Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 1/10-1/14
Greetings Wildcat Band Family,
Hopefully everyone enjoyed the short week back as a way to ease back into normalness. :) We hit the ground running in all classes last week with the following areas of focus:
7th Grade Brass and Woodwind Classes - counting and playing 16th note patterns, reviewing material from last semester and turning all note.
7th Grade Percussion - Percussion Ensemble Prep
8th Grade Band - Sectionals and Concert Assessment Prep
8th Grade Band will continue sectionals this week following the restructured schedule available below. Flutes, Oboes and Clarinets will Meet Monday (until 4:30) Alto Saxophones, Trumpets and French Horns will meet Tuesday (until 4:30) Percussion will meet Wednesday (until 4:45) Bari Sax, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba will meet Thursday (until 4:30)
Next week (January 17th and 18th) sectionals on Monday and Tuesday will have a flipped/recorded sectional to work through before class on Wednesday due to the 4 day weekend.
Please remember that if your student is quarentined but not ill they are expected to attend out google meet during their regular class time. Last Wednesday we had some sound issue where the students couldn't hear the class, but that has been fixed. Here is the link: meet.google.com/bwe-itdm-ujr. Students should plan to join it with their instrument so that they can play along with the class during class times. While we will not be able to hear them, they can hear the class, the instruction and can ask questions via the chat that I will do my best to answer during class. Please note that these meets will NOT be recorded.
On January 31st, there is a mandatory 8th grade band parent and student meeting at the Arend Arts Center beginning at 6:30pm. If at all possible at least 1 parent or guardian and the student should be present. If the student is unable to attend to do another responsibility, it is important for a parent or guardian to be in attendance.
Stay healthy, stay well and have an awesome week!
-Mr. Jones
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Homework Assignments this Week
Click the arrow next to a class to expand the homework for the week. Not everything is required to record or turn in for a grade. This is simply a list of items students should be working on during their practice sessions throughout the week to continue growing on their instrument and to be prepared for class. This is copied from the practice record assignment for each class that will post to google classroom tomorrow. There will be another assignment posted later in the week over part of what they are expected to practice to record and turn in. However, students should be working on all that is listed for their class. Repetition of skills taught in class is imperative for growth and success.
All classes will receive next week's practice record at the end of the week so that they may have it for Monday and Tuesday while we are out of school on January 17th and 18th.
7th Grade High Winds (1st Period)
For the practice record this quarter you must practice no less than 4 days a week for 20 minutes each. Please note that you will NOT get full credit if you cram the time in to only 2 or 3 days. You must document practice time 4 different days. This is because studies/research indicates that practice spread out over several days is MUCH more effective than cramming it into less days.
An assignment will be posted later this week for you to record 2 of these below before class on Wednesday. Practice regularly so you'll be ready to go! :) The rubric attached is for your information on how you will be assessed on the assignment later in the week. It does not go with the practice record.
The focus of each practice item below is written next to it. For this to be fully effective, this is NOT a play it, check it off and move on. Your goal to move to the next item is to play with no more than 5 mistakes on day 1, no more than 4 mistakes on day 2, no more than 3 mistakes on day 3, no more than 2 mistakes on day 2 and no more than 1 mistake on day 4.
Mistakes include: Wrong rhythm, wrong note, wrong articulation, wrong dynamics, poor tone quality (closed, pinched, weak, unsteady), and not playing within the correct tempo range.
Practice the Following items WITH A METRONOME:
Breathing Exercises: (60bpm)
4 beats in, hold 4, out in 4 (repeat 4 times)
2 beats in, hold 2, out in 2 (repeat 4 times)
1 beat in, hold 1, out in 1 (repeat 4 times)
1 beat in, 1 out (repeat 7 times)
Large, SLOW breath in for 4 beats and out in 4 (3 times)
TIPS OF AWESOMENESS - Breathe using the "OH" syllable. COMPLETELY fill up your lungs on the inhale and COMPLETELY empty your lungs on the exhale. Use your blade check point. (example: https://youtu.be/ty5fbD0bvtQ?t=95)
Leveled Warm-Ups
Remington 2 Down (80bpm) use a tuner to work to stay right in tune. If you are sharp, open up; if you are flat firm up and blow faster air. Flutes, smaller aperture if you are playing flat and blow faster air; larger aperture and stronger air if you are sharp.)
