Mokena Meteor Music
December 14 - December 20, 2018
Important Information from the Music Department!
Please be sure to read it in its entirety as I have updated sections.
The holidays are a very busy time in the music department. We look forward to our Holiday Concert THIS Tuesday, December 18. Please see below for more information.
Winter break is fast approaching. All students should bring their instruments home over break. It's a good time to give brass instruments a bath, clean woodwind mouthpieces and check percussion supplies and equipment. If students want to send their instruments in to Quinlan and Fabish for a cleaning/tune- up, please contact them as soon as possible to arrange for a loaner over the holidays. Their number is 630/654-4111. For information on how to clean your instrument, check out these videos on our department website: https://www.mokenameteormusic159.org/how-to-clean-your-instrument.html
Next Week is Confusing - PLEASE READ!!!
Friday, December 21 is our Holiday Assembly performances at the Junior High. There are two back-to-back assemblies that morning: one for the junior high students followed by an assembly for the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. Junior High students will be performing at both assemblies and Cadet and Beginning Band students will be performing only at the second assembly. Because of the schedule that morning, there will be NO MORNING BAND REHEARSAL for Cadet and Beginning Band students as both band directors will be at the Junior High for the first assembly. CONCERT AND SYMPHONIC BAND STUDENTS WILL HAVE MORNING REHEARSAL!! (Please see the schedule below) Beginning and Cadet Band students should still bring their instrument to school. They will need it for their performance. Students do not need to wear their uniforms. Instead, please send them in fun, "holiday" attire. They may wear hats and decorate themselves and their instruments.
As always, if you need to drop your student off at the regular band time, there will be supervision.
Since Winter break starts on Friday afternoon, please make sure your child brings their instrument home over the holidays. Two weeks without playing will wreak havoc on their embouchures and will set them behind - just like taking two weeks off at the gym. To encourage practicing over the break, I will be offering Cadet, Concert and Symphonic Band students extra credit for each completed weekly practice entry on Charms (75 minutes per week for Cadet and 100 minutes per week for Concert and Symphonic Band). Reminder that the week ends at midnight on Sunday evening.
Here are 7 Tips for Practicing Over Winter Break:
1) Break practice out into 5-10 minutes. Finding the time to practice is difficult, especially during the holidays. By breaking up longer practice sessions into short 5 to 10 minute sprints, you and your child will be more likely to find the time to get it done.
2) Set goals. With each practice session, have a specific goal in mind (even if it's just practicing one or two notes). Setting small goals will add up to huge accomplishments.
3) Keep your child's instrument out (in a safe place). Ever heard of out of sight, out of mind? That's exactly what happens when you put your child's instrument away in the closet. Instead, keep it out, somewhere out of the way, but where your child will see it every day.
4) Let your child pick their practice time, and then stick with it. One of the many skills music teaches children is self-discipline. Let them choose what time they want to practice, but once a time is chosen have them stick to it as much as possible. Even if they have to skip a practice here or there, it helps build the habit of practicing regularly.
5) Be excited for your child. If you see practice time as dull, so will your child. Be in the room when they practice and encourage them when they feel like giving up. When they do master a song, or even just a new note, show genuine pride and excitement in their accomplishments.
6) Game-ify Practice. Make a game out of difficult passages that could otherwise get frustrating. Work with your child to make up a game to encourage practicing. Small rewards go a long way to encourage young musicians.
7) Play with the instrument. You don't always need to follow the Essential Elements book or the sheet music handed out in band. Encourage your child to make up their own song. It encourages creativity and makes learning more fun!
The important thing is that they continue to play on their instrument regularly. It only takes a few minutes every day!
Since next week's schedule is pretty crazy, I am breaking it down by Grade/Group.
If you have any questions, please let me know. Enjoy the holidays with your families and I look forward to making music with your students in the new year.
SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEK BY GRADE LEVEL
Symphonic Band - 7th and 8th Grade
8th Grade Sectionals during the school day - Only students doing Solo Contest should attend.
Tuesday - Full Morning Band Rehearsal
Concert - 7:30 at MJHS (See itinerary)
Wear Concert attire - Green Meteor Music Polo, Black Dress Pants, Black Socks (that cover the ankle) and Black Shoes. Students may wear holiday hats as long as they don't distract from the concert.
Wednesday - NO MORNING BAND REHEARSAL
7th Grade - NO SECTIONALS
Band directors will be at a Band Director Conference in Chicago
Thursday - Full Morning Band Rehearsal
Friday - Full Morning Band Rehearsal and set up for Holiday Assemblies
Holiday Assemblies during school
Students can dress in festive attire and go all out and decorate themselves and their instruments. Please make sure that decorations do not impede the performance. DO NOT WEAR CONCERT UNIFORMS!!!
Concert Band - 6th Grade
Tuesday - Full Morning Band Rehearsal
Concert - 7:30 at MJHS (See itinerary)
Wear Concert attire - Green Meteor Music Polo, Black Dress Pants, Black Socks (that cover the ankle) and Black Shoes. Students may wear holiday hats as long as they don't distract from the concert.
