5th Grade Band Notes
Mr. Meyer's Monthly Update for Schiesher Band News
January
Welcome Back!
I hope that this Winter Break offered you the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. After attending an international band and orchestra teachers' conference in Chicago, celebrating Christmas and New Years with my family, and eating a few too many Christmas cookies, I'm very much looking forward to seeing your students as we jump back into school this coming week!
Our Band lesson and rehearsal schedule will resume as usual. Lesson days are back to their normal routine so saxophones, flutes, and oboes should plan to bring their instruments to school on Monday, January 7th. We will have After-School Band rehearsal on Tuesday, January 8th. Please recall that these rehearsals are a unique and important opportunity for your child's band education as we learn musical concepts that are not presented in lessons and will begin working on more challenging music. If at all possible, please try to avoid appointments and conflicts with these rehearsals.
Our next performance will be on Tuesday, March 19th for the Lisle District Band Festival. This concert is an incredible chance for your student to see where band will take them as they progress on into 6th grade and all the way through high school. The transformation truly is amazing! Plus it will give you a sense of what level of music you can look forward to hearing in your home some day as long as you can continue to tolerate this year's "beginner" sounds. :-)
Speaking of which, now is a good time to begin talking with your child about continuing in band next year as a 6th grader at Lisle Junior High. I have the privilege of teaching the LJHS 6th grade band (which occurs as a class during the school day - no more after-school rehearsals!), and I would absolutely love to see your son or daughter sign up for another year! Playing in band can be a huge help in the transition to junior high, and it surrounds your child with great kids. It is extremely difficult to take a year off and come back as a 7th grader, so if your child is on the fence about continuing, encourage them to give it a try. It will be a fun and rewarding experience!
If you haven't heard a band instrument in your home very much over the past couple of weeks, please encourage your child to practice a little this weekend so they're prepared for lessons this week. Thank you so much, and happy New Year!