Springman Bands
Weekly Update #21
A "Love"-ly Start to February!
Never a dull moment in Springman-band-land! I'm so proud of all the hard work that has been going on; from the 8th graders preparing for their NIMCon Competition in March, to the success of our GEF performers this past week, and the progression of our 6th graders and 7th graders in their respective music units. Lots of things to "love" about our students!
**Please note that there have been some rehearsal changes for this week**
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 8th SCHEDULE
Monday, February 8th
- 6th Grade Band will rehearse at 7:30 AM
- 8th graders have band lessons today!
- 7th graders have band lessons and RUSSIA PERFORMANCE TODAY!
Tuesday, February 9th
- 8th Grade Band will rehearse at 7:30 AM
- 7th graders have band lessons and RUSSIA PERFORMANCE TODAY!
Wednesday, February 10th
- 6th Grade Band will rehearse 7:30 AM
- 6th graders have band lessons and ODE TO JOY PERFORMANCE TODAY!
- Jazz Band will rehearse from 3-4 PM
Thursday, February 11th
- **CHANGE** WILDCAT SYMPHONY WILL REHEARSE AT 7:30 AM **CHANGE**
- 6th graders have band lessons and ODE TO JOY PERFORMANCE TODAY!
Friday, February 12th
- Wildcat Symphony will rehearse at 7:30 AM
- 8th graders have band lessons today!
8th Grade: Wildcat Symphony Contest Info
We have received our performance TIME and DATE for the NIMCon Organizational Contest. Last year, our group received a Division I and was able to progress onto the state competition - we are hoping to do so once again!
Because of the importance of this performance, IT IS MANDATORY for all students to attend!!!
We will send out finalized information as we get closer, but please plan on the following:
WHERE: Woodland Middle School (Gurnee)
DAY: Friday, March 11th
TENTATIVE TIME FRAME:
3:00 PM - depart from Springman
4:00 PM to 5:45 PM - Dinner at TBA (potentially Gurnee Mills Mall)
6:25 PM to 7:25 PM - Performance
7:25 PM to 7:45 PM - Receive results and depart for Springman
8:45 PM (or earlier) - HOME!
6th Grade: Travel Through Time Unit
Please remember that students should be practicing their excerpts each week with a metronome - these performance assessments do contribute to each students' grade. Students who miss a lesson, without consulting me prior to or the day of, will receive a 0 for their performance assessment. If a student misses a lesson, they are responsible for learning the piece for their next lesson!
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT:
- Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" (last piece on the first page) at 115 bpm
**Please note that students should be working off of the UPDATED music**
7th Grade: International Music Tour Unit
This week, students moved onto Russia, where we learned "The Russian Sailor's Dance." Students were surprised to learn that this Russian piece is actually part of a ballet called, "The Red Poppy," that takes place in China - phew! Ask your student what the red poppy represents!
Please remember that students should be practicing their excerpts each week with a metronome - these performance assessments do contribute to each students' grade. Students who miss a lesson, without consulting me prior to or the day of, will receive a 0 for their performance assessment. If a student misses a lesson, they are responsible for learning the piece for their next lesson!
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT:
- Russian Sailor's Dance at 80 bp
Wildcat Jazz Band
Even more exciting - the music we are playing in jazz band will be part of the Illinois Music Education Association (IMEA) jazz auditions in the fall, so students will be easily able to audition since they'll already know the pieces! Awesome!
That being said...
Jazz Band Trumpet players need to purchase...
Yes, for real.
All JAZZ BAND trumpet players need to purchase a SINK plunger - this will be used in one of pieces as a special effect. We'll be using just the plastic part.
Please make sure you buy new and not used!
TIME TO UPGRADE YOUR EQUIPMENT!
You can find the Springman Recommended Equipment list by clicking HERE.
Please note that the items marked with asterisks (***) are strongly encouraged. These items will make an enormous difference in the students' sound and their performance in an ensemble. Furthermore, this equipment can be used through high school and, often, beyond high school! The more students that "step-up" even ONE piece of equipment (i.e. reeds, mouthpieces) will help our ensembles (and YOU) to sound amazing!
If you are interested in upgrading your child's instrument, I recommend that you speak with a director AND a private teacher AND that you keep your child's current instrument as a back up.
Private Lessons - a GREAT challenge!
If so, think about taking private lessons! You'll have the tremendous opportunity to continue to advance and improve your skills!
You can find the recommended Glenview Private Lesson Teacher list by clicking HERE!