Dear band parents,
This is Justin Dickson, band director at Hawley Middle School. Every week I will send out a message like this to communicate what is happening this week in band class, upcoming events, and other announcements.
IN THE BAND ROOM THIS WEEK
6th Grade will continue working through Chapter 1, and may move on to Chapter 2 this week. We are not in a big hurry to get through the Method at the beginning of the year, I don't want to leave anyone behind. It is important that everyone fundamentally learns to play their instrument correctly, and that's what I care about more than I care about getting through material right now.
Our next test is #1.09 for woodwinds, playing the notes C and G for trumpets, and playing the notes Bb and F for low brass, which should be completed by the end of this week. Percussion's test is to demonstrate steady quarter notes with the correct stick grip and form that I have been showing them in class.
7th Grade is working on Chapter 12. Our next test is #12.05, the "Marine Corps Hymn," which should be completed by the end of this week. My goal is to start working on concert music next week.
8th Grade will continue working on "Thriller" and will start working on "Darklands March" this week. Expect a playing test on "Thriller" next week. We will also start working on page 2 of our Fundamentals series.
8th grade (and only 8th grade) first concert is October 26!
BAND T-SHIRTS AND SWEATSHIRTS
I will place our order for our band t-shirts and sweatshirts this week. If you forgot to turn in your order last week, please do it tomorrow. If you need to print an order form, you can find it on the Documents page of my website www.JustinDickson.com/Band
PEP BAND
Practice this Wednesday after school. We are learning a new song. Prepare for glory.
===========================
OLD BUT STILL RELEVANT INFO
===========================
8TH GRADER NIGHT WITH THE S.G.H.S. MARCHING BAND - OCT 6
On Friday, October 6, our 8th graders are invited to be honorary members of the South Granville High School marching band at their home football game! Your child will get into the game for free, sit with the marching band, and play along with some of the music they play during the game!
This is a special opportunity for your child to meet the high school band students and see for themselves what high school band is like (it is very different than middle school band and very, very fun). Every year, kids come back from this event saying things to me like "I am definitely doing marching band" and "I can't wait until I'm in high school." Plus, I hear there will be free pizza.
I will send out a letter with more details soon. For now, please save the date!
PLEASE SIGN UP FOR TEXT ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have not already done so, please sign up to receive text message announcements from me via the Remind app. You do not have to download the app. Just sent a text message to phone number 81010 , and the text message should say...
... @HawleyBa17 for sixth grade
... @HawleyBa16 for seventh grade
... @HawleyBa15 for eighth grade
TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE LEARNING EASIER
By now, most of you know that I designed a free mobile app for my students called Bandmate Chromatic Tuner (www.bandmatetuner.com). I highly recommend that you download it, or that your child downloads it on their phone / tablet if they have one, because it makes it so much easier for kids to learn their notes while they are practicing at home.
Students are allowed to use it in band class, too. In fact, I highly encourage it. If you would like your child to use it in class, I recommend you purchase the Peterson PitchGrabber pickup: https://www.amazon.com/Peterson-PitchGrabber-Mobile-Tuner/dp/B014L9CCHO/
This is like a microphone that will only "hear" your instrument, so you can use the Bandmate app in class while other people are playing their instruments beside you.
The Bandmate Tuner app is a big deal because it gives personal feedback to students while they learn. It lets students see what note they are playing, so that they can check for themselves if they are playing the right note or not. It has made it so much easier for my students to learn, and people all around the world have discovered it and are using it in their own music programs. In fact I expect it will hit 1 million downloads by October.
FLUTES, CLARINETS, AND SAXOPHONES NEED A SWAB
If your child plays a woodwind instrument (flute, clarinet, or saxophone), they need a swab so they can clean out their instrument every day before putting it back in the case. You can order one from Hills Music Shop if you do not have one.
If woodwinds are stored in the case without swabbing, moisture causes the pads under the keys to wrinkle and be ruined. This costs $100-200 to fix, depending on the extent of the damage. A swab costs $5. Please make sure your child has a swab.
