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.
SHORT WEEK, IMPORTANT WEEK
Only two days of school this week, but I want you to know that I plan to make every minute count. Our concerts are three weeks away and we need every rehearsal day we can get.
CONCERT DRESS CODE
Just a reminder that students wear formal black & white dress for our concerts. Santa hats are optional for the December concert too. For details about the dress code, please refer to our course syllabus on the Documents page of my websitewww.JustinDickson.com/Band
IN THE BAND ROOM THIS WEEK
6th Grade will start working on concert music this week. Students who still need to pass their "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" test may do so during class also. Remember I make instructional videos for all of the playing tests to help your child practice at home: www.youtube.com/HawleyBandRoom
7th Grade will continue learning our fourth concert piece, "Mystery Ride", this week. Anyone who needs to make up a previous playing test will have time at the end of class, so please make sure your child has practiced and is prepared to pass their test.
8th Grade has been learning music for our next concert at a very fast pace, and I am very proud of them. We have gotten through three pieces since our last concert. We will spend the next two days rehearsing and cleaning them. I hope to add a fourth piece after the Thanksgiving weekend.
"HORNS A PLENTY" EVENT AT MUSIC & ARTS IN CARY
The Music & Arts shop in Cary has an event once a year in which they have hundreds of upgrade and professional level instruments. Anyone can bring their own mouthpiece and try them. They usually have discounts too. It is a great opportunity to learn about higher-level instruments, if you are interested, and I just wanted to let you know about it. More info on their website: https://www.musicarts.com/Upgrade-Your-Sound---Information-g27153t0.mac
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OLD BUT STILL RELEVANT INFO
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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.
FACEBOOK
Our band program has a Facebook page. You can "like" it here: www.facebook.com/HawleyBandRoom
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