Hello Everyone,
I hope the first week of school has gone well for your children and that they are getting used to their 5th grade schedule. It was really great to work with many of the students this summer. I'm sure it's going to be a great year. Thanks for being patient with the first couple weeks of school. Most of my morning time, afternoons, and some evenings right now are spent with the Marching Band, getting the advanced bands going, and assisting Mr. Ohlsen with the beginning band students.
So here is the Cadet Band info you need to know.
Cadet Band's First Rehearsal
Our first rehearsal will be on Tuesday, September 20th from 7:15 to 7:50. We will rehearse every Tuesday and Thursday morning unless you hear from me. Please do not drop your child off before 7:00am because the doors to the school do not open until 7:00. This is not a problem now while the weather is warm however when it gets colder we do not want to have them standing outside for a long period of time. If they arrive by 7:05 they will have plenty of time to put their things away and be in their seats ready for rehearsal.
Morning Drop off
For the safety of your child, please drop them off in either the East parking lot by Prairieview or the West Parking lot by Lakeview. Do not drop them off in the inner circle to cross the bus lane. Although no traffic is supposed to travel through the bus lane, not everyone follows the rules.
When they arrive
When students arrive they will put their backpacks, coats, hats, and other items on the coat rack in the BACC hallway. Large cases will be stored in the instrument room and small cases will be kept with the student.
I will begin promptly at 7:15 with our warm ups. This is a very important time of the rehearsal. The warm up time prepares us to play with good sound and posture. Just like an athlete, we need to warm up our minds and bodies before we rehearse as a group. When dismissed from band they will have time to gather their materials and head to their home room.
Arriving Late
The mornings can be a hectic time on some days with siblings, weather, line at Starbucks, etc.... Hopefully everyone will be in a routine by our first rehearsal where late arrival will not occur. If your child arrives to school late and I have already begun rehearsal, they should come in late and get themselves involved right away. Some rehearsal is better than no rehearsal as long as it is not a habit.
Band Lessons
I am currently working on the lesson schedule. It will work the same as it did last year by moving through the day on a rotating schedule. Lesson Schedules will be published by the end of next week on the music web page www.ccsd66music.com . Cadet Band students will have their lessons on either Tuesday or Thursdays. Students will receive a copy of their lesson schedule during band rehearsal.
Band as a Class
Learning a musical instrument and the art of music is an academic class. Beginning in 5th grade, Cadet Band is a graded class like all other academic classes. Students will be evaluated on their weekly progress through their small group lessons. Grades are determined by their weekly practice log, individual performance on assignments, attendance at rehearsals and performances, and most of all attitude and effort.
What should they bring to rehearsal?
Of course their instrument. They should also bring their binder from last year (We will replace any binders that are in poor condition), lesson books, a pencil, and any other equipment like valve oil, slide oil, reeds, etc..
If your child needs any supplies, please let me know and I can get it to them before our first rehearsal and lesson. Let me know what your child needs and you can send cash or check at your convenience.
Please make sure your child has played their instrument a few times before the first rehearsal. It is always disappointing for a student to start on the first day and the instrument is not working. If your child's instrument is not working properly, please take it in to be repaired. If you need assistance with it please let me know. I know that the summer can promote a lack of routine and practicing may have fallen off a bit, however we will jump back on the horse and get moving again.
First Performance
The first performance for the Cadet Band is Saturday, December 3rd at the District 66 Winter Invitational Band Festival in the Lakeview Gym. We have been hosting this festival for 11 years now where area bands come to perform and are adjudicated. It is a great little festival for this age level. Our performance time is yet to be determined.
Performance Uniform
Our performance uniform this year is Black Shoes, Black Crew Length Socks, Black Pants, and a Green Music Polo. We will fit the students for shirt sizes in early October so that we have them in time for our first performance. Black shoes should be conservative in style. No open backs or open toes on the shoes. We want to look as good as we will sound.
That should be more than enough information to get us started. If you have any questions before band gets going or at any time, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Have a great day!
Mr. T
