Sixth Grade Band Bulletin
October, 2017
Amazing to see all of the Progress
As we now conclude week #8 for this school year, it is incredible to see the growth in musical understanding and skill. We started our third piece today (a march called "On Navy Pier"), and we actually sounded a little bit like the recording! That's incredible progress! When we tried "Clouds" for the first time, it did not sound like...anything resembling a song!
The students are working really hard in full band and lessons and the level of knowledge, increased range, and improved tone (just to name a few) are evident every day.
I really enjoyed meeting so many of you at conferences last week. I marvel at the tremendous support Batavia parents give their children. We, teachers, are VERY lucky to have incredible students who have...incredible parents! Thanks for the continued support of your child as he/she navigates the challenges of middle school.
This newsletter will go over several items including the Music Buffs Fundraiser (Butterbraids & Coffee) that starts on October 12th.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.
Sincerely
Mr. Buckley
Butterbraid and Coffee Sale Starts October 12th!
Students will be coming home with forms on Thursday 10/12. This year, the Butterbraids will be adding Cookie Dough!
Over the years, the Buffs have purchased most of our large instruments, paid fees for performance opportunities, provided us with money to purchase the best quality music, paid for guest clinicians and guest artists to perform with our groups, and provide thousands of dollars in scholarships for residential music camps. The Buffs provides for all music programs in Batavia. This Butterbraid sale is one of the few fundraisers they do that involve students selling items. We hope you can support this great fundraiser.
An email from the Buffs president with details about the sale will be sent home soon.
What have we been learning?
- In full band, students have completed their first scale. The class average on the assessment for the scale and thirds exercise was a 93.5%!!!!
- In full band, students have learned about counting whole, half, quarter, and 8th notes along with whole, half, and quarter rests. We will be starting 8th rests next week.
- In full band, students have been working hard to learn the technically challenging "Contradanse." In addition, we have learned about the 18th Century dance that was created in England (it is similar in design to square dances here in the US).
- We have made major progress on the piece "Clouds." Not only are the students starting to master the notes/rhythms, but also students are learning about musical motifs (small musical ideas that are the building blocks of songs). Students worked in groups to create motifs using body percussion. They performed for the class, and the class then performed it back to them! Students also received parts of the conductor's score to find motifs. Soon, they will begin composing motifs which will eventually become a short song!
- In lessons, the students have been working on fundamentals for their instrument. Right now, the students polishing their posture, embouchure (mouth formation), grip (percussion), and note names.
Jazz Starts Next Week!
We had dozens of students show interest in the Jazz Band (our non-audition) group. I emailed all parents of interested students on October 10th to provide info. Parents, who received the email, please email me ASAP whether child will be participating. Please respond either way. I need to know either way so I can get their music packet ready for Tuesday.
Both Jazz groups start next week.
Jazz Band (non-audition group): Tuesday, October 17th (7:00am--please be a few minutes early)
Jazz Ensemble (audition group): Wednesday, October 18th (7:00am--please be a few minutes early)
Extra Credit for Practice!!
Once the student finishes the 10-minute video in screencastify, simply click share (looks like a pacman) icon. --> Click "Copy Link" -->paste link in an email to me. Students can send as many videos as they would like between now and October 27th.
Support the BHS Marching Band and Earn Extra Credit
The Marching Band will present a free performance of their entire competitive show titled "Unbalanced" on Wednesday, October 18th at 8:00pm in the BHS Bulldog Stadium. This is a great opportunity for our young band students to see what cool things lie ahead for them at the next level! Free food will be provided after the performance.
Students who go to this can earn extra credit! The students simply find me in the stands (I'll be there the whole time) and let me know they are there. I'll put EC into their EC bank!!
Students need help with learning their instrument?
Naperville Munical Band Concert (free concert) (extra credit)
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING AN AMAZING ROTOLOPALOOZA!
Mr. Buckley's Contact Info
Email: robert.buckley@bps101.net
Website: www.rotoloband.com
Phone: (630)937-8727
Facebook: facebook.com/rmsband
Twitter: @rotolo6band