Patrick Marsh Middle School Band
This Week in Band at PMMS (Oct 12-16, 2020)
Recent FAQs
A: It is important that we work with your child on a consistent basis. If a lesson is missed please contact the lesson teacher to schedule a make-up lesson. Another option is to have the child record the assignment and send it to the teacher for feedback.
Q: Our internet is not very stable. The sound and picture cut out during lessons. What do we do?
A: Try doing the lesson without the video. This can help with bandwidth. Otherwise, a student in this position may consider recording the assignment and sending it to the teacher for feedback.
Q: How often should my child be practicing?
A: We would encourage our young musicians to practice 5-6 days per week for 20-30 minutes. This consistent practice will yield the best results (and build the most myelin).
Q: What should my child be working on?
A: All of our students are working in their lesson books. The goal is to complete at least one page per week. Students can also work on the exercises and music we practice during band, however the lesson book should be something they do daily.
7th Grade Jazz Starting Soon!
7th grade jazz band is an additional opportunity for students to explore a different genre of music. This year we will be focusing on learning the 12 bar blues, improvisation, and some standard jazz charts and melodies.
7th Grade Jazz will kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 20th from 2:30-3:00 PM. All 7th grade musicians, regardless of instrument, are encouraged to join. 7th grade jazz will meet every Tuesday at that same time.
Join Mrs. Haraldson on Tuesdays to learn about this truly American art form.
More Information About Practice
Technology Tip To Improve Chromebook Sound
Previous Information
DISTANCE LEARNING REMINDERS
- CAMERAS - Please ask your child to turn on their cameras during class (If possible). Certainly, there are reasons to keep it off (WIFI signal strength, etc). However, we rely on seeing your children as much as we do hearing them. As you can imagine, seeing hand placement, embouchures (mouth), posture, instrument angles, etc are all visual cues that assist us. If your child's camera doesn't work on their Chromebook, please have them fill out an Incident IQ Repair Request online to get it fixed.
- FOOD/DRINK - Please remind your kids that eating food and then playing immediately afterward will get food particles into their wind instruments causing damage. Students should take a drink of water after eating and before playing and always avoid eating while playing in general.
- CHAIRS - We have noticed a number of students sitting on couches or recliners during their lesson or band class. Your child will play best using a hard, flat chair like a wooden kitchen chair. Students are encouraged to stand and play (depending on the instrument) as well. However, stay away from beds, couches, and other soft surfaces.
- DOGS/CATS - Nothing wrong with this at all. Love seeing them : ) Even the fish.
Virtual Private Lessons are Here!
Where Can We Find Information About Band This Year?
1. This newsletter will be sent every Sunday afternoon. It will contain the plan for the week, updates on classwork, and special events or opportunities.
2. Our PMMS Band Website will have weekly lesson plans, resources, links, and our weekly lesson schedule. I will also keep links to all of our newsletters on this website if you ever need to look for something shared previously but lost it in your inbox. Consider the website as the "go to" place to find out information this year.
IMPORTANT LINKS
Patrick Marsh Middle School Bands
Email: cpgleas@sunprairieschools.org
Website: http://www.spbb.org/patrick-marsh-bands.html
Location: 1351 Columbus Street, Sun Prairie, WI, United States
Phone: (608) 834-7625