Merry Christmas!

As we finish up our first semester, I am so pleased with the progress of the 5th grade band members!  Many of them have worked very hard at learning all of the new concepts that they have been introduced to in band.  I am so proud of their performance at their first concert this past Monday evening.  Thank you to all of the parents/guardians/grandparents and friends that attended the concert and support these young musicians!

May all of you have a wonderful and relaxing holiday break and I look forward to seeing all of the boys and girls again after the vacation!

Merry Christmas!
Until next time,
Mr. Hubers

Holiday Concert!

The final touches have been put on all of the holiday music and we are looking forward to presenting our first concert on Monday, Dec. 17, at 7:00pm in the Performing Arts Center!  The students have been working very hard at learning all of their music and I am very pleased with their efforts in getting ready for this performance.  Just a reminder - all of the 5th grade band students are to assemble in the high school band room by 6:45 on Monday evening.  We will be going over to the PAC on Monday during the day and will rehearse on stage from 1:30-2:30.  Any parents/grandparents that are not able to attend the evening performance are invited to sit in on this final rehearsal. 

I am so proud of the work that the 5th grade band members have done and I'm sure you will enjoy their performance as well!

May all of you have a wonderful holiday break and see you again in January!

Until then, keep practicing.....
Mr. Hubers

Holiday Concert Update!

As the number of rehearsals until our concert winds down, the students are getting more excited to perform their Holiday Concert selections!  We will be performing a wide variety of seasonal favorites that I am sure will delight the listener! The students are preparing a few upbeat arrangements of 'Up on the Housetop' and 'We Wish You a Rockin' Christmas'.  We will also be performing an arrangement of 'O Tannenbaum' that has a 'Caribbean feel' to it.  They are also performing two medlies of various seasonal selections as well as two selections from the 'Nutcracker Ballet'.

Make sure you mark your calendars for Monday, Dec. 17, 7:00pm, at the Performing Arts Center!  You will not want to miss this exciting performance by this year's 5th grade band!

Until next week, keep practicing....
Mr. Hubers

Holiday Music and Concert

The students have been working very diligently on their Holiday Concert Music!  It is exciting to hear the music take shape as we learn new notes, rhythms and dynamics.  Concert info:

District Elementary Band/Orchestra Holiday Concert

Monday, Dec. 17, 2012

7:00pm in the Performing Arts Center

Band students will need to be in the High School Band Room by 6:45 that evening and are asked to 'dress up' for this performance.  I am so excited for you to hear the progress that your children have made this season!

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding our performance.  (Del.Hubers@k12.sd.us)

Until next week, keep practicing......

Mr. Hubers

Progress Reports/Holiday Music/Holiday Concert!

All of the 5th grade band students will be receiving their progress reports along with their report cards today!  Many of the students have done exceptional work this first quarter and have made much progress in mastering the basics on their instruments!  I am very happy with their hard work and dedication to developing their talents!

However, there are a few students who are still working on getting into a regular practice routine.  The practice time at home each week is so necessary in order for the students to make any progress.  Please help you child develop this regular routine at home in order to insure success on their chosen instrument!  This is especially important as the band students have all received their sheet music packets for our upcoming Holiday Concert which will be held on Monday, Dec. 17 at 7:00pm in the Performing Arts Center.  We have started reading through it and will begin to work really hard on it over the coming weeks as we prepare for the first performance with our 5th grade beginners!

Until next week, keep practicing....
Mr. Hubers

End of 1st Quarter!

Believe it or not, the end of the 1st quarter is already next Friday, Oct. 19.  The band students will be receiving progress reports for 5th grade band.  The report will reflect their progress on the development of tone production, music reading skills, rhythm skills, lesson preparation and rehearsal/lesson participation. 

Students will also be receiving a fingering quiz based on their knowledge of the first five notes that we have learned.  They will be asked to label the note names and accurately fill out a fingering chart for each note. 

Within the next two weeks, the band students will also be receiving their Holiday Concert Music packets!  This is always exciting as the band members get to play 'real' sheet music, rather than just the technical exercises in their band books.  Hopefully, you will be able to recognize some of the tunes that your child is practicing as we prepare for our first concert of their playing careers!

