Hello Beginning Band members,
Just 4 Quick Updates this week:
1. Class agenda, upcoming scale tests
2. Solo and Ensemble Sign Up Reminder
3. Private Lesson Encouragement / Practice reminder
4. Lyman Mentoring WILL be back (end of January, week of 27th)
1. This week, we are reviewing our F Major scale, and learning the CHROMATIC SCALE.
F Major is a “Review” scale, as we have played F Major scale both before, and after winter break. We will be testing this scale in class Wednesday/Thursday of next week as announced to students on Monday. The pattern will be the All-State pattern scale, which is found in your band book. I’ve also put an assignment up on eCampus so students may submit the assignment there before next Wednesday to help save us time in class. Good luck!
The Chromatic Scale is broken down into a two smaller assignments: first we will only be starting at the top (STAR on your fingering chart) of the scale, and working our way down in half notes to the bottom (🙂 on your fingering chart). This pass off is also due next week. The second pass off (going both up, then down) will be due in 2 weeks.
*Important Note* Check eCampus for all assignments and due dates this quarter:
This quarter, we will be learning 5 of the 7 major scales (F, Ab, Bb, Eb, G) plus the chromatic scale. Students MUST practice outside of school in order to keep up. I’ve seen many students fall behind and get discouraged in band because of a lack of practice this time of year.
Please please please keep encouraging your student to be practicing 1.5 hours outside of school hours to keep up. I have never seen a student who diligently practices the appropriate amount of time, outside of school, receive less than an “A”! Keep at it, make small progress daily. Don’t procrastinate until the last minute!
2. Just a quick reminder that Solo and Ensemble sign ups are due by this FRIDAY. Please sign up online using this form: LINK TO ONLINE SIGN UP
This event is NOT required, but HIGHLY recommended.
3. Private lessons for all students are highly encouraged! There are a number of GREAT teachers in the area who will place your student on an individual practice plan that will target areas of strengths and weaknesses in your musicianship. As a teacher of 275 students, it can be hard for me to hear each individual student every day, and as such, I can not always monitor progress to make sure your student is keeping up (and ready to pass their assignments). If you would like to get connected to a private instructor, please let me know – I can steer you towards a great match of a teacher who will push your student in positive ways! I can not say enough how much Private Lessons is such an effective way to be more prepared to get better quick!
4. Lyman Mentoring sessions will be returning at the end of this month. I was hoping to have a more concrete weekly date for you, but I’m still waiting to hear back from the high school volunteers as to which day of the week most students can attend. It’s looking to be either on Monday or Thursday after school, so mark your calendars. The sessions will run throughout the month of February in order to prepare students for Solo and Ensemble Festival.
That’s it for this week, thank you all so much for encouraging your student to practice! As a reminder for class expectations, students should be practicing for 1.5 hours a week outside of class, at home in order to expect an “A” on their assignments.
Joshua Autrey
Director of Bands
Milwee Middle School
Just 4 Quick Updates this week:
1. Class agenda, upcoming scale tests
2. Solo and Ensemble Sign Up Reminder
3. Private Lesson Encouragement / Practice reminder
4. Lyman Mentoring WILL be back (end of January, week of 27th)
1. This week, we are reviewing our F Major scale, and learning the CHROMATIC SCALE.
F Major is a “Review” scale, as we have played F Major scale both before, and after winter break. We will be testing this scale in class Wednesday/Thursday of next week as announced to students on Monday. The pattern will be the All-State pattern scale, which is found in your band book. I’ve also put an assignment up on eCampus so students may submit the assignment there before next Wednesday to help save us time in class. Good luck!
The Chromatic Scale is broken down into a two smaller assignments: first we will only be starting at the top (STAR on your fingering chart) of the scale, and working our way down in half notes to the bottom (🙂 on your fingering chart). This pass off is also due next week. The second pass off (going both up, then down) will be due in 2 weeks.
*Important Note* Check eCampus for all assignments and due dates this quarter:
This quarter, we will be learning 5 of the 7 major scales (F, Ab, Bb, Eb, G) plus the chromatic scale. Students MUST practice outside of school in order to keep up. I’ve seen many students fall behind and get discouraged in band because of a lack of practice this time of year.
Please please please keep encouraging your student to be practicing 1.5 hours outside of school hours to keep up. I have never seen a student who diligently practices the appropriate amount of time, outside of school, receive less than an “A”! Keep at it, make small progress daily. Don’t procrastinate until the last minute!
2. Just a quick reminder that Solo and Ensemble sign ups are due by this FRIDAY. Please sign up online using this form: LINK TO ONLINE SIGN UP
This event is NOT required, but HIGHLY recommended.
3. Private lessons for all students are highly encouraged! There are a number of GREAT teachers in the area who will place your student on an individual practice plan that will target areas of strengths and weaknesses in your musicianship. As a teacher of 275 students, it can be hard for me to hear each individual student every day, and as such, I can not always monitor progress to make sure your student is keeping up (and ready to pass their assignments). If you would like to get connected to a private instructor, please let me know – I can steer you towards a great match of a teacher who will push your student in positive ways! I can not say enough how much Private Lessons is such an effective way to be more prepared to get better quick!
4. Lyman Mentoring sessions will be returning at the end of this month. I was hoping to have a more concrete weekly date for you, but I’m still waiting to hear back from the high school volunteers as to which day of the week most students can attend. It’s looking to be either on Monday or Thursday after school, so mark your calendars. The sessions will run throughout the month of February in order to prepare students for Solo and Ensemble Festival.
That’s it for this week, thank you all so much for encouraging your student to practice! As a reminder for class expectations, students should be practicing for 1.5 hours a week outside of class, at home in order to expect an “A” on their assignments.
Joshua Autrey
Director of Bands
Milwee Middle School
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