Wednesday - NO MORNING BAND REHEARSAL
Band directors will be at a Band Director Conference in Chicago
Thursday - Full Morning Band Rehearsal
Friday - Full Morning Band Rehearsal and set up for Holiday Assemblies
NO 6TH GRADE SECTIONALS due to Holiday Assembly Schedule
Holiday Assemblies during school
Students can dress in festive attire and go all out and decorate themselves and their instruments. Please make sure that decorations do not impede the performance. DO NOT WEAR CONCERT UNIFORMS!!!
Choir - 6th, 7th and 8th Grade
Tuesday - Concert - 7:30 at MJHS (See itinerary)
Wear Concert attire - Green Meteor Music Polo, Black Dress Pants, Black Socks (that cover the ankle) and Black Shoes. Students may wear holiday hats as long as they don't distract from the concert.
Wednesday - Regular Choir Rehearsal
Thursday - Regular Choir Rehearsal
Friday - No Choir Rehearsal due to Assembly Schedule
Holiday Assemblies during school
Students can dress in festive attire and go all out and decorate themselves. Please make sure that decorations do not impede the performance. DO NOT WEAR CONCERT UNIFORMS!!!
Cadet Band - 5th Grade Band
Tuesday - Full Morning Band Rehearsal
5th Grade Sectionals - Make Up Sectionals Only - Student must schedule a time with Mrs. Bussean in advance.
Concert - 6:00 at MJHS (See itinerary)
Wear Concert attire - Green Meteor Music Polo, Black Dress Pants, Black Socks (that cover the ankle) and Black Shoes. Students may wear holiday hats as long as they don't distract from the concert.
Wednesday - NO MORNING BAND REHEARSAL
NO SECTIONALS
Band directors will be at a Band Director Conference in Chicago
Thursday - Full Morning Band Rehearsal
Friday -NO MORNING BAND REHEARSAL - Band Directors will be across town for the Holiday Assemblies - BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT TO SCHOOL!!!!
Holiday Assemblies during school (students will be bussed to and from MIS for the Holiday Assembly at MJHS)
Students can dress in festive attire and go all out and decorate themselves and their instruments. Please make sure that decorations do not impede the performance. DO NOT WEAR CONCERT UNIFORMS!!!
Beginning Band - 4th Grade
Tuesday - Full Morning Band Rehearsal
Concert - 6:00 at MJHS (See itinerary)
Wear Concert attire - Green Meteor Music Polo, Black Dress Pants, Black Socks (that cover the ankle) and Black Shoes. Students may wear holiday hats as long as they don't distract from the concert.
Wednesday - NO MORNING BAND REHEARSAL
Thursday - Full Morning Band Rehearsal
NO SECTIONALS - Band Directors will be at a Conference in Chicago
Friday - NO MORNING BAND REHEARSAL - Band Directors will be across town for the Holiday Assemblies - BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT TO SCHOOL!!!!
Holiday Assemblies during school (students will be bussed to and from MIS for the Holiday Assembly at MJHS)
Students can dress in festive attire and go all out and decorate themselves and their instruments. Please make sure that decorations do not impede the performance. DO NOT WEAR CONCERT UNIFORMS!!!
Holiday Concert - December 18, 2018
Solo and Ensemble Contest - FORMS ARE DUE THIS THURSDAY!!!!
Forms and payment to participate are due NO LATER than Thursday, December 20.
Make sure you contact your accompanist prior to writing their name down.
If students have any questions, they should speak with their director.
Forms and information are available on our website here: https://www.mokenameteormusic159.org/solo-contest.html
Help Support the Music Boosters by Shopping Online!
Private Music Lessons
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bussean or Ms. Beekman
MUSIC BOOSTER MEETING - JANUARY 15, 2019
Hamilton!
More information about the trip will be sent out over break. Here is what we know so far:
Here are the trip details:
- When? Tuesday, January 8th
- Time? We will depart from MJH after 3pm, head downtown for dinner, and then see the 7:30 performance of Hamilton. We should arrive back at MJH around 11pm
- Who? All MJH Choir and Band students are invited to register - up to 105 students may attend
- Apparel? Students are expected to dress nicely to attend this performance
- Cost? The cost of the trip will be approximately $150 - it may go up or down slightly depending on bus and gas prices, but it should stay near $150. This includes transportation, dinner, and the ticket price for the show. Students can use fundraised IBA money to pay for this trip!
I will update with more information as soon as I have it available.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bussean.
DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE TONAL ENERGY YET?
TonalEnergy Tuner is an all-inclusive, easy to use application designed for individual practice and/or large ensemble rehearsals that aides musicians to improve sound quality and intonation.
Tuning, volume, articulation, release, duration, and steadiness are the key elements of developing a beautiful tone quality. TonalEnergy Tuner is the first multi-purpose application that allows users of all ages to understand and improve every aspect of their sound.
