5th Grade Band Notes
Mr. Meyer's Monthly Update for Schiesher Band News
April
Spring Concert - Tuesday, May 7th at Schiesher
Our final concert of the school year will take place on Tuesday, May 7th at Schiesher. Just like our Band & Chorus concert in December, we, along with the 4th and 5th grade choruses, will perform for the school at 2:30pm and then perform again in the evening at 6:30pm. Since it is a Tuesday, we WILL have After-School Band rehearsal that day, but it will be at Schiesher instead of at the high school. I will communicate more information about the concert as the day draws nearer.
Scholarship Opportunity!
As I mentioned at the District Band Festival, our Lisle Band Parent Organization generously offers $125 private lesson scholarships and $125 band camp scholarships to 5th-8th grade students. These are amazing opportunities to continue playing and growing over the summer! All students can apply, and several will be selected to receive scholarships. It's free to complete the application, so anyone interested should go for it! Applications must be turned in to me by Friday, April 26. Please see below for an extra copy of the application form as well as resources to look for private teachers and summer band camps.
6th Grade Band Registration
Later this month, all 5th grade students will receive a registration form that allows them to sign up for band, choir, or both for next year at Lisle Junior High. I have absolutely loved working with your children this year, and I hope each one strongly considers registering for band in 6th grade. Here are a few important things to know and consider:
- I am fortunate enough to teach 6th Grade Band as well here in Lisle! In 6th grade, Band is a class during the school day that meets every Monday/Wednesday/Friday - that means no more after-school rehearsals at the high school. :-) In addition to the full group class with me, all students receive a weekly small group lesson with Mr. Schraub, our other Junior High band teacher.
- Junior High is such a transition time in children's lives, and having a positive group of peers to identify with, like the students in our band program here in Lisle, can make a big difference in leading students to excel.
- Choir meets during the same class period but on Tuesdays/Thursdays so there is no conflict between the two, and students can absolutely do both. I sang in choir myself and definitely encourage it - singing is a blast and helps develop students' all-around musicianship, and our Junior High choir teacher Dr. Copeland is outstanding!
- Some students worry about the fact that being in band and/or choir will take away their study hall. I have found that band and choir students tend to learn to be quite responsible and on top of their other school work. They have a little less time to complete their homework, so they are more focused and actually do it.
- Students get a band room locker at school where they can store their instrument during the week so they don't have to bring it to school every morning and take it home every night (unless of course they want to practice every day!).
- Students have the option of joining Jazz Band which is an extra-curricular group that dives into a variety of fun music and performs throughout the school year.
- It's true: band is not for everyone. But, if your student is on the fence about whether or not to continue, I would encourage you to have them sign up and give it another try. Students who take a "gap year" and try to re-join band when they are older usually struggle mightily and wind up feeling dejected because they're behind their peers.
- For what it's worth: Whenever I meet an adult and tell them I'm a band teacher, I ask them if they ever played an instrument. Most people say "Yes," and those who say "No" usually say they wish they had tried. Those who played through high school or college look back fondly on those memories. Those who stopped before they got to high school almost always regret doing so and wish they would have stuck with it longer.
If you have any questions or concerns at all about band in 6th grade, please let me know! I'll be happy to answer them.