Concert Dress
Band-O-Rama and May concerts: Black pants/skirt and Band T-shirt.
You have the option of purchasing a Band T-shirt for your child, or borrowing one from me.
If you choose to borrow a T-shirt for the concerts, students will be given the shirt before the concert and will return it before they leave after the concert. The T-shirt order form was given to your child at his/her first lessons during the school year.
You have the option of purchasing a Band T-shirt for your child, or borrowing one from me.
If you choose to borrow a T-shirt for the concerts, students will be given the shirt before the concert and will return it before they leave after the concert. The T-shirt order form was given to your child at his/her first lessons during the school year.
Concert Etiquette
Our students work hard to prepare for every performance. In order to heighten the experience for you as a listener and for the students as performers, we’d like to remind you of the following points of concert etiquette.
1. Plan to arrive on time. It is important that everyone is in his or her seat before the downbeat of the first selection. If you do happen to run a little late, please wait and enter the concert area between songs.
2. Listen to the music. While the students are performing, we ask that you give them your undivided attention. Try not to talk or text while the music is playing. No cell phone calls are ever acceptable.
3. Remain seated. If you find you must leave the concert area for some reason, please wait to do so only between selections.
4. If bringing small children, sit near an exit. Small children often become restless during the course of the concert. By sitting near an exit, you can minimize the distraction by slipping out as quietly as possible.
5. Avoid extraneous noise. Silence all cell phones.
6. Be courteous while taking pictures. Please don’t come on stage, distract the performers or obstruct the view of others.
7. Students must be in attendance for the entire concert under all circumstances. Part of our musical training is learning to be a good audience member as well.
1. Plan to arrive on time. It is important that everyone is in his or her seat before the downbeat of the first selection. If you do happen to run a little late, please wait and enter the concert area between songs.
2. Listen to the music. While the students are performing, we ask that you give them your undivided attention. Try not to talk or text while the music is playing. No cell phone calls are ever acceptable.
3. Remain seated. If you find you must leave the concert area for some reason, please wait to do so only between selections.
4. If bringing small children, sit near an exit. Small children often become restless during the course of the concert. By sitting near an exit, you can minimize the distraction by slipping out as quietly as possible.
5. Avoid extraneous noise. Silence all cell phones.
6. Be courteous while taking pictures. Please don’t come on stage, distract the performers or obstruct the view of others.
7. Students must be in attendance for the entire concert under all circumstances. Part of our musical training is learning to be a good audience member as well.
Concert Dates
Band-o-Rama- SATURDAY, February 24th
Rehearsal- 11:00am- EAHS Gymnasium Concert- 2pm in the EAHS Gymnasium |
Jackson May Concert- May 24th at 9:15 in Jackson Cafeteria
West Side May Concert- May 30th at 9:00 in West Side Cafeteria Tibbets May Concert- May 31st at 9:30 in Tibbets Cafeteria |
Band Supplies
All Band students will need:
● An instrument in good working order.
● A clearly labeled case with their name and phone number.
● Two working pencils at all times (keep them in your case/folder).
● Essential Elements Books 1 for their instrument
● A music stand at home for practice.
● A folder or binder devoted to Band.
Flutes: Cleaning rod & cloth- cloth should be soft & absorbent with no frayed edges. A Men’s handkerchief is perfect.
Oboes: 2 working reeds, strength soft-medium soft, cork grease, a cleaning swab.
Clarinets/Saxophones: 4 working reeds (2 to 2/12 strength), cork grease, cleaning swabs.
Brass: Valve Oil, Slide Grease.
Percussion: A Percussion Kit including Bells, Percussion Pad, Bell Mallets and Drumsticks.
● An instrument in good working order.
● A clearly labeled case with their name and phone number.
● Two working pencils at all times (keep them in your case/folder).
● Essential Elements Books 1 for their instrument
● A music stand at home for practice.
● A folder or binder devoted to Band.
Flutes: Cleaning rod & cloth- cloth should be soft & absorbent with no frayed edges. A Men’s handkerchief is perfect.
