for a run through of the etude.

4) Next, we will run through Wipe Out and Jaberwocky. Drummers can volunteer for the drum set part. Let's have some new drummers today!

5) It's time for Knight's Kingdom!  What do you remember? We will start with an assessment.

6) Sectionals

7) run through and assessment

8) student conductors. 

9) Final run through and assessment.
Reminder about western region and band council, plus discussion of the day's rehearsal: Closure: 5 min.


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

8th Grade PLC

Hello 8th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. Today you will be working on "Holiday Swing Along," "Pirates of the Caribbean," the "Western Region Audition Etude" and discussing our last band council meeting.

You will come in to band hearing a recording of "Pirates!"

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "Pirates of the Caribbean!". Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along" and "Variations." Please remember your music!

Direct Instruction: We will warm up with scale sheet. Drummers will review rudiments. Then, we will run through the Western Region Audition Etude.

Break for lunch

Upon returning from lunch we will work in sections on the Western Region Audition Etude. Mr. A will walk around and coach.

We will close with a run through of the Western Region Audition Etude. 

 Next, we will  Listen to a recording of a professional band playing "Pirates"

For each of the main sections of the piece, we will follow this schedule:
Direct instruction: listen to the recording, rehearse.

Assess: discuss what needs improvement.

Student conductors: I walk around and play with the various instrumental groups.

Re-assess.

Move on to next section.

We will close with a run through of "A Holiday Swing-Along"

Looking forward to seeing you!

Mr. A

Monday, November 25, 2013

7th Grade PLC

Hello 7th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC

You will come in to band hearing a recording of "Pirates!"

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "Pirates of the Caribbean!". Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along" and "Variations." Please remember your music! While the recording is playing you will also receive a copy of our new scale sheet exercises.

We will begin today with a thorough look at scales and rudiments. Bb, Eb, and F major, along with the chromatic scale starting on concert Bb, and rudiments will all be addressed. We will do this by performing, listening, analyzing, and then re-performing the scales and rudiments.

Direct Instruction: Listen to a recording of a professional band playing the introduction, "Hoist the Colors," "Singapore," and "I See Dead People In Boats,"  and "Me Hearties!" 5 minutes

I will conduct the introduction and we will address problem areas. 5 minutes.

Then, for each of the main sections, we will follow this schedule:

Direct instruction: listen to the recording, rehearse.

Assess: discuss what needs improvement.

Student conductors: I walk around and play with the various instrumental groups.

Re-assess.

Move on to next section.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Mr. A

6th Grade PLC

Today we have a full band rehearsal for 6th Grade during PLC

You will come in to a recordings of  "Knight's Kingdom."

Our beginning of the rehearsal routine is always the same. Come in: check off your name on the sign in sheet, quietly take out your instrument and take your seat while listening to the recording. You should have copies of Variations, Wipe Out, Dance of the Jabberwocky, and Knight's Kingdom already. If you need an extra copy, see Mr. Akter while the music is playing and everyone is getting set up. PLEASE remember your music! While you are walking in volunteers will be handing out copies of our scales.

1) Major Scales / Rudiments. It is time to really focus on this. Key Signatures will be discussed. We will work on mastery by playing, listening, analyzing, practicing in groups, and then playing in whole groups. 

2) After major scales and rudiments, we will begin our rehearsal with a run through of Wipe Out and Jaberwocky. Drummers can volunteer for the drum set part. Let's have some new drummers today!

3) It's time for Knight's Kingdom!  Student Conductors (5 minutes)

4) Sectionals

5) Final run through and assessment

6) Record ourselves playing Knight's Kingdom

7) Review the recording. 

8) Direct Instruction (10 Minutes)

9) Student conductors (10 Minutes)

10) Record and Assess

11) Sectionals

12) Final run through and assessment.

Reminder about western region and band council, plus discussion of the day's rehearsal: Closure: 5 min.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

7th Grade Band PLC

Hello 7th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC

You will come in to band hearing a recording of "Pirates!"

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "Pirates of the Caribbean!". Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along" and "Variations." Please remember your music! While the recording is playing you will also receive a copy of our new scale sheet exercises.

Direct Instruction: Listen to a recording of a professional band playing the introduction, "Hoist the Colors," "Singapore," and "I See Dead People In Boats,"  and "Me Hearties!" 5 minutes

I will conduct the introduction and we will address problem areas. 5 minutes.

