Sixth Grade Band Bulletin
August, 2017
Excellent Start to the Year!
We have had a wonderful start to the school year. Your children are fantastic! What nice, friendly, and well-behaved kids! I am also impressed with the excellent work-ethic that they have shown so far! We have been working really hard mastering the fundamentals and procedures which go with being a middle school musician. We will continue to work on practicing B.A.R.K. in band. Students will also be receiving the first actual band pieces for our November 30th concert, their warm-up and rhythm books (paid with registration fees), and technique lesson assignments. It's going to be a very busy end of August/start of September. I am very excited because I know they are ready for the next step!
These band bulletins will be sent out about once per month. They will contain information about what we've been doing and what we will be doing in class. You will be able to see an archive of these bulletins on the Sixth Grade Page of our website.
As is always the case, please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. The best way to get a hold of me quickest is via email.
I look forward to meeting you at Curriculum Night this Thursday!
Sincerely
Rob Buckley
Supply Checks/Oops Slips Start Monday 8/28
Starting Monday (August 28), students will need to give me an Ooops Slip in order to return to their locker. Students received 4 Ooops Slips on Thursday. They should be kept in the binder and the student's first/last name should be written on each slip. Once the student uses up all 4 slips, he/she will not be able to go back to the locker. Students who have Oops slips left over at the end of the trimester can trade them in for extra credit.
I will also start keeping track of materials like binders, instruments, etc. Students who are forgetful and do not have supplies will be talked to, and I will also be in contact with you to see how your child can do better.
Students who do not have instruments (forgot at home) will do a Rehearsal Detective worksheet and turn it in at the conclusion of class.
Please help me by working with your child to develop a checklist for their exploratory classes. They can post a checklist in their locker and check to make sure they have materials before heading down to our wing.
Help The RMS Bands by becoming a Music Buff!
If you are not a member, please consider joining the group. If you would like to volunteer time, the Buffs have several different fundraisers throughout the year that need parent helpers. You can learn more about the Music Buffs by going to their website.
You can also check out their table at curriculum night!
PS: One of the coolest nights of the year...ROTOLOPALOOZA is right around the corner. We will need a lot of parent help for this Music Buffs event. We will be sending out volunteer forms for this September 23 event soon!
Students starting an in depth study of the piece "Clouds"
This is all part of a CMP project. CMP stands for Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance. It's a model of teaching which focuses on going into greater depth on a piece of music. Through this journey, the students will really focus on one major skill to improve (in this case...playing smoothly), and one knowledge concept to learn (learning about and composing motifs). In addition, the students will go in-depth with an affective goal as well (how the composer creates imagery through the elements of music). I'd love to hear if they are talking about this at home. Please let me know if you hear about "what they are learning in band."
Odds and Ends
*Thanks to all who have turned in the Yellow Checklist and completed the surveys. If you have not done that yet, please complete it this week. I want to put the shirt order in ASAP.
*One date that can be added to the calendar is November 28, 2017. This will be an after-school rehearsal going from 3:10-4:15pm. This will be the one and only time the three different bands can get together and practice as one large group. There will be a fun activity after the rehearsal (optional). More information to come. Please add this date to your home calendar.
*Jazz Band/Jazz Ensemble: Super fun groups that play completely different music than concert band. Jazz groups will be starting up in October. Students interested in auditioning for the top jazz group (Jazz Ensemble) should attend our help sessions (date TBD) to learn the music. Auditions are October 12 at RMS after school.
Students wanting to be in Jazz Band (no audition) can let me know and I will add the name to my list. Jazz Band starts on October 17 at 7:00am. Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble have a music club participation fee of $120 for the year.
*Assessments (graded) will be starting very soon. It's very important to develop good practice habits. I will have more info on practicing (how to) at Curriculum Night.
Mr. Buckley's Contact Info
Email: robert.buckley@bps101.net
Website: http://rotoloband.com
Phone: 630-937-8727
Facebook: facebook.com/rmsband
Twitter: @rotolo6band