Harpeth Middle School Band!
6th, 7th, and 8th
Week of February 25th
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I hope all of our students had an amazing weekend. We are at the end of February and the semester is still moving on. Great highlights this week from band and we want to continue the amazing progress this week. I can understand that working on the same techniques can be exhausting, but it helps improve our musical literature and raises our music standards.
Tuesday - Pre-CPA Concert at Harpeth High School starting at 6 pm. The 7th and 8th grade band will perform their two CPA pieces for the community. The only conflict I have excused is the HMS Baseball Team since they have a game. If there is an athletic practice, come perform at the High School then return to practice. The middle school band portion will last around 25 minutes. This is a grade and call time is at 5:30 pm at Harpeth High School Band Room. Students are to dress up for the performance. Parents are allowed to listen and attend.
Friday - 8th Grade Band Pajama Band Camp Night 5 pm to 10 pm. Food will be provided for the event and we need all students to attend the Camp. We will have a Dodgeball Tournament or Movie night at the end of the event.
2024 Rock-A-Thon Fundraiser March 8th
Our 2024 Rock-A-Thon Fundraiser will be kicking off this week! We are sponsoring a Rock-a-thon to enable us to update and offset instruments, offset uniform costs, and purchase software and music for the band program. In past years we have raised $9,000 and there is the potential to easily make this year’s Rock-A-Thon even more successful! We appreciate your support and help in this endeavor.
This is how it works: Attached you will find a pledge sheet. Students can get pledges from parents, friends, and relatives ($2.00 per hour or more recommended, but no less than $1.50 per hour). Each student (or family with more than one student in the band) must have a minimum of 10 pledges OR $50 in pledge totals to attend the Rock-A-Thon. Please note that it is not intended for the parents to donate the entire amount. We encourage students to ask sources to raise money for their band and to raise awareness of the HMS Band program to the community at large. Students must turn in their completed pledge sheet during registration (4:00 pm, March 8th). Students will assemble in the cafeteria immediately the goal to begin rocking at 5:00 pm. There will be a ten-minute break every hour. Parents will need to pick up their children by 11:00 pm. Students must rock until 11:00 p.m. They will take their pledge sheet that has been validated and collect their pledges the following week.
Each student is responsible for providing his/her rocking chair. Chairs should be delivered to HMS on Thursday, March 7th, from 6:00 – 7:30 pm (band parents will be available to assist you). Please make sure your chair is labeled. If you cannot bring your chair during this time, please notify Mr. Vaughn to make other arrangements or you may bring your chairs on Friday afternoon, March 8th by 4:00 p.m
Let's have an amazing week and please look at the Smore Newsletter (https://www.smore.com/2ed1x-harpeth-middle-school-band) for updates, as well as email and the Band app (https://band.us/n/aea604m6N6Gfi).
Musically Yours,
Christopher Vaughn
Director of Bands
Harpeth Middle School
615.952.2293
“Music is Life. That’s why our Hearts have beats”
Recorded Performances from this past Friday
HMS Band Agenda Week of February 4th
- 6th Grade Band
- Monday
- New music day Zombie Stomp and Dragon Dance
- Tuesday
- Habits Green Book Numbers reviewing staccato
- Wednesday
- Habits Green Book Number 48 and 49
- First five notes of the Bb Scale
- Zombie Stomp measures beginning to 19
- Thursday
- First five notes of Bb Scale
- Mouthpiece Tuning/Intonation
- Dragon Dance
- Friday
- Habits Green Book 50
- Next two notes of the Bb Scale
- 7th Grade Band Concert Band Music Recordings
- Monday
- Tonal Energy Tuning
- Red Comet measures 25 to 40
- As Winds Dance beginning to 10
- Tuesday
- Chorale day in Bb
- Sightreading Day
- Overture in Bb (review)
- Wednesday
- Sightreading Day/Rhythm Day
- Red Comet measures beginning to 25
- Thursday
- Chorale Day in Eb
- As Winds Dance
- Friday
- Run Through Friday with recording
- 8th Grade Band - Concert Band Music Recordings
- Monday
- Hillside March with articulation warm-up
- Saxophone section work on sightreading with Mr. Upperman
- Tuesday
- Percussion work with sightreading with Mr. Upperman
- Chorale Day in Concert F
- Hillside March beginning to 17
- Fireball 30 to 45
- Wednesday
- Sightreading with Mr. Upperman Flutes and Clarinets
- Articulation Rhtyhm Day
- Fireball 30 to 45, then 45 to 50
- Thursday
- Trumpets with Mr. Upperman for sightreading
- Hillside March 17 to 35
- Friday
- Low Brass and Low Woodwinds with Mr. Upperman for sightreading
- Run through Friday
Why Concert Performance Assessment is important?