CONCERT CALENDAR
October 26, 6:30, 8th grade only, at Hawley
December 12, 7:00, 6th grade only, at Hawley
December 15, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS audition
March 8, 7:00, 8th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 17, 7:00, 6th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 18, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS auditorium
News and announcements for the G.C. Hawley Middle School band program, Creedmoor, NC.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Sunday, September 17, 2017
This Week In Band - September 17, 2017
Dear band parents,
This is Justin Dickson, band director at Hawley Middle School. Every week I will send out a message like this to communicate what is happening this week in band class, upcoming events, and other announcements.
PROUD OF OUR 8TH GRADE BAND!
Our 8th grade band performed on Saturday at the Creedmoor Music Festival. They played very, very well and I am very proud of them! The crowd loved it! If you have not seen the video, "like" the band Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/HawleyBandRoom and check it out!
IN THE BAND ROOM THIS WEEK
6th grade is working through Chapter 1, learning our first few notes and making sure that everyone is producing a quality sound on their instrument. Anyone who did not pass off their #1.02 test may do so this week. Please encourage your child to practice at home every day they can -- they will learn more from figuring it out for themselves, than they will in class.
7th grade will start working on Chapter 12, in which we learn about dotted quarter notes. Our next test will be #12.05. Percussion will need to do this on both snare drum and bells. This is a big test, the song is pretty long. Please study at home.
8th grade will test on the "Harry Potter" piece we have been learning. We will also start working on a new piece, a fun arrangement of "Thriller". Parents, please make sure your child is practicing at home and learning their part. I would love to prepare 4 songs for our October concert, but that depends on how quickly everyone learns their music.
8TH GRADER NIGHT WITH THE S.G.H.S. MARCHING BAND - OCT 6
On Friday, October 6, our 8th graders are invited to be honorary members of the South Granville High School marching band at their home football game! Your child will get into the game for free, sit with the marching band, and play along with some of the music they play during the game!
This is a special opportunity for your child to meet the high school band students and see for themselves what high school band is like (it is very different than middle school band and very, very fun). Every year, kids come back from this event saying things to me like "I am definitely doing marching band" and "I can't wait until I'm in high school." Plus, I hear there will be free pizza.
I will send out a letter with more details soon. For now, please save the date!
PEP BAND
Our first home football game is this Tuesday! Wear your blue band t-shirt, and don't forget your music folder. No practice Wednesday after school.
PLEASE SIGN UP FOR TEXT ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have not already done so, please sign up to receive text message announcements from me via the Remind app. You do not have to download the app. Just sent a text message to phone number 81010 , and the text message should say...
... @HawleyBa17 for sixth grade
... @HawleyBa16 for seventh grade
... @HawleyBa15 for eighth grade
===========================
OLD BUT STILL RELEVANT INFO
===========================
BAND SHIRT ORDER
This week I will hand out order forms for our band t-shirts and sweatshirts. These are just for fun, not a required purchase, except 8th graders are required to have a t-shirt for our Carowinds trip. You may also print the order form from the Documents page on my website:
http://justindickson.com/justindickson/band/documents.htm
TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE LEARNING EASIER
By now, most of you know that I designed a free mobile app for my students called Bandmate Chromatic Tuner (www.bandmatetuner.com). I highly recommend that you download it, or that your child downloads it on their phone / tablet if they have one, because it makes it so much easier for kids to learn their notes while they are practicing at home.
Students are allowed to use it in band class, too. In fact, I highly encourage it. If you would like your child to use it in class, I recommend you purchase the Peterson PitchGrabber pickup: https://www.amazon.com/Peterson-PitchGrabber-Mobile-Tuner/dp/B014L9CCHO/
This is like a microphone that will only "hear" your instrument, so you can use the Bandmate app in class while other people are playing their instruments beside you.
The Bandmate Tuner app is a big deal because it gives personal feedback to students while they learn. It lets students see what note they are playing, so that they can check for themselves if they are playing the right note or not. It has made it so much easier for my students to learn, and people all around the world have discovered it and are using it in their own music programs. In fact I expect it will hit 1 million downloads by October.