Remington 2 Up (80bpm) use a tuner to work to stay right in tune. If you are sharp, open up; if you are flat firm up and blow faster air. Flutes, smaller aperture if you are playing flat and blow faster air; larger aperture and stronger air if you are sharp.)
Articulation #2 - focus is to able to count and play all 4 lines as we have worked on in class last week (no slower than 80bpm)
EE2 (Essential Elements Book #2)
#13 - focus is on accents, forte dynamic and 8th rests (no slower than 80bpm no faster than 110bpm)
#15 - focus is piano dynamic and staccato articulation (no slower than 90bpm no faster than 130bpm)
#18 - focus is on crescendos and decrescendos (no slower than 80bpm no faster than 110bpm)
#19 - focus is on dynamics and articulation (no slower than 75bpm no faster than 115bpm)
Scale:
Concert F Major Scale 1st Octave (Flutes= F Major; Saxophones = D Major; Trumpets = G Major; Horns = C Major)
Music Vocabulary
Practice some music vocab using this Blooket: https://www.blooket.com/play?hwId=61dae28c33433a88bbc67989
This will be your total practice time January 10th-January 16th
Practice Record #2 will be Monday, January 17th-January 23rd
We ALL have the time to practice for 20 minutes, 4 days a week. You MUST schedule your time accordingly to find the time to do your part to make our ensemble the BEST it can be. Priority time is an option to get your time in during the school day. With no sectionals during priority this semester, it is an EXCELLENT time to get your time in.
OPTIONAL WORK TO MAKE YOU BETTER
Got it already and want to challenge yourself? Here are some additional items out of our EE2 book for you to push your self.
Pg. 34 #160-162 (major focus on articulation and clear articulation) Metronome should be set no faster than 80bpm to begin with and work it up as fast as you can but with a focus on clear articulation and awesome tone. Increase tempo by only 4bpm each time you go quicker.
Pg. 40 #197 - count rhythms, go SLOW, use youtube to lookup a recording of the solo. Practice no more than 2-4 measures at a time.
Go to musescore.com or noteflight.com. Create a free account. Find music you may wish to play for fun. Alternatively, you can use musescore or noteflight to listen to a favorite song and try to write out the melody for you to be able to play along OR create your OWN ORIGINAL song. :)
8th Grade Band (2nd Period)
For the practice record this quarter you must practice no less than 4 days a week for 20 minutes each. Please note that you will NOT get full credit if you cram the time in to only 2 or 3 days. You must document practice time 4 different days. This is because studies/research indicates that practice spread out over several days is MUCH more effective than cramming it into less days.
An assignment will be posted later this week for you to record 2 of these below before class on Wednesday. Practice regularly so you'll be ready to go! :) The rubric attached is for your information on how you will be assessed on the assignment later in the week. It does not go with the practice record.
The focus of each practice item below is written next to it. For this to be fully effective, this is NOT a play it, check it off and move on. Your goal to move to the next item is to play with no more than 5 mistakes on day 1, no more than 4 mistakes on day 2, no more than 3 mistakes on day 3, no more than 2 mistakes on day 2 and no more than 1 mistake on day 4.
Mistakes include: Wrong rhythm, wrong note, wrong articulation, wrong dynamics, poor tone quality (closed, pinched, weak, unsteady), and not playing within the correct tempo range.
