"Notes" from Band
Week of: 9-10-18
It has been a great first few days! 6th Graders are off to a great start and our 7th graders are hard at work preparing music for our first assembly on Friday! Everyone is very excited to perform at the Fun Run and I know that this year's 6th graders will be looking forward to that opportunity next year!
New Information
7th Grade Lessons Begin This Week
7th Grade lessons all take place during students' study hall or band hours. As always, students should contact Mrs. Sederquist or Mr. Quaglieri with any conflicts ASAP to re-schedule.
6th Grade lessons will begin the week of September 17. Look for more information in next week's newsletter.
Band Lesson Academy Registration Now Open!
The Band Lesson Academy is sponsored by the Sun Prairie Band Boosters. The Lesson Academy was created to provide convenient access to quality private instrument instruction for students in the Sun Prairie Band Program. The program is designed to give 6th and 7th grade students access to one-on-one instruction on their instrument with professional musicians/teachers that specialize on specific instruments. Students will focus on fundamental skills that are particular to his or her instrument. Instructors provide individualized assignments and instruction specific to the student’s particular abilities. The benefits of private instrument instruction include: accelerated study of instrument technique and repertoire, preparation of audition materials, or study of subjects of particular interest (e.g. solo literature or improvisation). Private study is a powerful tool in supporting musical growth in students. This program is organized by the Sun Prairie Band Boosters as a service to band students in Sun Prairie Schools.
For information on dates and teachers at PVMS, please click here! The PVMS Lesson Academy will take place after school on Wednesdays.
Registration for this fall is now open! Time slots for lessons are filling quickly. To sign up, please fill out the registration form on the Lesson Academy main page. You will then follow instructions to contact your child's teacher to schedule a time for your child's lesson.
6th Grade Teambuilding This Week!
- 6th Grade Woodwinds and Percussion: Tuesday, September 11
- 6th Grade Brass: Wednesday, September 12
An activity bus will be available to bring students who regularly ride the bus home. Please let Mr. Q know if you have any questions!
Missed Open House? No Problem!
Sun Prairie Honor Bands
The Sun Prairie Honors Band for 7th and 8th grade students will meet for a festival on November 17th, 2018. This ensemble serves students from several school districts in southern Wisconsin. It is a one day commitment for participants. Prairie View band students can audition for the ensemble following directions here.
Just the process of preparing for the audition will help your child make great gains in their playing. This is an excellent opportunity for Prairie View students to sit side by side with the strongest players in our area. Students who have been a part of the group in the past have enjoyed how this experience has stretched them musically and allowed them to meet new people who are also in band. Please contact Mrs. Sederquist if you have questions!
School Fee Reminder
If you have not yet paid the main office for your 2018-2019 school fees, please do so ASAP. This includes the rental fee for any student who is using a school-owned instrument and $17 for a Prairie View Bands Polo t-shirt. This shirt will be part of your student's band concert uniform for the next two years. School district fee waivers apply to band fees; please contact the main office at 834-7803 with questions about school fees.
Photo Opt-out Form
We love to share the great experiences that our students have in band with others in the school district as well as the greater community. In order to do so, we must ensure that we have your permission. Please review our consent and release statement. If you would like for us to refrain from using pictures of your student on our website and other promotional publications, please print out the form, complete it, and turn it in to me. Please note that if we do not receive this form from you, we will assume that you agree to the terms on this page. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Practice, Practice
Now as we begin to bring band into full swing, students should be practicing their instrument on a regular basis.
For 6th Graders starting out on a new instrument, I generally recommend they practice in small chunks (10-20 minutes) frequently throughout the week. (4-6 times per week) The goal of practicing is to build the muscle memory that reinforces the positive habits that we are working to establish during the school day. Students should be working out of their red "Standard of Excellence" book (purple "Fresh Approach" and blue “Snare Drum” book for percussionists) and band portfolio. There is always something to practice and my goal is to move students forward at a level & pace that works for them.
7th Graders will be working on the National Anthem, The Hey Song, and On Wisconsin for the fun run. They will also be starting to work from their blue "Standard of Excellence" book in band and lessons this week (purple "Fresh Approach" and blue “Snare Drum” book for percussionists). In addition, students interested in auditioning for the honor band should begin preparing their audition materials. Students should be practicing every day they can, even if it's only long enough warm up. They can come in before and after school to practice, as well as during lunch recess and study hall.
Throughout the year, I encourage you to take interest in what your student is learning. Ask questions and listen attentively as he/she performs for you. Provide encouragement and know that there will be lots of wrong notes on the road ahead...AND THAT'S OKAY! As I frequently share with students, mistakes are a chance to learn and improve! Your support at home is possibly the single most important aspect of your student's success in band!
Find Us Online!
Upcoming Dates
September 11: 6th Grade Woodwind and Percussion Teambuilding
September 12: 6th Grade Brass Teambuilding
September 21: 7th Grade Performance at the Fun RunSeptember 23: US Marine Band tickets become available
October 9: Fall Band Concert at PVMS
October 17: Sun Prairie Honors Band Recordings Due
October 23: US Marine Band Concert
Questions?
If you have ANY questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of us:
Matt Quaglieri
6th Grade Band, Jazz Band, and 6th and 7th Grade Lessons
520-0122 (Text Message)
834-7839 (Office)
Ann Sederquist
7th Grade Band, Jazz Band, and 6th and 7th Grade Lessons
834-7825
Prairie View Middle School Bands
“Move beyond the notes to cultivate a life long passion and drive for creativity, curiosity, and community through a vision of students as accomplished learners and evolving musicians in pursuit of artistry”
Email: mequagl@sunprairieschools.org
Website: www.spbb.org/pvms
Location: 600 N Thompson Rd, Sun Prairie, WI, United States
Phone: (608) 834-7839