Important End of Year Reminders

Dear Band Parents,

Important End of Year Reminders Follow! Please read as there is updated information! 

End of year reminders:

1) Annually we take a celebration trip to Lake Compounce. Permission forms for this trip are due Friday. Students who are planning on attending but have not turned by tomorrow must see me. 

2) Graduation is the 18th (next Tuesday evening). All members of orchestra, volunteer members of 6th and 7th grade bands, and ALL  band members with siblings in 8th grade provide the music. Arrival time in the NFMS band room is 5:30pm for all students attending graduation. 

VERY IMPORTANT

3) Next week we are cleaning the band room, and unlocking all the lockers. If your child has an instrument in the band room it really needs to go home. The instruments may not be secure over the summer and the school is not responsible for any instruments left here. 

4) If your child has a school instrument, it needs to be returned to me by Monday the 17th . If they are taking it out for the summer they have to check in with me. 

5) Students playing school instruments can check them out over the summer. The instrument must be “checked back in” before I can check it out for the summer. This is true even for students playing graduation. They can borrow the instrument for the night of graduation, but otherwise it needs to stay in the band room. Unreturned instruments result in an accountability that will prevent your child getting their report card. 

Please contact me if you have any end of the year questions or concerns. Thank you for your time!

Emre Akter

Band Director

NFMS

akter.emre@newfairfieldschools.org

Band Rehearsal

Today we work on graduation and discuss tomorrow's band jam!

Learning Targets:

1) I can play the Bb, Eb, F, major scales and the chromatic scale at a "3" on our 4 point rating scale.
2) I can explain the purpose of key signatures and observe that key signature while playing a piece
3) I can audiate tonic and dominant patterns in MINOR tonality and explain minor tonality.


Lesson  Plan: 
1) Welcome
2) New music procedures - Extra copies are in your cubbies! (1 minute)
3) Breathing exercises: Airplane and Dragon
4) Scales: Bb, Eb, F and Chromatic.
5) Regal March
6) Fanfare and Processional
7) What are we playing for Band Jam? (Fantasia!)
8) Closure

Band Jam

Dear Band Parents,

I hope you are well! This email is our final reminder for Thursday night's "Band Jam." The band jam is a concert featuring all of our bands here in New Fairfield. From the elementary school the Presto Ensemble will be participating, as are all the middle school and high school bands.

There was a miscommunication regarding start time. Normally middle school concerts start at 7. However, the starting time was set at 6:30pm and I was not aware. Band jam will be begin at 6:30 but the report time to the HS remains the same (6:15pm). Presto ensemble will be performing first. 

Attendance at Band Jam is mandatory, but there is a conflict with Shining Stars. Students with that conflict are excused from Band Jam. Please contact me if there are any other issues. We obviously need a good turn out for the event to be both fun and successful. The high school band boosters will also be serving treats after the performance.

This is an exciting event that includes performing band ensembles from 5th-12th grade.  It is a great opportunity for students to experience the evolution of the New Fairfield band program and participate in a collaborative, fun setting with students across the district!  Students will get to enjoy some amazing music, and we will get to play one song combined with the elementary & high school bands!

2019 Band Jam
Date = Thursday, June 6th 2019
Performance time = 6:30pm
Call time (arrival time) = 6:15pm (to get ready & seated)
Attire = Blue Polo Shirt - Otherwise dress for the weather. This is a more casual event. 

Immediately afterward there will also be a Cookie Fest in the middle school cafeteria, so come and enjoy some goodies provided by the Fine Arts Boosters!  See you there!

7th and 8th grade band

Today we continue to build Fantasia!

Learning Targets:

1) I can play the Bb, Eb, F, major scales and the chromatic scale at a "3" on our 4 point rating scale.
2) I can explain the purpose of key signatures and observe that key signature while playing a piece
3) I can audiate tonic and dominant patterns in MINOR tonality and explain minor tonality.


Lesson  Plan: 
1) Welcome
2) New music procedures - Extra copies are in your cubbies! (1 minute)
3) Breathing exercises: Airplane and Dragon
4) Scales: Bb, Eb, F and Chromatic.
5) 1812: Run through and perfect
6) Fantasia - There are SO many parts and each part is a like a brand new piece!
     Rehearsal plan:We did not get to the end last time so we are going to be using back to front rehearsal technique.
7) Closure

Important Announcements

This is a reminder that the in school concert will be taking place on May 28th, which is the first day we are back from the long weekend. We will be on a 90 minute assembly schedule. 