Practice the Following items WITH A METRONOME:
Breathing Exercises: (60bpm)
4 beats in, hold 4, out in 4 (repeat 4 times)
2 beats in, hold 2, out in 2 (repeat 4 times)
1 beat in, hold 1, out in 1 (repeat 4 times)
1 beat in, 1 out (repeat 7 times)
Large, SLOW breath in for 4 beats and out in 4 (3 times)
TIPS OF AWESOMENESS - Breathe using the "OH" syllable. COMPLETELY fill up your lungs on the inhale and COMPLETELY empty your lungs on the exhale. Use your blade check point. (example: https://youtu.be/ty5fbD0bvtQ?t=95)
Embouchure Boot Camp
Flutes - Pg. 8 head joint drills. Pg. 9 Stretch Drills. Pg. 14 Single tonguing (2nd exercise)
Oboes - Pg. 8 Stretch Drills (top). Pg. 9 Register Drills (both). Pg. 14. Single tonguing (2nd exercise)
Clarinets - Pg. 8 Stretch Drills (top). Pg. 9 Register Drills (both). Pg. 11. Single tonguing (2nd exercise)
Saxophones - Pg. 8 Stretch Drills (top). Pg. 9 Register Drills (both). Pg. 11. Single tonguing (2nd exercise)
Brass - Pg. 8 Mouthpiece Buzzing (buzz with attached audio file), Pg. 10 Stretch Drills (top), Pg. 11 Lip Slurs (use valve/positions as indicated), Pg. 14 Single Tonguing (bottom)
Percussion - Pg. 8 Sticking Drills (both) Aim to have both hands sound the same. Pg. 11 Roll Drills (top). Pg. 19 Technical Drills (mallets, both)
EE3 (Essential Elements Book #3)
Pg. 2 #1-5 (Metronome no slower than 80bpm)
Cirque de Lestrange
Review Ms. 1-24
Focus on light, lifted, separated staccatos, and punchy accents.
LARGE change in dynamics. OVER DO THE SOFT DYNAMICS
Practice Ms. 24-44.
Blue Ridge Reel
Practice Ms. 21-33
Focus on cut time rhythm (reminder on how to count cut time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3l_D49XZlg)
Focus needs to be one tuning (use a tuner) for long notes
Focus needs to be on articulation for non long notes.
Hsien
Review Ms. 20-28
Focus on tuning for half notes and longer (USE A TUNER and get the entire note in tune)
Focus on playing notes in time (76bpm) for quarter notes and shorter
Low Brass and Trumpets practice Ms. 37-45 (focus on correct notes, rhythms and articulations)
Woodwinds and French Horns practice Ms. 44-53
Music Vocabulary
Practice some music vocab using this Blooket: https://www.blooket.com/play?hwId=61dae28c33433a88bbc67989
This will be your total practice time January 10th-January 16th
Practice Record #2 will be Monday, January 17th-January 23rd
We ALL have the time to practice for 20 minutes, 4 days a week. You MUST schedule your time accordingly to find the time to do your part to make our ensemble the BEST it can be. Priority time is an option to get your time in during the school day. With no sectionals during priority this semester, it is an EXCELLENT time to get your time in.
OPTIONAL WORK TO MAKE YOU BETTER
Got it already and want to challenge yourself? Here are some additional items out of our EE2 book for you to push your self.
Pg. 34 #160-162 (major focus on articulation and clear articulation) Metronome should be set no faster than 80bpm to begin with and work it up as fast as you can but with a focus on clear articulation and awesome tone. Increase tempo by only 4bpm each time you go quicker.
Pg. 40 #197 - count rhythms, go SLOW, use youtube to lookup a recording of the solo. Practice no more than 2-4 measures at a time.
Go to musescore.com or noteflight.com. Create a free account. Find music you may wish to play for fun. Alternatively, you can use musescore or noteflight to listen to a favorite song and try to write out the melody for you to be able to play along OR create your OWN ORIGINAL song. :)
7th Grade Low Brass (3rd Period)
For the practice record this quarter you must practice no less than 4 days a week for 20 minutes each. Please note that you will NOT get full credit if you cram the time in to only 2 or 3 days. You must document practice time 4 different days. This is because studies/research indicates that practice spread out over several days is MUCH more effective than cramming it into less days.
