Smethport Area Elementary Bands

Announcements

Links

KJOS, the publisher of the Standards of Excellence series we use for band, has posted MP3 accompaniments for the music from Books 1 and 2 on its website. Unfortuantely, the music from Book 3 is not included.

Instructions for downloading accompaniments:

1. Go to the website

2. Right-click on the icon to the left of the line number/song title

3. Select "save target as"

4. Save the file on your computer

Each song file goes through the song twice. First the melody and accompaniment play together, then the accompaniment is played alone. This can be a great way to make practice time more interesting!

Fingering Charts for all Band Instruments

Band Calendar

Information for Prospective Band Members and Parents

Any student interested in joining band should stop by the band office before school to talk to me. I will send home information about the band program and contact information for music dealers. Students will be added to the lesson schedule once I have been informed that they have an instrument. Once lessons are started, new band members will be expected to attend both the lesson and the band practice each week.

If you choose to purchase an instrument from any source other than a music store, please contact me for brand name recommendations. Used instruments are fine. If you already have an instrument that has been in storage for a while, I would be happy to look at it to make sure it is in working order. Just send it to school clearly marked with the student's name and homeroom number. The student should either leave it by the mailboxes in the main office or bring it to the band office.

Here are some basic expectations of all band members:

• Attendance
• All lessons and rehearsals are mandatory if the student is in school that day.
• Lessons missed due to a forgotten instrument must be made up promptly for partial credit.
• Attendance is expected at all full band and small group rehearsals even if an instrument is forgotten. An alternate assignment will be given.
• Practicing
• Goals are individualized for Beginning Band members, generally starting at 75 minutes per week
• Elementary Band members are expected to practice 120 minutes per week
• Practice charts are distributed each week, and are an essential part of the band grade

Instruments

• To be supplied by the student
• Representatives from music stores will speak at the information night about rent-to-own programs
• Please ask me for brand recommendations if you plan to look elsewhere for instruments
• Students are responsible for having sufficient supplies: reeds, oils, etc., these can be bought from school
• Tuba and Euphonium students may borrow an instrument from school

Please also note that the band contract will ask each student to commit to band for the entire school year.

Concert Information

Dates:

Concert Attire:

You have your choice of colors and style of outfit, but please use the following guidelines in order to select an outfit appropriate for performing on stage.

Boys:

• Shirt with a collar
• Ties are optional
• Choice of long or short sleeves
• Dress slacks (no jeans)
• Dress shoes (no sandals or sneakers)

Girls:

• Skirt or dress slacks (no jeans) and blouse or dress
• Skirt hemline must completely cover knees when sitting- please check this before the concert day!
• Dressy shoes or sandals
• No flip-flops
• Heels should be under 1”

If you are not sure if what you would like to wear is allowed, please ask!

In-School Concert Attire:

Anytime we will perform during the school day, please wear blue jeans and a white, black, or orange shirt (preferably a T-shirt, polo shirt, etc.).

Lesson Schedule

• Work out a schedule with your parents and family so that you can fit in practicing as part of your homework time- it does count for a grade!
• Spread your practice time over the entire week- 5 nights of 25 minutes is better than 1 night of 125 minutes
• Play long, low notes to warm up
• Go through each line in your assignment at least 3 times every time you practice
• Play through band music once or twice every time you practice
• Break down larger sections if you’re having trouble
• Use a pencil and mark the start and end of the tricky spot
• Practice just that spot slowly at first until you can play it at the right speed
• Start a measure or two before the spot and play until a few measures after it
• Go through the whole line. If the tricky spot is still tricky, repeat the process
• Play a few of your favorite songs at the end to cool down.

A few notes especially for parents…

• Your child may need some help in finding time to practice, establishing a routine, and sticking to it
• Practicing should be treated like any other weekly homework assignment- the practice minutes assigned are a part of the band grade
• Most learning will be done at home during practice time. Lessons are for introducing new concepts and making sure students understand previous concepts. Muscle memory cannot be properly built if the instrument is played only once or twice a week.