Concert performance assessments are important for parents for several reasons:
1. **Monitoring Progress:** Assessments provide parents with an opportunity to gauge their child's progress in music education. Regular assessments help track improvements in skills, technique, and overall musical development.
2. **Encouragement and Motivation:** Positive feedback and constructive criticism from assessments can motivate and encourage a child to continue their musical journey. Knowing that their efforts are recognized and appreciated can boost their confidence and commitment to learning an instrument or participating in a musical ensemble.
3. **Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses:** Assessments highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of a child's musical abilities. This information allows parents to work with teachers to address areas that may need improvement and to reinforce and celebrate the areas where their child excels.
4. **Setting Realistic Goals:** Assessments help in setting realistic short-term and long-term goals for the child's musical education. Parents can collaborate with teachers to establish achievable milestones, creating a roadmap for progress and accomplishment.
5. **Building Discipline and Responsibility:** Preparing for assessments requires dedication, discipline, and consistent practice. Through this process, children learn the value of hard work, time management, and responsibility, which are essential life skills.
6. **Enhancing Parent-Teacher Communication:** Assessments often involve feedback sessions with teachers, fostering a strong communication channel between parents and music educators. This enables parents to stay informed about their child's performance and receive guidance on how to support their musical development at home.
7. **Cultivating a Love for Music:** Witnessing their child's progress and success in music can help parents appreciate the joy and fulfillment that music brings. This can contribute to fostering a lifelong love for music and the arts in their child.
8. **Social and Emotional Benefits:** Concert performances and assessments provide opportunities for children to experience the joy of collaboration and teamwork. They also allow children to develop emotional resilience as they learn to cope with nerves and stage fright.
In summary, concert performance assessments play a crucial role in helping parents actively support their child's musical journey, fostering a positive and enriching experience in the realm of music education.
Congrats to our students who made the MTSBOA Midstate Honor Band
Congratulations to Alex Haas and Jordan Hoffman
Congratulations to Alexander Haas and Jordan Hoffman for being chosen by audition to be part of the Middle Tennessee Mid State Honor Band. Alex was first chair Silver Band for clarinet, and Jordan was 6th chair Silver Band for euphonium. It was a wonderful performance, and we are so proud of them!
Alex Haas also participated in the Middle Tennessee Mid State Jazz Honor Band. Alex was first chair of Auxilary Percussion.
HMS Band 2023 - 2024 Calendar of Events
HMS Band Pictures
Here are a few pictures from our Thursday Night Performance!
AWESOME JOB HHS BAND OF BLUE ON YOUR PERFORMANCE!
HHS/HMS Friday Night Lights!
Congrats HHS Band of Blue at Hendersonville
HMS Band SWAG
HMS Band Social Media
- A reminder here is our social media
- Instagram – Harpethmsband1
- Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/harpethmsband1
- HMSBandApp – https://band.us/n/a7aa97w1Zdo2H
HMS Band Pep Rally Pictures
HMS Band Fee Website
HMS Band Playing Tests - How do they work in BAND?
- TEST in BAND - A playing test is like a mini performance that helps your child's music teacher understand how well they are learning and playing their instrument. Just like taking a test in school shows how much you know about a subject, a playing test shows how well your child knows and can play music on their instrument. Here's how it generally works:
- Preparation: Before the playing test, your child will be given a specific piece of music to practice. This piece might have certain musical notes, rhythms, and techniques they need to learn. They'll practice this music at home and during band rehearsals.
- Scheduled Time: The teacher will schedule a time for your child to play the piece they've been practicing. This can happen individually or in a small group, depending on how the teacher organizes it.
- Performance: During the playing test, your child will play the assigned music in front of their teacher. This might happen in a practice room, the music classroom, or even during a regular band rehearsal.
- Assessment: The teacher will listen closely to how your child plays. They'll pay attention to things like correct notes, rhythm, tone quality, and how well your child follows musical instructions. The teacher might also take notes on areas where your child is doing well and areas where they can improve.
- Feedback: After the playing test, the teacher will provide feedback to your child. They'll let them know what they did well and offer suggestions on how to improve. This feedback is meant to be constructive and help your child become a better musician.
- Progress: Playing tests are not just about getting a grade. They help the teacher understand how your child is progressing and what areas need more practice. This way, the teacher can tailor their lessons to help your child improve in specific areas.
- Remember, playing tests are a normal part of learning music and are meant to be a positive experience. They give your child a chance to show off what they've learned and receive guidance on how to become an even better musician. Encourage your child to practice, do their best, and enjoy the process of learning and making music!
