NYCSD Elementary Band Notes
November '18
Reminders
When band started at the end of September/beginning of October, I sent home two items to be filled out and signed by parents, and then brought back to school. The first item was the Syllabus, which includes very important information about band. The second item was a Practicing Schedule worksheet to help students and their families determine what times during the week will be best for them to practice. A regular practicing schedule is not only very beneficial to the success and enjoyment of beginning musicians, but it is also something that is very new to most students, and they will probably need help sticking to their schedule. I am still missing some of these, so please double check your child's folder to make sure that they have given both of these items to you, and then turned them in to me!
Now that the new marking period has begun, I have officially begun keeping track of how many minutes each student is practicing during the week. In order to make sure your child is receiving credit for the amount of time they are practicing at home, please make sure to regularly check the Practice Calendars in their band folder, and to sign it each week. If students are not keeping track of how many minutes they are practicing, they won't receive credit for it! This credit goes towards their preparation grade, along with attendance, attitude, and remembering to bring their instrument to school.
Important Dates
All Schools
- Dec. 18 - Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal (Level 2 only)
- Dec. 18 - Winter Concert, 7:00PM @NHS (Lvl 2 only)
- March 28 - All-District Band Concert Dress Rehearsal (All)
- March 28 - All-District Band Concert, 7:00PM @NHS (All)
- May 6 - Spring Concert Dress Rehearsal (Lvl 2)
- May 7 - Spring Concert Dress Rehearsal (Lvl 1)
- May 7 - Spring Concert, 7:00PM @NHS (All)
*Concerts are mandatory. Please let me know ASAP if your student will not be attending a concert or rehearsal!
DES
- Day 4 Lessons: 11/1, 11/9, 11/19, 12/3
- Day 6 Lessons: 11/5, 11/13, 11/27, 12/5
- Full Band Rehearsals (Lvl 1 & 2): 11/1, 11/9, 11/19, 12/3
- Nov. 19/Nov. 27 - (Optional) Composer of the Month due
NES
- Day 1 Lessons: 11/6, 11/14, 11/28, 12/6
- Day 5 Lessons: 11/2*, 11/12, 11/20, 12/4
- *Nov. 2 - Level 1 Lessons only due to Half Day
- Full Band Rehearsals (Lvl 1 & Lvl 2): 11/12, 11/20, 12/4
- Nov. 20/Nov. 28 - (Optional) Composer of the Month due
SME
- Day 1 Lessons: 11/6, 11/14, 11/28, 12/6
- Day 3 Lessons: 11/8, 11/16, 11/30, 12/10
- Full Band Rehearsals (Lvl 1 & Lvl 2): 11/8, 11/16, 11/30, 12/10
- Nov. 28/Nov. 30 - (Optional) Composer of the Month due
WES
- Day 2 Lessons: 11/7, 11/15, 11/29, 12/7
- Full Band Rehearsals: 11/7, 11/15, 11/29, 12/7
- Oct. 29 - (Optional) Composer of the Month due
Congratulations, Troy!
In September, the York Symphony Orchestra (YSO) opened their 41st annual Song Writing Contest. This contest was available to students in three different age groups, ranging from 3rd grade to 12th grade. Troy Fleagle, a 5th grade Level 2 Band student at Dillsburg Elementary, chose to submit a song that he had been working on since last year called Dessert Dance, which earned him 2nd place! Last week, Troy attended two concerts during the YSO's Young People's Concerts, where he was honored on stage. Attending these concerts were various classes of young students from schools in the area - I hope that Troy's creativity and passion inspired the other students who attended the concert! I'm incredibly grateful that I was also able to attend one of the concerts, and it was an AWESOME experience to see his hard work pay off!
EXP Points
In band, our EXP Points come directly from our minutes - each lesson, I'll ask students to total up their minutes from the week before and add them to the chart. That means that in order to add minutes to the chart, they must have them written down! They are not allowed to add minutes to the chart if their calendars are empty. They must be keeping track over the week.
So far, I haven't decided on any prizes for the winners with the most EXP Points at the end of the year. Suggestions are welcome! :)
Music Mountain - Composing Game
If your child seems as though they are interested in learning about composing (or writing) music, why not give this game a try: http://www.sfskids.org/compose/
The above game, created by the San Francisco Symphony, has a "quick start" option where your child can begin composing right away, or they can go through lessons on learning how to write songs! It's a very interesting game, and I definitely recommend checking it out! Even I had a lot of fun using it!
Important Links
Hint: Think Bon Jovi