HOMESCHOOL BAND
"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." Johann Sebastian Bach
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Hi all,
A number of students were away today. We try and go at a pace of 1 or 2 pages per week but I'll also attempt to update you here as well. Beginner band - work to the bottom of page 8, make sure you understand everything we have covered so far. Intermediate band - we started on Joyeux Noel, can you believe it? Christmas is coming! work up to and through that page in your blue book. Trumpet players, remember you will be needing a straight mute. Senior band - continue to improve the 3 pieces we have started on.
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Welcome back! What a crazy, exciting day yesterday was! Harold and I were both impressed at how well you are already doing. As you navigate this new musical adventure please use the website as a place to find information as well as ask for it in the comment section. If you are on a laptop you will see red buttons on the right hand side of the page, on a phone, you need to scroll to the bottom. Here you will find links to listening tracks, fingering charts and a few other useful tools. Under the menu, at the top of the page, you will find videos and other fun stuff.
Take time to really get to know your instrument, use the books to figure out how the fingering diagrams work, a reminder of correct posture, how to hold your instrument and just how to place your mouth and hands. I hope you enjoyed yesterday as much as we did! Please tell your friends about us! Welcome to your new musical adventure! As you navigate the decisions of where you will best fit into the team that is band, here is a little advice that may help.
I am often asked how to choose an instrument. Harold and I have observed that students who truly wish to play and instrument will do what it takes to learn the instrument they choose, however, many parents and kids simply haven't had enough exposure to know where to start. I have compiled a number of suggestions below. Another good resource would be to watch some of the many videos we have compiled on our website, accessed through the pages listed on the main header. All the best as you begin your musical journey! Saxophone is heavy and large, I wouldn't recommend it for the smaller student. It is also quite painful for the parent who has to listen to practicing, lol. However it is very versatile, featured in string, wind and jazz ensembles and there are 5 variations played commonly. Clarinet, like the Sax has 3 commonly played variations. It is also a reed instrument so similar in method of playing. It is smaller than the sax so most students find it light enough to carry and the finger stretch is easily reached. The range of the clarinet means it can often be adapted to play several parts. (I'm partial, it is my main instrument) Trumpet is the smallest of the brass instruments. It often plays the melody and stands out. If your student is a bit of a show off the trumpet is it! However all the brass instruments require the player to have a good ear for music - the ability to "hear" the notes in their heads as each finger postion translates to several notes depending on the lip position Trombone Tuba and French horn fall in the same category as the trumpet Flute is the smallest wind instrument, it requires stamina as the arm position can be uncomfortable as the student develops new muscles. It also requires great wind control, a talent that can only be improved by consistent practice. It is a beautiful instrument and many of the world's most famous players are men! percussion - This is a wide field with all types of drums, xylophones and other noise makers are played. Percussion starts out seeming easy but is the quickest to advance in difficulty and requires the student to excell at multiple instruments. Finally, a visit to Long and Mcquade should give the student an opportunity to view and try the various instruments before you choose to rent or buy. As I wait, with baited breath, for a few more applications, I wanted to take the opportunity to answer a few common questions.
Do we assign instruments? No, although we are happy to make suggestions we find that the student is most likely to put the work into the instrument they chose. We do suggest you take a trip to Long and McQuade and see just what is out there. The store offers rent to own so that you can decide later whether or not you want to commit to purchase. Do the students need any previous experience? No previous experience is necessary. We use the program Standard of Excellence, a tried and true band program that has been used by band teachers for years. Each book shows care and assembly of the instrument, basic posture for the student and note reading from the very beginner. When and where do we meet? We meet at Parkdale Grace Fellowship (2608 - 1st Ave NW) on Tuesdays. If Tuesdays don't work for you please don't hesitate to contact us, we may have other suggestions or be able to work something out. It never hurts to ask! How old should the student be? We recommend 10 and up. However, we are flexible! Is piano, violin or guitar a part of the program? No. However, we have had violin students join us at the Senior level as Senior band is more about rehearsal technics and performance. Welcome to our website! As you surf the web for programs to enrich your child's education, I'm so glad you landed here. Please take time to explore the links and learn more about us. We are hopeful that this year will feel like a fresh start after the previous years interupptions. We are looking forward to hearing from you and meeting you in person.
This year we are asking for a registration fee of 20$ per family. This will be non refundable but, of course, will be receipted and deducted from your total fees. Thank you for your understanding. We anticipate a wonderful year of making music together! As you know, Senior Band focuses on performance and rehearsal. We are working on a folk tune as well as some classics and movie tunes. I personally find that lyrics often help me with the rhythmic patterns in the tunes. Here are some lyrics that might help with our current pieces.
My Grandfather's Clock Johnny Cash My grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf So it stood ninety years on the floor It was taller by half than the old man himself Though it weighed not a pennyweight more It was bought on the morn of the day that he was born And was always his treasure and pride But it stopped, short never to go again When the old man died Ninety years without slumbering His life seconds numbering It stopped, short never to go again When the old man died My grandfather said that of those he could hire Not a servant so faithful he found For it wasted no time and had but one desire At the close of each week to be wound And it kept in its place, not a frown upon its face And its hands never hung by its side But it stopped short, never to go again When the old man died It rang and alarmed in the dead of the night An alarm that for years had been dumb And we knew that his spirit was pluming for flight That his hour for departure had come Still the clock kept the time with a soft and muffled chime As we silently stood by his side But it stopped short, never to go again When the old man died Ninety years without slumbering His life seconds numbering It stopped short, never to go again When the old man died Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Erich Doll / Henry Clay Work My Grandfather's Clock lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group Beginners,
We have a wonderful group of students in our Beginner class this year. Even a few brave moms have joined us. I salute you for taking this step of learning beside your children. I hope we continue to laugh together and that this becomes a special time of bonding with your kids. Remember to take advantage of your books, they have lots of teaching pages that will reiterate what we cover in class. Some of you have even ventured into YouTube land to take a virtual lesson or two. This can also be a fantastic educational tool. Practice is invaluable! Even 10 minutes per day will begin to build your muscles and your understanding of this new language. Intermediate We had a rough year last year and you may feel underprepared for book 2. If you have a particular question please ask. Here in the comment section you can make a note and we will address it both here and possibly in class as well. Meanwhile, take advantage of the scales in the book to refresh your knowledge of fingerings and strengthen your ability around notes that you may still be struggling with. Seniors Congratulations for attempting some challenging new pieces. I hope we can look forward to showing off your hard work at concerts this year. Do make yourself the promise of practicing a little longer this year, and use the listening tracks to work up to playing at speed and in time. Thanks for your patience as we've had a particularly difficult start to the year. You will note that the recordings of Nimrod, and Pirates of the Caribbean are now linked.
In an effort to boost our numbers we are keeping registrations open through October 15. Thanks for all your tireless efforts in letting others know about us!! Welcome to our Website. If you are new here, please take time to explore. The menu bars on the top of the page will direct you to all kinds of information. We make every attempt to keep up to date and use the blog to post new information and practice notes. We are hopeful that we will be able to perform our music this year and welcome visitors to sit in and listen to a rehearsal from an adjoining room.
We have always endeavoured to make each class interesting and stimulating, and safe hygienic practices are part of the wind instrument world as a matter of course. We respect those who wish to wear masks in and out of the classroom and understand those who are medically unable to do so as well. We have always understood that is just polite to choose not to attend class if you are not feeling well, and appreciate a quick note to let us know if you will be away. Thanks for stopping by. |
Angela Squire
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