Parent-Teacher Conferences

Time for Parent-Teacher Conferences already!! The elementary conferences are on Monday, Oct. 6. My schedule between the three elementary buildings is as follows:

Brandon Elementary:  1:30-3:15

Robert Bennis Elementary:  3:30-5:30

Fred Assam Elementary:  6:30-9:00

 



 

Please feel free to stop at any of the elementary buildings to visit with me about your child's progress in our 5th grade band.  I look forward to seeing you next week!

 

Until next time, keep practicing....

Mr. Hubers



September Notes

The 5^th grade band students are off to an excellent beginning!  Many of them have been practicing the required 90 minutes each week and even more!  It is exciting to see so many young instrumentalists making so much progress on their instruments this season.  Thank you to the parents/guardians for all of your encouragement for our young players as they begin this journey of making music together.  Individual practice is probably the most important means of making progress for the beginning band students!

The 5^th grade band students will be receiving a note this week about playing for their parents/guardians.  We are so excited about our progress that we want to share our talents with you!  The students will be given a list of selections to play for you and the parent/guardian is asked to initial the list and then the band students will return the sheet to me.  I am so pleased with their progress and I am certain that you will be very pleased when they play for you as well!  Please take the time to listen to your child and encourage them for all of their hard work and dedication to learning their instrument.

  As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s progress or the band program! (Del.Hubers@k12.sd.us)

Until next time, keep practicing…

Mr. Hubers

 

Great Job at Football Game!

Congratulations to the 5th grade band on an excellent job at the football game this past Friday!  It was exciting to see our 5th grade band members joining forces with the current Brandon Valley Marching Lynx for the pre-game show!

Thank you to all of the parents/guardians for getting your child to the high school on time.  We wish the Brandon Valley Marching Lynx the best of luck as they begin their marching band competition season!

Go Marching Lynx!!

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

5th Grade Band to Appear with the Brandon Valley Marching Lynx

5^th Grade Band to Appear with the Marching Lynx!

 

Each season, the 5^th grade band members are invited to march with the Brandon Valley Marching Lynx!  Our 5^th grade band has been invited to appear with the high school band on Friday, Sept. 12.  The 5^th graders are asked to assemble in the high school commons by 6:10pm that evening.  We will line up with the high school band at 6:20 and march with the band at 6:30, just prior to the start of the game.  Band members will then be allowed into the game free of charge after they pack up their instruments.  Students are asked to wear ‘Lynx’ colors for the game!  Please make every effort to have your child be part of this exciting event!

Thanks,

Mr. Hubers

Welcome to Band!!

Welcome to Band!!

Let’s get started……

Welcome to the exciting world of instrumental music!  You are about to embark on an incredible journey of making music together this school year.  Here are some tips to start the year off right and to make the most of our short time together:

• Please remember your instrument on the appropriate rehearsal days.  We rehearse on Monday and Tuesday at Brandon Elementary, Wednesday and Thursday at Robert Bennis Elementary and on  Thursday and Friday at Fred Assam Elementary.  You will need your instrument and music on those days!  ‘I forgot’ is not an appropriate excuse for 5th graders!

• Band members are expected to practice 90 minutes every week outside of the regular rehearsals.  This is necessary to reinforce the concepts introduced in the band rehearsal and small group lessons, to memorize fingerings/note names, to build up embouchure muscles and endurance, to increase breath support, etc.  Practice time is logged on the chart in the back cover of the band book.

• Necessary materials will include your band books (Tradition of Excellence, First Performance Book 1), folder, pencil, reeds, valve oil and spit rag.

 

Objectives:

Studying instrumental music in the 5th grade band program will broaden players’ ability and understanding in the following areas:

• Development of proper posture, breathing and tone production

• Development of music reading skills and rhythm skills

• Memorization of new notes and fingerings as introduced

• (for percussionists) development of rudiments as they are introduced while using correct stickings, playing accurate rhythms and tapping the steady beat

• Proper instrumental rehearsal techniques/habits

• Sensitivity to appropriate musical style

• Appropriate stage presence and etiquette

• Leadership

• Teamwork, accountability and responsibility

 

This will be achieved by:

• Preparation of weekly lesson assignments, theory assignments and sheet music

• Participation in all scheduled rehearsals, lessons and concerts

 