FLUTES, CLARINETS, AND SAXOPHONES NEED A SWAB
If your child plays a woodwind instrument (flute, clarinet, or saxophone), they need a swab so they can clean out their instrument every day before putting it back in the case. You can order one from Hills Music Shop if you do not have one.
If woodwinds are stored in the case without swabbing, moisture causes the pads under the keys to wrinkle and be ruined. This costs $100-200 to fix, depending on the extent of the damage. A swab costs $5. Please make sure your child has a swab.
CONCERT CALENDAR
October 26, 6:30, 8th grade only, at Hawley
December 12, 7:00, 6th grade only, at Hawley
December 15, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS audition
March 8, 7:00, 8th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 17, 7:00, 6th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 18, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS auditorium
This is Justin Dickson, band director at Hawley Middle School. Every week I will send out a message like this to communicate what is happening this week in band class, upcoming events, and other announcements.
PROUD OF OUR 8TH GRADE BAND!
Our 8th grade band performed on Saturday at the Creedmoor Music Festival. They played very, very well and I am very proud of them! The crowd loved it! If you have not seen the video, "like" the band Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/HawleyBandRoom and check it out!
IN THE BAND ROOM THIS WEEK
6th grade is working through Chapter 1, learning our first few notes and making sure that everyone is producing a quality sound on their instrument. Anyone who did not pass off their #1.02 test may do so this week. Please encourage your child to practice at home every day they can -- they will learn more from figuring it out for themselves, than they will in class.
7th grade will start working on Chapter 12, in which we learn about dotted quarter notes. Our next test will be #12.05. Percussion will need to do this on both snare drum and bells. This is a big test, the song is pretty long. Please study at home.
8th grade will test on the "Harry Potter" piece we have been learning. We will also start working on a new piece, a fun arrangement of "Thriller". Parents, please make sure your child is practicing at home and learning their part. I would love to prepare 4 songs for our October concert, but that depends on how quickly everyone learns their music.
8TH GRADER NIGHT WITH THE S.G.H.S. MARCHING BAND - OCT 6
On Friday, October 6, our 8th graders are invited to be honorary members of the South Granville High School marching band at their home football game! Your child will get into the game for free, sit with the marching band, and play along with some of the music they play during the game!
This is a special opportunity for your child to meet the high school band students and see for themselves what high school band is like (it is very different than middle school band and very, very fun). Every year, kids come back from this event saying things to me like "I am definitely doing marching band" and "I can't wait until I'm in high school." Plus, I hear there will be free pizza.
I will send out a letter with more details soon. For now, please save the date!
PEP BAND
Our first home football game is this Tuesday! Wear your blue band t-shirt, and don't forget your music folder. No practice Wednesday after school.
PLEASE SIGN UP FOR TEXT ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have not already done so, please sign up to receive text message announcements from me via the Remind app. You do not have to download the app. Just sent a text message to phone number 81010 , and the text message should say...
... @HawleyBa17 for sixth grade
... @HawleyBa16 for seventh grade
... @HawleyBa15 for eighth grade
===========================
OLD BUT STILL RELEVANT INFO
===========================
BAND SHIRT ORDER
This week I will hand out order forms for our band t-shirts and sweatshirts. These are just for fun, not a required purchase, except 8th graders are required to have a t-shirt for our Carowinds trip. You may also print the order form from the Documents page on my website:
http://justindickson.com/justindickson/band/documents.htm
TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE LEARNING EASIER
By now, most of you know that I designed a free mobile app for my students called Bandmate Chromatic Tuner (www.bandmatetuner.com). I highly recommend that you download it, or that your child downloads it on their phone / tablet if they have one, because it makes it so much easier for kids to learn their notes while they are practicing at home.
Students are allowed to use it in band class, too. In fact, I highly encourage it. If you would like your child to use it in class, I recommend you purchase the Peterson PitchGrabber pickup: https://www.amazon.com/Peterson-PitchGrabber-Mobile-Tuner/dp/B014L9CCHO/
This is like a microphone that will only "hear" your instrument, so you can use the Bandmate app in class while other people are playing their instruments beside you.