Just on a side note, I was reading in the 'Teaching Music' Journal this past week about how students involved in the arts:

• showed overall GPA's higher than those that did not,
• enrolled in four-year colleges at higher rates than those that did not,
• were more likely to vote and/or participate in a political campaign,
• engaged in more regular civic and/or community volunteering than did the general population.

Until next week, keep practicing....
Mr. Hubers

So much Progress!

I am so pleased with the progress of the 5th grade band members!  Most of them have gotten into a great practice routine and it really show in the amount of progress that they are making on their instruments. This week, we worked on adding our 6th and 7th notes on our instruments as well as counting and playing eighth note rhythms correctly. 

Within a few weeks, we will begin working on our Holiday Concert music packets already.  The 5th grade band will be presenting their first concert in conjunction with the District Elementary Orchestra on Dec. 17 at 7:00pm in the Performing Arts Center.  Please mark this date on your calendar - you will not want to miss their first performance of their instrumental music careers!

Please feel free to stop in and introduce yourselves to me during conferences next Monday.  My conference schedule is posted in last week's blog entry.  I look forward to meeting you!

Until next week, keep practicing.....
Mr. Hubers

Conference Schedule

As we finish up our 5th week of school already, it is time to start planning for our Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences.  I look forward to meeting as many of you as I am able during our conference times!  Elementary conferences will be held on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012.
My schedule for conferences is as follows:

Brandon Elementary:  1:30-3:15

Robert Bennis Elementary:  3:30-5:30

Fred Assam Elementary:  6:30-9:30



I am very pleased with the progress that the students have been making over the past few weeks.  Most of them have developed a consistent practice routine at home and this makes all the difference in the amount of progress that the students make!  Keep encouraging your child to practice as much as they are able!

Until next week, keep practicing....

Mr. Hubers

Mid-Term Check List!

It is hard to believe that we are finishing up our 4th week of school today!  We are almost half way through the first quarter already.  As we approach mid-terms, here is a check list for the beginners:

• consistent practice time each week
• music/instrument remembered for lesson/rehearsals
• lesson time remembered
• reeds in good playing condition
• valves oiled and moving smoothly
• new fingerings learned
• note names memorized
• good posture/breathing

These are all necessary in order for your child to make adequate progress on his/her instrument.  It is important for your child to develop good playing and practicing habits right from the beginning in order for them to achieve all of the benefits of playing an instrument and being part of the instrumental program in our district.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's progress on their instrument! (Del.Hubers@k12.sd.us)

Until next week, keep practicing.......

Mr. Hubers

5th Grade Band to Appear with High School Marching Lynx at Homecoming!

The 5th grade band members will be appearing with the High School Marching Lynx at Homecoming on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012.  This year's beginning band members will be featured with the BVHS Marching Lynx during the pre-game activities.  All of the 5th grade band members are to report to the high school Commons at 6:15pm and will step off with the Marching Lynx at 6:30pm prior to kick-off.  The students will march around the track with the high school band and then will return to the commons.  They are to put their instruments away, take them with them or put in their vehicles, and then will be allowed to enter the game free of charge - a little perk for appearing with the Lynx!!  The band students are to wear 'Lynx' colors for the evening.

This is a fun tradition for our beginners to march with the BVHS Marching Lynx and I'm sure you will enjoy seeing your child on the track before the game!!

Until next week, keep practicing....
Mr. Hubers

Essentials for Success!

As the boys and girls begin 5th grade, there are many opportunities for learning and growth.  One of these exciting opportunities is beginning our instrumental program.  By now, most of the boys and girls have had 1-2 small group lessons and 4-5 large group band rehearsals.  We have covered a lot of new material about playing their instruments, reading music, learning new fingerings/notes and new rhythms.  The most important ESSENTIAL for success on their instrument is PRACTICE AT HOME. Please help your child establish a consistent practice schedule at home right from the start! 

This practice is neccesary in order for them to develop their embouchures, memorize fingering patterns, memorize note names, learn rhythms, develop lung capacity and endurance, and develop a sense of steady beat.  This will help your child enjoy playing their instrument when they experience success on their respective instrument. 

Another ESSENTIAL for success is providing all of the materials that your child will need.  These include the method books, an instrument in good working condition, reeds, valve oil, music stand (these can be purchased rather inexpensively through the music store, and a well-lit area to practice in, free from distractions such as the TV, DVD, radio, and video games. 