Harpeth Middle School Band Leadership
8th Grade Captain - Caleb Thomas
8th Grade Vice Captain - Mila Gray
8th Grade Secretary - Emily "BFF" Casella
8th Grade Historian - Callie Saul
7th Grade Captain - Caroline "JuJu" Rucker
7th Grade Vice Captain - Avery McCormick
7th Grade Secretary - Anna Eagan
7th Grade Historian - Allie Valentine
MTSBOA Mid-State Honor Band Information
Auditioning for an honor band can offer numerous benefits and opportunities for musicians, regardless of their skill level or age. Here are some reasons why auditioning for an honor band is important:
Skill Development: Preparing for an honor band audition requires focused practice and improvement. The process of learning challenging music, honing technical skills, and refining musical interpretation can lead to significant growth as a musician.
Challenge and Motivation: Auditioning for an honor band pushes musicians out of their comfort zones and encourages them to strive for excellence. The competitive aspect can motivate individuals to put in the extra effort to achieve their best performance.
Networking: Honor bands gather talented musicians from various schools or regions. Participating provides a chance to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and build relationships that could lead to collaborations in the future.
Peer Learning: Working alongside other accomplished musicians in an honor band setting can foster a rich environment for peer learning. Musicians can learn from each other's techniques, approaches, and perspectives, enhancing their musical understanding.
Quality Instruction: Honor bands often involve working with renowned conductors or music educators who can provide valuable insights, guidance, and instruction. This exposure to different teaching styles can broaden a musician's understanding of music.
Performance Opportunities: Being a part of an honor band typically culminates in a high-quality performance, often in a prestigious venue. This experience can boost a musician's confidence and provide them with a memorable stage to showcase their talent.
Resume and College Applications: Participation in honor bands can stand out on college applications and resumes. It demonstrates dedication, commitment, and a desire to pursue musical excellence, which can be attractive to music schools and other institutions.
Personal Achievement: Successfully auditioning for and participating in an honor band can be a significant personal achievement. It provides a sense of accomplishment and recognition for the hard work put into practicing and preparing.
Musical Exposure: Honor bands typically perform challenging and diverse repertoire. Being a part of such an ensemble exposes musicians to different musical styles, genres, and composers, broadening their musical horizons.
Inspiration: Being surrounded by talented musicians in an honor band can be incredibly inspiring. It can fuel a musician's passion for music and motivate them to continue pursuing their musical aspirations.
In summary, auditioning for an honor band is important because it offers a unique combination of skill development, challenge, networking, and performance opportunities. It's a chance for musicians to showcase their abilities, grow as artists, and connect with others who share their passion for music.
The Harpeth Band Way!
The HHS Band of Blue Rocked it FRIDAY NIGHT!
HMS ROCK BAND CLASS IS AWESOME!
Standards Based Grading in the HMS Band
What is "Proficiency Based Grading?"
Proficiency Based Grading is a different and more accurate method of assessing student progress than the traditional 0-100 grade. In the proficiency system, students are measured against an identified proficiency or standard. This system more effectively shows a student's progress toward achieving each standard, as well as helping to show how they can improve or extend their learning.
What do scores mean?
In the the proficiency based grading system, students are progressing toward an identified standard or goal. Once the standard has been achieved, the student has earned a score of 3.0. This means the student has met the expectation for that particular standard.
On each assignment within this structure, students will receive a score on a four point scale (see below). Scores on individual assignments are not calculated on the traditional 0-100 point grading scale and instead indicate a student’s proficiency toward the standard.
General Description of Standards Based Grading Scores
4 Exceeds the standard:
The student demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications of the learning which go beyond what was taught.
3 Meets the standard:
The student has demonstrated the skill and/or content expected.
2 Approaching the standard:
The student is able to perform the basic processes and understands the vocabulary which are prerequisites to meeting the standard.
1 Partial success:
With help, the student is partially successful in performing the prerequisite skills or meeting the standard.
0 No evidence:
There is little or no evidence that the student has met the standard.
Please note that a score of 3 is a very good rating and shows that the student has met the standard.
How will these scores appear in Schoology?
Scores for each assignment will appear in Schoology under the particular standard they reference. For example, assignments tied to the "Individual Performance" standard will appear under that standard.
How will term grades be calculated?
At HMS, your overall grade for each standard will be determined through the use of “Power Law.” Power law reflects the trend of your learning for that particular standard. At the end of each term, student proficiency scores from each standard will be averaged and then will be converted into a traditional 0-100 scale (using the school-wide conversion scale) to determine your overall grade. This means that you will receive a grade for each standard (on a 0-4 scale) and an overall grade that combines all scores (on a 0-100 scale).
What are "Habits of Work?"
You will also receive a “Habits of Work” grade for this class (the “HOW” grade). Like your final grade in the class, this grade will appear on your final transcript. The Habits of Work standards are related to responsibility, collaboration, and perseverance. The HOW grade is separate from academic achievement indicated in other areas discussed above and is not reflected in your overall grade.
