Instrumental Music Notes
From Mrs. Caulfield and Mrs. De La Rosa-April/May 2019
Directors notes:
All rehearsal and concert information has been included on the previous newsletter, the progress report, the term 4 schedule and below on this newsletter. Please let us know if there are any concerns. Students have been working hard all year, with the spring concert as our final goal. All students are expected to be at the concert, unless otherwise notified.
Band will continue into June, as indicated on the term 4 schedule. Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her instrument even after the concert is over!
Listening links-band
Space Raiders (some slight differences between recording & printed music)
Practice tips
1. Make practice a daily routine (like homework, only more fun!).
2. Practice in a quiet place with a music stand and chair.
3. You perform like you practice, so always try your best and use good posture.
4. Break pieces into small sections. Play each section slowly and accurately. Speed up the tempo each time you practice.
5. Once you can play the small sections, play a piece from start to finish to build up endurance.
6. Have fun!
Listening links-orchestra
Concert information:
Spring Rehearsal and Concert-Mandatory
Monday, May 6th for woodwinds, brass and percussion; Wednesday, May 8 for strings- both 7:30 p.m. at Tuscarora High School
Students should be dropped off at the Tuscarora High School auditorium at 4:40 p.m. Parents should plan to drop off their student and return for the concert by 7:15 p.m.
Please make sure students eat prior to being dropped off at THS.
Students will rehearse on stage until 7:00 p.m. No parents will be permitted in the auditorium during rehearsal.
Students must bring their own music binder, instrument with all necessary parts, folding music stand, and a pencil. ***Be sure your child’s instrument case, music stand, and binder are clearly labeled with their name***
Students should wear concert attire-black dress pants/skirt, white dress shirt, black socks/stockings, black dress shoes. Please no t-shirts, sneakers, or jeans.
They should also plan to bring their own bottle of water as the stage gets very warm.
Auditorium doors will open for audience entrance at 7:15 p.m.
You are welcome to take pictures or video the performance, but we ask that you be respectful of those sitting around you. If you wish to video, you should sit in the rear or side of the auditorium. Please do not use flash photography during the performance and silence all cell phones. Please avoid using cell phones or other electronic equipment during the performance, as this is distracting to performers and audience members alike.
Once the concert is over, please remain in the auditorium. We will take students back to the band room to get packed up. We ask that you not come to the band room at this time to avoid additional crowding and confusion in small areas. We will send students to meet you in the auditorium.
Upcoming Events:
Band rehearsal
Monday, May 6, 2019, 05:00 PM
Tuscarora High School, Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, MD, USA
Band concert
Monday, May 6, 2019, 07:30 PM
Tuscarora High School, Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, MD, USA
Orchestra Rehearsal
Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 05:00 PM
Tuscarora High School, Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, MD, USA
Orchestra Concert
Tuesday, May 8, 2018, 07:30 PM
Tuscarora High School, Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, MD, USA
Keep playing over the summer!
*DO NOT return your rented instrument to the music store over the summer. Your child will not be able to practice without it. In addition, any rent you had already paid into the instrument will be lost the moment you return it. So keep hold of it and keep playing!
*All string players should get re-measured and most will move up to the next size instrument. Many students have already out-grown their instrument!
*On our last band day, we will provide 4th grade students with additional music from their book and other exercises to practice over the summer. Encourage your child to work on this additional music.
*Take lessons! There are music stores and individuals in the area who offer private lessons. Mrs. De La Rosa and Mrs. Caulfield will both be teaching privately over the summer. Contact us for more information.
*Take FREE lessons! Every year, there are opportunities to take lessons for free. One of these avenues is the Shields Scholarship. This provides your child with free lessons with a college music instructor at Frederick Community College during the 2019-20 school year! Here is the link with additional information- http://www.frederick.edu/community/shields-music-scholarship.aspx
*Go to music camp! Frederick Regional Youth Orchestra (FRYO) is offering a summer music camp for students who have played for at least 1 year. You can get more information at https://fryo.org/summer-camp/
Keep playing next year!
Ballenger Creek MS-6th grade band teacher kia.jones@fcps.org
orchestra teacher windy.schmidt@fcps.org
Crestwood MS - kristina.ambrose@fcps.org
Monocacy MS - rebecca.lehman@fcps.org
Thomas Johnson MS - alana.bailey@fcps.org
West Frederick MS - ethan.lichtenberger@fcps.org