One of the most important ESSENTIALS is the SUPPORT OF PARENT(S)/GUARDIANS.  Take the time to listen to your child play his/her instrument.  Ask them to play their favorite song for you!  They can already play some familiar tunes!  Compliment them on their tone, fingerings, rhythms, etc.  Be their biggest 'cheerleader'!!

Until next week, keep practicing...
Mr. Hubers

Welcome to a new year of 5th Grade Band!

Welcome to a New Year!

What a great first week of rehearsals!  It is always exciting to begin a new year with the 5th graders.  We are going to have an excellent year working together to develop our talents on our instruments.  We will learn alot of new notes, rhythms, dynamics, tempos and articulations as well as being introduced to a wide variety of musical styles. 

Parents/guardians:  please help your child develop good practice habits right from the beginning as this will set the tone for their development throughout the whole school year.  They are expected to practice 90 minutes a week on their new instrument.  This will help them develop their embouchures (lip, cheek, chin muscles), memorize fingerings and rhythms, develop lung capacity and breath support, and apply all of the concepts that we work on in band and small group lessons to their own playing.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child and the 5th grade band program in the Brandon Valley School District. (Del.Hubers@k12.sd.us)

Until next week, keep practicing.....

Mr. Hubers

District Elementary Band/Orchestra Spring Concert

Our District Elementary Band/Orchestra Spring Concert will be presented on Monday, May 14, at 7:30pm.  The performance will take place in the Performing Arts Center.  I would like all of the band students to assemble in the high school band room by 7:15 the evening of the concert.  Please 'dress up' for this final peformance of the season.

The band students have been working very hard to prepare for this concert and are excited about sharing their music with you!  We will be rehearsing at the PAC on Monday, May 14, from 1:15-2:15, in case parents/guardians/grandparents are not able to make it to the evening performance.  You are welcome to sit in on our final rehearsal.

I would like to thank all of the 5th grade band members and parents for all of their hard work and support during this school year.  The band students have made an incredible amount of progress and I am so proud of their progress.  They are on their way to becoming outstanding musicians!

Best wishes as they move on to the Middle School this fall!
Keep practicing....
Mr. Hubers

Testing Week is Over!

Now that the Dakota Step testing week is over, we can get back to regular routine and schedule for next week!  We have had some excellent full band rehearsals this week, but it will be great to see the lessons again this coming week! 

The band students will be performing their solo for Mr. Kessler from the high school on the following days:

Brandon Elementary:  Tuesday, May 8

Robert Bennis Elementary:  Wednesday, May 9

Fred Assam Elementary:  Thursday, May 10

Parents/guardians/grandparents are invited to come in and listen to their family member perform their solo!  I will be sending home the schedules for the various campuses this coming week so you can make plans to attend if you so choose!

Until next week, keep practicing......

Mr. Hubers

Happy Easter Break!

Easter Break is here already!  Due to testing next week, we will not be having private/group lessons during the day, but we will be having the full band rehearsals throughout the week!!   This will still allow us to work on our sheet music for our upcoming Spring Concert.  Please continue to practice your solos as well.  All of the band students have been making excellent progress on their individual selections and I look forward to hearing them perform for Mr. Kessler!

Enjoy your break from school and good luck with testing next week!
Until next week....
Mr. Hubers

Spring Concert Coming Soon!

District Elementary Band/Orchestra Spring Concert

Monday, May 14, 2012

7:30pm

Please make sure that you get this date on your calendar - let all of your grandparents, relatives and friends know that this is your final performance for your 5th grade band year!  Please make arrangements with your child's soccer, softball, baseball, etc coaches, letting them know about this commitment.  Attending non-school sports practices are not excused absences for school functions such as this!  The students have been working very hard this semester to prepare for this performance and it is important that all of them be there to play with our band!

Until next week, keep practicing....

Mr. Hubers

Keep Working on Solos and Sheet Music!

It was great to hear the progress that the band students are making on their solos this week during their lessons!  Most of them are coming along very nicely - students are playing correct fingerings and rhythms as well as adding some of the dynamics and articulations as well.  As most of you parents have heard, the band members received their copy of 'Star Wars' this past week!  Please encourage them to practice ALL of their music/lesson assignment, not just the melody from 'Star Wars'!!

