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

Holiday Concert Details

The 5th grade band members are hard at work preparing their selections for the Holiday Band/Orchestra Concert!  The concert will be held on Monday, December 16, at the Performing Arts Center.  The band will perform at 6:45 and the orchestra will perform at 7:30. 

The band members are to meet in the high school band room at 6:15 that evening and are to dress up for this performance.  All band members are expected to attend this performance and all parents/guardians/grandparents and friends are invited to hear our concert!

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the concert (Del.Hubers@k12.sd.us)

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

Conference Time

Conference time is here already!  Here is my schedule for Monday, Oct. 7:

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 in at any of the buildings to visit with me regarding the progress of your child in our 5th grade band program.  If you are unable to stop by during conferences, please do not hesitate to contact me via email (Del.Hubers@k12.sd.us) and I can address any concerns that you may have regarding band!

Until next week, keep practicing....

Mr. Hubers

Reminder for the week!

Parents will ask me what is the most important thing they can do to help their child succeed on their instrument and my response is always an emphatic reminder to 'help their child establish a consistent practice routine at home!'   Their practice time at home helps reinforce everything that we work on in lessons and full group rehearsals!  This is the most important thing that parents can do to ensure that their child will succeed on their instrument and love playing at the same time.  If they sound good, they will want to practice more, if they practice more, they will sound even better and the cycle continues!!

Just as an athlete practices and works out to become better at his/her craft, so a musician must work out and practice his/her instrument to become better at his/her craft!  So, in order for your child to see immediate results on his/her instrument, encourage them with their practice time at home and praise them for a job well done!

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

2nd Week of Lessons!

Our second week of lessons is completed already!  Now that the Labor Day holiday is over it is imperative that the beginners develop a consistent practice routine at home.  I am expecting the 5th graders to work for a goal of 90 minutes of practice each week.  This is so important for the beginning instrumentalist to develop their embouchures, memorizes fingerings/note names and to reinforce proper playing techniques that are worked on in the band rehearsals and lessons.  PLEASE help your child to develop their practice routine and encourage them to do their practicing!  You will be amazed at the results and what your child is able to accomplish!

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

5th Grade Band Off to an Awesome Start!

The 5th grade bands are off to an awesome start!  We have had rehearsals at all of our buildings and the 5th graders are so excited to begin the journey of learning a musical instrument!  There is so much enthusuiasm during the rehearsals and I am looking forward to all that we will be able to accomplish together this school year. 

Here are a few reminders as we begin the school year:

• Our weekly practice goal is 90 minutes of practice each week.  This is necessary for the students to develop their lip muscles, memorize fingerings and notes, practice counting rhythms and to reinforce all of the musical concepts introduced during the band rehearsals and lessons.  Please encourage your child's practice time as this is vital in order to make progress on their instruments.
• Help your child to have their music and instruments on the appropriate rehearsal days.  We rehearse at Brandon Elementary on Monday and Tuesday, Robert Bennis Elementary on Wednesday and Thursday, and at Fred Assam Elementary on Thursday and Friday.
• Ask your child to share what they have learned in their band rehearsals and lessons with you.  They are so proud of what they are accomplishing and want to share that with you!

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding our band program, your child's progress, etc.  You can email me at Del.Hubers@k12.sd.us

I am looking forward to working with your children this year and am excited about all we will be able to accomplish together!

Until next week....
Mr. Hubers

End of the School Year Already!

It is hard to believe that another school year is drawing to a close already!  I am so pleased with the progress of most of the 5th grade band members this year.  Many of the students worked very diligently to develop their skills on their band instruments and I hope that they will all continue in our instrumental program into the Middle School.

Congratulations to the band members on an outstanding performance at their District Elementary Band Concert which was held on Friday, May 10.  The students played very well for their parents, guardians and grandparents and it was fun to direct them in their final performance of the school year.

All of the students are to be congratulated on fine performances of their solos last week for Mr. Miller.  Mr. Miller, the high school band director, had some very positive comments for our young performers.

Best wishes for a relaxing summer and keep on practicing.....

Mr. Hubers