Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 1/24-1/29
Upcoming Events
January 28th-29th - JH All-Region Honor Band Clinics and Concert
January 31st - Required Parent Meeting for all current 8th grade band students. 6:30pm at Arend Arts Center
February 8th - 8th Grade Band Full Rehearsal 3:45-5:30pm
February 15th - 8th Grade Band Full Rehearsal 3:45-5:30pm
February 17th - 8th Grade Band Full Rehearsal 3:45-5:30pm
February 22nd - 8th Grade Band Full Rehearsal 3:45-5:30pm
February 28th - BPS Percussion Ensemble Concert
March 1st - 8th Grade Band Full Rehearsal 3:45-5:30pm
March 4th - 8th Grade Band Pre-Assessment Concert
March 8th - 8th Grade Band Full Rehearsal 3:45-5:30pm
March 9th - 8th Grade Band Full Rehearsal 3:45-5:00pm
March 10th, 11th, or 12 - Concert Assessment (we will have an exact date mid-February)
Greetings Wildcat Band Family,
I hope this email finds you and your family well and those that have been sick are recovering quickly! Last week our students worked incredibly hard to improve themselves in many areas as well as get the first assignments of the quarter turned in.
The main focus in classes this past week were were:
7th Grade Brass and Woodwind Classes - Recording themselves counting and playing 16th note patterns using Articulation #2, Learning the Concert Ab (clarinets) and F (all other brass and woodwinds) 2 octaves while sight reading new songs our of our Essential Elements Book #2!
7th Grade Percussion - Percussion Ensemble through ms. 49 and more Green Scales
8th Grade Band - Articulation, tuning, flexibility and technical exercises in our new Essential Elements book #3 while turning in our 1st practice record of the year and 2nd sectional assignment.
8th Grade Band will continue sectionals this week following the schedule available below. Flutes, Oboes and Clarinets will be in person Monday until 4:30pm Alto Saxophones, Trumpets and French Horns will be in person Tuesday until 4:30pm Percussion will meet Wednesday until 4:45 Bari Sax, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba will meet Thursday until 4:30
Please remember that if your student is quarantined but not ill they are expected to attend out google meet during their regular class time. 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. This to help them stay caught up as per district expectations, they are to get their assignments turned in on time.
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 do to 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
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.
ALL CLASSES WEEKLY PRACTICE RECORD:
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.
7th Grade High Winds (1st Period)
An assignment called "W22 Concept Check" will be posted by Thursday morning due before class on Monday. Practice regularly so you'll be ready to go! :)
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)
8 beats in, hold 8, out in 8 (repeat 2 times)
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 Down without rests or whole notes at 100bpm
Remington 2 Down without playing the concert F's after the first one at 100bpm.
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 90bpm)
EE2 (Essential Elements Book #2)
#19 - focus is on dynamics and articulation (no slower than 75bpm no faster than 115bpm)
#21 - focus is on super smooth transition in the slurs. (no faster than 80bpm)
#22 - focus in clear and consistent articulation. (no slower than 80bpm)
#24 - focus in on articulation between staccato and tenuto (play between 110bpm and 130bpm)
#27 - focus is legato articulation (play between 80bpm and 100bpm)
#29 - focus is articulation and dynamics (play between 100bpm and 130bpm)
Scale:
Concert F Major Scale and Arpeggio (Flutes= F Major; Saxophones = D Major; Trumpets = G Major; Horns = C Major)
Trumpets and French Horns, since this scale is 1 octave for you, you will focus on playing the first octave at 120bpm.
Music Theory
Practice some music theory using this Blooket: https://www.blooket.com/play?hwId=61ed9d6466a8209c75828a94
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)
An assignment called "W22 Concept Check" will be posted by Thursday morning due before class on Monday. Practice regularly so you'll be ready to go! :) All Region students will be excused from the assignment this week. 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)
8 beats in, hold 8, out in 8 (repeat 2 times)
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. 4
Cirque de Lestrange
Focus is on intonation and tuning
Blue Ridge Reel
Review Ms. 89-112
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.
Practice Ms. 113-end
Hsien
Focus on tuning for half notes and longer (USE A TUNER and get the entire note in tune)
Music Theory
Practice some music theory using this Blooket: https://www.blooket.com/play?hwId=61ed9d6466a8209c75828a94
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)
An assignment called "W22 Concept Check" will be posted by Thursday morning due before class on Monday. 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)
8 beats in, hold 8, out in 8 (repeat 2 times)
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"
6 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 90bpm)
EE2 (Essential Elements Book #2)
#27 - focus is legato articulation (play between 80bpm and 100bpm)
#28 - focus is 8th-dotted quarter rhythm, key change (play between 90bpm and 120bpm)
#29 - focus is articulation and dynamics (play between 100bpm and 130bpm)
#31 - focus is dynamics, articulation and key change (play between 70bpm and 120bpm)
Scale:
Concert F Major Scale Both Octaves
Music Theory
Practice some music theory using this Blooket: https://www.blooket.com/play?hwId=61ed9d6466a8209c75828a94
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.