Sixth Grade Band Bulletin
May, 2017
The Home Stretch
We are now entering the home stretch of the school year. I hope your child has had as much fun as I have had this year. The students are working really hard in class on our Spring Concert music. We are really looking forward to our final performance next week. It's one of the busiest times of the school year. This newsletter will give you information about the end of the year events as well as some summer plans as well.
As always, please contact me with any questions or comments.
Sincerely
Rob Buckley
PM Music Center Biggest Sale of the Year
WHERE: PM MUSIC CENTER
Huge savings on new and used instruments.
Special financing options and extended warranties.
Music Showcase May 12
Each ensemble director will provide information to the members about the details for the evening.
Spring Band Concert: May 17
When: May 17
Time to Arrive: Students start warm-up at 6:45pm (this is our only chance to play through the music--please be on time)
Concert Starts: 7:30pm
Location: RMS Main (East) Gym
Uniform: Red Band Polo, Black Dress Pants, Black shoes, Black socks
What to Bring:
- Instrument from Home (percussion bring stickbag)
- Binder with all music
- Folding Music Stand from home
Fees
Students who used school-owned Trombones, Baritones, French Horns, Tenor Saxes, Tubas, and Percussion Instruments pay a $50 fee to help pay a portion of the repair costs for our summer instrument maintenance. Many students have already paid fees. If your child has not, please take care of this ASAP. Students who bring their own personal instrument to school do not need to pay a fee.
If your child is a member of the Jazz Band or the Jazz Ensemble and you have not paid the participation fee, please do so ASAP.
Fees can be paid on Powerschool or by check made out to RMS.
ENCORE CAMP!
Incoming 7th graders will be the leaders of the Jr. Encore Band. We hope to see a lot of incoming 7th graders participating and being leaders in the group!
Final Assessments
I am VERY excited about the results. The students CRUSHED IT! Where the average scores of the pre-tests were in the 20-30% range, the post tests were much better.
The Rhythm Test Average was a 90% while the Scale Test Average was a 94%. HUGE CONGRATS go out to all of the students on their incredible growth in these two VERY important music concepts.
Students received their rhythm test results last week with their pre-test and post test showing (upper left-hand corner). Many students improved by 50-60%.
Students and parents will be getting an emailed results form for the Scale tests over the next few days. This detailed form shows the students growth on each scale along with their percentages. Please let me know if you do not get one over the next 3-4 days.
Final Days of School
May 9-12
May 15-18 (no instruments on May 19)
May 22-24 (no band on May 25)
Instruments and binders need to go home for good on May 24.
Final Assignment will be the Spring Concert Reflection which is worth 100 points. It will be due Tuesday, May 23. In order to get points on this very large assignment, students need to TURN IT IN ON TIME!
What to do in the Summer Months
- Naperville Municipal Band (my band plays at Central Park in Downtown Naperville each Thursday during the summer (7:30pm start time)--bring your own chairs or sit on benches and hear a great free concert. First concert is June 8.
- Drum Corps Show! If you have never been to one of these, be prepared to be Awed! Illinois is fortunate to have two of the world's best drum and bugle corps. Each of these corps has a show in the area: The Cavalcade of Brass takes place at Bennedictine University on July 1 (7:00pm). The Tour of Champions show is July 15th at NIU's Huskie Stadium. Go to http://dci.org for tickets check out this video to familiarize yourself with drum and bugle corps. We have several RMS alumni currently marching with various corps.
- Grant Park Music Fest at Millennium Park Pritzker Pavillion
- Ravinia (this beautiful outdoor theater on the northshore is a great place to hear live music. Ravinia has dozens of classical, jazz, and pop acts playing this summer. The best part is that you can take the train and it lets you out ride outside the gates!
- Dozens of local music festivals including Blues on the Fox in Aurora, Ribfest in Naperville, Eyes on the Skies in Lisle, Sweedish Days in Geneva, and of course Windmill Fest in Batavia. Live Music is Best! Hope you can get out to at least one summer performance!
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