The band schedule next week is as follows: 

Monday: All 7th and 8th grade band members during PLC. (Jazz after school)

Tuesday: All 6th grade band members during PLC 

Wednesday: All 7th and 8th graders during PLC. All 7th and 8th graders after school 

Thursday: No band activities due to Meeting House Hill music competition at Lake Compounce. 

Friday: All 6th graders during PLC for a shortened rehearsal (it will be very short as it is an early dismissal schedule) 

The concert is on the following Tuesday.

I hope this information is helpful.

Emre Akter 

Band Director 

7th and 8th Grade Band

Today we continue to build Fantasia!

Learning Targets:

1) I can play the Bb, Eb, F, major scales and the chromatic scale at a "3" on our 4 point rating scale.
2) I can explain the purpose of key signatures and observe that key signature while playing a piece
3) I can audiate tonic and dominant patterns in MINOR tonality and explain minor tonality.


Lesson  Plan: 
1) Welcome
2) New music procedures - Extra copies are in your cubbies! (1 minute)
3) Breathing exercises: Airplane and Dragon
4) Scales: Bb, Eb, F and Chromatic.
5) Fantasia - There are SO many parts and each part is a like a brand new piece!
     Rehearsal plan:We did not get to the end last time so we are going to be using back to front rehearsal technique.
6) If time review 1812.

7) Closure

6th Grade Band

Today is our excel playing rehearsal for 6th grade!

Learning Targets:
1) I can apply solfege to my instrument in the key of  Bb.
2) I can play Eye of the Tiger at a 3 out of 4 on our rating scale
3) I can play the Avengers at a 3 out of 4.

Our Plan: 
1) Sign in and find your seat! I have a brief announcement for you.

2) What we are doing today! Get what you need (ask section leaders for help!) 1 min

3) Warn up with, the sigh, the Dragon and the fire hose. Applying solfege to our instrument.

4)  The Avengers!  (Rehearse the whole thing. Is it a 3? If not, why not? What can we do? (plan objectives for next week... This ought to be a 3 now! Please practice at home )
    Rehearsal techniques: Student Conductors. Solfege singing. Audiation

5) Eye of the Tiger! (Rehearse the whole thing. Is it a 3? If not, why not? What can we do? (plan objectives for next week... This ought to be a 3 now! Please practice at home )
    Rehearsal techniques: Student Conductors. Solfege singing. Audiation

   

7th and 8th Grade Band

Today we continue to build Fantasia!

Learning Targets:

1) I can play the Bb, Eb, F, major scales and the chromatic scale at a "3" on our 4 point rating scale.
2) I can explain the purpose of key signatures and observe that key signature while playing a piece
3) I can audiate tonic and dominant patterns in MINOR tonality and explain minor tonality.


Lesson  Plan: 
1) Welcome
2) New music procedures - Extra copies are in your cubbies! (1 minute)
3) Breathing exercises: Airplane and Dragon
4) Scales: Bb, Eb, F and Chromatic.
5) Fantasia - There are SO many parts and each part is a like a brand new piece!
     Rehearsal plan: Begin with the beginning! Practice each section independently. Work towards mastery. The goal today is to get to the end.
6) If time review 1812.
7) Closure

SBAC

Dear Band Parents, 

Looking ahead to the SBAC schedule, this week all 6th grade have been cancelled due to the SBAC. I would very much like to see my students if at all possible. Therefore 6th grade band will be rehearsing on Friday during PLC as it is the only time left available. 

Therefore the schedule for the next two weeks are  7th and 8th grade band on Monday during PLC and 6th Graders on Friday during PLC. There are no SBAC tests on Monday or Friday either week.

Thank you!

6th Grade Rehearsal 4/30

Today is our excel playing rehearsal for 6th grade!

Learning Targets:
1) I can apply solfege to my instrument in the key of  Bb.
2) I can play Eye of the Tiger at a 3 out of 4 on our rating scale
3) I can play the Avengers at a 3 out of 4.

Our Plan: 
1) Sign in and find your seat!

2) What we are doing today! Get what you need (ask section leaders for help!) 1 min

3) Warn up with, the sigh, the Dragon and the fire hose. Applying solfege to our instrument.

4) Eye of the Tiger! (Rehearse the whole thing. Is it a 3? If not, why not? What can we do? (plan objectives for next week... This ought to be a 3 now! Please practice at home )
    Rehearsal techniques: Student Conductors. Solfege singing. Audiation

5)  The Avengers!
     (Review last rehearsal. Do you remember how it goes?)
     Rehearsal techniques: Direct instruction and Student Conductors. Is it a 3? If not why not? What can we do to get it there?

