Oct. 3-7 Happenings

Homecoming Week is here! This will be a very busy week for the Graettinger-Terril Bands as they continue rehearsing and preparing for the big game. High School Students are being asked to please bring a pan of bars for Tuesday's Coronation Dinner. Middle School Students and parents please remember that practice logs must be completed, signed by a parent or guardian, and present at each weekly lesson in order to receive full credit. A failure to do this will result in a lowered grade. All that being said, it will be another great week for our band students and we hope you will all come out to hear the HS in the parade and at the game Friday night. Also, be sure to mark your calendars for our HS Fall Concert on October 13 at 7:00 in Graettinger.

5th Band

Objectives:

• Continue large instrument-family lessons
• Monday Percussion
• Wednesday Woodwinds
• Friday Brass
• Continue weekly lessons

1. Woodwinds (Wednesday)
• Refresh mouthpiece, reed, and ligature assembly
• Refresh proper posture, breathing, and articulation
• Discuss Music Staff, Clefs, Notes and Rests
• Begin EE Pg. 4 with playing
• Encourage listening
• Reinforce foot tapping

1. Percussion (Monday)
• Refresh music staff, notes and rests, and note names
• Refresh basic grip and its importance
• Continue EE Pg. 5 for mallets
• Discuss Notes In Review
• Begin exercises on Pg. 6

1. Brass (Friday)
• Refresh proper posture, breathing, and articulation
• Continue playing EE Pg. 4 and 5
• Encourage listening and pitch matching
• Reinforce foot tapping

Middle School Bands

6th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Continue working on scales
• Rehearse concert music

1. Warm-Up
• EE Pg. 40 Bb, Eb, F, and Ab #1 and 2
• Chromatic Scale
2. Music Rehearsal
• Castles in Spain
• Work to control the sound with woodwinds
• Continue rehearsing in sections
• Isolate proper rhythmic counting
• Identify areas with independent parts
• Wipeout
• Refresh on the D.S. al CODA
• Discuss use of accents in the percussion part
• Begin full runs of the piece and push speed
• Dark Adventure
• Begin rehearsing in sections
• Isolate and clap problem rhythms

7/8th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Continue working scales
• Rehearse concert music
• Possibly distribute new music

1. Warm-up
• Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D
• 3rds in a selected key
• Chromatic scale
2. Music Rehearsal
• The Invincible Warrior
• Begin incorporating dynamics and articulations
• Perform full runs
• Possibly record performance
• Park Street Celebration
• Rehearse sixteenth note passages in WW as well as dotted eighths
• Reinforce Rit. and tempo changes
• Refresh on counting/playing syncopated entrances
• Refresh on music with a CODA

• Episode for Band
• Begin incorporating dynamics and articulations
• Perform full runs
• Possibly record performance
• Eaglerock Overture
• Continue rehearsing in large sections
• Discuss strategies for the page turn at the CODA
• Begin incorporating dynamics
• Possibly distribute another piece

High School

Objectives:

• Continue work on Scales
• Continue Rehearsing Fall Concert Music
• Complete memorization checks of Spania
• Discuss T-Shirt Design
• Perform Coronation Dinner
• Perform Homecoming Parade/Game

1. Warm-Up
• Concert Major Scales
• 3rds
• Chromatic
• Relative Natural Minor Key
• Bach Chorale (TBA)

1. Music Rehearsal
• Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair
• Perform full runs
• Work with low brass on adding accents for drama
• Discuss shaping and articulations
• Possibly arrange a time to meet with Grace and Caroline
• As If On Wings
• Work or meet with upper-woodwinds on the sixteenth and triplet passages
• Continue to work the pyramiding/timpani solo section
• Begin adding shaping elements and dynamics
• Continue incorporating accents into rhythmic passages
• Galop to End All Galops
• Work with percussion to correct rhythms and develop speed
• Work to lighten style with winds to increase speed watch for dynamics
• Perform a full runs
2. Pep Band

• Play through Spania

• That’s the Way
• Old Time Rock N Roll
• Proud Mary?