Then, for each of the main sections, we will follow this schedule:

Direct instruction: listen to the recording, rehearse.

Assess: discuss what needs improvement.

Student conductors: I walk around and play with the various instrumental groups.

Re-assess.

Move on to next section.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Mr. A

6th Grade Band plc

Today we have a full band rehearsal for 6th Grade during PLC

You will come in to a recordings of  "Knight's Kingdom."

Our beginning of the rehearsal routine is always the same. Come in: check off your name on the sign in sheet, quietly take out your instrument and take your seat while listening to the recording. You should have copies of Variations, Wipe Out, Dance of the Jabberwocky, and Knight's Kingdom already. If you need an extra copy, see Mr. Akter while the music is playing and everyone is getting set up. PLEASE remember your music! While you are walking in volunteers will be handing out copies of our scales.

1) We will begin our rehearsal with a run through of Wipe Out and Jaberwocky. Drummers can volunteer for the drum set part. Let's have some new drummers today!

2) After warming up with Wipe Out and Jaberwocky, we will begin work on our new scale sheet.
Scales: Direct instruction (5 minutes)

3) Student Conductors (5 minutes)

4) Sectionals

5) Final run through and assessment

6) At this point we will start "Knight's Kingdom"

7) Review the recording. 

8) Direct Instruction (10 Minutes)

9) Student conductors (10 Minutes)

10) Record and Assess

11) Sectionals

12) Final run through and assessment.

Reminder about western region and band council, plus discussion of the day's rehearsal: Closure: 5 min.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

7th Grade PLC

Hello 7th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. Today you will be continuing with "Pirates of the Caribbean!" We will also be discussing Western Region and Band Council today.

You will come in to band hearing a recording of "Pirates!"

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "Pirates of the Caribbean!". Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along" and "Variations." Please remember your music!

Direct Instruction: Listen to a recording of a professional band playing the introduction, "Hoist the Colors," "Singapore," and "I See Dead People In Boats." 5 minutes

I will conduct the introduction and we will address problem areas. 5 minutes.

Then, for each of the main sections, we will follow this schedule:

Direct instruction: listen to the recording, rehearse.

Assess: discuss what needs improvement.

Student conductors: I walk around and play with the various instrumental groups.

Re-assess.

Move on to next section.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Mr. A

6th Grade PLC

Today we will have a shorter rehearsal during PLC due to the early dismissal.

Today we have a full band rehearsal for 6th Grade during PLC

You will come in to a recordings of Dance of the Jabberwocky and Wipe Out. Today you will be receiving our next piece, "Knight's Kingdom."

Our beginning of the rehearsal routine is always the same. Come in: check off your name on the sign in sheet, quietly take out your instrument and take your seat while listening to the recording. You should have copies of Variations, Wipe Out, and Dance of the Jabberwocky already. If you need an extra copy, see Mr. Akter while the music is playing and everyone is getting set up. PLEASE remember your music! This is the last class we will be focusing solely on Dance of the Jabberwocky and Wipe Out.

We will begin our rehearsal with a run through of Wipe Out. Drummers can volunteer for the drum set part. Let's have some new drummers today!

We will be recording and assessing "Wipe Out" and breaking into sectionals. The goal today is a "4." At this point I don't want us satisfied with a "3" performance on this song!

After warming up with Wipe Out, we will play a Bb major scale, and move on to Dance of the Jabberwocky

We will begin with a recording/assessment of Dance of the Jabberwocky, and then do some direct instruction

Student Conductors

Break into groups. Discuss assessment. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes.

Sectionals

Final run through and assessment

At this point volunteers will hand out "Knight's Kingdom" while we listen to a recording.

We will have some direct instruction on Knight's Kingdom. If there is time we will move into student conductors for the final minutes of rehearsal.

Reminder about western region and band council: Closure: 5 min.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

8th Grade PLC

Hello 8th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. Today you will be receiving "Pirates of the Caribbean!" We will also be discussing Western Region and Band Council today.

You will come in to band hearing a recording of "Pirates!"

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "Pirates of the Caribbean!". Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along" and "Variations." Please remember your music!

Direct Instruction: Listen to a recording of a professional band playing the introduction, "Hoist the Colors," "Singapore," and "I See Dead People In Boats." 5 minutes

I will conduct the introduction and we will address problem areas. 5 minutes.

