Dear Parents,
I just wanted you to all have a copy of the updated lesson schedule for the remainder of December going into the beginning of January.
Here is the link:
Lesson Schedule
Friday, December 5, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
We have come to the final stretch before the concert!
Merry December to all. We now only have 2 short weeks before the concert, then everything comes down to the wire. The band has been working diligently over the past few weeks to prepare the 3 pieces we have in store for you. There is also a surprise small group which will be performing one extra piece for your enjoyment. The beginners had an interesting rehearsal on November 24 when they all played together. They had their first experience playing together and it actually went rather well. I feel you will all be very pleased by their progress thus far this year.
As for the 4th and 5th grade music enrichment classes, we have finished up with the theory tests, and have finally (especially in their minds) moved on to the recorder. We will most likely be concentrating on recorder for the next couple of months. This way we can get into some of the notes they don't know yet, as well as getting into improvising on recorders.
As you can see, there are many exicting things happening in the next couple of weeks here at PCA. Our concert is on December 17, 2008 at 7pm in the gym. Concert dress is black bottoms (pants, socks, shoes) with white top. Boys are encouraged to wear a tie, while girls may feel free to wear a dress, as long as it is not too busy and stays within the black/white dress code.
I look forward to seeing your reactions to the concert and wish you all a very Happy Holidays!
Merry December to all. We now only have 2 short weeks before the concert, then everything comes down to the wire. The band has been working diligently over the past few weeks to prepare the 3 pieces we have in store for you. There is also a surprise small group which will be performing one extra piece for your enjoyment. The beginners had an interesting rehearsal on November 24 when they all played together. They had their first experience playing together and it actually went rather well. I feel you will all be very pleased by their progress thus far this year.
As for the 4th and 5th grade music enrichment classes, we have finished up with the theory tests, and have finally (especially in their minds) moved on to the recorder. We will most likely be concentrating on recorder for the next couple of months. This way we can get into some of the notes they don't know yet, as well as getting into improvising on recorders.
As you can see, there are many exicting things happening in the next couple of weeks here at PCA. Our concert is on December 17, 2008 at 7pm in the gym. Concert dress is black bottoms (pants, socks, shoes) with white top. Boys are encouraged to wear a tie, while girls may feel free to wear a dress, as long as it is not too busy and stays within the black/white dress code.
I look forward to seeing your reactions to the concert and wish you all a very Happy Holidays!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Well the year has definitely taken off so far and a lot of exciting things have been happening. The band is off to a great start, playing harder music than they have before. The beginners are all doing just fine, and everyone can play their instruments. I hope to push through to the winter concert and really produce a great product with the students so they can have a wonderful experience from the start.
For those concerned about music enrichment who were not able to look at the letter, all of the students are doing just fine. Their grade at the moment is based off of their citizenship grade. So, as of right now, everyone is passing. We have been preparing the past couple of weeks for a quiz on higher and lower pitches, same and different chords (2 or more notes played at the same time), and simple theory with the staff and accompanying aspects.
All in all, it is shaping up to truly be a wonderful year full of new surprises for all!
For those concerned about music enrichment who were not able to look at the letter, all of the students are doing just fine. Their grade at the moment is based off of their citizenship grade. So, as of right now, everyone is passing. We have been preparing the past couple of weeks for a quiz on higher and lower pitches, same and different chords (2 or more notes played at the same time), and simple theory with the staff and accompanying aspects.
All in all, it is shaping up to truly be a wonderful year full of new surprises for all!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Welcome to the 2008-2009 School Year!
Welcome back for a brand new school year. This year especially looks to be very exciting as there are some changes that have been made, as well as some revamping of the program. I am now teaching 4th and 5th grade Music Enrichment, which allows me to introduce the band instruments and then teach recorder. This has also allowed me to not take time during their normal classes to introduce the instruments to them like last year.
For the 6-8th grade combined band, we are starting out from the beginning playing the winter concert music. This is so that both the winter concert and the spring concert will a great experience for them, as well as an opportunity to play better music. They are already progressing very well with it, and it looks like we will be able to put on a wonderful concert.
As for lessons, it is a little different than last year in that they are a lot more flexible. I want to make sure the students know what's going on with their band music, but I also want to make sure they are keeping up with their school work. To this end, I am asking that they come to even just part of the lesson if they have something for another class so that they may at least get any vital information if their is any. This way I can also touch base with them on the music so I can make sure they are keeping up with it easier. I will also be conducting peformance quizzes which will allow me to keep track of their progress during the year and make sure they are practicing.
During band itself, we will be working more this year with balance, blend, and tuning. I want them to experience more of what it is like to consistently play together and blend well. This is when a band has its best sound, and it is already starting to help them. I will be gradually helping them to learn how to hear if they are in tune or not, and will quickly tune them before each class. We will then go through a quick warm-up before we get into the band music. This will allow them to start thinking about all of their balance and blend issues from the get-go, rather than during the main band music.