Band Expectations:   POWER

• • BE PRESENT in rehearsal physically and mentally
• • BE ON TIME by being in your seat before the start of rehearsal
• • BE WILLING to learn and try new things
• • BE ENTHUSIASTIC about playing and learning
• • BE RESPECTFUL of yourself, Mr. Hubers and all others in the rehearsal
  COMMUNICATION:
  Band members and parents will be kept informed of what we are doing in 5th grade band by means of:
  • Newsletter articles (monthly articles in each of the elementary newsletters)
  • Notes sent home via students
  • 5th grade Band Blog (http://hubersbandstars@blogspot.com)  This can also be accessed through Mr. Hubers’ webpage
  • Quarterly progress reports
  • Email (Del.Hubers@k12.sd.us)
   
   
  Important Concert Dates:

• Thursday, December 18 – Holiday Concert – 7:30pm at PAC
• Monday, March 16 – Combined 5th/6th grade Band Concert  - 7:00pm at High School Auxiliary Gym
• Monday, May 18 – Spring Concert – 7:30pm at PAC
   

Welcome to 5th grade Band!!

Welcome to an exciting year of 5th grade band!  Your child is going to embark on an incredible journey as we work together this season to learn how to play their instruments!  I will be updating this blog frequently to keep you informed of important events, concert dates, and other news about our 5th grade band program.


Some important dates to put on your calendars:

Thursday, Dec. 18 - District Elementary Band Holiday Concert

Monday, Mar. 16 - 5th/6th grade bands combined concert

Monday, May 18 - District Elementary Band Spring Concert

You will be receiving much more information as we approach these dates, but I wanted to inform you of them so you can get them on your calendars!

Our 5th grade band schedule is as follows:

Brandon Elementary - Monday and Tuesday

Robert Bennis Elementary - Wednesday and Thursday

Fred Assam Elementary - Thursday and Friday

It is of the utmost importance that you child has his/her instrument and music on the appropriate rehearsal days.  They miss out on so much if they are unable to participate in our rehearsals due to forgotten instruments.

All band students will have two full-band rehearsals weekly as well as a 20-minute small group/private lesson.  The lessons are pull-outs from other classes and are held during the school day.  The lesson schedule will be ready by the second week of school.  All band students are expected to practice a minimum of 90 minutes a week at home.  This is necessary to reinforce the concepts introduced during lessons and band rehearsal.  This is also necessary to build lip muscles and endurance; to memorize fingerings and note names; to reinforce other music reading skills and to develop a good characteristic tone on their instrument.

Also, all band students will need to have a 'Tradition of Excellence' method book and the 'First Performance' ensemble book.  Percussionists will also need to purchase 'The Performing Percussionist' book for their small group lesson.

I am excited to begin another season of 5th grade band and I am happy that so many of our 5th graders are signed up to be part of our group.  Please do not hesitate to contact me via email (del.hubers@k12.sd.us) if you ever have questions about your child and our band program.  You can find all of this information and more in our Band Student Handbook which your child will be receiving shortly!

Until next time.....

Mr. Hubers

Spring Concert Time!

The 5th grade band members are excited to perform their Spring Concert selections for you!  Our Spring Concert will be performed on Tuesday, May 13, at 7:45pm in the Performing Arts Center.  The band students are asked to meet in the high school band room by 7:15 that evening.

Please remind all grandparents, friends, neighbors, etc of this performance.  The kids have been working very hard on a variety of music and are looking forward to playing!  Band students:  please remember to 'dress up' for our final performance!

I look forward to seeing all of you at our last performance of the season before the kids move on to the Middle School!

Mr. Hubers

5th Grade Band Solos

The 5th grade band students have been very busy preparing their solos to play for Mr. Miller from the high school.  Mr. Miller will listen to the students perform and will write comments regarding things they are doing well and some tips to improve their playing. He will also give them verbal feedback.  All solos will be performed in the band room at the various elementary buildings.

The performance schedules are as follows:

Robert Bennis Elementary - Wednesday, April 30

Fred Assam Elementary - Thursday, May 1

Brandon Elementary - Tuesday, May 6

All parents/grandparents/guardians are invited to come and listen to their child perform.  Please check with your child for his/her performance time.

I look forward to seeing you at the performances!

Mr. Hubers