Sixth Grade Band Bulletin
End of September Edition
We are now about six weeks into school and the music is beginning to take shape! The GLE Lessons have begun and students are busy passing off songs! This newsletter will go over a few important items that are on the horizon. As always, please contact me any time you have a question or concern.
Sincerely
Rob Buckley
Field Trip Permission Information
We will be starting to work through the Teacher/Student Guide for the Concert next week. This way the students will know what to listen for at the concert. If you want your own copy of the guide to go over as a family, you can go to this website and download it:
http://www.madisonsymphony.org/media/Symphony_Safari_Curriculum_Guide.FINAL.pdf
Jazz Band Starting Soon
Jazz Band is the second jazz band. It is open to ALL band students in all grades. All instruments are allowed. I will be contacting students/parents who indicated that they were interested in Jazz Band on the that first-day checklist. Students who did not indicate an interest in jazz, but would like to play in jazz can still sign up on a sheet that will be going around next week. The only audition in Jazz Band is for Drumset. Due to the importance of keeping a steady beat, drumset experience (currently in private lessons) is required to play drumset. Percussion students interested in playing in Jazz Band that do not have drumset experience are still welcome to perform (we have other instruments too). Percussion students with drumset experience wanting to audition should talk to me to set up a time to play for me. Jazz Band will have its first rehearsal on October 20 at 7:00am in the band room.
Students in both bands will learn different music than the music played in concert band. Students who have played in jazz band/jazz ensemble in the past have really enjoyed the variety of music they encounter with jazz band. In addition, Jazz Band/Jazz Ensemble have their own performances!
Polo Shirts Going Home Next Week
- Black Dress Pants
- Black Dress Shoes
- Black Socks
The Field Trip (we'll be wearing our polos) will be here before we know it. Please make sure the uniform parts are purchased by that time.
GLE's and Practicing (Building Myelin)
Practicing (Building Myelin)
One concern I have is that some students are not coming to lessons having practiced. Once in the lesson, these students need to practice the songs before they can pass them off. There is no guarantee that with that minimal practice the song will be ready. This is the #1 reason students fall behind.
We have been telling the students that our minimum expectation is that they pass (play it near-perfect) two songs or more at EVERY lesson. Please help me out with reminding your child of that expectation at home.
An idea might be for your child to perform for you at least once or twice each week. You can judge from the performance if the song sounds prepared. If the song is still a "work-in-progress," please encourage your child to keep working at it.
Help Sessions
Just a reminder that this week the Get Ahead Help Session for students who have songs ready to pass off is Thursday October 1st (after school). It will remain Thursday afternoons.
The help session for students needing help on a song or needing to catch up is usually Wednesday mornings (and will continue to be in the future). This week, it is Friday morning due to a meeting I had to attend.
Upcoming Assessments
F Concert Scale and Bb Concert: October 20 (videos submitted prior to that date).
Extra Credit Opportunity
Thank You So Much for Reading
Sincerely
Rob Buckley
Mr. Buckley's Contact Information
Email: robert.buckley@bps101.net
Website: http://rotoloband.com
Phone: 630-937-8727
Facebook: facebook.com/RotoloMSBand