An assignment will be posted later this week for you to record 2 of these below before class on Wednesday. Practice regularly so you'll be ready to go! :) The rubric attached is for your information on how you will be assessed on the assignment later in the week. It does not go with the practice record.
The focus of each practice item below is written next to it. For this to be fully effective, this is NOT a play it, check it off and move on. Your goal to move to the next item is to play with no more than 5 mistakes on day 1, no more than 4 mistakes on day 2, no more than 3 mistakes on day 3, no more than 2 mistakes on day 2 and no more than 1 mistake on day 4.
Mistakes include: Wrong rhythm, wrong note, wrong articulation, wrong dynamics, poor tone quality (closed, pinched, weak, unsteady), and not playing within the correct tempo range.
Practice the Following items WITH A METRONOME:
Breathing Exercises: (60bpm)
4 beats in, hold 4, out in 4 (repeat 4 times)
2 beats in, hold 2, out in 2 (repeat 4 times)
1 beat in, hold 1, out in 1 (repeat 4 times)
1 beat in, 1 out (repeat 7 times)
Large, SLOW breath in for 4 beats and out in 4 (3 times)
TIPS OF AWESOMENESS - Breathe using the "OH" syllable. COMPLETELY fill up your lungs on the inhale and COMPLETELY empty your lungs on the exhale. Use your blade check point. (example: https://youtu.be/ty5fbD0bvtQ?t=95)
Bentonville Brass Warm-Ups
F Remington (80bpm) use a tuner to work to stay right in tune. If you are sharp, open up; if you are flat firm up and blow faster air.
Reverse Bb Remington (80bpm) use a tuner to work to stay right in tune. If you are sharp, open up; if you are flat firm up and blow faster air.
Overtone #2 (80bpm) focus is smooth transition from note to note. No bumps or stops.
5 Note Lip Slur (80bpm) start in 4th position low G, slur up a total of 5 notes. 1 measure of rest. Repeat in 3rd position. 1 measure of rest and repeat in 2nd position. 1 measure of rest and repeat in 1st position. As you get to the top 2 or 3 notes you may need to slur with the "EE" syllable rather than "OH"
Articulation #2 (screenshot attached) - focus is to able to count and play all 4 lines as we have worked on in class last week (no slower than 80bpm)
EE2 (Essential Elements Book #2)
#13 - focus is on accents, forte dynamic and 8th rests (no slower than 80bpm no faster than 110bpm)
#15 - focus is piano dynamic and staccato articulation (no slower than 90bpm no faster than 130bpm)
#18 - focus is on crescendos and decrescendos (no slower than 80bpm no faster than 110bpm)
#19 - focus is on dynamics and articulation (no slower than 75bpm no faster than 115bpm)
Scale:
Concert F Major Scale 1st Octave
Music Vocabulary
Practice some music vocab using this Blooket: https://www.blooket.com/play?hwId=61dae28c33433a88bbc67989
This will be your total practice time January 10th-January 16th
Practice Record #2 will be Monday, January 17th-January 23rd
We ALL have the time to practice for 20 minutes, 4 days a week. You MUST schedule your time accordingly to find the time to do your part to make our ensemble the BEST it can be. Priority time is an option to get your time in during the school day. With no sectionals during priority this semester, it is an EXCELLENT time to get your time in.
OPTIONAL WORK TO MAKE YOU BETTER
Got it already and want to challenge yourself? Here are some additional items out of our EE2 book for you to push your self.
Pg. 34 #160-162 (major focus on articulation and clear articulation) Metronome should be set no faster than 80bpm to begin with and work it up as fast as you can but with a focus on clear articulation and awesome tone. Increase tempo by only 4bpm each time you go quicker.
