Sixth Grade Band Bulletin
August 2018
We're Off to a Great Start!!!
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know and teaching your child during the first week of school. The group is off to an excellent start to the year. Today, we will play the actual music for the first time (up to this point we've been learning the main melodies). I can't wait to hear them! I am also very impressed with how well the kids are picking up on procedures. The transition to middle school is a huge one. I'm sure the kids are coming home tired both physically and mentally. That said, they are putting in an excellent effort for me. Keep up the great work students!!!
These newsletters will go home about once per month. They give you a recap of what we've been doing and a preview of what's on the horizon.
If there is ever a question or concern that comes up, please contact me right away. I want to be proactive in fixing any issues that could arise.
I look forward to meeting you at Curriculum Night next week!
Sincerely
Rob Buckley
Curriculum Night
Forms Due Friday, August 24th
Band Uniform Parts Provided By the Student
The rest of the uniform is provided by the student.
BLACK DRESS PANTS (no jeans)
BLACK DRESS SHOES
BLACK DRESS SOCKS
First Concert: October 11
Practicing (Building Myelin)
Coyle writes about Talent hotbeds throughout the world that have produced a large amount of the best performers, athletes, etc. What he found from traveling to Brazil to study soccer players, Russia to study tennis players, upstate New York to study classical musicians, and a small school in Texas to study pop vocalists was that they all had something in common: All of the participants used "Deep Practice" to help them improve.
The research behind this deep practice has focused on the building of Myelin.
The Google Definition of Myelin is a mixture of proteins and phospholipids forming a whitish insulating sheath around many nerve fibers, increasing the speed at which impulses are conducted
In non-science terms, it's the protein that insulates our nerve cells. The thicker the myelin sheath, the faster the impulses can travel. The better we get at something. It explains why Serena Williams is as good as she is at tennis. She has practiced each shot thousands of times. Each time she practiced it, the myelin on her nerve cells thickened. It explains how we learn to walk, ride bikes, swim, etc. The image to the right is a microscopic image of myelin.
This works with sixth-grade band students too! Coyle states in his book that "Greatness is not born...it's Grown." Developing a consistent practice habit is essential for significant improvement. As we continue through the year, we are going to teach the students the best ways to practice. Being busy is not an excuse for not practicing...one can have a 5-minute deep practice session on one specific thing and get significantly better.
Please help your child to develop a practice routine that they do as many times as possible each week. Here are a few helpful hints.
1. Try to practice at the same time each day
2. Try to find a quiet place free from distraction
3. Don't set a timer....set a goal! 1 Big Goal per day is all we need.
4. Repetition is key! There's an old saying: "Don't practice until you get it right...Practice until you can't do it wrong"
5. Practice in small chunks (1-2 measures)
6. Use a pencil--mark the music--play a wrong note...mark it. Can't play a rhythm, write in the counts
7. Reward yourself with something fun to practice at the end.
First Quiz (graded) of the year!
Our first quiz will take place next week. Students have been working on 8 different melodies from their band pieces. They should be practicing all 8 of them at home daily. For the quiz, the teacher (lesson teacher) will pick two (one from each song). Students will have to perform the two melodies for the teacher. The student will get a grade and that grade will count in powerschool.
The assignment is already in PowerSchool. You can see the rubric in the Assignment's Description. Quizzes will start Tuesday and run most of the week.
Are You a Member of the Music Buffs?
In addition to specific fundraisers throughout the year, the Buffs rely on membership to help raise the funds. Anybody can be a member: Parents, grandparents, friends, alumni, and business owners!
Here is how you can join:
*Register via PowerSchool
*Online at www.bataviamusicbuffs.org
*Mail the form found in the first-day packet with a check payable to "Batavia Music Buffs" to Batavia Music Buffs, PO Box 597, Batavia, IL 60510-0597
Members receive their name in all of the music programs and a decal.
Jazz Ensemble/Jazz Band Starting in October
Remember: Jazz Ensemble is open to Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones, Piano, Bass, Guitar, and Drumset.
Jazz Band (the non-audition group) is open to all students. Jazz Band will have their first rehearsal October 18.
Mr. Buckley's Contact Info
Email: robert.buckley@bps101.net
Website: www.rotolomusic.com
Phone: (630)937-8727
Facebook: facebook.com/rotolomusic/
Twitter: @rotolo6band