Things are off to a great start this year! This week is a busy week with quite a bit going on for everyone to be aware of.
On Monday, Beginning Band students will get their instruments. Not all students may get their first choice, but they will be able to get their first or second. Once the student has returned the instrument contract, he or she may take the instrument home to practice. All students need to purchase "Standard of Excellence" Book 1 (the red book) for their instrument and whatever supplies are appropriate. I sent a list home with the students, including fliers for a few local music dealers.
On Wednesday, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band & Jazz Band boys who need a tuxedo will be fitted by a representative from Selix. We are still arranging a time soon for the boys in the Orchestra. Boys will be able to purchase everything they need directly from Selix. More details will be available soon.
At the end of the week, we will look at dress samples for girls in Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and Orchestra. Girls will have an option to select between four different dresses. Each ensemble will have an opportunity to vote for the dress of their choice. I hope that Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will share a dress so that girls can use the same dress as they move up. Jazz Band girls will use the same dress from last year. Ordering information has been discussed in class.
Students have elected to continue the same band polo & hoodie for football games from previous years. Students will sign-up for new items as needed at a cost of $15 for the polo and $25 for the hoodie.
All students have grades entered into the gradebook. If you see a "Z" entered, that means the student has not turned anything in to me. A student who earns a grade of "F" will have some grade entered. Students also want to know about make-up participation points from absences. Students can make-up points from absences by coming in after school and practicing for 30 minutes per excused absence. Unexcused absences receive no makeup. Students also can earn 10 points extra credit if at least one parent attends Back to School Night on Thursday, September 2 at 5:30. I look forward to meeting as many new parents as I can!
Please remember that students using a school instrument are asked to make a $50 donation to the Pioneer Music/ Drama Boosters. This helps us to keep and maintain a quality inventory. For those worried about finances, we will begin fundraisers soon. Most fundraisers give students credit directly for individual expenses like outfits and travel.
Hope that you and your family have settled into a successful routine for this school year. See you Thursday at Back-to-School Night!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
August 23-27
The music making has begun in all of the instrumental music classes here at Pioneer! From Beginning Band trying to play assorted brass instruments last week to Wind Ensemble & Jazz Band starting to work through the music library to Concert Band's work on fundamentals and the first sounds of strings at Pioneer in nearly twenty years, it is an exciting time of music making. I'm excited to be a part of this program and hope that you are too.
Instruments- All students (except Beginning Band) should now have a school instrument and should have returned a signed contract for that instrument. Remember, we ask that all students using school instruments, including all percussion, make a $50 donation to the Pioneer Music/ Drama Boosters to offset the cost of keeping and maintaining our inventory. There are several students who will be learning new instruments this year to help their ensembles be better balanced. Those students are not expected to pay for their instrument, and will also be given extra help after school.
Listening- Students are reminded that they must submit their weekly listening logs every Monday in class. Any student who misses Friday's listening in class must make it up upon return to class. We listen first thing every Friday in class- don't miss it!
Outfits- At the end of this week all boys needing a tux will be fitted by a rep from Selix Formalwear. The tux will be purchased directly from Selix at a cost of about $125. Girls will be selecting their ensemble dresses later this week as well. Once selected, we will begin the sizing and ordering process. I hope to keep cost between $50-$80. We also may change the Pep Band polo shirt this year. Once that has been decided, we will begin to place orders for all students. We hope to cap the price for the polo at $15 and the hoodie or windbreaker at $25.
Payments- Any time your student makes a payment or donation of any kind, I will issue a receipt. Please keep all receipts for your records in the event of questions about payments.
Performances- We will have our first performances as a Pep Band at the Football games on October 15 & 29 and November 12. November 12 is senior night, and I look forward to recognizing the outstanding contributions of the seniors in the bands. Remember, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band are all required to participate in the football games. There are a few other events this semester, and I'll post more about them as they draw near.
Spring Tour- is tentatively scheduled for April 8-11 in LA. We cannot leave until CST testing is concluded on Friday, and will continue our trip into the first weekend of spring break. As of now, Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble are scheduled to travel, but there is a chance that Orchestra may travel with us, as well. Please block off this weekend in your schedule. No details are confirmed yet.
Students have selected Student Leaders from each ensemble. These students will work with me throughout the year both to help me and help their classmates. These student leaders are examples for the new students to follow and are held to higher standards than other members of the ensemble and will be expected to assist me in various tasks throughout the year.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
August 16-20
Twas the night before classes and all through the halls
not a student was stirring, they were all at the malls.
The backpacks were hung by the front door with care
in hopes that the school books soon be lighter than air.
The students were nestled all snug in their beds
while texting and messaging, leaving nothing unsaid.
