7th Grade Band Rehearsal

Today we will be introducing Star Wars the Force Awakens! We will also be working on the Blues Brothers. Before we do this though we are going to be working out of 14 Weeks to a Better Band, and Tradition of Excellence Book 2. If you do not have these books yet it is very important that you get them! We are going to be using them every week!

Today you will need your blue book, 14 Weeks to a Better Band, and your instrument. I will have as many extra resources as possible, but PLEASE bring your materials to band every week. It is part of our core values to be prepared!

Today's Plan:

Blue Book page 42. Chop Builders and Bb Major Scale only

Warm Up: 14 Weeks To a Better Band Exercise 1. This will include eighth note counting review. 

We will be using student conductors for everything!

"Star Wars the Force Awakens"

 "The Blues Brothers Greatest Hits!"

"The Edge of the Precipice"  (our Orchestra Audition Piece and the Western Region Band Audition Piece)

I'm looking forward to a great rehearsal!

6th Grade Student Selected Pieces

Great rehearsal today 6th grade! Remember, if you have a suggestion for a student selected piece I need those emailed to my by Friday! We will get our Google poll next week so we can vote!

Mr. A

6th Grade Band Rehearsal

Hello and welcome to our second playing rehearsal for 6th grade!

We only have 40 minutes, so it is very important to get her as quickly as you can at the beginning of the period so we can play as long as possible. Please sign in quickly and find your seat in your section. Sections will be labeled.

Here is our plan:

1) Brief review of PACK norms.

2) Who needs something to be successful? (School instruments. Copy of a method book. Reeds etc.?) I will always ask this question before EVERY piece we rehearse, but you must try and come prepared, especially as you get used to the schedule.

3) Warm Ups!

4) Your new piece is on your stands! We are starting with "The Eye of the Tiger!" We'll start by listening to it once. We will use student conductors and I will play with sections. Remember the expectation is that you bring your music with you every week now!

5) Student Selected Pieces

6) Practicing assignments!

I look forward to seeing you for PLC!

8th Grade Band!

We are going to be discussing our student selected pieces today! I am very excited.

But first we need to rehearse! We will be working on the Blues Brothers and Star Wars the Force Awakens. Before we do this though we are going to be working out of 14 Weeks to a Better Band, and Tradition of Excellence Book 2. If you do not have these books yet it is very important that you get them! We are going to be using them every week!

Today you will need your blue book, 14 Weeks to a Better Band, and your instrument. I will have as many extra resources as possible, but PLEASE bring your materials to band every week. It is part of our core values to be prepared!

Today's Plan:

Blue Book page 42. Chop Builders and Bb Major Scale only

Warm Up: 14 Weeks To a Better Band Exercise 1. This will include eighth note counting review. 

We will be using student conductors for everything! 

 "The Blues Brothers Greatest Hits!"

"The Edge of the Precipice"  (our Orchestra Audition Piece and the Western Region Band Audition Piece)

"Star Wars the Force Awakens"

Discussion of Student Selected Pieces!

I'm looking forward to a great rehearsal!

3rd 7th Grade Playing Rehearsal

We are going to be discussing our student selected pieces today! I am very excited.

But first we need to rehearse! We will be working on the Blues Brothers. Before we do this though we are going to be working out of 14 Weeks to a Better Band, and Tradition of Excellence Book 2. If you do not have these books yet it is very important that you get them! We are going to be using them every week!

Today you will need your blue book, 14 Weeks to a Better Band, and your instrument. I will have as many extra resources as possible, but PLEASE bring your materials to band every week. It is part of our core values to be prepared!

Today's Plan:

Blue Book page 42. Chop Builders and Bb Major Scale only

Warm Up: 14 Weeks To a Better Band Exercise 1. This will include eighth note counting review. 

We will be using student conductors for everything! 

 "The Blues Brothers Greatest Hits!"

"The Edge of the Precipice"  (our Orchestra Audition Piece and the Western Region Band Audition Piece)

I'm looking forward to a great rehearsal!

2nd 6th Grade Playing Rehearsal

Hello and welcome to our second playing rehearsal for 6th grade!

We only have 40 minutes, so it is very important to get her as quickly as you can at the beginning of the period so we can play as long as possible. Please sign in quickly and find your seat in your section. Sections will be labeled.

Here is our plan:

1) Brief review of PACK norms.

2) Who needs something to be successful? (School instruments. Copy of a method book. Reeds etc.?) I will always ask this question before EVERY piece we rehearse, but you must try and come prepared, especially as you get used to the schedule.

3) Fun review: I know that many of you have not played all summer. Please do not be nervous. It will come back to you quickly. We are going to be focusing today on reviewing what you played last year and giving you your first practicing assignment. For each song we will also be offering the opportunity for student conductors.