Important Announcements

Dear Band and Orchestra Parents,

I hope you are well and had a good vacation. This is the first announcement regarding our end of year band activities and has several important dates. As we approach the end of the year there are two mandatory performances for the bands here. 

The first will be our Spring concert which will  be held Tuesday May 28th at 7:00pm. The students must report at 6:15 to the auditorium. Our in school concert will also take place on the 28th. More details to follow in future emails and notices.  

The Second is our second annual "Band Jam," a wonderful concert featuring all the bands at the middle and high school. It is a great event. The Band Jam Concert will be held Thursday June 6th at 6:30pm. More details to follow in future emails and notices. 

For those of you in small ensembles: (Jazz Ensemble and Orchestra), We are bringing back our annual small ensembles social! The date on this is TBA and we will be in contact shortly. 

Concert dress (for all performance events): Boys: blue music department polo shirt and black pants (NO JEANS or SHORTS) and dress shoes (NO SNEAKERS) Girls: blue music department polo shirt and black dress slacks (no skirts) and dress shoes. (Flats are preferred. Minimal heels only please. Students must either climb the stairs onto the stage or stand on the risers. High heels present a possible falling hazard).

Thanks for all you do to encourage your children! 

7th and 8th Grade Band

We have our student selected piece! It is called Fantasia Themes! Today we are starting with Themes from the 1812 Overture. Anyone who did not do the concert reflection form needs to complete that today.

Learning Targets:

1) I can play the Bb, Eb, F, major scales and the chromatic scale at a "3" on our 4 point rating scale.
2) I can explain the purpose of key signatures and observe that key signature while playing a piece
3) I can audiate tonic and dominant patterns in MINOR tonality and explain minor tonality.


Lesson  Plan: 
1) Welcome
2) New music procedures - Extra copies are in your cubbies! (1 minute)
3) Breathing exercises: Airplane and Dragon
4) Scales: Bb, Eb, F and Chromatic.
5) Fantasia - There are SO many parts and each part is a like a brand new piece!
     Rehearsal plan: Begin with the beginning! Practice each section independently. Work towards mastery. The goal today is to get to measure 122.
6) If time review 1812.
7) Closure

6th Grade Band

Today is our excel playing rehearsal for 6th grade!

Learning Targets:
1) I can apply solfege to my instrument in the key of  Bb.
2) I can play Eye of the Tiger at a 3 out of 4 on our rating scale
3) I can play the Avengers at a 2 out of 4.

Our Plan: 
1) Sign in and find your seat!

2) What we are doing today! Get what you need (ask section leaders for help!) 1 min

3) Warn up with, the sigh, the Dragon and the fire hose. Applying solfege to our instrument.

4) Eye of the Tiger! (Rehearse the whole thing. Is it a 3? If not, why not? What can we do? )
    Rehearsal techniques: Student Conductors. Solfege singing. Audiation

5)  The Avengers!
     (Review last rehearsal. Do you remember how it goes?)
     Rehearsal techniques: Direct instruction and Student Conductors.

7th and 8th Grade Band

We have our student selected piece! It is called Fantasia Themes!

Learning Targets:

1) I can play the Bb, Eb, F, major scales and the chromatic scale at a "3" on our 4 point rating scale.
2) I can explain the purpose of key signatures and observe that key signature while playing a piece


Lesson  Plan: 
1) Welcome
2) New music procedures - Extra copies are in your cubbies! (1 minute)
3) Section Leaders - what do you need? (1 minute))
4) Scales (2 minutes)
5) Off podium (music and question time)
6) Fantasia (Rehearse by section our goal is to get to measure 82
7) 1812 Overture

6th Grade Band

Today is our excel playing rehearsal for 6th grade!

Learning Targets:
1) I can apply solfege to my instrument in the key of  Bb.
2) I can play Eye of the Tiger at a 3 out of 4 on our rating scale
3) I can play the Avengers at a 2 out of 4.

Our Plan: 
1) Sign in and find your seat!

2) What we are doing today! Get what you need (ask section leaders for help!) 1 min

3) Warn up with, the sigh, the Dragon and the fire hose. Applying solfege to our instrument.