Sept. 26-30 Happenings

It's hard to believe that we are already in the last week of September, one week from Homecoming, and three weeks from our Fall Concert. This week we will being individual or small group lessons for the 5th Grade Students and within two weeks we will have our first full band rehearsal with these young musicians. Parents please encourage your students and make sure they are practicing regularly as they are the key to the future success of our program!

5th Grade

Objectives:

• Continue large instrument-family lessons
• Monday Percussion
• Wednesday Woodwinds
• Friday Brass
• Begin weekly lessons

1. Woodwinds (Wednesday)
• Refresh mouthpiece, reed, and ligature assembly
• Explain instrument holding
• Discuss proper posture, breathing, and articulation
• Discuss Music Staff, Clefs, Notes and Rests
• Begin EE Pg. 4 with playing

1. Percussion (Monday)
• Refresh music staff, notes and rests, and note names
• Refresh basic grip and its importance
• Continue EE Pg. 4 and 5 for mallets
• Quiz students on note locations on music staff and instrument first

1. Brass (Friday)
• Refresh proper holding of the instrument
• Refresh the music staves and note positioning
• Refresh proper posture, breathing, and articulation
• Continue playing EE Pg. 4 and 5

Middle School

6th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Continue working on scales
• Rehearse concert music

1. Warm-Up
• EE Pg. 40 Bb, Eb, F, and Ab #1 and 2
• Chromatic Scale
2. Music Rehearsal
• Castles in Spain
• Continue rehearsing in sections
• Isolate proper rhythmic counting
• Identify areas with independent parts
• Wipeout
• Refresh on the D.S. al CODA
• Discuss use of accents in the percussion part
• Begin full runs of the piece and push speed
• Dark Adventure
• Read through and begin rehearsing in sections

7/8th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Continue working scales
• Rehearse concert music
• Possibly distribute new music

1. Warm-up
• Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D
• 3rds in a selected key
• Chromatic scale
2. Music Rehearsal
• The Invincible Warrior
• Begin incorporating dynamics and articulations
• Perform full runs
• Park Street Celebration
• Rehearse sixteenth note passages in WW as well as dotted eighths
• Begin rehearsing in large sections
• Refresh on music with a CODA

• Episode for Band
• Begin incorporating dynamics and articulations
• Perform full runs
• Possibly distribute another piece

High School

Objectives:

• Continue work on Scales
• Continue Rehearsing Fall Concert Music
• Continue memorization of Spania
• Discuss T-Shirt Design
• Discuss Coronation Dinner

1. Warm-Up
• Concert Major Scales
• 3rds
• Chromatic
• Relative Natural Minor Key
• Bach Chorale

1. Music Rehearsal
• Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair
• Begin by working on full ensemble passages
• Discuss shaping and articulations
• Possibly arrange a time to meet with Grace and Caroline
• As If On Wings
• Isolate 12/8 section and work rhythms
• Work with Bass Clar and Bari Sax on breaths in opening measures
• Begin adding shaping elements and dynamics
• Begin incorporating accents into rhythmic passages
• Galop to End All Galops
• Work with percussion to correct rhythms and develop speed
• Possibly add the off-beats for Brandon with off hand
• Work to lighten style with winds to increase speed watch for dynamics
• Perform a full run
2. Pep Band

• Play through Spania with full group to begin memorization

• Proud Mary
• Distribute to Freshman
• Read through and identify problematic areas
• Address any areas as needed
• Possibly add other pieces as time allows for Homecoming

Sept. 20-23 Happenings

5th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Continue large instrument-family lessons
• Distribute and explain lesson schedule
• Explain lesson expectations and instrument storage

1. Woodwinds (Wednesday)
• Refresh parts of instruments
• Discuss reeds/reed care
• Explain mouthpiece, reed, and ligature assembly
• Explain instrument holding
• Explain embouchures/tone production
• Discuss proper posture, breathing, and articulation
• Begin making sounds and using the book

