Practice record forms

Schedule 2009-10 School Year

Week of Sept 8 -Sept 11 — Discussions and information about the coming school year.  We will decide the best instrument for each child during this week.  The decisions are made through trials, discussions, and physical attributes of each student, as well as desire.  The most important factor here is desire.  Decisions regarding instruments are final and must be approved by me before any changes are finalized after this date.  Every student will have a confirmation paper sent home when this decision is finalized and will include all materials needed.  No Instruments needed until Sept 28, 2009.

Sept 11- Fundraiser begins and runs until Sept 28.  The Delivery of products will be  November 9, 2009. 

Week of Sept 14-18 — Continue to fit for instruments.   Saturday 19th of Sept Saw Mill City

Week of Sept 21-25 — Students are learning ear training through musical games.  Kohn's Music Store @Thomas Edison Inn Thursday  Sept 24, 2009 5:30PM-9:00PM

Week of Sept 28-Oct 2 — all students required to have instruments and books.  Students learning how to produce their first sounds, assemble the instrument, and proper hand placement.

Week of Oct 5-Oct 9 — Students learning how to produce their first sounds, assemble the instrument, and proper hand placement.

October 12-16 — Students are learning to read music.

October 19-23— We are still working by instrument groups.  Reinforcing good posture, hand positions and tone production.

October 26-30—Students now ready to play as a band, band arrangements are introduced.

November 2 -6— Monday Nov 2 is the First Performance at PHN Auditorium.  There will be an all day rehearsal and evening performance (6:00PM).  All permission slips are due the Friday a week before we travel.  This yearly permission slip is due at the end of the school day (3:45) on Friday October 23, 2009.  This is the one and only permission slip and will serve the students for the entire year.

Those not abiding by this rule will NOT be allowed to ride the bus to our engagement or rehearsal.  Missing a rehearsal will result in missing the performance.  You are however encouraged to acquire your own ride to the rehearsal and in such a case, will be permitted to perform with us.  Attending the rehearsal is imperative to the performance.

November —Lock-in Friday, November 6 we need parents to work 4 hour shifts throughout the night.  Conferences are the 2^nd week of November.  November 9 fundraiser delivery

December — Christmas Concert at McMorran Auditorium December 15, 2009 @ 7:00PM - 8:00 PM.  Parent chaperones are needed during the day and evening performance to supervise the students, to collect donations, as well as pass out programs.

Jan — Welcome back!

Feb —

March — Come and support the 8th grade band at the PHHS Auditorium Friday  evening March 12  @ District 16 MSBOA Festival.

April 2-9— Spring Break   Elementary school recruiting band application due

May —Recruiting band performances (May 3);  May 18, 2010 Spring Concert at McMorran 7:00 PM

June 16— Older students (7th and 8th grade only) Cedar Point, Ohio a day of fun 6:00AM – 10:00PM

Beginning Band Grading

All beginning band students are graded by a daily participation grade.  If they come to class prepared every day, and pay attention in class, they will receive an "A" each day.  If they are forgetful, or don't listen in class, then that grade will fall for each infraction.  I believe children learn differently and at their own rate, however every child does learn if they are prepared and attentive.  To grade a beginner on their progress would not be fair to those with no previous musical experience.  Next year, the students are graded more by their ability to perform.  All band students at Fort Gratiot are required to practice daily, at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. A student that does not practice at least 150 minutes 5 days a week,  will not receive an "A".  However if the student does generally practice, there is a one week forgiveness each month for those special situations.  Consistent practice is most important.

Concert Performances

All performances are mandatory.  Each is worth 100 points.  Our band is a team and we need the full team to play.  We rehearse together for balance and tonality and to achieve a solid polished performance.  Every child is equally important and to miss the sounds of one or more, will hamper the outcome of the performance for every child in the band.

Concerts are comparable to a final exam in an academic classroom.  They learn the notes, fingerings, nuances, and phrases.  They learn the melodic fragments and progressions.  They learn to balance the melodies with the harmonies.  The emotions and feelings the music is able to bring to our thoughts allow us to experience the music.  We use musical structure, style and even form to make sense of the musical ideas the composers were trying to help us to portray.  They have learned and understand how to evoke an appropriate response in an audience through their, at times, minute and subtle articulations and/or dynamics, as well as phrasing.  In short, they learn to make music.

Music is much more than just playing the notes and knowing their own parts.  Every child is a star and every child is important!

Unavoidable absences do happen, and if there is prior knowledge, I do expect the students to make up the lost points.  However, in case of illness or tragic family situations there will be no penalty, and extra credit will only be required if time and opportunity permits.

I will expect all students to come to class prepared.  All full band performances are mandatory.  We typically perform 3 times during the school year.

Mandatory Concerts

Fun Activities: