Happy Thanksgiving!!

As the holiday season draws near, final preparations are being made for the Holiday Concert which will be held on Monday, Dec. 12, at 7:00pm.  This concert will include the 4th/5th grade orchestras and the 5th grade band.  It will be so exciting to see all of our orchestra and band students on stage at the same time!  The concert will take place in the Performing Arts Center. 

I would like the band students to 'dress up' for this performance and would like them to assemble in the high school band room by 6:45pm the evening of the concert.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about our first performance!

I wish all of you a safe and happy Thanksgiving week!
Until next week,
Mr. Hubers

Keep working on Holiday Sheet Music for Concert!

The 5th grade band members will make their debut appearance at our annual Brandon Valley District Elementary Band/Orchestra Concert on Monday, Dec. 12, at 7:00pm.  The concert will be performed in the Performing Arts Center.  The band students have been working very hard on their new sheet music and are excited to perform for you!  Selections include some familiar holiday tunes such as 'Frosty the Snowman', 'Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow', and 'Ding Dong Merrily on High', as well as an upbeat arrangement entitled 'Rockin' Jingle Bells'. Other highlights of the concert will include 'The King's Flourish' - based on the familiar carol 'Good King Wenceslas', a 'Winter Medley' and a novelty selection entitled 'Christmas Elves in Santa's Workshop'.  Please encourage your child to continue practicing their sheet music as well as their lesson book materials. 
I look forward to seeing all of you at our first performance!
Until next week....
Mr. Hubers

End of the First Quarter Already!

It is difficult to believe that the first quarter is coming to an end already!  The students have made remarkable progress and are well on their way to becoming excellent musicians!  As the end of the quarter approaches, I will be listening to each student individually during their lesson time and filling out their progress reports.  The students will each play 4 assigned exercises and I will be listening for correct fingerings, correct rhythms and tone production.  I will also be looking for them to be tapping the steady beat.  The students will also be taking a fingering quiz on their first five notes during their first band rehearsal next week.  They will be asked to identify/label their notes and draw in the fingering for each one.

The students are also asked to complete an on-line rhythm quiz.  They received an information sheet this past week.  In the right hand column of the blog, their is a Musical Math Link that they are to click on.  In the right hand column, under 'Quizzes - Rhythm' they are to scroll down to the 'Rhythms Multiple Choice' quiz.  Click on this quiz, fill it out and print off.  The students are to turn this quiz in next week at their lesson. 

The students will also be receiving a packet of music for our Holiday Concert.  This concert is Monday, Dec. 12, in the Performing Arts Center.  Please make sure that you get this date on your calendar as the holidays get very busy!  You will not want to miss the 5th grade band's first major performance!!

Until next week...
Mr. Hubers

Conference Schedule

Parent-Teacher Conference time is already upon us!  I will be available to visit with you regarding your child's progress in 5th grade band next Tuesday during our conferences.  My schedule 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 at any of the campuses to visit with me.  I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can during this time.  If you are not able to visit with me on Tuesday, do not hesitate to contact me via my school email (Del.Hubers@k12.sd.us) any time!

Until next week, keep practicing.....

Mr. Hubers



5th Grade Band Progresses Past Their First Five Notes!

The 5th grade band members have been working very diligently on learning their first five notes and have moved on to their sixth and seventh notes!  Congratulations to the band members for their hard work and dedication to learning their instruments!  Please continue to encourage their practice routine at home, especially if they are having any difficulties with their first five notes.  Now is the time to make sure that they are staying current with the rest of the band members as the band progresses quite rapidly through the new material.  It is essential that the students master the concepts as they are introduced in order to keep making progress through the school year.  Please keep encouraging your child to play for you when they are practicing - you are their most important audience!
Until next week.....
Mr. Hubers

Excellent 2nd week of lessons!

I am so proud of the accomplishments of our 5th graders after their 2nd week of lessons.  Most of the beginners have been very conscientious about getting their 90 minutes of practice time in for each lesson!  This is so important during these beginning weeks to help the students master their first notes, music reading skills and rhythm skills.  I also sent home a note with each one of them with ways that you as parents/guardians can help them with their practice routines at home.  The initial practice routines will set them up for success on their instrument and make learning to make music a really fun activity for them!

I hope to see as many of them as possible at tonight's game as they will be marching with the Brandon Valley High School Marching Lynx prior to tonight's football game.  It is always alot of fun for the beginners to appear with the high school band members!

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

5th grade Band to Appear with the High School Marching Lynx!

Our 5th grade band will be appearing with the High School Marching Lynx next week Friday, Sept. 9, prior to the Homecoming game.  The 5th grade band members are to assemble in the high school commons at 6:45pm.  They will then march with the high school band around the football field prior to kick-off.  The 5th graders are to wear blue jeans and 'Lynx' colors of top.   This is a great opportunity for our beginning instrumentalists to get a first-hand look at the high school marching band as they perform that evening!  Look forward to seeing you at the game!
Until next week....
Mr. Hubers