1. Percussion (Tuesday, Thursday)
• Explain percussion instruments
• Discuss basic grip and its importance
• Assign reading of the book and watching the DVD
• Begin reading in the book on mallets

1. Brass (Friday)
• Refresh instrument assembly
• Refresh proper holding of the instrument
• Begin in the book with matching pitch
• Explain the music staves and note positioning
• Discuss proper posture, breathing, and articulation

Middle School Bands

6th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Continue working on scales
• Rehearse concert music
• Possibly distribute new music

1. Warm-Up
• EE Pg. 40 Bb, Eb, F, and Ab #1 and 2
• Chromatic Scale
2. Music Rehearsal
• Castles in Spain
• Continue rehearsing in sections
• Isolate proper rhythmic counting
• Identify areas with independent parts
• Wipeout
• Begin working on unison ensemble parts
• Discuss use of accents in the percussion part
• Possibly distribute a new piece

7/8th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Continue working scales
• Rehearse concert music
• Possibly distribute new music

1. Warm-up
• Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D
• 3rds in a selected key
• Chromatic scale
2. Music Rehearsal
• The Invincible Warrior
• Perform a full run
• Begin isolating trouble sections
• Identify areas of shared rhythms between sections
• Begin incorporating dynamics and articulations
• Park Street Celebration
• Rehearse sixteenth note passages in WW as well as dotted eighths
• Begin rehearsing in large sections
• Refresh on music with a CODA

• Read through Episode for Band
• Attempt a full run before beginning work on sections

High School Band

Objectives:

• Continue work on Scales
• Begin Rehearsing Fall Concert Music
• Begin memorization of Spania and distribute Teasers
• Discuss T-Shirt Design

1. Warm-Up
• Concert Major Scales
• 3rds
• Chromatic
• Relative Natural Minor Key

1. Music Rehearsal
• Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair
• Begin by working on full ensemble passages
• Discuss shaping and articulations
• As If On Wings
• Isolate 12/8 section and work rhythms
• Identify like areas between sections
• Begin incorporating accents into rhythmic passages
• Galop to End All Galops
• Work with percussion to correct rhythms and develop speed
• Work to lighten style with winds to increase speed
• Perform a full run
2. Pep Band

• Play through Spania with full group to begin memorization

• Teasers
• Proud Mary
• Distribute to Freshman
• Read through and identify problematic areas
• Address any areas as needed

Sept. 12-16 Happenings

Attention 5th Grade Students and Parents. Please remember to attend our rental night on Tuesday September 13th in the Terril Lunch Room beginning at 6:00. There will be instruments, stands, lesson books, and other essential materials available for purchase or rental. I look forward to seeing you all there that evening.

Middle School Bands

5th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Complete Instrument Demos
• Instrument Rental Night
• Begin Sectional Lessons

1. Complete Demos
• Assign the remaining students
• Remind students about rental night and put in announcements

1. Begin Sectional Lessons
• Wednesday Woodwinds
• Cover names of instrument pieces
• Basic assembly
• Assembling mouthpiece and reed
• Friday Brass
• Cover names of instrument pieces
• Instrument assembly
• Basic tone production
• Monday Percussion
• Names of instruments
• Location of instruments
• Proper assembly/Positioning
• Basic stick/mallet grip

1. Begin working on lesson scheduling
• Ask students about lessons after school first
• Work with Shayla for small group times

6th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Continue working on scales
• Rehearse concert music
• Possibly distribute new music

1. Warm-Up
• EE Pg. 40 Bb, Eb, F, and Ab #1 and 2
• Chromatic Scale
2. Music Rehearsal
• Castles in Spain
• Begin rehearsing in sections
• Isolate proper rhythmic counting
• Identify areas with independent parts
• Wipeout
• Distribute and read through
• Begin working on unison ensemble parts
• Discuss use of accents in the percussion part

7/8th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Continue working scales
• Rehearse concert music
• Possibly distribute new music

