Sixth Grade Band Bulletin
August-September
What a Fantastic Start to the Year!
First of all, thank you to all of you who came out to Curriculum Night last week. It was so great to see so many of you. I wished I could have had a few more minutes to talk to you about the great year we are going to have. I hope you have had a chance to skim through the handout. If you were unable to make it, I have put the handout on our band website (just go to the Sixth Grade Band Page under the Bands Tab.
The students (your kids) are simply the best! We have had a terrific year so far. The students are doing a great job following our rules and procedures. They are VERY polite and hard working. There is no limit to their success. I look forward to teaching them every day!
These newsletters will be just one of many forms of communication I will use throughout he year. Think of these newsletters as a recap of what the students have been learning as well as a preview of what to expect. Some newsletters will be longer than others (sorry--this one will be a long one).
As always, please contact me with any questions. I feel that we are partners in your child's success as they grow into young adolecents. Keep our communication proactive is best for your child.
Thanks in advance for reading and Go Bulldogs!
Sincerely
Rob Buckley
A little about me
I have been teaching at RMS since 1998. In fact, I student taught at RMS (then Batavia Middle School) and BHS in the Fall of 1997. I was very lucky to have Mr. John Heath and Mr. Mike Stiers as my cooperating teachers. Once I stepped foot in the Batavia schools as a student teacher, I was hooked and knew that working here would be a dream job. That dream came true the following school year.
I grew up on the west side of Aurora. I started piano lessons in second grade and joined the band in fifth grade as a percussionist. After graduating from West Aurora HS, I attended the University of Illinois. I graduated from U of I, began teaching at RMS, and started my Masters at U of I the following summer. I'm a huge Fighting Illini fan.
I'm married to Melissa who is the lead physical therapist at Central DuPage Hospital. Though we do not have kids, we have a black lab mix Savannah who is like our kid!
In my free time, I love to travel, cook/grill, read, golf (albeit really badly), go on long walks, build model airplanes and boats, catch up on Netflix, and cheer on the Cubs, Blackhawks, Bears, Fighting Illini, and the Batavia Bulldogs. I also love to spend time with Melissa and Savannah!
I am still an active performer with the Naperville Municipal Band (I'll let you know about our free concerts--they are really good). I also play drums in the Holy Cross Contemporary Choir. I am an active adjudicator throughout the solo/ensemble season.
I am a member of the Illinois Comprehsnesive Musicianship Through Performance Committee. Comprehensive Musicianship is a model of teaching where the students go very in-depth in learning a piece. My fellow committee members and I 1-day professional development workshops, present at state conferences, and teach a 1-week graduate-level class through NIU.
Field Trip!
Lessons Start After Labor Day!
Importance of Practice
- Set a GOAL...not a timer
- Find a quiet place free of distractions to practice
- Try to practice at the same time each time (developing a routine)
- Find a sturdy chair to practice.
- Warm-up
buzz loose and high each day to stretch their range.
Woodwind players should play long tones, scales, and technical passages. Woodwind
students should practice the new high and low notes found in their lesson packets.
Percussion players should start with 8ths exercises and rudiments (taught this year)
as well as scales on mallets.
- Practice Goal Material
*PRACTICE THE MATERIAL IN 1-2 MEASURE CHUNKS (ADD CHUNKS TOGETHER)
*PRACTICE SLOWLY--ONCE IT IS PERFECT SLOW, INCREASE TEMPO (SPEED)
*BE PREPARED TO MAKE MISTAKES--IT IS REQUIRED TO GET BETTER. NEVER, EVER
GIVE UP!
*ONCE THE GOAL HAS BEEN REACHED, PRACTICE IT 15-20 MORE TIMES!
*YOU'RE DONE! ENJOY THE DAY!
Important Dates Coming Up:
September 20: Field Trip Permission Form is Due
October 13: Jazz Ensemble Auditions
October 17: Music Buffs Butterbraid/Coffee Fundraiser begins
October 28: Music Buffs Butterbraid/Coffee FORMS DUE!
November 11: Music Buffs Butterbraid/Coffee Pick-up at RMS
Mr. Buckley's Contact Info
Email: robert.buckley@bps101.net
Website: http://rotoloband.com
Phone: (630)937-8727
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rmsband/
Twitter: @rotolo6band