4) Your new piece is on your stands! We are starting with "The Eye of the Tiger!" We'll start by listening to it once. We will use student conductors and I will play with sections.

5) Practicing assignments!

I look forward to seeing you for PLC!

Band Schedule

The band schedule this year will be based on the excel rotation. Students will be scheduled for band for either one trimester or one semester. For the remainder of the year they will be coming down during excel for small group lessons. The schedule for these lessons are below. All parents and guardians in each class will get an email in the coming days explaining exactly when in the coming week students have band lessons.

B2	6th A and B off semester
A2	6th C and D off semester
B3/4	8th B Off Trimester
A 3/4	8th C Off Trimester
B5	7th A Off Trimester
A5	7th D Off Trimester
D1	Team
C1	Team
D2	6th (A and B) off semester
C2	6th (C and D) off semester
B 3/4	8th B Off Trimester
C 3/4	8th C Off Trimester
D5	7th A Off Trimester
C5	7th D Off Trimester

   

8th Grade Band Rehearsal

This is our second full band rehearsal, but for many of you this will be your first time in band for the year due to Naviance testing last week. It is going to be very important that we get down to band quickly and get set up quickly because of the more limited band time this year. Those of you who missed our warm up activities last rehearsal will get an opportunity to do those during the band mini class. We really need to get playing today! I am really looking forward to getting started with you!

We are getting our first  piece today! It's from the Blues Brothers! The music is lots of fun. When you come into band you will find the music already there for you on your music stand. This is to save time. Please don't forget to take your music home with you so you can practice.

Today you will need your blue book, 14 Weeks to a Better Band, and your instrument. I will have as many extra resources as possible, but PLEASE bring your materials to band every week. It is part of our core values to be prepared!

Today's Plan:

Blue Book page 42. Chop Builders, Bb Major Scale, and the Chorale only

Warm Up: 14 Weeks To a Better Band Exercise 1. This will include eighth note counting review. 

We will be using student conductors for everything! 

Introduction to "The Blues Brothers Greatest Hits!"

Introduction to "The Edge of the Precipice"  (our Orchestra Audition Piece and the Western Region Band Audition Piece)

I'm looking forward to a great rehearsal! 

Band Parents Meet and Greet!

Please click here for a copy of the presentation from tonight's meet and greet! 

Second 7th Grade Rehearasal

This is our second full band rehearsal, but for many of you this will be your first time in band for the year due to Naviance testing last week. It is going to be very important that we get down to band quickly and get set up quickly because of the more limited band time this year. Those of you who missed our warm up activities last rehearsal will get an opportunity to do those during the band mini class. We really need to get playing today! I am really looking forward to getting started with you!

We are getting our first student selected piece today! It's from the Blues Brothers! The music is lots of fun. When you come into band you will find the music already there for you on your music stand. This is to save time. Please don't forget to take your music home with you so you can practice. 

Today you will need your blue book, 14 Weeks to a Better Band, and your instrument. I will have as many extra resources as possible, but PLEASE bring your materials to band every week. It is part of our core values to be prepared!

Today's Plan:

Blue Book page 42. Chop Builders and Bb Major Scale only

Warm Up: 14 Weeks To a Better Band Exercise 1. This will include eighth note counting review. 

We will be using student conductors for everything! 

Introduction to "The Blues Brothers Greatest Hits!"

Introduction to "The Edge of the Precipice"  (our Orchestra Audition Piece and the Western Region Band Audition Piece)

I'm looking forward to a great rehearsal! 

First 6th Grade Playing Rehearsal!

Hello and welcome to our first playing rehearsal for 6th grade!

We only have 40 minutes, so it is very important to get her as quickly as you can at the beginning of the period so we can play as long as possible. Please sign in quickly and find your seat in your section. Sections will be labeled.

Here is our plan:

1) Brief review of PACK norms.

2) Who needs something to be successful? (School instruments. Copy of a method book. Reeds etc.?) I will always ask this question before EVERY piece we rehearse, but you must try and come prepared, especially as you get used to the schedule.

3) Fun review: I know that many of you have not played all summer. Please do not be nervous. It will come back to you quickly. We are going to be focusing today on reviewing what you played last year and giving you your first practicing assignment. For each song we will also be offering the opportunity for student conductors.

4) Practicing assignments!

I look forward to seeing you for PLC!

First 7th Grade Band Rehearsal

Welcome to our first full band rehearsal! Hopefully now that a full week has almost gone by you are starting to see how the schedule will work, and when your band classes will be. Today we are going to take the time to make sure all of you are 100% comfortable with how the schedule will work. There is no need to have instruments today. Today is about becoming comfortable with the schedule, and band routines and procedures.

Our Plan:

1) Welcome!

2) "Switch Spots! Quick!"

    This will be a fun game. The band room chairs are all stacked away and there are just enough set up for us to have room. We are going to form a circle, move around, and get to know one another a bit.

3) Snowball fight!

     I love this activity. It's a way for me to get know you guys a bit. It is an activity that allows you to anonymously share information about what your hopes and fears are about the upcoming band year, and helps me to address the band members' needs.

4) Band Room Norms: after we run around and have some fun getting to know each other we are going to be spending some time discussing the norms of the band room. Your feedback will go into creating the norms.

5)  Onto Google Classroom! We’re going to fill out the “about me” form. This is where you can share with me those things that you really want me know for the school year, including what you’d like to learn and what you’d like to play. It is a way for me to get to know each of you personally a bit and hopefully help meet your individual needs.

A Day Lessons!

Welcome to lesson 3 for those of you in the band mini! Here is our plan.

Welcome! 

Brief review of core values and norms.   

Each student last class shared with me their goals for their instrument. We are going to be conferencing today on those goals and setting up a plan for each of you. 

Each of you should have your method book and your instrument at this point and should be ready to go. Today we will begin with whole class instruction and then break into individualized instruction. While I am conferencing with each of you one on one, the remainder of the class will be practicing the specific page assigned.

Time to play together! After conferencing and individual planning are complete, we will return to whole group instruction and play together.. 

Practicing assignment two: Each student is expected to practice at home about 15 to 20 minutes a day. Practice assignments will be logged in Google Classroom. Parents will be invited to keep up with student practicing assignments via Google Classroom.

First Sixth Grade Band Rehearsal

Welcome to our first full band rehearsal! Hopefully now that a full week has almost gone by you are starting to see how the schedule will work, and when your band classes will be. Today we are going to take the time to make sure all of you are 100% comfortable with how the schedule will work, and we will be doing some "getting to know you" games. For about half of you, this will be your first time in band class. There is no need to have instruments today. Today is about becoming comfortable with the schedule, and band routines and procedures.

Our Plan:

1) Welcome!

2) "Switch Spots! Quick!"

    This will be a fun game. The band room chairs are all stacked away and there are just enough set up for us to have room. We are going to form a circle, move around, and get to know one another a bit.

3) Snowball fight!

     I love this activity. It's a way for me to get know you guys a bit. It is an activity that allows you to anonymously share information about what your hopes and fears are about the upcoming band year, and helps me to address the band members' needs.

4) Band Room Norms: after we run around and have some fun getting to know each other we are going to be spending some time discussing the norms of the band room. Your feedback will go into creating the norms.

5)  Onto Google Classroom! We’re going to fill out the “about me” form. This is where you can share with me those things that you really want me know for the school year, including what you’d like to learn and what you’d like to play. It is a way for me to get to know each of you personally a bit and hopefully help meet your individual needs.

First Sixth Grade Band Lesson

Today, 9/6/2016, is our first band lesson for sixth graders who are not in my class this trimester.

1) Sign in and hello! (Sign in sheets are by the door)

2) Who has instruments? This is our first lesson, and it is OKAY if you forgot your instrument do not have your instrument yet! Do not worry, you won't be in any trouble! We will take care of this today and tomorrow at your first band rehearsal.

3) Depending on the  number of students with instruments for this first lesson we will either a) play (begin review of most important songs in the red book) or b) engage in our warm up ice breaker activities today instead of tomorrow. Warm up ice breaker activities include "switch spots quick" and "snowball"

4) We will be discussing band room norms and core pack values and how they relate to band today. We'll take about what you can expect in band this year (it is very much like last year!)

5) Closure: class discussion of what you learned today!

Month of September Rehearsal Schedule

Band Rehearsals for Month of September:

Mondays during excel 8th Grade Band

Wednesdays during excel 6th Grade Band

Thursdays during excel 7th Grade Band

Lessons for students not currently in classes:

9/9: 7th and 8th graders not in first trimester classes.

9/6: 6th graders not in first semester class

9/13: 7th and 8th graders not in first trimester class

9/16: 6th graders not in first semester class

9/20: 6th graders not in first semester class

9/23: 7th and 8th graders not in first trimester class

9/27: 7th and 8th graders not in first trimester class

9/30: 6th graders not in first semester class

Our Second "A" Day

Welcome to day 2! Today will also be an "A" day so this will be some students second class. Here is our plan. 

Welcome! 

Brief review of core values and norms.   

Onto Google Classroom! (every student should be logged into our classroom)

Band survey! Each student this year will be creating band goals and sharing them. We are going to personalize our learning objectives so that I can help each child meet their individual learning goals.

Loaner instruments (if necessary)

Loaner books (if necessary)

Time to play! We will be playing songs from the method book we remember from last year as part of our review. 

Practicing assignment one: Each student is expected to practice at home about 15 to 20 minutes a day. Practice assignments will be logged in Google Classroom. Parents will be invited to keep up with student practicing assignments via Google Classroom.