1. Warm-up
• Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G
• 3rds in a selected key
• Chromatic scale
2. Music Rehearsal
• The Invincible Warrior
• Perform a full run
• Begin isolating trouble sections
• Identify areas of shared rhythms between sections
• Begin incorporating dynamics and articulations
• Park Street Celebration
• Distribute and read through
• Begin rehearsal

• Distribute other pieces as needed

High School Band

Objectives:

• Continue work on Scales
• Begin reading possible Fall Concert Music
• Complete chair placement auditions

1. Warm-Up
• Concert Major Scales
• 3rds
• Chromatic
• Relative Minor Key

1. Music Rehearsal
• Distribute potential Fall Concert Pieces
• Begin reading through pieces and select 3 for use
• Adjust assignment of parts follow chair placement results
2. Pep Band
• Teasers
• Proud Mary
• Distribute to Freshman
• Read through and identify problematic areas
• Address any areas as needed

Sept. 6-9 Happenings

This is the very exciting week when we will be determining what instruments our 5th Grade Students will play in band. Please remember that next Tuesday, Sept. 13 will be our instrument rental night in Terril beginning at 6:00 in the lunch room. I hope to see many of you there!

5th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Complete Instrument Demos
• Have all interested students assigned by the end of the week

1. Narrow Group to Interested Students
2. Ask students for their choice
3. Explain process
• Only try those instruments that you would be willing to play
• Listen to instructions carefully
• Students will come up one at a time to try them
4. Begin Demos
• Flute
• Clarinet/Sax
• Trumpet
• Horn
• Trombone/Baritone
• Tuba
• Percussion separate

Middle School Bands

6th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Welcome Students
• Explain Expectations
• Explain Classroom Rules/Grading
• Set Goals
• Begin Playing

1. Welcome Back!
• Glad to have you here
• Recruit others
2. Expectations
• Practice for lessons and band
• Be on time
• Come prepared with all materials
• Be respectful of teacher, students, and materials
3. Rules/Grading
• Do not talk or play while teacher is talking
• Raise your hand
4. Keep the room clean
• Grade is made of lessons, performances, and participation
5. Set Goals
• Play through scales
• Improve solos over last year
6. Play
• Begin with EE scales Pg. 40 Concert Bb, Eb, and Chromatic
• Distribute music and begin reading

7/8th Grade Band

Objectives:

• Welcome Students
• Explain Expectations
• Explain Classroom Rules/Grading
• Set Goals
• Begin Playing

1. Welcome Back!
• Glad to have you here
• Recruit others
2. Expectations
• Practice for lessons and band
• Be on time
• Come prepared with all materials
• Be respectful of teacher, students, and materials
3. Rules/Grading
• Do not talk or play while teacher is talking
• Raise your hand
• Explain part placement for who plays 1st and 2nd parts
• Percussion will rotate through
4. Keep the room clean
• Grade is made of lessons, performances, and participation
5. Set Goals
• Play through scales
• Improve solos over last year
6. Play
• Distribute scale sheets and review transpositions
• Play Concert Bb, Eb, F, Ab, and Chromatic
• Distribute music and begin reading

High School Band

Objectives:

• Welcome Students
• Explain Expectations
• Explain Classroom Rules/Grading
• Set Goals
• Begin thinking of T-Shirt Concepts
• Review Pep Band Music for FB

1. Welcome Back!
• Distribute Syllabus and discuss
• Outline the year’s events
• Distribute lesson schedule for signing up and explain chair placements
• Discuss Labor Day and set goals for Homecoming

1. How will the class expectations change with multiple grades sharing the room
• Always put all music and instruments away
• Percussion clean area completely everyday
• All cases must be fully closed in the instrument storage area
• Lead and model behaviors for younger students
2. Pep Band Refresher
• Star-Spangled Banner
• School Song
• Barbara Ann
• Dude Looks Like a Lady
• Born to Be Wild
• The Stripper
• Proud Mary
• Gonna Make You Sweat
• Celebration
• Others...
• Distribute to Freshman
• Read through and identify problematic areas
• Address any areas as needed