Until next week....
Mr. Hubers

3rd Quarter Progress Reports Coming Home Today

The progress reports for the 3rd Quarter will be coming home today with the band student's report cards.  I am so pleased with the progress of the group this quarter!  Many of the students are even practicing more than the required 90 minutes a week in between lessons.  Many of the band students have also begun working in their 'Standard of Excellence - Book 2' already.  They are also putting on the final touches to their solos that they have been preparing to perform next month.  We also continue to work on our sheet music for our final concert which will be held on Monday, May 14, at 7:30pm in the Performing Arts Center.

Many exciting things are still to come as we finish up our final quarter for this school year!

Until next week, keep practicing.....
Mr. Hubers

End of the Third Quarter Updates!

Fingering Quiz next week!

The 3rd Quarter Fingering Quiz will be given next week.  The students will be asked to recognize their notes on the staff and fill in their fingerings.  This is an excellent review of their notes and fingerings.

Solos handed out!

All of the band students received their solo this past week and have begun working on them!  The students will have opportunity to perform their piece for Mr. Kessler or Mr. Miller later on this spring.  This is a great way for the students to prepare a piece individually and perform for another music director.  Parents/grandparents/guardians are invited to come and listen to their child perform.  I will be sending out a schedule as the date approaches.

Spring Concert Music!

Music for our Spring Concert has been handed out also this past week.  It is hard to believe that we are planning for our final performance of the school year already!  The students received a wide variety of band literature that we will be looking at preparing for the concert.

Standard of Excellence, Book 2

The band students are very close to finishing the first level of their method book, 'Standard of Excellence'!  It is very exciting to see the progress of this year's students!  All of the band students will need to purchase the second level book for the remainder of the school year.  They will also use this book at the beginning of next year.  These books can be purchased at any of the music stores in Sioux Falls.

Keep encouraging your child to practice and listen to them as they prepare the music for the rest of the season!

Until next week......

Mr. Hubers

February Already!

The band students have gotten so much done this week.  The 'midwinter slump' that we sometimes experience during the month of January did not get these kids down!  The band students have definitely kept working during the month of January and have mastered some very difficult fingerings and concepts over the past few weeks.  I am so pleased with their work ethic and their commitment to learning to play their instruments.  Please continue to encourage their practice at home to help reinforce the concepts that we work on in our rehearsals. 

Congratulations to all of the band members who have already begun working in their 6th grade level books.  I am so happy with their progress and am very proud of all they have accomplished so far!

Until next week, keep practicing......
Mr. Hubers

Conferences Coming in a few Weeks!

Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming in just a few weeks in February!  My conference schedule for Monday, Feb. 13 is as follows:

Brandon Elementary: 1:30-3:30

Robert Bennis Elementary:  3:30-5:30

Fred Assam Elementary:  6:30-9:00

Please feel free to stop in and visit with me at any one of the campuses whenever it fits into you schedule.  I am so pleased with the progress of the 5th graders and their efforts to continue developing their skills and talents on their instruments.

Until next week, keep practicing!

Mr. Hubers

Solos Coming Soon!

Now that the holiday concerts are a distant memory, the band students have been working at mastering many new concepts from their method book, 'Standard of Excellence'.  They have been introduced to some new notes, new rhythms, dynamics and tempo markings.  We have also been playing some of the selections in our 'First Performance' book.  This book contains pieces depicting different musical styles from around the world.  This is an excellent supplement to reinforce new concepts that we are working on in our method book. 

Next month, all of the band students will begin working on a solo to perform later on this spring for one of the high school band directors.  This gives the band students the opportunity to perform a solo on their instrument and receive positive feedback from one of the other directors in the school district. 

Please keep encouraging your child in their practice time at home as this is so necessary to reinforce the concepts that we are introduced to in the rehearsal.

Until next week....
Mr. Hubers

Beginning of a New Semester!

Welcome back to our second semester of our school year!!  It is difficult to believe how quickly the first semester went by.  I am very pleased with the quality of this week's lessons - many of the students maintained their practicing over the holiday break!!  We did get a lot accomplished this week!  As we continue through the months of January and February, we will continue to cover as much of the material in our 'Standard of Excellence' as we can.  We will also spend some time reinforcing these new skills with selections from our 'First Performance' Book.  Please continue to reinforce your child's practice at home as we are being introduced to new concepts in our daily rehearsals and small-group lessons.

Until next week.......
Mr. Hubers