Oboes: 2 working reeds, strength soft-medium soft, cork grease, a cleaning swab.
Clarinets/Saxophones: 4 working reeds (2 to 2/12 strength), cork grease, cleaning swabs.
Brass: Valve Oil, Slide Grease.
Percussion: A Percussion Kit including Bells, Percussion Pad, Bell Mallets and Drumsticks.
Grading
Students will receive Progress Reports with their semester report cards. They will receive a 1 (improvement needed), 2 (satisfactory, improvement shown) or 3 (performs high quality) in different categories associated with participating in Band.
This year I will also be sending home Positive “Notes”. Once a week, I will pick a student that has done something outstanding, and will be sending Post Cards home with them.
We will also have an incentive program. Students will be given a sheet to keep track of their "Party Points". They must receive a certain amount of points to participate in the end of the year incentive. This is greatly dependent on attendance in lessons.
This year I will also be sending home Positive “Notes”. Once a week, I will pick a student that has done something outstanding, and will be sending Post Cards home with them.
We will also have an incentive program. Students will be given a sheet to keep track of their "Party Points". They must receive a certain amount of points to participate in the end of the year incentive. This is greatly dependent on attendance in lessons.
Practice
Practice is a vital part of participating in Band and learning an instrument. I always say students should practice “every day they eat”. This is not a concrete rule, and I want students to be aware that they will not get in trouble if they don’t practice each and every day. I say this so that students realize that consistent practice is important. I understand that there are some days when practice just isn’t possible.
My hope is that students don’t feel as though practicing is an obligation, but enjoy it. Ideally, I would love students to aim for 20 minutes of practice a day. This helps students to learn to plan their time accordingly, and helps increase responsibility in your child.
Practice involves both students and parents, to some extent. Parents, please provide a chair, a music stand and a quiet environment for your child to practice the skills they have learned in lessons. A student’s progress and the value of the investment depend upon their practice at home and attendance at lessons.
Students should practice properly while striving for a good sound. Don’t try to see how loud or high the instrument can play.
Directions:
● Stand or sit as directed at school. Sit tall on the front edge of your chair.
● Tap one foot to keep the beat of the song. (Saxophones, only use the left foot and lean the instrument against the right knee).
● Start each practice session by holding each learned note for a long time at medium and soft levels.
● Practice the assigned songs from the book slowly until they sound very good, and then speed them up.
● Strive to make these things as close to perfect as you can: rhythm, notes, tonguing (“too” or “tah”) or slurring, dynamics (louds and softs), and tone (pretty sound).
● Check with a mirror to see if you are puffing your cheeks.
● Aim for perfection.
● Have your parents listen to you play your instrument at least once a week. This is very important. Parents: your children want to show off what they have learned. Set aside time each week to listen to the progress your child is making.
● Use some practice times to try new songs, work out some songs by ear, or create your own!
Remember: You should practice every day that you eat!
My hope is that students don’t feel as though practicing is an obligation, but enjoy it. Ideally, I would love students to aim for 20 minutes of practice a day. This helps students to learn to plan their time accordingly, and helps increase responsibility in your child.
Practice involves both students and parents, to some extent. Parents, please provide a chair, a music stand and a quiet environment for your child to practice the skills they have learned in lessons. A student’s progress and the value of the investment depend upon their practice at home and attendance at lessons.
Students should practice properly while striving for a good sound. Don’t try to see how loud or high the instrument can play.
Directions:
● Stand or sit as directed at school. Sit tall on the front edge of your chair.
● Tap one foot to keep the beat of the song. (Saxophones, only use the left foot and lean the instrument against the right knee).
● Start each practice session by holding each learned note for a long time at medium and soft levels.
● Practice the assigned songs from the book slowly until they sound very good, and then speed them up.
● Strive to make these things as close to perfect as you can: rhythm, notes, tonguing (“too” or “tah”) or slurring, dynamics (louds and softs), and tone (pretty sound).
● Check with a mirror to see if you are puffing your cheeks.
● Aim for perfection.
● Have your parents listen to you play your instrument at least once a week. This is very important. Parents: your children want to show off what they have learned. Set aside time each week to listen to the progress your child is making.
