Overview of the Program

 

The elementary band program is a voluntary group made up of students in fifth grade who want to explore playing a musical instrument.  Some students began this summer after 4th grade with a beginning summer lesson program.  The lessons were optional, but at least 75% of band students participate each year.  During the school year, each student has a 25-minute small group lesson each week with rotating lesson times and one large group rehearsal on a specified day. The program runs throughout the year and the band will perform one evening concert in the spring. The elementary band program is only the beginning of a positive musical experience that can take them through their final year of high school and beyond.  Participation through the high school years is greatly encouraged.

 

 

 

Lessons

Each student will have a small group lesson one day per week with others who play the same instrument.  In the lesson, the students perform music that was assigned for home practice and new materials for the next week are introduced.  Continued emphasis is placed on proper posture, breathing, and technical skills throughout the lesson.  Students will also spend time setting their goal for the week.  It is an expectation that students will be prepared to the best of their ability to perform the lesson material assigned.

 

Schedule

Students will receive a 25-minute lesson per week at school.  The lessons days will always be the same day of the week, but the lesson times rotate so the students won’t miss the same class every week.  Students will be instructed how to figure out what time they have lessons each week.  Lesson times and calendars are posted in their homerooms, and students should report to the band room at the scheduled time.

 

Rehearsal

Beginning in late September or early October, weekly band rehearsals will be held at school on Fridays from 2:00 to 3:00.  Many important musical concepts can only be learned through large group performance such as balance, blend, and intonation.  Therefore, band rehearsal attendance is required.  Because every student is expected to be a contributing member of the band, a student who is not making adequate progress and/or is not practicing on a regular basis may be asked to sit out of rehearsals until improvements are made.

 

Concerts

Students perform in one concert in the early spring and are excited to demonstrate what they have learned.  The concert showcases full band selections and possibly small ensemble performances.

 

Concert date:

March 13, 2005 at 2:00pm—Band Jubilee at Farmington High School (5th, 7th, 9th, High School Bands)

April 21, 2005 at 7:00pm—Spring Concert at North Trail Elementary

 

Concert dress:

Girls—dress clothes, preferably a dress or skirt

Boys—nice pants and dress shirt

NO JEANS, T-SHIRTS, OR TENNIS SHOES

Band Jubilee “uniform” is white top and black pants/skirt.

 

 

Practice Expectations

Practicing is a crucial component of participation in band.  Without effective practice time, achievement is greatly hindered.  The amount of time needed to accomplish weekly assignments varies between students; however, the recommended time is 30 minutes for 5 days in the week.  This year, emphasis will be placed on setting goals, including practice time, with the desired outcome being more efficient and effective practice time.

 

Practice Charts

Each child will have a practice chart taped to the inside cover of his or her lesson book.  This chart is for parents and teacher to keep track of the amount of time spent practicing each week.  Before your child comes to his or her lesson, the chart needs to be filled in with the time and parent signature.


 

 


Muscles have Memory, Practice makes Permanent

(Tips for successful practicing for students and parents!)

 

Students:

¨              Practice for the same length of time as your band lesson in school.  If your lesson is 25 minutes, play your instrument for that amount of time every day.  Try to remember what you did in your lesson and repeat it at home.

¨              Set up a routine - when this becomes a habit, it is easier to maintain.  Practice at a consistent time each day.

¨              Practicing each day is better than more time on fewer days.

¨              Remember to fill out your practice record!

How to practice:

¨              Be proud of your accomplishments.  Set a goal for each time you play and go for it!!

¨              If something is difficult, break it down into smaller parts and spend time working on one or two measures at a time. Once you have each small part perfect, put the parts together.

¨              Practice slowly to begin with and then speed up to tempo once you are comfortable with it.

¨              You will know that you are ready for your lesson if you can easily perform your music correctly.

Making practice even more fun!:

¨              Find someone with whom to play duets.

¨              End a practice session by playing your favorite song for fun.

¨              Use the CD or tape accompaniment that goes with the lesson book.

¨              Find other books with melodies you recognize to play for fun.  There are many selections at the local music stores.

 

 

Parents:

 

¨              Avoid saying the word practice.  Try “Have you played your music today?” or “Have you reviewed your lesson material today?”

 

¨              Provide an environment that is well-lit and away from distractions.

 

¨              Tape recording or videotaping helps them hear their musical progress.

 

¨              ENCOURAGEMENT!  (especially if they don’t feel like practicing) “Can you play that song for me?  I would love to hear it!”  “I recognize that song, what is the name?”

 

¨              Respect your child’s efforts.  It is true that sometimes when one reaches an extreme point of frustration, practice is not good.  Allow them to take a break and return to it later.  Give them some independence in deciding when they think they are prepared for their lesson.

 

¨              Allow them to make their own mistakes.  Mistakes will be corrected in lessons.  Sometimes it can put undue pressure on a child if their efforts are being constantly “edited”.

 

¨              PRAISE YOUR CHILD’S EFFORT SINCERELY.  It is no secret that the first sounds beginning students make are not always pleasant to the ears.  The music will happen.  They just want to know you are supporting them all the way.

 

 

30-Minute Practice Routine

 

 

Section                                          Minutes                            Helpful hints

Pre-Practice

0

Quiet room, chair, stand, pencil

Warm-up

4

Play several exercises from warm-up sheet

Review recently learned material

5-10

Play songs you already know to master the musical concepts and help review for new learning new songs

Learn new material

10-15

Focus on learning newly assigned songs or skills

Play something fun

5

Have fun playing your favorite songs

Postpractice

1

Celebrate your success and write down the practice time on your chart

 

Total time: 30 minutes

 

 

 

 

Supply Purchase

Occasionally during the school year, a student needs to purchase a band related item.  Reeds for clarinet and saxophone will be kept on hand at school for immediate purchase.  Any other items like cork grease, valve oil, tuning slide grease, etc, can be ordered on an as needed basis.  Students will need to pay for the item before receiving it.  For more expensive items such as books or music stands, students will be given a receipt to bring home. 

Reed prices:  clarinet--$1.50, alto sax--$2.00, and tenor sax--$2.25.

 

 

Elementary Band Website

More information can be found at:

 

http://www.farmington.k12.mn.us/nte/class/class.html 

(scroll down to BAND link is near bottom of page)

 

            -OR-

 

http://www.oocities.org/mrschristenson/index.html  (both addresses link to same location)