Instrumental Music Notes
From Mrs. Caulfield and Mrs. De La Rosa-January 2020
Directors notes:
We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday break and a happy new year! Once we get back to school, we will be going full steam ahead with our January 7 feeder pattern concert for our 2nd year players and learning new skills for our 1st year players. By the end of the month, we will be handing out spring concert music for ALL students! Below you will find information regarding all upcoming performances.
Right before break, all students should have brought home a progress report based on the first 10 lessons of the year. If you did not see your child's progress report, please ask them about it.
As always, If you have any questions for us, please do not hesitate to email us at michele.delarosa@fcps.org or christina.caulfield@fcps.org. Please include your child's name and school attended in the email.
Feeder pattern concert-for most 2nd year players
Feeder Concert Mandatory Rehearsal-Mandatory for all 2nd year band and orchestra students
Monday, January 6th from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Tuscarora High School
Students should be dropped off at the Tuscarora High School auditorium at 5:20 p.m. Parents should plan to drop off their student and return for pick-up at 8:30 p.m.
Please make sure students eat prior to being dropped off at THS. They should also plan to bring their own bottle of water as the stage gets very warm.
Students should wear cool, comfortable clothing.
Students must bring their own music binder, instrument with all necessary parts, folding music stand, and a pencil. ***Be sure your child’s instrument case, music stand, and binder are clearly labeled with their name***
Feeder Pattern Concert-Mandatory for all 2nd year band and orchestra students
Tuesday, January 7th at 7:00 p.m. at Tuscarora High School
Students should be dropped off at the Tuscarora High School band room at 6:30 p.m. Parents should then go to the auditorium. There are a lot of students participating so the auditorium will fill quickly.
Students should wear concert attire-black dress pants/skirt, white dress shirt, black socks/stockings, black dress shoes. Please no t-shirts, sneakers, or jeans.
You are welcome to take pictures or video the performance, but we ask that you be respectful of those sitting around you. If you wish to video, you should sit in the rear or side of the auditorium. Please do not use flash photography during the performance and silence all cell phones. Please avoid using cell phones or other electronic equipment during the performance, as this is distracting to performers and audience members alike.
Concert dates to put on your calendar:
- May 12, 2020-ALL students who play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument (band)
- May 13, 2020-ALL students who play a string instrument (orchestra)
All concerts will be held at Tuscarora High School and will be preceded by a rehearsal. Each evenings schedules will be the same
- 4:45-5:45-Rehearsal for students who are participating in small ensembles
- 5:45-7:15-Rehearsal for ALL students
- 7:30-8:30-Concert
Keep in mind that students will need "concert dress" for all evening performances. This includes black dress pants/skirt, white dress shirt, black socks/stockings, black dress shoes. Please no t-shirts, sneakers, or jeans.
5th grade Honors Band and Orchestra
Honors Band
Flute-Lizbeth Hernandez, Mackenzie Martin
Oboe-Jorden Ames
Clarinet-Kiera Conley, Madeline Hanley
Bass Clarinet-Brynn Hedlund, Genevieve Noland
Alto Saxophone-Sydney Page
Trumpet-Christopher Holder
Baritone-Sophia Bostian
Trombone-Bruno Reyes-Rivas
Percussion-Lucas Inge, David Thawng
Honors Orchestra
Violin-Zayna Brooks, William Cung, Brianne Fidler, Jordan Grigsby, Monica Guillen, Lucy McEntee, Elizabeth Mercado, Lina Quiros, Aiden Roopnarine, Kayla Shoemaker, Ellise Sicat
Viola-Taylor Lidie
Cello-Theo Kruhm
Mrs. De La Rosa is now a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT)!
Practice makes Perfect!
All students progress at different rates. We have found that the amount of progress a child makes on his/her instrument is directly correlated with practice and effort. The more you practice, the better you will sound. Below are some practice tips for your young musician:
Have a scheduled time every day to practice in a quiet spot. The student should sit on a chair or stand as appropriate and should use a music stand.
Establish a practice routine. We suggest the following:
Warm up-5 minutes (this varies due to instrument and ability level, but model after what we do in lessons)
Work on a challenging selection-5-10 minutes
Review previously learned selections-5-10 minutes
Check off each day’s accomplishments on the practice chart
Students love for their family members to listen to a song or two. Please encourage your child to play for you and tell them how proud you are of their progress.
Keep in touch with us with any questions you may have! You can communicate with us via email or Seesaw. We do our best to reply within 24-48 hours.
Instruments and cold weather do not mix!
- Cracked wood on string instruments
- Instruments going significantly out of tune
- Cracked/Broken reeds
- Frozen valve or slide oil. (Have seen the valve oil freeze while in the instrument and it had to thaw out before the valves would work-that can permanently damage the valves!)
It's not worth the damage! Bring the instruments in the house and practice!
Schedules
Orchard Grove ES-Monday
Carroll Manor ES-Tuesday
Ballenger Creek ES-Wednesday
Butterfly Ridge ES-Thursday
Tuscarora ES-Friday
Please remind your child to bring their instrument and supplies to school every band day, and check the schedule each week so that they attend lessons on time.
In case of weather delays, field trips or special activities in school, we do our very best to alter the schedule so that all students still receive a lesson.
Follow us on Twitter!
Mrs. Caulfield @FCPSCCaulfield
Mrs. De La Rosa @FCPSBand