● Use some practice times to try new songs, work out some songs by ear, or create your own!
Remember: You should practice every day that you eat!
Preventing Repair Bills
DO NOT ALLOW OTHER PEOPLE TO PLAY YOUR INSTRUMENT!
Simply "NO". Do not get your instrument out on the bus, at the bus stop or on the playground. Do not allow others to play your instruments. Parents are ultimately responsible for the instruments the students are using for the year. Parents may make exceptions while at home and supervising. At school, your teacher may occasionally ask to play your instrument for various reasons. This is permitted.
To Prevent Repair Bills
1. Keep the instrument in the case whenever it's not being played
2. Keep it away from extreme heat or cold.
3. Do not remove the instrument at the bus stop, on the bus or at the playground.
4. Do not allow others to play the instrument (many reasons).
5. Do not sit or stand on the case.
6. Clean the instrument after every practice session and lesson.
7. Do not use cleaners or solvents on the instrument.
8. Do not try to "fix it yourself". If you have any doubts at all, call your music teacher or the music store.Daily Instrument Cleaning
Instruments should be cleaned immediately after every practice session and lesson. This is very important! Not cleaning the instruments results in repair bills. For the woodwind instruments, pads become sticky and won't open. The brass instruments collect spit which makes the horn sound muddy and unclear.
Flute
1. Take flute apart and clean with flute cleaner (or handkerchief) and rod. Put one corner of the cloth through the hole in the rod. Wrap the cloth loosely around the rod and use this to remove condensation from the inside of the flute. Make sure to get all wet spots.
2. Carefully put the parts in the correct spots in the case and loosely put the cleaner in the case. (If the cloth becomes discolored, try washing it or just buy a new one.)
3. With a different soft cloth, wipe off any fingerprints from the outside of your instrument.
4. Remember to put the rod back in the case and latch the case.
Clarinet
1. Carefully remove the reed and wipe the spit off it. Put it in a reed case and put that in the instrument case.
2. Clean each part of the clarinet at least 2 times with the cleaning swab. Check for wet spots and run the cleaner through again if needed.
3. Wipe each end of each joint to be sure all moisture is gone.
4. Carefully put the parts in the correct spots in the case and loosely put the cleaner in the case. (If the cleaning swab becomes discolored, try washing it or just buy a new one.)
5. Remember to latch the case.
Alto Saxophone
1. Carefully remove the reed and wipe the spit off it. Put it in a reed case and put that in the instrument case.
2. Clean the body of the sax with the cleaning swab at least 2 times. Check for wet spots and run the cleaner through again if needed.
3. Carefully put the body in the case and loosely put the cleaner in the case. (If the cleaning swab rips, you will need to buy a new one. I suggest the larger cloth ones, not the felt.)
4. Clean the neck and mouthpiece with a smaller cleaner.
5. Put the neck and mouthpiece along with the small cleaner in the case and latch the case.
Trumpet and Baritone
1. Over the garbage can, softly blow through the instrument while holding the spit valves open. Do this one valve at a time. Shake gently while blowing to remove all moisture. Wipe spit off mouthpiece.
2. Wipe off any fingerprints from the instrument.
3. Carefully put the instrument away and latch the case.
Trombone
1. Over garbage can, softly blow through the instrument while holding the spit valves open. Shake gently while doing this to remove all moisture.
2. Remove and wipe spit off the mouthpiece. Put it away in the case.
3. Take trombone apart and wipe off any fingerprints.
4. Carefully put the instrument away and remember to latch the case.
French Horn
1. Remove the mouthpiece. Wipe clean and put it away in the case.
2. Over the garbage can, "roll" the horn so spit comes out. Do this twice.
3. Wipe off any fingerprints from the instrument.
4. Carefully put the instrument and mouthpiece in the case and remember to latch the case.
Percussion
1. Disassemble and carefully put back in case.
2. If leaving assembled in secure area to practice another day, cover bells to prevent dust.
Simply "NO". Do not get your instrument out on the bus, at the bus stop or on the playground. Do not allow others to play your instruments. Parents are ultimately responsible for the instruments the students are using for the year. Parents may make exceptions while at home and supervising. At school, your teacher may occasionally ask to play your instrument for various reasons. This is permitted.