What are the "Overarching Standards" in Band?
A student's proficiency is determined for identified course standards. Those "overarching standards" (the big ideas) are below. Click on the ensemble headings for more in-depth information.
Harpeth Middle School
Technique:
By the end of the course, the student will demonstrate technical mastery of their instrument as appropriate for their grade level.
Expression:
By the end of the course, the student will demonstrate effective use of identified expressive elements of music in their performance.
Ensemble Skills:
By the end of the course, the student will be able to critique a performance, set goals for musical growth, and collaborate in an ensemble to create successful music performances.
Within each overarching standard, there are also more specific concepts or "priority standards" that work toward the bigger goals. Please note, however, that scores on report cards and listed within Infinite Campus are only given under each broad heading or overarching standard.
Why is music and band important???
We have a youtube!
The very First Note we play!!! Which will happen on the first full day of school.
Parents/Guardians,
The time has come for your child to have the opportunity to join the Harpeth Middle School band! The advantages of being in band are numerous. Studies have shown that band helps build a student’s self-confidence, develop responsibility, improve communication, strengthen social skills, and even contribute to better performance in math and other subject areas! Most importantly, studying music is important because music is important. Music is part of being human and its role and presence in our lives is undeniable. The experiences, skills, and relationships your child will gain through band are priceless and will last a lifetime.
Band is a class, so it meets daily and has standards like any other subject. We also have required materials, one of which is an instrument. Students/parents are responsible for getting their own instrument. This can be done through rental or purchase. Unlike other classes, band has additional requirements outside the school day. Performances, for example, often take place after school and are required. We understand that band’s time commitment/obligations can conflict with student’s other interests and hobbies. We strive to accommodate for students’ busy schedules, however, a performance is a grade for our class and something that cannot be duplicated in the classroom. With clear communication and flexibility, being involved in sports or extracurricular groups is not a problem. We have students in band that are a part of every sport and group HMS has to offer.
Below is information about Renting an instrument!!
Harpeth Middle School Band Facebook
We are on Facebook! Follow the band page with the tag harpethmsband1. Excited to add more to our communication portals.
Here is the website:
Your Band Directors
New Band Website is ready!
Reeds
Students who play instruments that require reeds should have 3 good reeds with them at all times. If your student is running low on reeds, please contact Paige's Music to order a box (clarinets and saxes) or individual reeds (bassoon and oboe). Brand and strength of reeds are listed below for your convenience:
Clarinet (6th grade)
Vandoren 2 1/2
Clarinet (7th and 8th grades)
Vandoren 3
Bass Clarinet
Vandoren 2 1/2
Alto Sax (all grades)
Vandoren 2 1/2
(7th and 8th grades may use strength 3 if desired)
Tenor Sax (all grades)
Vandoren 2 1/2
Bari Saxes (all grades)
Vandoren 2 1/2
Oboe (6th grade)
Jones medium soft
Oboe (7th and 8th grades)
Jones medium
Bassoon (6th grade)
Jones medium soft
Bassoon (7th and 8th grades)
Jones medium
Bandwagon Phone Number 615.721.2263
Bandwagon Website
Practice!!!!
Practicing at home is the most important part of learning an instrument. It is recommended to practice a little each day to get the most benefit. The more you practice, the easier it becomes!
Musical Donations
The value of the arts in education is something that the Harpeth Middle School Band Program takes very seriously. The district feels that every child deserves the chance to play a musical instrument. Studies have shown that it makes kids smarter, improves the quality of their education, and helps to teach them the skills necessary for success later in life.
In times when instrumental music programs are shrinking and being threatened due to budget constraints, the program at Harpeth striving. Students are enjoying the positive educational benefits of playing in the band. Participation is at an all time high and the programs continue to grow exponentially each year.
This unprecedented success also has its challenges. Acquiring instruments for eleven schools during these tough economic times is difficult. Not all students can afford to rent or buy an instrument and our inventory in the district is quickly shrinking with additional participation. Help keep music alive for everyone in our schools and consider donating an instrument for our students!
Perhaps you have a saxophone or trumpet in your attic that hasn’t been used in awhile. Maybe you know someone who has a violin gathering dust. If you have an instrument that we could put to use, please click on the attached form from the email and fill out the required information to schedule a drop off of the instrument.
I will send you a thank you letter documenting your donation and you will be giving the gift of music to a deserving student. Playing in the band or orchestra may have shaped who you are today. Please help us allow our students to have that same experience.
About the Harpeth Band Program
Email: chris.vaughn@ccstn.org
Website: https://hmsbandofblue.weebly.com/
Location: Harpeth Middle School, Harpeth View Trail, Kingston Springs, TN, USA
Phone: 7314872677
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harpethmsband1