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

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

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!

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!