To Prevent Repair Bills
1. Keep the instrument in the case whenever it's not being played
2. Keep it away from extreme heat or cold.
3. Do not remove the instrument at the bus stop, on the bus or at the playground.
4. Do not allow others to play the instrument (many reasons).
5. Do not sit or stand on the case.
6. Clean the instrument after every practice session and lesson.
7. Do not use cleaners or solvents on the instrument.
8. Do not try to "fix it yourself". If you have any doubts at all, call your music teacher or the music store.Daily Instrument Cleaning
Instruments should be cleaned immediately after every practice session and lesson. This is very important! Not cleaning the instruments results in repair bills. For the woodwind instruments, pads become sticky and won't open. The brass instruments collect spit which makes the horn sound muddy and unclear.
Flute
1. Take flute apart and clean with flute cleaner (or handkerchief) and rod. Put one corner of the cloth through the hole in the rod. Wrap the cloth loosely around the rod and use this to remove condensation from the inside of the flute. Make sure to get all wet spots.
2. Carefully put the parts in the correct spots in the case and loosely put the cleaner in the case. (If the cloth becomes discolored, try washing it or just buy a new one.)
3. With a different soft cloth, wipe off any fingerprints from the outside of your instrument.
4. Remember to put the rod back in the case and latch the case.
Clarinet
1. Carefully remove the reed and wipe the spit off it. Put it in a reed case and put that in the instrument case.
2. Clean each part of the clarinet at least 2 times with the cleaning swab. Check for wet spots and run the cleaner through again if needed.
3. Wipe each end of each joint to be sure all moisture is gone.
4. Carefully put the parts in the correct spots in the case and loosely put the cleaner in the case. (If the cleaning swab becomes discolored, try washing it or just buy a new one.)
5. Remember to latch the case.
Alto Saxophone
1. Carefully remove the reed and wipe the spit off it. Put it in a reed case and put that in the instrument case.
2. Clean the body of the sax with the cleaning swab at least 2 times. Check for wet spots and run the cleaner through again if needed.
3. Carefully put the body in the case and loosely put the cleaner in the case. (If the cleaning swab rips, you will need to buy a new one. I suggest the larger cloth ones, not the felt.)
4. Clean the neck and mouthpiece with a smaller cleaner.
5. Put the neck and mouthpiece along with the small cleaner in the case and latch the case.
Trumpet and Baritone
1. Over the garbage can, softly blow through the instrument while holding the spit valves open. Do this one valve at a time. Shake gently while blowing to remove all moisture. Wipe spit off mouthpiece.
2. Wipe off any fingerprints from the instrument.
3. Carefully put the instrument away and latch the case.
Trombone
1. Over garbage can, softly blow through the instrument while holding the spit valves open. Shake gently while doing this to remove all moisture.
2. Remove and wipe spit off the mouthpiece. Put it away in the case.
3. Take trombone apart and wipe off any fingerprints.
4. Carefully put the instrument away and remember to latch the case.
French Horn
1. Remove the mouthpiece. Wipe clean and put it away in the case.
2. Over the garbage can, "roll" the horn so spit comes out. Do this twice.
3. Wipe off any fingerprints from the instrument.
4. Carefully put the instrument and mouthpiece in the case and remember to latch the case.
Percussion
1. Disassemble and carefully put back in case.
2. If leaving assembled in secure area to practice another day, cover bells to prevent dust.
Band Contract/T Shirt Order Form
Your child will be sent home with a Band Contract/T Shirt Order Form at his/her first lesson.
Please return this as soon as possible.
T Shirts are $6 (Please make checks payable to EASD or Elkhorn Area School District. Please DO NOT make them payable to your child's school).
Please return this as soon as possible.
T Shirts are $6 (Please make checks payable to EASD or Elkhorn Area School District. Please DO NOT make them payable to your child's school).