OK, so the creative juices aren't flowing that well. I sure am excited, though, about the first week of class! Each week I will post information for students and parents about the upcoming week and any assignments or events or anything else of note. Please subscribe to this blog and join our facebook group so that you are always up on the latest news for the Pioneer Band & Orchestra.
This week, I will introduce my vision and expectations for the Pioneer Band & Orchestra to the students. I will present long-term and short term goals, as well as introduce a Student Leadership structure. In some of the ensembles, we will be able to begin to play, but in beginning band, we will be introducing the basics of music.
Monday- after a few introductions and administrative issues, I will distribute the "First Things" survey. This survey will either be completed in class, or completed Monday night at home and returned Tuesday.
Tuesday- begin instrument checkout in Jazz Band/ Wind Ensemble. Student Leadership, day 1
Wednesday- continue instrument checkout, finalize student leadership. First day with instruments?
Thursday- on instruments?
Friday- each class will do its first listening log. Every student needs to have a composition book (75 pages, bound notebook- like math) in class on Friday. The first several listening assignments will be completed during class time.
I will not distribute my full Instrumental Music Handbook (course syllabus) for a few days, but look for it later this week or early next week. The Handbook will cover several financial issues. First, all families are encouraged to be a part of the Pioneer Music/ Drama Boosters. There is a suggested $30 donation for membership. Second, all instrumental students are asked to make a $25 donation to cover festival expenses for the year (CMEA, etc.). Third, and new this year, students who use school instruments, including percussion, are asked to make a $50 donation to help cover the high cost of maintenance of our inventory. The more money we can raise this way, the more money students can keep credited to them when they participate in fundraisers. If you have any questions about this, please don't hesitate to contact me.
not a student was stirring, they were all at the malls.
The backpacks were hung by the front door with care
in hopes that the school books soon be lighter than air.
The students were nestled all snug in their beds
while texting and messaging, leaving nothing unsaid.
OK, so the creative juices aren't flowing that well. I sure am excited, though, about the first week of class! Each week I will post information for students and parents about the upcoming week and any assignments or events or anything else of note. Please subscribe to this blog and join our facebook group so that you are always up on the latest news for the Pioneer Band & Orchestra.
This week, I will introduce my vision and expectations for the Pioneer Band & Orchestra to the students. I will present long-term and short term goals, as well as introduce a Student Leadership structure. In some of the ensembles, we will be able to begin to play, but in beginning band, we will be introducing the basics of music.
Monday- after a few introductions and administrative issues, I will distribute the "First Things" survey. This survey will either be completed in class, or completed Monday night at home and returned Tuesday.
Tuesday- begin instrument checkout in Jazz Band/ Wind Ensemble. Student Leadership, day 1
Wednesday- continue instrument checkout, finalize student leadership. First day with instruments?
Thursday- on instruments?
Friday- each class will do its first listening log. Every student needs to have a composition book (75 pages, bound notebook- like math) in class on Friday. The first several listening assignments will be completed during class time.
I will not distribute my full Instrumental Music Handbook (course syllabus) for a few days, but look for it later this week or early next week. The Handbook will cover several financial issues. First, all families are encouraged to be a part of the Pioneer Music/ Drama Boosters. There is a suggested $30 donation for membership. Second, all instrumental students are asked to make a $25 donation to cover festival expenses for the year (CMEA, etc.). Third, and new this year, students who use school instruments, including percussion, are asked to make a $50 donation to help cover the high cost of maintenance of our inventory. The more money we can raise this way, the more money students can keep credited to them when they participate in fundraisers. If you have any questions about this, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
One Week!
All the school supplies are on sale and the pool is not so crowded. This can only mean one thing- school is just around the corner. With just one week left till classes start, take a look at what's been boing on-
I will be on campus all week this week, including during registration/ orientation. If you have any questions about scheduling or ensemble placement, please stop by and introduce yourself. Also, if you can spare an hour, I could use your help getting ready for the first day. I hope to meet many students and families before school starts.
- 12 violins, 5 violas, 12 celli, 3 basses purchased (pick up 8/14)
- 2 cello racks and 1 bass rack constructed
- SJUSD repair budget has been secured
- All Big Band dance props and much of our other equipment has been moved out into a storage shed to make way for the new orchestra equipment
- All instruments are in the process of being cleaned, inspected & inventoried
- All music in the library in the process of being cataloged
I will be on campus all week this week, including during registration/ orientation. If you have any questions about scheduling or ensemble placement, please stop by and introduce yourself. Also, if you can spare an hour, I could use your help getting ready for the first day. I hope to meet many students and families before school starts.
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