4) Eye of the Tiger! (Rehearse the whole thing. Is it a 3? If not, why not? What can we do? )
    Rehearsal techniques: Student Conductors. Solfege singing. Audiation

5)  The Avengers!
     (Review last rehearsal. Do you remember how it goes?)
     Rehearsal techniques: Direct instruction and Student Conductors.

\

7th and 8th Grade Band

We have our student selected piece! It is called Fantasia Themes!

Learning Targets:

1) I can play the Bb, Eb, F, major scales and the chromatic scale at a "3" on our 4 point rating scale.
2) I can explain the purpose of key signatures and observe that key signature while playing a piece



Lesson  Plan: 
1) Welcome
2) New music procedures - Extra copies are in your cubbies! (1 minute)
3) Section Leaders - what do you need? (1 minute))
4) Scales (2 minutes)
5) Off podium (music and question time)
6) 1812 Overture
7) Fantasia

6th Grade Band

Today is our excel playing rehearsal for 6th grade!

Learning Targets:
1) I can apply solfege to my instrument in the key of  Bb.
2) I can play Eye of the Tiger at a 2 out of 4 on our rating scale
3) I can play the Avengers at a 2 out of 4.

Our Plan: 
1) Sign in and find your seat!

2) What we are doing today! Get what you need (ask section leaders for help!) 1 min

3) Warn up with, the sigh, the Dragon and the fire hose. Applying solfege to our instrument.

4) Eye of the Tiger!

5)  The Avengers!
\

6th Grade Band

Today is our excel playing rehearsal for 6th grade!

Learning Targets:
1) I can apply solfege to my instrument in the key of  Bb.
2) I can play Eye of the Tiger at a 2 out of 4 on our rating scale
3) I can play the Avengers at a 2 out of 4.
4) I can sing and play Maryann.  I can sing Go Tell Aunt Rhodie.

Our Plan: 
1) Sign in and find your seat!

2) What we are doing today! Get what you need (ask section leaders for help!) 1 min

3) Warn up with Scale Sheets, the sigh, and the Dragon!

4) Eye of the Tiger!

5) Teacher vs Class for Minor chords!

6) Apply solfege to instruments! (3-minutes)

7)  The Avengers!
\

7th and 8th Grade Band

We have our student selected piece! It is called Fantasia Themes! Today we are starting with Themes from the 1812 Overture. Anyone who did not do the concert reflection form needs to complete that today.

Learning Targets:

1) I can play the Bb, Eb, F, major scales and the chromatic scale at a "3" on our 4 point rating scale.
2) I can explain the purpose of key signatures and observe that key signature while playing a piece
3) I can audiate tonic and dominant patterns in MINOR tonality and explain minor tonality.


Lesson  Plan: 
1) Welcome
2) New music procedures - Extra copies are in your cubbies! (1 minute)
3) Section Leaders - what do you need? (1 minute))
4) Scales (2 minutes)
5) Off podium (music and question time)
6) Themes from 1812 Overture
    We begin at measure 24. Mallets players must study their parts and write in any notes they don't know during this time. We learn sections until the end. Next we go to the beginning and include mallets.
7) Games for tonal patterns - Tonic and Dominant in minor. (5 minutes)
8) Derive a minor scale from the major scale.
9) Closure

5th Grade Saxophones and Trombones

Our Goals for the month of January - Mrs. King's annual plan! 

New" Note "A," Page 12 "School Song," "My Country 'Tis" stapled in book.
Counting introduced (page 13)
All instruments start "Special Warmups"
Info for presto.

Learning Targets:

1) Mr. Akter can learn all of our names! (name game)
2) Play through a review of our favorite pieces!
3) Assessment: where did we leave off? (page 13) Introduce new practice material.
4) Introduce counting! (teacher vs class with quarters and eighth notes) (note... we did not get to counting this period. Will address next class)

7th and 8th Grade Band

We have our student selected piece! It is called Fantasia Themes! I would like to begin rehearsal on this piece as possible but we must have Mars and Academic Festival Overture ready first. Last rehearsal we were able to polish Mars a bit! We will start today with Academic Festival Overture.

Learning Targets:

1) I can play the Bb, Eb, F, major scales and the chromatic scale at a "3" on our 4 point rating scale.
2) I can explain the purpose of key signatures and observe that key signature while playing a piec
3) I can play Mars and Academic Festival Overture at at least a 3 on our 4 point rating scale.
4) I can recognize tonic and dominant chords by ear on the piano.