The Bandmate Tuner app is a big deal because it gives personal feedback to students while they learn. It lets students see what note they are playing, so that they can check for themselves if they are playing the right note or not. It has made it so much easier for my students to learn, and people all around the world have discovered it and are using it in their own music programs. In fact I expect it will hit 1 million downloads by October.
FLUTES, CLARINETS, AND SAXOPHONES NEED A SWAB
If your child plays a woodwind instrument (flute, clarinet, or saxophone), they need a swab so they can clean out their instrument every day before putting it back in the case. You can order one from Hills Music Shop if you do not have one.
If woodwinds are stored in the case without swabbing, moisture causes the pads under the keys to wrinkle and be ruined. This costs $100-200 to fix, depending on the extent of the damage. A swab costs $5. Please make sure your child has a swab.
CONCERT CALENDAR
October 26, 6:30, 8th grade only, at Hawley
December 12, 7:00, 6th grade only, at Hawley
December 15, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS audition
March 8, 7:00, 8th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 17, 7:00, 6th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 18, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS auditorium
Sunday, September 10, 2017
This Week In Band - 09/10/2017
Dear band parents,
This is Justin Dickson, band director at Hawley Middle School. Every week I will send out a message like this to communicate what is happening this week in band class, upcoming events, and other announcements.
8TH GRADE BAND TO PLAY THIS SATURDAY! AT CREEDMOOR MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Mayor of Creedmoor personally asked me to bring our band to the Creedmoor Music Festival on Saturday, September 16 (this Saturday). Please return the permission form to me this week. If you need the information paper again, you can view it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G7obWH0P762ElLXvBPfD8_02d63_GC-pTlXtxlCuRE8/edit?usp=sharing
Parents, we need every member of the band participating, if possible. This is our chance to show off our band program to hundreds of music lovers in the Creedmoor community, most of whom have never heard us play before. I really want us to sound and look our best. Thank you!!!
PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO PRACTICE REGULARLY AT HOME
I have been playing the trumpet for 24 years. I am playing publicly at church this morning. I still have to practice every day or I get worse.
But to be honest, I did not want to practice (or do any homework) when I was in middle school. My parents made me do it. And I got better. And the better I got, the more I liked it.
Learning to play a musical instrument is complicated. Regular practice (study) outside of class is essential. Please encourage your child to practice at home every day they can. 20-30 minutes is fine for middle school.
What can they practice? Everything we have been playing in class -- review it, make sure you can play it well and consistently. Look ahead to material on my website (Fundamentals and Method pages) or the concert music. Look for fun / pop songs to play on my website (Fun Songs page), on NoteFlight.com, on 8Notes.com, or on Youtube.
The more you practice, the easier it gets.
FLUTES, CLARINETS, AND SAXOPHONES NEED A SWAB
If your child plays a woodwind instrument (flute, clarinet, or saxophone), they need a swab so they can clean out their instrument every day before putting it back in the case. You can order one from Hills Music Shop if you do not have one.
If woodwinds are stored in the case without swabbing, moisture causes the pads under the keys to wrinkle and be ruined. This costs $100-200 to fix, depending on the extent of the damage. A swab costs $5. Please make sure your child has a swab.
BAND SHIRT ORDER
This week I will hand out order forms for our band t-shirts and sweatshirts. These are just for fun, not a required purchase, except 8th graders are required to have a t-shirt for our Carowinds trip. You may also print the order form from the Documents page on my website:
http://justindickson.com/justindickson/band/documents.htm
IN THE BAND ROOM THIS WEEK
6th graders will continue to learn their first three notes this week, in Chapter 1 of our "Method" online at www.JustinDickson.com/Band. Our first test will be line #1.02. I will be checking for right notes, correct articulation, and a steady beat.
7th grade has already started working on Chapter 11, focusing on dynamics. #11.04 will be our next test. We will also continue learning our new "Fundamentals For 7th Grade Band".
