"Practice with a Purpose"

I was reading through a music magazine this past week and came across this phrase, "Practice with a Purpose".  This phrase caught my attention and we discussed it during some of our rehearsals this past week.  As the director,  I walk into rehearsal every day with very specific goals in mind for that rehearsal and we discussed setting goals for each time the students are practicing at home.  I want to help the students learn how to make the most of their time when practicing at home, rather than just mindlessly playing through their assigned lesson material.  Specific goals can include:  reinforcing new notes from sheet music or lesson book, working on a particular piece of sheet music, mastering the new concepts introduced in the lesson book, reinforcing new concepts learned in the band rehearsal that week, etc.

As parents/guardians, you can help by encouraging the practice time at home, setting up a regular routine for practice and by asking your child to play for you.  Many of you were in band at one time and I bet alot of it comes back to you as you listen to your child - hopefully, they are positive memories!!

Remind your child....'PRACTICE WITH A PURPOSE!!' 
Until next week.......Mr. Hubers

Sightreading through Concert Music has gone Well!

The band students have been sightreading through their holiday concert music this past week.  It has gone really well considering how difficult the selections are!  The students have been doing a great job of learning new notes and counting/tapping their rhythms correctly.  Please remind them to continue practicing both their sheet music and their lesson books each week.  The more progress that we make in their lesson books, the easier their sheet music will be for them.  I hope the students are enjoying working on the concert music, it is always difficult at first to get used to hearing other parts and rhythms around them in the band!  I am excited to continue working on the sheet music as we prepare for our first big performance!  Until next week, enjoy listening to your child practice!  Mr. Hubers

Christmas Concert music goes home!

It is hard to believe that preparations for the Christmas concert are under way as of this week.  I feel as if I start Christmas even before the holiday decorations make their appearance in the stores!?!   If the students have a band folder, they have received a packet of 6 selections.  Some of them are familiar holiday tunes and some of them are brand new compositions appropriate for the season.  Our concert will be held on Monday, Dec. 13 at the Performing Arts Center.  All four of our 5th grade bands will join each other on stage for this perfomance.  More details will follow.  I'm sure you will be both pleased and amazed at what you will hear as they perform their first major concert of their instrumental music careers!  As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding your child's progress!  Until next week....
Mr. Hubers

Students do well on Performance Quizzes!

Congratulations to the band students who were very well prepared for their Performance Quiz this past week.  Most of the students were ready to play their pieces with accurate fingerings, rhythms and good tone.  PRACTICE is the key to their success!  I realize I keep stressing this key element, but it is the most important thing they can do right now to make progress.  I will finish listening to the band students this coming week.  The progress reports will be sent home with the student's report cards later this month.

Great Conferences!

I really enjoyed meeting many of my band student's parents/guardians at conferences this past week!  It is exciting to see your interest in your child's musical development.  Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions or concerns about the instrumental music program.  The band students will be receiving a packet of sheet music this coming week for our concert performance in December.  We will be combining all of the 5th grade bands from the four elementary campuses for our performance at the Performing Arts Center on December 13.  Mark your calendars now - you will not want to miss this show!  Make sure that all family members, grandparents and other special friends know about the concert also.

Conference Time Already!

It is hard to believe that Conference time is here already!  My schedule for conferences next Tuesday, Oct. 5,  is as follows:

BE:  1:30-3:30

RBE:  3:30-5:30

FAE:  6:30-9:00

Please feel free to stop in at any of our elementary campuses to introduce yourselves and visit with me regarding your child's progress!  The most important thing that you can do for your child right now is to continue encouraging them in their practice time at home!!!  The constant reinforcement of the concepts that we work on in rehearsal is necessary for them to continue making improvement.  I hope to meet many of you next week.  Until next Friday........