Pg. 40 #197 - count rhythms, go SLOW, use youtube to lookup a recording of the solo. Practice no more than 2-4 measures at a time.
Go to musescore.com or noteflight.com. Create a free account. Find music you may wish to play for fun. Alternatively, you can use musescore or noteflight to listen to a favorite song and try to write out the melody for you to be able to play along OR create your OWN ORIGINAL song. :)
7th Grade Clarinets (6th Period)
For the practice record this quarter you must practice no less than 4 days a week for 20 minutes each. Please note that you will NOT get full credit if you cram the time in to only 2 or 3 days. You must document practice time 4 different days. This is because studies/research indicates that practice spread out over several days is MUCH more effective than cramming it into less days.
An assignment will be posted later this week for you to record 2 of these below before class on Wednesday. Practice regularly so you'll be ready to go! :) The rubric attached is for your information on how you will be assessed on the assignment later in the week. It does not go with the practice record.
The focus of each practice item below is written next to it. For this to be fully effective, this is NOT a play it, check it off and move on. Your goal to move to the next item is to play with no more than 5 mistakes on day 1, no more than 4 mistakes on day 2, no more than 3 mistakes on day 3, no more than 2 mistakes on day 2 and no more than 1 mistake on day 4.
Mistakes include: Wrong rhythm, wrong note, wrong articulation, wrong dynamics, poor tone quality (closed, pinched, weak, unsteady), and not playing within the correct tempo range.
Practice the Following items WITH A METRONOME:
Breathing Exercises: (60bpm)
4 beats in, hold 4, out in 4 (repeat 4 times)
2 beats in, hold 2, out in 2 (repeat 4 times)
1 beat in, hold 1, out in 1 (repeat 4 times)
1 beat in, 1 out (repeat 7 times)
Large, SLOW breath in for 4 beats and out in 4 (3 times)
TIPS OF AWESOMENESS - Breathe using the "OH" syllable. COMPLETELY fill up your lungs on the inhale and COMPLETELY empty your lungs on the exhale. Use your blade check point. (example: https://youtu.be/ty5fbD0bvtQ?t=95)
Embouchure Bootcamp (attached in google classroom)
Stretch Drills pg. 8 first exercise (75bpm-90bpm)
Register Drills pg. 9 both exercises (65-75bpm)
Single Tonguing pg. 11 second exercise (80bpm)
EE2 (Essential Elements Book #2)
#13 - focus is on accents, forte dynamic and 8th rests (no slower than 80bpm no faster than 110bpm)
#15 - focus is piano dynamic and staccato articulation (no slower than 90bpm no faster than 130bpm)
#18 - focus is on crescendos and decrescendos (no slower than 80bpm no faster than 110bpm)
#19 - focus is on dynamics and articulation (no slower than 75bpm no faster than 115bpm)
Scale:
Bb Major Scale - 4th scale on the two octave scale page. (attached)
Music Vocabulary
Practice some music vocab using this Blooket: https://www.blooket.com/play?hwId=61dae28c33433a88bbc67989
This will be your total practice time January 10th-January 16th
Practice Record #2 will be Monday, January 17th-January 23rd
We ALL have the time to practice for 20 minutes, 4 days a week. You MUST schedule your time accordingly to find the time to do your part to make our ensemble the BEST it can be. Priority time is an option to get your time in during the school day. With no sectionals during priority this semester, it is an EXCELLENT time to get your time in.
OPTIONAL WORK TO MAKE YOU BETTER
Got it already and want to challenge yourself? Here are some additional items out of our EE2 book for you to push your self.
Pg. 34 #160-162 (major focus on articulation and clear articulation) Metronome should be set no faster than 80bpm to begin with and work it up as fast as you can but with a focus on clear articulation and awesome tone. Increase tempo by only 4bpm each time you go quicker.
Pg. 40 #197 - count rhythms, go SLOW, use youtube to lookup a recording of the solo. Practice no more than 2-4 measures at a time.
