On to Concert Band!

What a great day for a parade last Friday! I thought the band did a great job. Our music sounded great and our lines were pretty straight! There is always room for improvement--we weren't staying in step very well--but overall I was pleased! The music is always the most important thing.

The switch to concert band can be challenging and exciting at the same time. We go from one tune we have been working on for a month and know pretty well, to 3 new pieces we have never seen before. Percussion completely switches gears as far as instrumentation. Several students migrate back to instruments that don't work as well for marching. There just are a lot of things in flux.

As far as I am concerned, though, new music is always exciting. We work on our sightreading. We spend a lot more time working on tone and sound production. It's just a great time to work and grow as musicians!

Homecoming Week

It's here! This week combines some nerves and some excitement for me--mostly because of our parade marching at the end of the week. It looks like the weather is going to be good for rehearsals and for the parade on Friday, which is awesome!

The 7-8 band marches about 2/3rds of the parade, so that those involved in football, volleyball and other activities can hustle back and be with their other groups as well. Because of this, we need some people to take the instruments of those who are otherwise involved. I only have about 7 students who aren't participating in another activity, which is great! This means that they can't manage to take ALL of the instruments of the others who are involved. If there are any parents who are going to be at the parade and would be willing to help me take instruments back the the elementary, please let me know!

Marching

Playing an instrument well is hard enough when sitting down. Somewhere along the line, someone decided schools should have bands that can move around and play (it's a long story). The 7-8 band has been working on marching fundamentals and finally got out on the street Wednesday and marched, while playing instruments. They did a nice job for their first time out on the street, especially when dealing with all of the extra equipment needed. Lyres and flip folders to hold the music and marching percussion carriers always add a little complication. What complicates things even more is the hilly terrain around the middle school--it's tough to march on! It does, however, make the parade route (which is VERY flat) seem quite easy. We have 5 more rehearsals to improve our skills before the homecoming parade and they will do a wonderful job! If you are out in Mingo around noon, listen for us!

UI v. ISU

Tomorrow is one of those fun days I look forward to every year. It's a blast to see the students dressed up in their Iowa or Iowa St. stuff and the tug of war at the end of the day is so much fun! I take a baritone over to the gym and play fight songs--it's just a good time! Go Hawks!

Practice

It was nice to see many of you last night! Some familiar faces and some new faces!

Some schedule shifting was done today. As a result, I had to totally rework the lesson schedule. On the band/choir page of the middle school website, you will find an updated copy. Please encourage your son/daughter to do several things:

1) Know when their lesson is

2) Remember to come to the band room during their lesson time

3) Take their instrument back and forth between school and home

and most importantly

4) PRACTICE! 20 minutes, 3 times a week is a good start. Encourage them to practice their lesson music, their full band music and to play something that they want to play. It's amazing how the time will fly by. However, middle school students still need to be reminded that they need to practice! :)

Another Fun One!

Day 2 was at least as fun as day one for me! I got a chance to hear both the 6th grade band and the 7-8 band! WooHoo!! It is going to be a fun year!

We will start lessons on Monday. Students have received a copy of a lesson schedule, which I will put on the website when I am done with this blog post. There are 2 lessons each period and most students are either by themselves or with one lesson partner. Let me know if you have any issues or concerns with the time of your student's lesson. I'll do my best to make things workable for everyone! Have a fantastic weekend!

Good First Day

The first day with students has come and gone, and I would say it was successful. It's always interesting to see them come in the building after a summer off and see how much they have changed! We had very few schedule issues this year, which is great for Regina in the office!

I am thrilled to have so many signed up for 7-8 choir!!!! We are in the mid 30s! Unfortunately that makes the choir room REALLY hot--no windows or air--but we are looking for solutions and surviving!

I am really looking forward to tomorrow when I'll get to hear the bands play a little. So excited about the possibilities this year!