8th grade will have a very busy week. We will continue learning our music for the October concert, and we will test on it next week. We will also prepare our music for the Creedmoor Music Festival. Time is not our friend, the more everyone practices at home, the more music we will be able to perform at our October concert. I want to do 4 new pieces at that concert. Go go!
PEP BAND
Practice Wednesday after school, parents can pick you up at 5:00 at the front of the school. Our first game is next week.
This is Justin Dickson, band director at Hawley Middle School. Every week I will send out a message like this to communicate what is happening this week in band class, upcoming events, and other announcements.
8TH GRADE BAND TO PLAY THIS SATURDAY! AT CREEDMOOR MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Mayor of Creedmoor personally asked me to bring our band to the Creedmoor Music Festival on Saturday, September 16 (this Saturday). Please return the permission form to me this week. If you need the information paper again, you can view it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G7obWH0P762ElLXvBPfD8_02d63_GC-pTlXtxlCuRE8/edit?usp=sharing
Parents, we need every member of the band participating, if possible. This is our chance to show off our band program to hundreds of music lovers in the Creedmoor community, most of whom have never heard us play before. I really want us to sound and look our best. Thank you!!!
PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO PRACTICE REGULARLY AT HOME
I have been playing the trumpet for 24 years. I am playing publicly at church this morning. I still have to practice every day or I get worse.
But to be honest, I did not want to practice (or do any homework) when I was in middle school. My parents made me do it. And I got better. And the better I got, the more I liked it.
Learning to play a musical instrument is complicated. Regular practice (study) outside of class is essential. Please encourage your child to practice at home every day they can. 20-30 minutes is fine for middle school.
What can they practice? Everything we have been playing in class -- review it, make sure you can play it well and consistently. Look ahead to material on my website (Fundamentals and Method pages) or the concert music. Look for fun / pop songs to play on my website (Fun Songs page), on NoteFlight.com, on 8Notes.com, or on Youtube.
The more you practice, the easier it gets.
FLUTES, CLARINETS, AND SAXOPHONES NEED A SWAB
If your child plays a woodwind instrument (flute, clarinet, or saxophone), they need a swab so they can clean out their instrument every day before putting it back in the case. You can order one from Hills Music Shop if you do not have one.
If woodwinds are stored in the case without swabbing, moisture causes the pads under the keys to wrinkle and be ruined. This costs $100-200 to fix, depending on the extent of the damage. A swab costs $5. Please make sure your child has a swab.
BAND SHIRT ORDER
This week I will hand out order forms for our band t-shirts and sweatshirts. These are just for fun, not a required purchase, except 8th graders are required to have a t-shirt for our Carowinds trip. You may also print the order form from the Documents page on my website:
http://justindickson.com/justindickson/band/documents.htm
IN THE BAND ROOM THIS WEEK
6th graders will continue to learn their first three notes this week, in Chapter 1 of our "Method" online at www.JustinDickson.com/Band. Our first test will be line #1.02. I will be checking for right notes, correct articulation, and a steady beat.
7th grade has already started working on Chapter 11, focusing on dynamics. #11.04 will be our next test. We will also continue learning our new "Fundamentals For 7th Grade Band".
8th grade will have a very busy week. We will continue learning our music for the October concert, and we will test on it next week. We will also prepare our music for the Creedmoor Music Festival. Time is not our friend, the more everyone practices at home, the more music we will be able to perform at our October concert. I want to do 4 new pieces at that concert. Go go!
PEP BAND
Practice Wednesday after school, parents can pick you up at 5:00 at the front of the school. Our first game is next week.
Monday, September 4, 2017
This week in band at Hawley MS 09-04-2017
Dear band parents,
This is Justin Dickson, band director at Hawley Middle School. Every week I will send out a message like this to communicate what is happening this week in band class, upcoming events, and other announcements.
