December Newsletter
Timberstone Bands
From the Directors
Lights Before Christmas~ 7th Grade Band
Band members & chaperones who are going, stay after school. Pizza around 4:15. We'll be returning to Timberstone around 8:30pm.
Questions? Contact Mrs. Wilson.
Friday, Dec 16, 2016, 04:15 PM
Toledo Zoo, Hippo Way, Toledo, OH, United States
Really Good Stuff to Know!
How to take good care of your instrument...
- Always keep your instrument in its case when not in use. Make sure case handles, hinges, locks and zippers are working properly.
- Never set anything on top of your instrument, and never store anything on top of your instrument inside its case.
- Don’t leave you instrument in extreme temperatures, as fluctuations can warp and damage your instrument.
- Don’t leave your instrument in a car, where it’s susceptible to hot/cold temperatures as well as humidity fluctuations.
- Don’t leave your instrument unattended, whether inside or outside of its case.
- If your instrument is being brought inside from colder temperatures, allow it to warm up to room temperature before playing.
- Keep your instrument clean of fingerprints and everyday dust and residue. Do this by wiping your instrument down with a clean, soft, non-treated cloth before storing.
- Empty as much moisture out of your instrument at the conclusion of a playing session. Brass players, empty the water out with your water keys. Woodwinds, use your cleaning swab to get as much moisture out as possible.
- Reeds are always to be taken off mouthpieces so they can properly dry out (or you'll start growing mold)
- Never attempt to repair an instrument at home. If a repair is needed, take your instrument to a trained instrument repair technician. Note: Mrs. Knowles/Mrs. Wilson are able to look at instruments before rushing them in to the shop. Usually, we are able to make repairs without having to pay a repair bill.
- Consider insuring your instrument against theft or damages. Most people insure their instruments under their homeowners/rental/personal property insurance.
Parents Only Column
Did you know that Pop or Movie books make GREAT presents? There are several places where you can purchase instrument specific collections of Movie Favorites or Pop Songs. Most of these books come with a play along CD or MP3 file. This is a great way for your musician to play some fun music outside of school and learn one of their favorite tunes.
Please feel free to contact a director if you have any additional questions.
7th & 8th Grade Playing Assessments
These will be assigned with a minimum of 2 weeks to complete and turn in. These recordings will not take place during class time. Part of this is so that we are ensuring home practice. If video recording these assignments isn't possible at home, that's ok. We have a few video recorders in the band room. Students can record their assignments any day, before school (remember, we are there by 7:30am) or they may ask for an A+ pass.
Here are few general recording tips:
- Make sure the video shows posture, hand/instrument position
- Place recording device in a place where the sound quality will be best. On your music stand will generally overload the mic and you won't have good sound quality
- Save videos as MP4's
- You can upload to YouTube using your account, make sure you select private (unless you're ok with it being available to the public) and then move to google drive
- Sometimes these files are too big to email. Instead, upload to google drive (a free app). Then move the file through google to submit to Google Classroom (the students are well versed in this from other classes).
- If none of these tips help, bring the recording device to school and we can try a few other things to move the video to classroom.