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.
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OLD BUT STILL RELEVANT INFO
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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