Then, for each of the main sections, we will follow this schedule:

Direct instruction: listen to the recording, rehearse.

Assess: discuss what needs improvement.

Student conductors: I walk around and play with the various instrumental groups.

Re-assess.

Move on to next section.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Mr. A

Thursday, November 7, 2013

7th Grade Band

Hello 7th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. Today you will be receiving "Pirates of the Caribbean!" We will also be discussing Western Region and Band Council. today.

You will come in to band hearing a recording of "Pirates!"

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "Pirates of the Caribbean!". Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along" and "Variations." Please remember your music!

Direct Instruction: Listen to a recording of a professional band playing the introduction. 5 minutes

I will conduct the introduction and we will address problem areas. 5 minutes.

Assessment (recording and rating scale)

Play model recording. Compare our recording to the model recording. (5 minutes)

Break into groups. Discuss assessment/model recording. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes. (focus on dynamics and articulations)

Sectionals: 5 Minutes.

Final run through: Record and reassess.

For the remainder of the rehearsal we will follow the following plan for as many remaining sections of the piece as possible:
Direct instruction: listen to the recording, rehearse.

Assess: discuss what needs improvement.

Student conductors: I walk around and play with the various instrumental groups.

Re-assess.

Move on to next section.

Looking forward to seeing you!
Mr. A

6th Grade Band PLC

Today we have a full band rehearsal for 6th Grade during PLC

You will come in to a recordings of Dance of the Jabberwocky and Wipe Out.

Our beginning of the rehearsal routine is always the same. Come in: check off your name on the sign in sheet, quietly take out your instrument and take your seat while listening to the recording. You should have copies of Variations, Wipe Out, and Dance of the Jabberwocky already. If you need an extra copy, see Mr. Akter while the music is playing and everyone is getting set up. PLEASE remember your music! This is the last class we will be focusing solely on Dance of the Jabberwocky and Wipe Out. Next class you will be receiving "Knight's Kingdom" and possibly "Over the Rainbow" as well.

We will begin our rehearsal with a run through of Wipe Out. Drummers can volunteer for the drum set part. Let's have some new drummers today!

After warming up with Wipe Out, we will play a Bb major scale, and move on to Dance of the Jabberwocky (10 Minutes for all the above)

We will begin with a recording/assessment of Dance of the Jabberwocky, and then do some direct instruction: 10 minutes

Student Conductors: 10 Minutes

Break into groups. Discuss assessment. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes.

Sectionals: 10 Minutes.

Final run through and assessment:10 minutes

At this point we will switch to the Western Region Audition Etude. We will all perform the first section (10 minutes) and then break into sectionals. (10 Minutes)

Reminder about western region and band council: Closure: 5 min.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

8th Grade Band PLC

Hello 8th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. Today you will be receiving "Pirates of the Caribbean!" We will also be discussing Western Region and Band Council. today.

You will come in to band hearing a recording of "Pirates!"

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "Pirates of the Caribbean!". Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along" and "Variations." Please remember your music!

Direct Instruction: Listen to a recording of a professional band playing the introduction. 5 minutes

I will conduct the introduction and we will address problem areas. 5 minutes.

Assessment (recording and rating scale)

Play model recording. Compare our recording to the model recording. (5 minutes)

Break into groups. Discuss assessment/model recording. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes. (focus on dynamics and articulations)

Sectionals: 5 Minutes.

Final run through: Record and reassess.

Break for lunch

When we return from lunch we will follow the following rehearsal plan for as many remaining sections of the piece as possible:

Direct instruction: listen to the recording, rehearse.



Assess: discuss what needs improvement.






Student conductors: I walk around and play with the various instrumental groups.


Re-assess.


Move on to next section.

Looking forward to seeing you!
Mr. A

Friday, November 1, 2013

Band Council Meeting

The band council met for the first time yesterday. It was amazing to see so many students willing to stay after school for an hour on Halloween! 

We discussed a great deal. Our agenda is below. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas that you want your band council to address, please bring them up to one of our members! We will be meeting every month. 



First Band Council Meeting: 10/31/2013



Agenda:
1) Band Surveys: What questions should we ask? Break into committee. Come up with 10 questions that you feel should be in our survey. Give questions to Mr. Akter.



