Weekly Newsletter 9/8

Dear Parents,

Another week already?  Those four day work weeks tend to fly by!  Here's how your students are doing as we approach week 4:

• All students are signed up to use SmartMusic in the classroom (read below for more information)
• Students submitted their first practice logs (read below for more information)
• The car wash was a great success, raising $1000 for our program.
• Beginning band students can play 3 notes
• Beginning strings students can play in rhythm on open strings and first/second finger notes.
• Concert band students did really well on their first playing test that reviewed first 5 notes.
• Intermediate band students did really well on their first playing test that reviewed the B Flat Major Scale
• Advanced band can play Battle Born, their parade piece, as well as a chromatic scale.  They're now ready for their winter concert and festival music, in September!
• Advanced strings has learned two pieces already, and are well on their way to completing a 3rd piece.

SmartMusic Update

On Friday, all students were signed up for student accounts on SmartMusic. Since some students are confused about how this works, I thought I would clarify for all of you.  In order to have playing tests on SmartMusic and use it in school, students need an account.  This account does not require the $40 subscription.  In order to practice at home, however, students must subscribe to the program, which is entirely optional.  We will be using it in class rather regularly, and all material we work on will be available to students to practice at home, but only if they have the subscription. If students that do not purchase the home subscription want additional practice time or to retake a playing test on the software, they must schedule a time before or after school, or during lunch to use the school's subscription. 

Practice Logs

Beginning this week, students will be required to track their practice time. They must keep accurate records so they can submit their practice time at the end of the week.  Each Friday, students will need to go to www.cmsbands.org and click "submit practice log" on the front page. Once they fill out the form, I'll be able to read them and grade them over the weekend.  Practice logs are due at 11:59 PM on Friday, even if they are absent.  Here are a few guidelines that will help your students do them correctly:

• Practice for at least 4 days per week and at least 15 minutes on the days they practice.
• Total time practiced must be at least 100 minutes per week to receive full credit, with extra credit offered if students exceed that time.
• Help make sure students are practicing music that we are working on in class, with proper practice techniques (more on this later)

Since this is the first week, students may practice whatever they need to in order to feel like they've reached our goals in class.  This also includes time spent watching the DVDs included in their method books if they're a beginner.  Next week, I'll provide a list of what I'm asking each ensemble to practice.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Car Wash is a Success!

A HUGE thank you to all parents and students who helped at the car wash. Also, thank you to those who brought food and water for the students.  The kids had a good time and we raised $1000 to go towards uniform embroidery.  Extra money will go towards cello storage racks and more music cubbies, which will be purchased if we meet our fundraising goal at the next event.

Marching Rehearsals

Marching rehearsals will continue on Tuesdays for all intermediate and advanced band members from 2:45-4:30 PM.  They are doing very well and I appreciate their attendance.  Remind them to keep cool and hydrated because we will be spending more time outside in the coming weeks once we finish learning the music.

Upcoming Event: Marching Preview & BBQ - September 27

This event is for all intermediate and advanced band members to show off what they have learned to parents and to give our wonderful volunteers a chance to do final uniform fitting. Here is the schedule for the day:

• 9:30 am - Call in the band room. 
• 9:30 - 11:30 am - Music and marching rehearsal (parents are welcome to stick around and see what they do best!)
• 11:30 am - Students will perform for parents and family, followed by a bbq presented by the boosters.

All parents, even if your student does not participate in these groups, are welcome to attend.  This is a great chance to reward the kids for all the extra time they put into marching band.

Jazz Band

Jazz band is off to an excellent start.  We have learned our first piece and students are learning how to play improvised solos.  They will be receiving their second piece this week and we're planning to perform for a school assembly in the near future.

Boosters

The first booster meeting took place last week and we discussed some great ideas. The minutes from the meeting are available on the website at: http://www.cmsbands.org/#!boosterminutes/cn9s

Thank you all for your support. It has been a wonderful start to the year!

-Mr. Jacques-