Sixth Grade Band Bulletin
October 2016
Great Progress Being Made!
It's hard to believe that we are now 10 weeks into the school year. As I have said before, this is a very special class. These students are motivated and eager to learn. I am also very impressed with their focus and behavior in class!
The students are learning a lot of new things right now. It very great to see their progress from week to week. All of them can now say there are several "things" that they now can do that was not possible back in late August.
The Woodwind players are increasing their range. Woodwind players are now playing notes above treble clef found on the ledger lines. These very high notes will start to appear in the music as the year progresses. These same very high notes are making their regular high notes sound so much better too!
The Brass players are working on articulations-also known as tonguing. This is an essential technique to learn at this stage. If you have a brass player, ask him/her to define an accent, staccato, or tentuo. Then have them demonstrate on the instrument.
Percussionists just finished having to show Ms. Reiss how to play snare drum. That's right--they taught and assessed her as part of their first test. They had to demonstrate and assess grip, playing position, wrist strokes, and stick heights. In addition, they had to perform for her! Now they are about to master xylophone technique.
In full band, we have been working on "Forward March" where the students can now identify the parts of a march. We did a Venn diagram comparing our march to the famous "Stars and Stripes Forever." In addition, the students are learning how to articulate (tongue) in march style. The students are working on the Mystery Song as well. I am leaving the title of the piece until right before the concert to spart curiosity. In meantime, the students are learning about Programmatic Music (music that describes) and Absolute Music (music simply as an art form). The students have listened to several examples of both types of music. We have had class discussions as to which category each piece fit. Our song kind of blurs the line between absolute and programmatic music.
Lastly, we have working on "Pioneer Songs." This medley of three American folk songs will challenge the students in several ways. I wrote a CMP (Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance) unit plan on this piece over the summer. The students will dig deep and unearth several interesting and important elements of the music which will hopefully give them a greater understanding and appreciation. Currently, students are learning about Timbre (pronounced Tamber). Timbre can be defined as Tone Color. The students are actually connecting different colors to the instruments and combinations of instruments. We will be learning why composers choose particular timbres when they write the music. In the future, they will concentrate on the skill of playing in a balanced ensemble. In addition, the students will be reflecting on how music interweves with life and how one impacts the other.
As you can see, we are busy...and it is great! I can't wait for our first concert where we will perform for you and show you everything we have learned so far!
This newsletter is packed with important information. Please contact me with any questions.
Sincerely
Rob Buckley
Music Buffs Coffee/Butterbraid Sale coming to a conclusion
Please write your coffee, popcorn, trail mix, mixed nuts and hot cocoa orders on the Driven Coffee order form. The pastry orders should be completed on the Butter Braid order form. (If one customer orders from each company, there should be an order on each form.)
All checks must be made payable to Batavia Music Buffs; cash is not accepted. One check per customer can cover both the Driven Coffee and Butter Braid order.
Write your name, phone number, school and grade on ALL order forms. Please indicate if you are in band, choir or orchestra.
No orders will be accepted after Monday, October 31.
If you have any questions, please direct all questions to: president@bataviamusicbuffs.org.
Thank you again for your support of the music programs in Batavia !
Field Trip Right Around the Corner
Mr. Griffith and I will be sending home a reminder form early next week. It will have all the information students will need for that trip. We will do chaperone sign-ups next week too.
To keep things easy to manage, band students will be able to sign up in any band group (regardless of which period the student has band). Orchestra students will only sign up with orchestra--band only with band.
Though it will say it on the reminder form, it is very important for students to remember that they are missing school the day of the field trip. This means they must still turn in homework that is due that Monday. Students will be in their first-hour class that day and should turn in any homework to teachers before leaving for the field trip. In addition, students need to find out what they missed while they were gone.
Combined Rehearsal December 1st
Funway Bowling: After the rehearsal, we will have a little bowling party over at Funway. This is Optional. Busses will take students from RMS to Funway. The students will bowl a game and then have some time upstairs in the arcade. Permission forms will be coming home soon. The party ends at 6:15pm. Students should be picked up by a parent at Funway at that time.
Jazz Band
Quizlet
Some students already use Quizlet in other classes. Some students do not. If your child is not signed up, please go through the sign-up process with your child and get them signed up ASAP so that your child can take advantage of this great program.
Polo Shirts/T-Shirts
Studnets will wear POLO shirts on the field trip.
End-of Trimester Progress Reports
Thanks for Reading!
Mr. Buckley's Contact Information
Email: robert.buckley@bps101.net
Website: www.rotoloband.com
Phone: 630-937-8727
Facebook: facebook.com/@rmsband
Twitter: @rotolo6band