Lesson  Plan: 
1) Welcome
2) New music procedures - Extra copies are in your cubbies! (1 minute)
3) Section Leaders - what do you need? (1 minute))
4) Scales (2 minutes)
5) Off podium (music and question time)
6) Run Academic Festival Overture! Self Assess. Is it a 3 or 4? If not why not?
7) Mars - Run through. Self Assess. Is it a 3 or 4? If not why not?
    Students collaborate on setting goals for Wednesday's rehearsal
8) Games for tonal patterns - Tonic and Dominant. (5 minutes)
9) Recognizing tonic and dominant chords by ear when provided the chord on the piano.
9) Applying solfege to instruments in Bb

5th Grade Flutes

Our Goals for the month of January - Mrs. King's annual plan! 

New" Note "A," Page 12 "School Song," "My Country 'Tis" stapled in book.
Counting introduced (page 13)
All instruments start "Special Warmups"
Info for presto.

Learning Targets:

1) Mr. Akter can learn all of our names! (name game)
2) Play through a review of our favorite pieces!
3) Assessment: where did we leave off? (page 13) Introduce new practice material.
4) Introduce counting! (teacher vs class with quarters and eighth notes) (note... we did not get to counting this period. Will address next class)

5th Grade Clarinet Lesson Plan

Our Goals for the month of January - Mrs. King's annual plan! 

Page 11 - New" Note "A," Page 12 "School Song," "My Country 'Tis" stapled in book.
Counting introduced (page 13)
All instruments start "Special Warmups"
Info for presto.

Learning Targets:

1) Mr. Akter can learn all of our names! (name game)
2) Play through a review of our favorite pieces!
3) Assessment: where did we leave off? Introduce new practice material.
4) Introduce counting! (teacher vs class with quarters and eighth notes)

7th and 8th Grade Band

We have our student selected piece! It is called Fantasia Themes! I would like to begin rehearsal on this piece as possible but we must have Mars and Academic Festival Overture ready first.

Learning Targets:

1) I can play the Bb, Eb, F, major scales and the chromatic scale at a "3" on our 4 point rating scale.
2) I can explain the purpose of key signatures and observe that key signature while playing a piec
3) I can play Mars and Academic Festival Overture at at least a 3 on our 4 point rating scale.
4) I can sing and play tonic and dominant patters.


Lesson  Plan: 
1) Welcome
2) New music procedures - Extra copies are in your cubbies! (1 minute)
3) Section Leaders - what do you need? (1 minute))
4) Scales (2 minutes)
5) Off podium (music and question time)
6) Mars - Run through. Self Assess. Is it a 3 or 4? If not why not?
    Students collaborate on setting goals for Wednesday's rehearsal
7) Run Academic Festival Overture! Self Assess. Is it a 3 or 4? If not why not?
    Students collaborate on setting goals for Wednesday's rehearsal.
8) Games for tonal patterns - Tonic and Dominant. (5 minutes)
9) Applying solfege to instruments in Bb

Welcome Back 6th Grade!

Today is our excel playing rehearsal for 6th grade!

Learning Targets:
1) I can apply solfege to my instrument in the key of  Bb.
2) I can play Be Still My Soul at a 3 on our 4 point rating scale.
3) I can play Over the Rainbow (the whole thing) at a 3 out of 4 on our four point rating scale.
4) I can play line 3 to grant us peace.

Last rehearsal we learned that Be Still My Soul is a real challenge for us still. We are going to be reviewing all sections with a special eye to helping out our awesome drummers! Also, we want to talk about the importance of steady beat and playing with a metronome. We need to get through Be Still My Soul before we start on Avengers, so lets get it done!

Our Plan: 
1) Sign in and find your seat!

2) What we are doing today! Get what you need (ask section leaders for help!) 1 min

3) Standard of Excellence Book 1 warm up!  We are warming up with page 35: Kum Ba Yah and Grant Us Peace are the two pieces.  If you do not have your book do not panic! I have extras for most instruments. If I don't have an extra you can look on with a friend. But from now on PLEASE remember your book! 

4) Kum Ba Yah (this is easy to warm up)

5) Grant us Peace. (We are taking this to the next level, learning all lines and playing in parts! We are adding this beautiful round to the concert! This peace must be learned! It is our final song in the red book before moving on to book 2)

6) Apply solfege to instruments! (3-minutes)

7)  Over the Rainbow! Run and Spot Fix.

8) Be Still My Soul - Run and Spot Fix

9) Student Selected pieces.

We voted to do the Avengers!

The Avengers: https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10681431