This is also the time of year for starting beginning band lessons. I have many of the sign up sheets already, and so far have a fairly good amount of 4-8th graders signed up to take lessons. The ones who are signed up are very excited, as am I, and I can't wait to get started with them. My goal for the beginners this year is to reinforce the notes enough with them that they will progress more quickly, and will be able to play more well-known Winter pieces for the Holiday concert. This will make more sense for them, as well as the audience, and allow them to not play three songs that all sound like "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
All in all, it is shaping up to be a very fruitfull and fullfilling year, and I cannot wait to see what the students are capable of. I thank all of you for your continued support with the program. Without your support, the program wouldn't have a basis to start from, as there would be no students. Here's to a great year!
Here is also a copy of the Band Schedule for those who have lost theirs or just want a copy:
Schedule
For the 6-8th grade combined band, we are starting out from the beginning playing the winter concert music. This is so that both the winter concert and the spring concert will a great experience for them, as well as an opportunity to play better music. They are already progressing very well with it, and it looks like we will be able to put on a wonderful concert.
As for lessons, it is a little different than last year in that they are a lot more flexible. I want to make sure the students know what's going on with their band music, but I also want to make sure they are keeping up with their school work. To this end, I am asking that they come to even just part of the lesson if they have something for another class so that they may at least get any vital information if their is any. This way I can also touch base with them on the music so I can make sure they are keeping up with it easier. I will also be conducting peformance quizzes which will allow me to keep track of their progress during the year and make sure they are practicing.
During band itself, we will be working more this year with balance, blend, and tuning. I want them to experience more of what it is like to consistently play together and blend well. This is when a band has its best sound, and it is already starting to help them. I will be gradually helping them to learn how to hear if they are in tune or not, and will quickly tune them before each class. We will then go through a quick warm-up before we get into the band music. This will allow them to start thinking about all of their balance and blend issues from the get-go, rather than during the main band music.
This is also the time of year for starting beginning band lessons. I have many of the sign up sheets already, and so far have a fairly good amount of 4-8th graders signed up to take lessons. The ones who are signed up are very excited, as am I, and I can't wait to get started with them. My goal for the beginners this year is to reinforce the notes enough with them that they will progress more quickly, and will be able to play more well-known Winter pieces for the Holiday concert. This will make more sense for them, as well as the audience, and allow them to not play three songs that all sound like "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
All in all, it is shaping up to be a very fruitfull and fullfilling year, and I cannot wait to see what the students are capable of. I thank all of you for your continued support with the program. Without your support, the program wouldn't have a basis to start from, as there would be no students. Here's to a great year!
Here is also a copy of the Band Schedule for those who have lost theirs or just want a copy:
Schedule
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
It has been a while, but here we are at the beginning of a new year, and winding down to the end of the school year.
I would like to start by saying I am very pleased with what the band was able to accomplish at the concert on the 19th. They put alot of hard work into what you witnessed, and it payed off in the end.
Next, I would like to talk about the upcoming time we have left. These next two marking periods are going to be a lot about getting back to basics. I want to focus on improving the overall quality of playing, and the students ability to play. I will also be introducing scales to the students. I feel that this is an integral part in their being able to play with a better overall look at their music.
As far as music goes this time around, I will be trying to focus on doing more 3 or more part pieces. This band has shown me that they are able to pull these kind of pieces together, so I am going to push them to help them achieve something I know they can do.
I look forward to working with you students in the upcoming months, and hope that they look forward to it as well. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to call or email me. My phone number here at school is 302-653-6276 ext 137 and my email is mhowell@pca.k12.de.us.
Yours in Music,
Michael Howell
Band Director
Providence Creek Academy
I would like to start by saying I am very pleased with what the band was able to accomplish at the concert on the 19th. They put alot of hard work into what you witnessed, and it payed off in the end.
Next, I would like to talk about the upcoming time we have left. These next two marking periods are going to be a lot about getting back to basics. I want to focus on improving the overall quality of playing, and the students ability to play. I will also be introducing scales to the students. I feel that this is an integral part in their being able to play with a better overall look at their music.
As far as music goes this time around, I will be trying to focus on doing more 3 or more part pieces. This band has shown me that they are able to pull these kind of pieces together, so I am going to push them to help them achieve something I know they can do.
I look forward to working with you students in the upcoming months, and hope that they look forward to it as well. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to call or email me. My phone number here at school is 302-653-6276 ext 137 and my email is mhowell@pca.k12.de.us.
Yours in Music,
Michael Howell
Band Director
Providence Creek Academy
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