NYCSD Elementary Band Notes
February '19
Second Marking Period Grades
Last week, students received their report cards. In the band section of their report cards, the students got a grade for Tone, Music Reading, Technique, and Preparation. A LOT goes into our preparation grade: If the students remember to come to full band, if they remember to come to lessons, if they remember to bring their instrument to band and lessons, if they have a positive and respectful attitude, and most importantly if they PRACTICE!
Over this cycle, I am sending a letter home with students that is specific to each student. Within this letter, I explain how your child earned the grade that they got for preparation. I specifically note how many lessons/rehearsals they came to, how much they practiced (average), etc.
If your student does not give this letter to you, please ask for it. All students (other than those who were absent) should have their letter by 2/6/19. If your student was absent or if they missed their band/lesson when I handed out the letter, it will have been delivered to their homeroom teacher. Please read the letter, sign the last page, and have your child bring the last page to me next time they have full band or a lesson!
What to Practice?
Another way to help prepare your child for their concert is to ask them to give a mini-concert for you! Even if they are not perfect at their music, and even if it is only one person listening to them play, it really helps prepare the kiddos if they can have someone listen to them playing their music.
Important Dates
All Schools
- 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: 2/4, 2/12, 2/21, 3/1
- Day 6 Lessons*: 2/6, 2/14, 2/25, 3/5
- Full Band Rehearsals (Lvl 1 & 2): 2/4, 2/12, 2/21, 3/1
- Feb. 21/Feb. 25 - (Optional) Composer of the Month due
NES
- Day 1 Lessons: 2/7, 2/15, 2/26, 3/6
- Day 5 Lessons: 2/5, 2/13, 2/22, 3/4
- Full Band Rehearsals (Lvl 1 & Lvl 2): 2/5, 2/13, 2/22, 3/4
- Feb. 22/Feb. 26 - (Optional) Composer of the Month due
SME
- Day 1 Lessons: 2/7, 2/15, 2/26, 3/6
- Day 3 Lessons: 2/1, 2/11, 2/20, 2/28, 3/8
- Full Band Rehearsals (Lvl 1 & Lvl 2): 2/1, 2/11, 2/20, 2/28, 3/8
- Feb. 20/Feb. 26 - (Optional) Composer of the Month due
WES
- Day 2 Lessons: 2/8, 2/19, 2/27, 3/7
- Full Band Rehearsals: 2/8, 2/19, 2/27, 3/7
- Feb. 27 - (Optional) Composer of the Month due
Vocabulary Quizlet
We are focusing so much on vocabulary in Level 1 for several reasons: first, this vocabulary will be used throughout their entire band career, through High School and beyond if they choose to continue playing; second, most of our vocabulary is universal - if we were to video chat with musicians from around the world, we'd be able to communicate about music using our vocabulary! The third, and most important reason, is so that we can communicate clearly with each other in rehearsals and lessons.
The students do have all of our vocabulary in their folders, and they should regularly look at the list to keep it fresh in their memory. In order to help the students with studying, I've also created a Quizlet! You can access that here: https://quizlet.com/jyohnband/folders/level-1-vocabulary There is also a link on my website.
With the Quizlet, the students can study in a variety of ways: flashcards, multiple choice, matching, writing, even a Space-themed game! As far as I know, you do not need an account to study. I've sorted the words into three categories - Music Staff, Notes and Rests, and Other.
If you have any questions or encounter any bugs or difficulties, please let me know! This is my first time experimenting with Quizlet. Level 2 is welcome to use it as well! :)
Practicing Reminders
This time of year is busy for everyone, including teachers, students, and parents. However, it is incredibly important that our students keep practicing their instruments whenever they are able to. Very few people are born with the muscles and coordination needed to play instruments - it is a skill that has to be practiced in order for them to be successful. More practicing means more notes and rhythms that we can learn, which ultimately leads to more songs and more fun in band class!
In order to make sure that your child is practicing throughout the week, please work with them to fill out their Practice Calendar in their practicing folder. On this calendar, they should be keeping track of how many minutes they practice each day - even if it's 0. They should also be asking for a guardian's signature once a week. Also in their folder, usually either right in front of their calendar or right behind, is a Practicing Assignments page. This page is where I write down which exercises I want your child to practice, and how they should go about practicing them. Please make sure to sign their calendar each week, and if they are unsure of what to practice, remind them that I write all of their assignments on their Practicing Assignment page!