2) Field Trips: Discuss our field trips. Do you like the New Haven trip? Do you like the Lake Compounce idea? What are your thoughts about the field trips?  Break into committee come up with 2 or 3 things to share. Report out.


3) First blog entry. Every band council meeting will be blogged. One volunteer will write the entry and submit it  for posting on the blog.


4) Officers: Who is interested in being an officer? In our November meeting, we will be doing nominations and elections.


5) New Business: This part of the meeting is your chance to bring up new business, any ideas you have can be shared.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

6th Grade Band PLC

Today we have a full band rehearsal for 6th Grade during PLC

You will come in to a recordings of Dance of the Jabberwocky and Wipe Out.

Our beginning of the rehearsal routine is always the same. Come in: check off your name on the sign in sheet, quietly take out your instrument and take your seat while listening to the recording. You should have copies of Variations, Wipe Out, and Dance of the Jabberwocky already. If you need an extra copy, see Mr. Akter while the music is playing and everyone is getting set up.

We will begin our rehearsal with a run through of Wipe Out. Drummers can volunteer for the drum set part. Let's have new drummers today!

After warming up with Wipe Out, we will play a Bb major scale, and move on to Dance of the Jabberwocky (10 Minutes for all the above)

We will begin with a recording/assessment of Dance of the Jabberwocky, and then do some direct instruction: 10 minutes

Student Conductors: 10 Minutes

Break into groups. Discuss assessment. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes.

Sectionals: 10 Minutes.

Final run through and assessment:10 minutes

At this point we will switch to the Western Region Audition Etude. We will all perform the first section (10 minutes) and then break into sectionals. (10 Minutes)

Reminder about western region and band council: Closure: 5 min.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

8th Grade PLC

Hello 8th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. We are currently working on our medley, "A Holiday Swing Along."

You will come in to band hearing nice recordings of "Let It Snow,""Jingle Bells," and "Frosty the Snow Man." This will be the last rehearsal dedicated solely to this piece for a while. Today we are working on polishing. Next class I will be handing out "Pirates."

Today's goal is to "polish" all the sections of "A Holiday Swing Along." We will also be discussing Western Region and Band Council. today.

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of the Western Region Audition Etude. Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along." Please remember your music!

Direct Instruction: Play through introduction. 5 minutes

Assessment (recording and rating scale)

Play model recording. Compare our recording to the model recording. (5 minutes)

Break into groups. Discuss assessment/model recording. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes. (focus on dynamics and articulations)

Sectionals: 5 Minutes.

Final run through: Record and reassess.

Break for lunch

When we return from lunch, Ms. King will be down from the high school to speak with us about band next year. The remaining of the time will be spent follow the same process we did before lunch for all three sections of the piece. We will do at least 2 sections this way today. We must assess ourselves by comparing to the model recording, and then work towards approaching the model.

Closure, discussion of Band Council and Western Regon: 5 Minutes.

Looking forward to seeing you!
Mr. A

Friday, October 25, 2013

7th Grade PLC

Hello 7th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. We are currently working on our medley, "A Holiday Swing Along."

You will come in to band hearing nice recordings of "Let It Snow,""Jingle Bells," and "Frosty the Snow Man." This will be the last rehearsal dedicated solely to this piece for a while. Today we are working on polishing. Next class I will be handing out "Pirates."

Today's goal is to "polish" all the sections of "A Holiday Swing Along." We will also be discussing Western Region and Band Council. today.

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of the Western Region Audition Etude. Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along." Please remember your music!

Direct Instruction: Play through introduction. 5 minutes

Assessment (recording and rating scale)

Play model recording. Compare our recording to the model recording. (5 minutes)

Break into groups. Discuss assessment/model recording. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes. (focus on dynamics and articulations)

Sectionals: 5 Minutes.

Final run through: Record and reassess.

We will follow the same process for all three sections so long as there is time. We will do at least 2 sections this way today. We must assess ourselves by comparing to the model recording, and then work towards approaching the model.

Closure, discussion of Band Council and Western Regon: 5 Minutes.

6th Grade Band PLC

Today we have a full band rehearsal for 6th Grade during PLC

You will come in to a recordings of Dance of the Jabberwocky and Wipe Out.

