End of First Quarter

Holy cow, I can’t believe that I haven’t added a new post in over a month!!

As the first quarter draws to a close this week I just want to say how great of a start this year has gotten off to. There is so much enthusiasm and positiveness (yes I know I should use real words and not make them up) that it has been a lot of fun for me.

Under each class page, I have added a page about practicing. These are some wonderful ideas to having very productive practice at home. If you practice productively you don’t need to practice as long as unproductive practice. Parents, please help me and your child out by trying to keep them following these practice ideas so they will not see practice as a burden but as a productive time that they learn in.

Here’s to next quarter being just as great, if not better, than last quarter!!!!!

Pep Band & Education

Great Job at the pep-rally last friday. You guys sounded like a million bucks. Now if only we could get that million bucks Reminder that this Thursday and Friday we have pep Band. On Thursday, you need to be in the Gym ready to play at 6 PM. We will play during warm ups and then during breaks in the sets. We should be done before 7:30ish. Also we have Pep Band on Friday for the Football Game against Axtell. You need to be in the Band room at 6:30 ready to play. We will go down to the field together. We will be done playing after halftime and we will come back to put our instruments away, then you are free to watch the second half of the game.

On a different note, I hope you all have had the chance to read or watch President Obamas Speech. I feel that it is not a controvercial speech. I think that it has a good message that directly relates to what we are doing in band. His message is that if you don’t try you won’t have success. We all need to try hard. I can only take you so far if you don’t put in the effort. For us to succeed as a band and as humans, we must always put forth our best effort. I would highly suggest that all students read this speech. You can read it Here

And one final word. I still have space in my Group Guitar classes. They are offered on Wednesday mornings from 7:15-8 and from 3:30-4:15. If you are interested, please contact me ASAP so we can order a book. Yandas has a very high quality acoustic guitar for under $100. I would love to see many people take advantage of this class. The sole reason for the morning class is for high school students who have sports practice after school and for community members who have to work at the time of the afternoon class. I just hope to see a large turnout. I have people signed up who have never touched a guitar, and I have people signed up who have played for years. Everyone of any ability level can learn something from this class.

Have a great week

Pep Band

Just a reminder that 1 week from Thursday, Sept. 10 there is a pep band for Volleyball. The band is to be at the school ready to play at 6 PM. Also the following day Friday the 11th, there is a Football pep band. The students are to be at the school ready to play at 6:30. We will walk down to the field together. At football games, the band is done after halftime. At that time, the students will come back to the school to put their instruments away. If they are in 7th grade, they will not come back to the school, they will go and work at the concessions stand at this time. They will need to take their instrument home because after the kids are done putting their instruments away, I lock the school and I leave.

Also, if you are interested in taking guitar lessons, I am starting a group guitar class in October. The class will be Wednesday afternoons from 3:30-4:15 and Wednesday Morning from 7:15-8. These classes are open to anyone in the community and are FREE. Please let me know before Sept 22 if you wish to join in one of these classes.

School is Back!!!

Yes school is once again in session!!! It is that wonderful time of year where the sound of the band once again fills the halls of the school! I love it!!!!!!!

Some important things to remember.

Make sure you look at the dates page under your specific band so that you can put them on your calender.  With smaller bands this year, it is important that everyone attend every event.

Remember, work is not an excused absence. Plan your work schedule around events that you are required to attend.

To keep your instrument in working condition, clean it regularly and have me look over it so that we are off to a good start for this school year .

Last but most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!!!! Playing in band is a wonderful experience and having a positive attitude when you walk in the door is the fastest way to have fun. If you want to have fun and are in the mood to have fun, you will have fun!!!