8TH GRADE BAND TO PLAY AT CREEDMOOR MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Mayor of Creedmoor personally asked me to bring our band to the Creedmoor Music Festival on Saturday, September 16 (soon!). Please return the permission form to me this week. If you need the information paper again, you can view it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G7obWH0P762ElLXvBPfD8_02d63_GC-pTlXtxlCuRE8/edit?usp=sharing
Parents, we need every member of the band participating, if possible. This is our chance to show off our band program to hundreds of music lovers in the Creedmoor community, most of whom have never heard us play before. I really want us to sound and look our best. Thank you!!!
TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE LEARNING EASIER
By now, most of you know that I designed a free mobile app for my students called Bandmate Chromatic Tuner (www.bandmatetuner.com). I highly recommend that you download it, or that your child downloads it on their phone / tablet if they have one, because it makes it so much easier for kids to learn their notes while they are practicing at home.
Students are allowed to use it in band class, too. In fact, I highly encourage it. If you would like your child to use it in class, I recommend you purchase the Peterson PitchGrabber pickup: https://www.amazon.com/Peterson-PitchGrabber-Mobile-Tuner/dp/B014L9CCHO/
This is like a microphone that will only "hear" your instrument, so you can use the Bandmate app in class while other people are playing their instruments beside you.
The Bandmate Tuner app is a big deal because it gives personal feedback to students while they learn. It lets students see what note they are playing, so that they can check for themselves if they are playing the right note or not. It has made it so much easier for my students to learn, and people all around the world have discovered it and are using it in their own music programs. In fact I expect it will hit 1 million downloads by October.
IN THE BAND ROOM THIS WEEK
6th graders will start learning their first three notes this week! Our "textbook" is all online at www.JustinDickson.com/Band . This week we will begin working on Chapter 1 from the Method. I will also show trumpet / trombone / baritone players how to clean and oil their valves and slides, which should be done at least once a week.
7th grade will continue playing the songs in Chapter 10 and will take a test on #10.06. We will also continue learning our new "Fundamentals For 7th Grade Band". We will probably have time to start working on Chapter 11 at the end of the week.
8th grade will test on #1.07 from our new Fundamentals routine this week. We will continue learning material from this Fundamentals page, and start working on new music for our October concert.
PEP BAND
Practice Wednesday after school, parents can pick you up at 5:00 at the front of the school.
============
OLD STUFF
============
CONCERT CALENDAR
Our concerts will be a little different this year. First, the 6th grade band will perform on a separate night than the 7th and 8th grade bands. This is because our band program and the SGHS band programs have gotten so big that the auditorium is too small to have everyone together on the same night like we used to. Mr. Maston and I are so proud and grateful that you have made band so popular that we are dangerously overcrowded at our concerts (thank you!), but now we need to make some adjustments. So, here is our concert schedule for the year:
October 26, 6:30, 8th grade only, at Hawley
December 12, 7:00, 6th grade only, at Hawley
December 15, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS audition
March 8, 7:00, 8th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 17, 7:00, 6th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 18, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS auditorium
The other change with our concerts this year is that, as you can see, 8th grade will perform 4 concerts instead of 3. I want 8th grade band to be about getting as much performance experience as possible. This is a big step for our program, but we are ready for it.
INSTRUMENT STORAGE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
Students have the option to carry their instrument around with them all day, or store them on the shelves in the band room during the day. They will be able to come by the band room at the end of the day to pick their instruments up, so they can go home and practice.
DO YOU HAVE YOUR INSTRUMENT?
Parents, please help your child remember their instrument in the morning. Please make sure it is in working order. Clarinets and saxophones, please make sure you have extra reeds.
THANK YOU
Thank you, parents, for signing up your child for band. You didn't have to do it, but you chose to do it, and I don't take that for granted. Thank you for making music education important in your family. Thank you for spending your money on an instrument for them to play. Thank you for supporting me and our school band program. I love my job and we are going to have a great year together. Justin Dickson
This is Justin Dickson, band director at Hawley Middle School. Every week I will send out a message like this to communicate what is happening this week in band class, upcoming events, and other announcements.