Our beginning of the rehearsal routine is always the same. Come in: check off your name on the sign in sheet, quietly take out your instrument and take your seat while listening to the recording. You should have copies of Variations, Wipe Out, and Dance of the Jabberwocky already. If you need an extra copy, see Mr. Akter while the music is playing and everyone is getting set up.

We will begin our rehearsal with a run through of Wipe Out. Drummers can volunteer for the drum set part.

After warming up with Wipe Out, we will play a Bb major scale, and move on to Dance of the Jabberwocky (10 Minutes for all the above)

Direct Instruction: 10 Minutes

Student Conductors: 10 Minutes

Assessment (recording and rating scale): 5 Minutes

Break into groups. Discuss assessment. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes.

Sectionals: 10 Minutes.

Final run through and assessment:10 minutes

At this point we will switch to the Western Region Audition Etude. We will all perform the first section (10 minutes) and then break into sectionals. (10 Minutes)

Reminder about western region and band council: Closure: 5 min.

Monday, October 21, 2013

7th Grade Band PLC

Hello 7th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. We are currently working on our medley, "A Holiday Swing Along."

You will come in to band hearing nice recordings of "Let It Snow," the portion of our medley we will be working on today. Today's goal is to "rough in" the the Let it Snow section of "A Holiday Swing Along," and also be able to play Frosty, Jingle Bells, and Introduction successfully. We will also be discussing Western Region and Band Council. today.

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of the Western Region Audition Etude. Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats. By this time, everyone should have received a copy of "A Holiday Swing Along." Please remember your music!

Direct Instruction: Read through from the beginning, and then Let it Snow: 10 Minutes

Student Conductors: 10 Minutes

Assessment (recording and rating scale): 5 Minutes

Break into groups. Discuss assessment. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes.

Sectionals: 10 Minutes.

Final run through: 5 Minutes:

At this point, we will discuss Western Region. You will take out our Western Region Audition Etude, and I will play it for you: 5 Minutes

Break into groups. I will walk around and coach: 10 Minutes

Whole class instruction on first section of Etude: 10 Minutes.

Closure, discussion of Band Council: 5 Minutes. 

6th Grade Band PLC

Today we have a full band rehearsal for 6th Grade during PLC

You will come in to a recording of Dance of the Jabberwocky. 

Our beginning of the rehearsal routine is always the same. Come in, check off your name on the sign in sheet, quietly take out your instrument and take your seat while listening to the recording. Librarians will be handing out the music while the music is playing. You will be getting 2 pieces today. The Western Region Audition Etude, called "Variations" and also "Dance of the Jabberwocky."

We will begin our rehearsal with Dance of the Jabberwocky.

Direct Instruction: 10 Minutes

Student Conductors: 10 Minutes

Assessment (recording and rating scale): 5 Minutes

Break into groups. Discuss assessment. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes.

Sectionals: 10 Minutes.

Final run through and assessment:10 minutes

At this point we will switch to the Western Region Audition Etude.

I will perform the etude for you on Saxophone while you look at it. I then explain Western Regionals. 10

We will break into groups and I will walk around and coach. 10

Closure: 5 min.

Friday, October 18, 2013

8th Grade Band - PLC

Hello 8th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. We are currently working on our medley, "A Holiday Swing Along."

You will come in to band hearing nice recordings of "Jingle Bells," the portion of our medley we will be working on today. Today's goal is to "rough in" the introduction to "A Holiday Swing Along," and also be able to play through the "Jingle Bells" section. There is time built into the plan to also address "Let It Snow" if we move quickly. We will also be discussing our student selected pieces and Band Council. today.

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. At this point everyone should have a copy of the music. Please come prepared! You will be receiving new music today.

Direct Instruction (Jingle Bells): 10 Minutes

Student Conductors: 10 Minutes

Assessment (recording and rating scale): 5 Minutes

Break into groups. Discuss assessment. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes.

Sectionals: 10 Minutes.

Direct Instruction: Intro., Frost, and Jingle Bells (10 Minutes)

At this point, it will be time to discuss Western Region Auditions and the new western region audition piece. Volunteers will distribute the music while I model the audition piece on saxophone. We will then break into sectionals to work on mastery.

Closure: discussion of the pieces you selected, and discussion of Band Council.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

7th Grade PLC

Hello 7th Grade Band!

Today we will have band during PLC. We are currently working on our medley, "A Holiday Swing Along."