Go to musescore.com or noteflight.com. Create a free account. Find music you may wish to play for fun. Alternatively, you can use musescore or noteflight to listen to a favorite song and try to write out the melody for you to be able to play along OR create your OWN ORIGINAL song. :)
Jazz Band (7th Period)
All Region Scale Sheet Bb Blues and line #1 of Key Center
"Evil Ways"
"Blues in Hoss Flat"
7th Grade Percussion (8th Period)
For the practice record this quarter you must practice no less than 4 days a week for 20 minutes each. Please note that you will NOT get full credit if you cram the time in to only 2 or 3 days. You must document practice time 4 different days. This is because studies/research indicates that practice spread out over several days is MUCH more effective than cramming it into less days.
Percussion Ensemble
Review Scales on bell kit
Review 16th Note Grid on practice pad
Review Check Patterns on practice pad
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We will be using a program called "Band" app to communicate important reminders and updates. This is similar to Remind 101 but better suited for groups such as band. This also allows us to share photos and videos that we may not want public on our social media channels. Lastly, it is a one stop location for access to our calendar and other resources.
Click here to enroll in the 8th grade band updates: https://band.us/n/ada9685fD2mex
Click here to enroll in the 7th grade band updates: https://band.us/n/a5ad635eDbN7p
Click here to enroll in the Jazz Band updates: https://band.us/n/aea0675fD9N23
Grading Reminders (Click to expand)
"N" =I have received nothing from the student on that assignment. It factors as a zero but the student can still turn it in.
"Z" = The student turned something in but it was either the wrong assignment or did not meet minimum expectations to earn credit.
If your student desires to raise their grade they can do 2 things:
*Turn in missing assignments.
*Redo assignments with lower grades and turn back in. Students should ALWAYS read/watch/listen to feedback. Great care is taken to help each and every student grow from where they are. MANY times, I provide specific examples and exercises or additional resources for individual students to use to improve themselves. This is THE purpose of assignments.; for students to get better as an individual through specific feedback. The grade in and of itself is irrelevant. If I could give feedback without a grade, I absolutely would. Individual student growth is the only thing that matters. When growth happens via feedback, the grade takes care of itself.
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It is important to review our calendar dates for the spring. The most updated calendar can be found linked here.
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PRIVATE LESSONS ARE AWESOME! They are designed to be fun, engaging, supportive and focused on the individual student.
We have an awesome partnership with Arkansas Music Conservatory where your student can take a lesson or two on US to see what private lessons can do for your band student! We have set aside $1000 for lessons this year. We can also help pay for additional lessons and offset the cost of lessons for families who need financial assistance in this area.
Who should take private lessons:
Advanced students who need to be pushed and challenged
Students who need some 1-on-1 assistance to learn and master concepts covered in class
Students who were not in class the last year and a half due to covid.
Students who just began playing this year
Students who want to get better
EVERYONE
To sign up for a free lesson:
Contact Mr. Jones so he can track who is taking the exploratory lessons
Contact Arkansas Music Conservatory to setup a lesson 479-268-3307 call or 479-430-2226 text
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Support the WJHS Band AND make your life easier! It's a win-win for everyone. Fundshine is an online service that allows you to purchase paper and plastic goods that will shipped directly to your home. Spot checking prices come in a little cheaper than from local stores plus a portion of sales comes back to the band twice a year. Even better, you can sign up to have recurring shipments so you get set it up and forget about it. Also, family and friends can use this service anywhere in the US! :)
Check it out by going to www.fundshine.org,support the band and make sure your pantry is always stocked!
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To stay in the know be sure to follow us on your social media platform of choice: Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - @wjhswildcatband and/or at www.wjhswildcatband.com
If you have any questions or concerns, please never hesitate to reach out. We are partners in your student's growth and need to work together for them to be as successful as possible.
Have a band-tastic week everyone!
Musically Yours,