This app is especially useful to young brass players who struggle to find the correct partial. Oftentimes they think they are playing the correct pitch, when in fact, they are not. This can be very frustrating. This app can help students learn where the correct partial is and to hear when they are not matching the correct pitch.
In addition to its tuner capabilities, it has a built in metronome to keep students rehearsing with a steady beat!
We highly recommend that all students in our band program invest in this application if they have access to a device. It is well worth the $3.99 it costs. This is much more inexpensive than a separate metronome and tuner device.
DO YOU HAVE AN AMOUNT DUE IN CHARMS? CHECK YOUR ACCOUNT!
You will be receiving monthly Charms statements on or about the first of every month. Please check your balances in Charms at any time by logging into your child's account. If money is due, please pay one of four ways:
- Cash (in an envelope clearly marked)
- Check made payable to the Mokena Music Boosters - write who and what it is for in the memo line
- Paypal via the Paypal button on your Charms account
- IBA Transfer - please complete the online transfer form: https://goo.gl/forms/MOZFB8jurkbF7ByR2
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bussean
Facebook Page
8th Grade Sectional Schedule
8:48 - 9:16 - GROUP E
9:16 - 9:44 - GROUP F
9:49 - 10:19 - GROUP G
10:33 - 11:03 - GROUP A
11:17 - 11:45 - GROUP B
12:48 - 1:16 - GROUP C
1:16 - 1:44 - GROUP D
ONLY STUDENTS DOING A SOLO FOR CONTEST SHOULD ATTEND FOR EXTRA HELP. Students not participating in Solo Contest do not need to attend this week.
Students are responsible for getting to Sectionals on time and for notifying their classroom teachers IN ADVANCE. Students are also responsible for getting any missed work.
7th Grade Sectional Schedule
NO SECTIONALS!
The band directors will be at a conference.
Students are responsible for getting to Sectionals on time and for notifying their classroom teachers IN ADVANCE. Students are also responsible for getting any missed work.
6th Grade Sectional Schedule
NO SECTIONALS!
HOLIDAY ASSEMBLIES!
Students are responsible for getting to Sectionals on time and for notifying their classroom teachers IN ADVANCE. Students are also responsible for getting any missed work.
5th Grade Cadet Band Sectional Schedule
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18
MAKE UP SECTIONALS - See Mrs. Bussean to Schedule
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19
NO SECTIONALS - Directors will be at a conference.
Students are responsible for getting to Sectionals on time and for notifying their classroom teachers IN ADVANCE. Students are also responsible for getting any missed work.
4th Grade Beginning Band Sectional Schedule
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20
NO SECTIONALS - Directors will be at a conference.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14
NO SECTIONALS - HOLIDAY ASSEMBLY
Students are responsible for getting to Sectionals on time and for notifying their classroom teachers IN ADVANCE. Students are also responsible for getting any missed work.
Charms Website
Charms is software that will keep track of all our events on a live, interactive on-line calendar - available to all students, members and adults by group. Teachers are able to send mass e-mails, record and blast phone messages and send free text messages. We are able to upload handouts, sound files, short videos, assignments, audition materials, maps, pictures and more for students, members and parents to access 24/7, either on their computers or on their mobile devices.
Parents and students can log into their Charms website by following the link: www.charmsoffice.com
Our school code is MokenaMusic and your password is your child's Student ID number (available on Skyward). If you have previously signed into Charms, your password is the one you set up.
SPAMalot!
Rehearsals this week:
Monday, December 17, 2018 2:30 - 4:00
“Finale”
Cast Needed: ENTIRE CAST
A schedule for January will be emailed out and posted on our website after January 1. Please check your emails for more information after January 1.
Jazz Band
NO REHEARSALS
CONCERT ON TUESDAY!!!
Practice Logs
Once again, practice logs will be required weekly through the Charms system.
Practice logs are due EVERY Sunday before midnight. Students should enter their time in the Charms Website.
We have been implementing a new grading scale this year, but the minimum practice requirements are the same as they have been in years past.
Symphonic/Concert Bands
100 minutes
Beginning/Cadet Bands
75 minutes
Over Winter break, practice logs will be counted as EXTRA CREDIT. Students who turn in a practice log, will receive extra credit points. Students who do not turn in any minutes will not be penalized. This applies to Cadet Band, Concert Band and Symphonic Band students ONLY.
December, 2018
12/18/18 - Winter Concert at MJHS
...................Beginning Band and Cadet Band - 6:00
...................Concert/Symphonic Bands and Choir - 7:30
12/21/18 - Holiday Assemblies during school
12/22/18 - 1/7/19 - WINTER BREAK - NO SCHOOL
Mokena Meteor Music Department
Email: busseank@mokena159.org
Website: www.mokenameteormusic159.org
Location: 19815 Kirkstone Way, Mokena, IL, USA
Phone: (708) 342-4870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1407106346017516&ref=br_rs