You will come in to band hearing nice recordings of "Jingle Bells," the portion of our medley we will be working on today. Today's goal is to "rough in" the introduction to "A Holiday Swing Along," and also be able to play through the "Jingle Bells" section. There is time built into the plan to also address "Let It Snow" if we move quickly. We will also be discussing our student selected pieces and Band Council. today.

The check in procedure is always the same. You will enter the room with a recording of the piece we are working on today playing in the background. Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy. Quietly take out your instruments, and take your seats.

Direct Instruction (Jingle Bells): 10 Minutes

Student Conductors: 10 Minutes

Assessment (recording and rating scale): 5 Minutes

Break into groups. Discuss assessment. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes.

Sectionals: 10 Minutes.

Direct Instruction: Intro., Frost, and Jingle Bells (10 Minutes)

At this point, if more work is needed, we will bring up student conductors and rehearse more on the sections we have already addressed. If not, we will move on to Let It Snow, start with 10 minutes of direct instruction, and move forward from there.

Closure, discussion of the pieces you selected, and discussion of Band Council. 

6th Grade PLC

Today we have a full band rehearsal for 6th Grade during PLC

You will come in to a recording of Wipe Out. Today we will finish "roughing in" Wipe Out, and we should be able to perform entire piece successfully by the end of today's rehearsal. It is time to start talking about dynamics (volume), articulations (how we approach the notes), intonation (how in tune we are) and balance (how the band sounds as a group). Today I want to also have drummers start volunteering to play the drum set. We will also be finding out what student selected pieces we will be performing, and reviewing the lesson schedule for the week.

Our beginning of the rehearsal routine is always the same. Come in, check off your name on the sign in sheet, quietly take out your instrument and take your seat while listening to the recording. We will then begin rehearsal. Ou

Direct Instruction: 10 Minutes

Student Conductors: 20 Minutes

Assessment (recording and rating scale): 10 Minutes

Break into groups. Discuss assessment. Decide which 2 things your section needs the most work on: 5 Minutes.

Sectionals: 10 Minutes.

Final run through and assessment:10 minutes

Closure and discussion of the pieces you selected.

Monday, October 7, 2013

7th Grade Band

Finally, our new schedule is starting!

Monday, October 7th, the 7th grade band will have its first PLC rehearsal. This year the seventh and eighth grade band will be combined for concerts.

Here is what we will do on Monday.

Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "A Holiday Swing-Along." When you come in, I will have a recording of "Frosty the Snowman" playing, so quietly come in, take your instrument out and get your music and have a seat in your section. While waiting for volunteers to make sure everyone has a copy, listen to the tune and try and follow along in your music. I will also do attendance quietly while you are listening and getting set up. The check in spread sheet will by the front door.

I will conduct and do some direct teaching at the beginning of the period. 10 (min)  But then it will be time for a student conductor!

Conducting Review: I will review conducting with the band: how to conduct in 4/4 time at loud, soft, and medium dynamic levels. (10 min) You you will ALL conduct!

Volunteers will come up to conduct the band on A Holiday Swing Along (The intro. and "Frosty the Snowman"). I will go around the room and play the various instruments with you. (15 min)

Assessment time! I will record us performing the intro and "Frosty the Snowman." We will listen to ourselves and self-assess. You will give feedback on the areas of the intro and the Frosty need the most work. We will take notes on a Google doc and this will help drive our rehearsals later on.

Time for a new section! I will play a recording of "Jingle Bells." It is the second song on this medley. I will then conduct and and we will do direct teaching. (10 min)

Student conductors! Volunteers will conduct the band on "Jingle Bells" and I will walk around and play the various instruments with you. (15 min)

Closure! We will review our Google doc, and make sure our notes are to everyone's liking. That document will drive our next rehearsal.

I will be emailing all of you a reminder about our rehearsal, and tweeting a link to this blog entry as well!

Mr. A

6th Grade PLC!

It's finally here! The new band schedule is beginning! I am thrilled, and looking forward to seeing all of you today!

6th graders, there is a LOT to do and only 75 minutes to do it. We need to stay on task.


Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of Wipe Out. When you come in, I will again have a recording of it playing, so quietly come in, take your instrument out and get your music and have a seat where you sat last week. While waiting for volunteers to make sure everyone has a copy, listen to the tune and try and follow along in your music. I will also do attendance quietly while you are listening and getting set up (5 - 10 min). Here is the attendance procedure: as you walk in the band spread sheet will be on the cabinet by the door. Please put a check next to your name, get your instrument out, and have a seat. 



I will conduct and do some direct teaching at the beginning of the period. 15 (min)  But then it will be time for a student conductor! 

Conducting Lesson: I will teach a conducting lesson: how to conduct in 4/4 time at loud, soft, and medium volumes and at various tempos. (10 min) You you will ALL conduct! 
Then volunteers will come up to conduct the band on Wipe Out. I will go around the room and play the various instruments with you. (10 min) 

At this point we will discuss student selected pieces. Each section will have a meeting. Your job in your group is to generate 2 songs that are appropriate for band that you would like to play this year. (5 minutes)
After our meeting we will report out. Each section will have a reporter. We will generate a list of pieces. (5 minutes)

I will use this list of pieces to generate a google survey which I will email to you so you can vote on which pieces you would like to play. First though I will do research to make sure they are available for band, are appropriate for our learning objectives, and also are at our difficulty level.

After we enjoy our discussion it will be time to play again. I call this part of the rehearsal "Assessment Time!"

You will play and I will conduct. We will be making a recording of ourselves playing "Wipe Out" using the iPad. I then will connect the iPad to the band room stereo and we will hear ourselves playing "Wipe Out."

I will share with you at this point our 4 point rating scale, the descriptors, and what they mean. YOU will be rating our performance, and giving me a list of things we can improve upon. You are leaders, and you need to exercise leadership if this band is to be everything it can be. We will use this list to drive future rehearsals on this piece.

If there is time remaining, with student conductors we will begin to address the weaknesses we identified. At the end of rehearsal I will share a Google form with you asking you what you learned in rehearsal today. You will use your device to fill out the form before leaving.


Friday, October 4, 2013

First Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal

It is time for our first Jazz Ensemble rehearsal! I can't wait!

When you come in today you will hear a recording of "Jive Samba" playing. You can find the tune, chords, scales, and other information on pages 27 and 28 of the "Real Easy Book."

Here is a recording for you to check out. PLEASE listen to it. Jazz is a music that you must listen to in order to play it correctly. In fact, all music is like that!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xaLkodk6Qo





While you listen to the recording come on in and get your instruments out. I will tell you where to sit. You will need to sign in on the sign-in sheet by the classroom door.

While you are getting set up, volunteers will make sure you all have a copy of the music. If you have not done so yet, you will need to get a copy of "The Real Easy Book: Tunes for Beginning Improvisers." It is basically our Jazz Band text book.

Once we are all set up we will break down Jazz Samba and begin to learn it. I will work with the Rhythm section while horn players practice, and then with horn players while the rhythm section practices. After we work in sections, then we will come together to play the entire thing.

Once we understand the "head" (melody, chords, percussion parts) then we will go to the second page and discuss improvising. We will do an improvisation lesson, and then move forward from there into a full performance of the piece, including improvisations.

Once that is done, I will be collecting feedback regarding student selected pieces.

We will also be receiving a copy of the Western Region audition etude today so we can begin learning it, and we will be discussing Western Region auditions.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

8th Grade Rehearsal!

Finally, our new schedule is starting!

Friday, October 3rd, the 8th grade band will have its first PLC rehearsal.

Here is what we will do on Friday

Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of "A Holiday Swing-Along." When you come in, I will have a recording of "Frosty the Snowman" playing, so quietly come in, take your instrument out and get your music and have a seat in your section. While waiting for volunteers to make sure everyone has a copy, listen to the tune and try and follow along in your music. I will also do attendance quietly while you are listening and getting set up. The check in spread sheet will by the front door.

I will conduct and do some direct teaching at the beginning of the period. 10 (min)  But then it will be time for a student conductor!

Conducting Review: I will review conducting with the band: how to conduct in 4/4 time at loud, soft, and medium dynamic levels. (10 min) You you will ALL conduct!

LUNCH TIME!!!! We will break for lunch.

When we return from lunch,  volunteers will come up to conduct the band on A Holiday Swing Along (The intro. and "Frosty the Snowman"). I will go around the room and play the various instruments with you. (15 min)

Assessment time! I will record us performing the intro and "Frosty the Snowman." We will listen to ourselves and self-assess. You will give feedback on the areas of the intro and the Frosty need the most work. We will take notes on a Google doc and this will help drive our rehearsals later on.