8TH GRADE BAND TO PLAY AT CREEDMOOR MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Mayor of Creedmoor personally asked me to bring our band to the Creedmoor Music Festival on Saturday, September 16 (soon!). Please return the permission form to me this week. If you need the information paper again, you can view it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G7obWH0P762ElLXvBPfD8_02d63_GC-pTlXtxlCuRE8/edit?usp=sharing
Parents, we need every member of the band participating, if possible. This is our chance to show off our band program to hundreds of music lovers in the Creedmoor community, most of whom have never heard us play before. I really want us to sound and look our best. Thank you!!!
TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE LEARNING EASIER
By now, most of you know that I designed a free mobile app for my students called Bandmate Chromatic Tuner (www.bandmatetuner.com). I highly recommend that you download it, or that your child downloads it on their phone / tablet if they have one, because it makes it so much easier for kids to learn their notes while they are practicing at home.
Students are allowed to use it in band class, too. In fact, I highly encourage it. If you would like your child to use it in class, I recommend you purchase the Peterson PitchGrabber pickup: https://www.amazon.com/Peterson-PitchGrabber-Mobile-Tuner/dp/B014L9CCHO/
This is like a microphone that will only "hear" your instrument, so you can use the Bandmate app in class while other people are playing their instruments beside you.
The Bandmate Tuner app is a big deal because it gives personal feedback to students while they learn. It lets students see what note they are playing, so that they can check for themselves if they are playing the right note or not. It has made it so much easier for my students to learn, and people all around the world have discovered it and are using it in their own music programs. In fact I expect it will hit 1 million downloads by October.
IN THE BAND ROOM THIS WEEK
6th graders will start learning their first three notes this week! Our "textbook" is all online at www.JustinDickson.com/Band . This week we will begin working on Chapter 1 from the Method. I will also show trumpet / trombone / baritone players how to clean and oil their valves and slides, which should be done at least once a week.
7th grade will continue playing the songs in Chapter 10 and will take a test on #10.06. We will also continue learning our new "Fundamentals For 7th Grade Band". We will probably have time to start working on Chapter 11 at the end of the week.
8th grade will test on #1.07 from our new Fundamentals routine this week. We will continue learning material from this Fundamentals page, and start working on new music for our October concert.
PEP BAND
Practice Wednesday after school, parents can pick you up at 5:00 at the front of the school.
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OLD STUFF
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CONCERT CALENDAR
Our concerts will be a little different this year. First, the 6th grade band will perform on a separate night than the 7th and 8th grade bands. This is because our band program and the SGHS band programs have gotten so big that the auditorium is too small to have everyone together on the same night like we used to. Mr. Maston and I are so proud and grateful that you have made band so popular that we are dangerously overcrowded at our concerts (thank you!), but now we need to make some adjustments. So, here is our concert schedule for the year:
October 26, 6:30, 8th grade only, at Hawley
December 12, 7:00, 6th grade only, at Hawley
December 15, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS audition
March 8, 7:00, 8th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 17, 7:00, 6th grade only, at SGHS auditorium
May 18, 7:00, 7th and 8th grade, at SGHS auditorium
The other change with our concerts this year is that, as you can see, 8th grade will perform 4 concerts instead of 3. I want 8th grade band to be about getting as much performance experience as possible. This is a big step for our program, but we are ready for it.
INSTRUMENT STORAGE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
Students have the option to carry their instrument around with them all day, or store them on the shelves in the band room during the day. They will be able to come by the band room at the end of the day to pick their instruments up, so they can go home and practice.
DO YOU HAVE YOUR INSTRUMENT?
Parents, please help your child remember their instrument in the morning. Please make sure it is in working order. Clarinets and saxophones, please make sure you have extra reeds.
THANK YOU
Thank you, parents, for signing up your child for band. You didn't have to do it, but you chose to do it, and I don't take that for granted. Thank you for making music education important in your family. Thank you for spending your money on an instrument for them to play. Thank you for supporting me and our school band program. I love my job and we are going to have a great year together. Justin Dickson
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