"This Week in Instrumental Music" 10/29-11/2

Good Afternoon Everyone:

Below is the Rehearsal Schedule for this week:

Monday, 10/29 - Advanced Band @ 7:45AM

Tuesday, 10/30 - Intermediate Band @ 7:45AM

Wednesday, 10/31 - Advanced Band @ 7:45AM

Thursday, 11/1 - Beginning Band @ 7:45AM

Friday, 11/2 - Jazz Band @ 7:45AM

**Please Note: There will be NO Orchestra rehearsal after school this week. 

I will be sending home a November and December schedule this week. Please review this schedule carefully as each Band will have different rehearsal times. For example, after this week the Advanced Band will no longer rehearse every Monday and Wednesday. Things will be shifted around to make sure each ensemble gets enough before school rehearsal time. Please make sure you post this calendar somewhere in your house so you and your child know when to report for rehearsal. 

A Look Ahead: The Advanced Band will be performing next Friday (11/9) at the Veteran's Day assembly that takes place during school. All Advanced Band students need to report to the Band Room no later than 7:45AM that morning.

Lastly, please remember to stay safe during Halloween and during Hurricane Sandy. I will leave you with one of my favorite Halloween songs, Monster Mash!

"This Week In Instrumental Music" 10/22-10/26

Good Evening Everyone,

Below is the before/after school rehearsal schedule for this week:

Monday, 10/22 - Advanced Band @ 7:45AM
Tuesday, 10/23 - Intermediate Band @ 7:45AM
Wednesday, 10/24 - Advanced Band @ 7:45AM
Wednesday, 10/24 - Orchestra @ 2:35PM
Thursday, 10/25 - Beginning Band @ 7:45AM
Friday, 10/26 - Jazz Band @ 7:45AM

Parents and Students: Please make sure your child is in the Band Room by 7:40AM so he or she has sufficient time to assemble their instruments and take their seat in the Band Room. Too many students have been coming in late and we have not been able to start until 7:50 or 7:55. We already are limited on time, so it is important that your child arrives on time to rehearsal. If your child rides the bus, please make sure he or she comes directly to Band Room when their bus arrives.

Advanced Band Members: This is a reminder that there will be a playing test in your lesson this week. The playing test will be on the B-Scale Exercise (A-C) and selections from America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner. A grading rubric can be found on the Blackboard site under the Content section.

For all those who have been asking me about the band One Direction, check out this cool video of their hit song "What Makes You Beautiful."

"This Week in Instrumental Music" 10/15-10/19

Good Evening Everyone:

Below is the Band Rehearsal Schedule for this week:


Monday, 10/15 - Advanced Band @ 7:45AM
Tuesday, 10/16 - Intermediate Band @ 7:45AM
Wednesday, 10/17 - Advanced Band @ 7:45AM
Wednesday, 10/17 - Orchestra @ 2:35PM
Thursday, 10/18 - Beginning Band @ 7:45AM
Friday, 10/19 - Jazz Band @ 7:45AM

Please remember, Practice Logs are due during the first rehearsal of each week. Parents, please make sure you are signing the practice logs verifying that your child is practicing each week.

The Advanced Band's first performance is less that one month away. The Band will be performing at the Veteran's Day assembly during the school day. All students should be practicing the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful and be able to play all parts. All of the Advanced Band students will have playing tests on this music as well as their B-flat scale exercises next week (week of 10/22).

For all of those students who like video games and band, this video is a must see! The Ohio State Marching Band performed this at halftime at their game last week. The horse at the end is truly amazing. Happy Watching!

Mr. Daniels

"This Week in Instrumental Music" 10/8-10/12

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope everyone is enjoying the day off from school and the beautiful weather! Below are the reminders for the week:

Before School Rehearsal Schedule: For the first time this year, all 5 DMS instrumental ensembles will be rehearsing this week! Below is the schedule for the week. If there is any confusion on what band your child is in, please check the Ensemble Descriptions post or e-mail me at jdaniels@dedham.k12.ma.us.

Tuesday, 10/9 - Intermediate Band @ 7:45AM
Wednesday, 10/10 - Advanced Band @ 7:45AM
Wednesday, 10/10 - Orchestra @ 2:35PM
Thursday, 10/11 - Beginning Band @ 7:45AM
Friday, 10/12 - Jazz Band @ 7:45AM


Signed Expectation Sheets: If your child has not returned the signed expectation sheet, it was indicated on the progress report that went home last week. Please have your child return this form at their next band rehearsal. If you need a copy of the Handbook (expectations), it can be found on this blog under DMS Band Handbook and Expectations.

Blackboard Site: The Blackboard Site for the Advanced Band and Orchestra is now up and running. All homework assignments, review sheets, practice logs and any other documents can be found on this site as well as this blog.

Because the Beginning Band was split into two groups, I am still waiting on the creation of a Intermediate Band Blackboard Site. Once this occurs, all three bands will have a blackboard site.

Note Quiz: This is a reminder that both the Advanced Band and Intermediate Band will have a note quiz this week during band rehearsal. I encourage everyone to study the Grand Staff Review Handout and memorize the Mnemonic for the lines and spaces in your clef. I also advise everyone to check out the website below as it has some great tutorials on all things relating to music:

http://www.musictheory.net/

Student Music Page: I have now placed some recordings of music that the bands will be playing on the Student Music Page. I encourage all students to listen to the pieces many times while looking at your music. Mark any rhythms or notes that you are unsure of and bring those questions with you to band rehearsal.

Practice Logs: Reminder, Practice Logs are due the first band rehearsal of each week for the Advanced and Intermediate Bands. Each student is required to practice 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes a day. Each day practiced is worth 1 point. Each Practice Log must be signed by a parent or guardian. Unsigned practice logs will count for half credit. Practice Logs WILL be part of your student's grade for band. If a practice log is not turned in, your child will get a 0 for that assignment. If you have any questions regarding Practice Logs, please let me know.

I am looking forward to another great week of music making at DMS!

Sincerely,

Mr. Daniels

Ensemble Descriptions

Good Afternoon Everyone,

There has been a little confusion on who is in what ensemble now that the groups have been split up. Below, I have outlined who is in each group:

Advanced Band:    ALL 7th and 8th grade students

Intermediate Band:  6th grade students who have played their instrument before in the Elementary Schools. **NOTE: If your child switched instruments (Clarinet to Saxophone), they will be in the Beginning Band, NOT the Intermediate band.

Beginning Band: 6th grade students who are new to the instrument they are playing.

All of the students should be aware of which group they are in. If you have any questions, please let me know. I am also sending home the October Calendar that contains the rehearsal schedule for the entire month.

Thank you all for your continued support and I will see many of you at the first concert. 

Sincerely,

Mr. Daniels