Time for a new section! I will play a recording of "Jingle Bells." It is the second song on this medley. I will then conduct and and we will do direct teaching. (10 min)

Student conductors! Volunteers will conduct the band on "Jingle Bells" and I will walk around and play the various instruments with you. (15 min)

Closure! We will review our Google doc, and make sure our notes are to everyone's liking. That document will drive our next rehearsal.

I will be emailing all of you a reminder about our rehearsal, and tweeting a link to this blog entry as well! See you all on Friday during PLC. PLEASE bring your instruments. Drummers PLEASE bring your sticks and mallets!

Mr. A

Friday, September 27, 2013

Monday 6th grade band during XL

On Monday 6th Grade Band will meet during XL. Our normal band schedule will begin the week of October 7th.

Here is what we will do on Monday.

Volunteers will make sure everyone has a copy of Wipe Out. When you come in, I will have a recording of it playing, so quietly come in, take your instrument out and get your music and have a seat where you sat last week. While waiting for volunteers to make sure everyone has a copy, listen to the tune and try and follow along in your music. I will also do attendance quietly while you are listening and getting set up (5 - 10 min)

I will conduct and do some direct teaching at the beginning of the period. 15 (min)  But then it will be time for a student conductor!

Conducting Lesson: I will teach a conducting lesson: how to conduct in 4/4 time at loud, soft, and medium tempos. (10 min) You you will ALL conduct!

Then volunteers will come up to conduct the band on Wipe Out. I will go around the room and play the various instruments with you. (10 min)

At this point we will do closure and you can leave. It is a tight schedule given the fact that XL is only 45 minutes long. We will have a lot more time to do interesting things once the regular schedule starts.

I will be emailing all of you a reminder about our rehearsal, and tweeting a link to this blog entry as well! See you all on Monday during XL. PLEASE bring your instruments. Drummers PLEASE bring your sticks and mallets!

Mr. A

Monday, September 23, 2013

7th Grade Rehearsal

We met with the 7th grade band on Friday last week and had an awesome time. We gathered a ton of good data, finished up the beginning of the year survey, went over band expectations, field trips, concerts, and festival preparations. We also covered the new band council, and ways students can exercise leadership in the band program. It is an exciting time!

I can't wait for October when the new schedule starts! Looking forward!

Mr. A

Friday, September 20, 2013

First Sixth Grade Rehearsal

We had our first rehearsal with 6th Grade during XL yesterday! As our new schedule has not started, I am sneaking in rehearsals during XL for the month of September. Here is what we did:

We reviewed the music room rules:

1) When I am speaking you are listening.
2) When you are speaking I am listening. We never speak over each other
3) If you are playing an instrument, I promise to listen and/or play with you.
4) If I am playing, you should be listening, or playing along with me.

Then we spoke about PBIS and our core pack values and how they related to band. Students brainstormed how Pride, Attitude, Commitment, and Keep it Safe can be applied to the band room.

Last band rehearsal we played a snow ball game to gather student data about their hopes and fears about the coming school year and band. I put that data into a spread sheet and we shared the results.

Band room volunteers we called up to help hand out our first new song "Wipe Out!"

We did a little playing out of the red book. Unfortunately, XL is a short period, so we didn't have a ton of time to play, but we did review some of the learning for last year.

The next 6th grade rehearsal is September 30th during XL. Then, finally, our new band schedule starts! I can't wait!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Welcome to the NFMS Bands Blog!

Welcome to the NFMS Bands Blog!

I am very excited to be introducing this new blog to our band students and their parents. Our goal this year is to reach out in new ways to make sure that everyone is learning, and also to reach out to make sure parents can know what we do in class from day to day.

In addition to the general information about the NFMS bands found at our school website, this blog will keep a running commentary on what we as a band are doing from day to day. There will be student posts, a post after most rehearsals, pictures, and audio-files posted here so students and parents can keep track of the band's activities as we proceed through the school year. The comments section will be active, but moderated. All comments will go to Mr. Akter's email box, so he will be sure to read them!

Please take advantage of this site, and check out our twitter feed @NFMSbands! We look forward to connecting with you!