I thought I may as well give a general update on how all the bands are doing now that we are a few weeks into the school year. Safe to say there's a lot to discuss.
At Norup, each band is getting into a routine of skill building and introduction to repertoire. 8th grade has been working overtime, already under the gun for three playing tests on major scales and patterns. On the rep side, we're working on a few pieces including Susato's "Battle Pavane" and "Chester Variations." We went outside for the first time today to review marching basics, ahead of the Halloween parade in a few weeks. I had a good laugh as they tried to remember how to execute a "left face."
7th graders, small but mighty, are in a good place as they move beyond the 6th grade-friendly key signatures and ranges. Repertoire study has been fun so far, including an arrangement of "Malaguena" and a simple march titled "Mt. Vernon March." The emphasis is really on moving slowly through new skills and knowledge, and so far I'm impressed with the band. We also had our first attempt at marching today.
6th grade is going great so far! I always forget how fun it is to start moving beyond the first five or six notes to a full octave, and playing some fun music like "Cardiff Castle." The instrumentation is good, and the kids are so willing to try new things. I'm trying to mix more musicianship and singing/moving into this beginning band semester, so I guess we'll see how that goes. This summer was definitely a good reminder of why that stuff is so important as compared to only working on fingerings and rhythms.
The marching band is approaching a few weeks that are...well, busy if not ridiculously busy. This includes 3 assemblies at the middle schools, senior night, homecoming pep assembly, parade, and game, indoor marching concert, trip to U of M Band-o-Rama, and the first ever "Band Bowl" touch football game. Whew! Enough said. The kids are working as hard as ever.
The concert band is also off to a good start. Almost all members are veterans, so the starting point of technique is much higher than last year. I'm also doing certain things very differently, including the approach to technique building, repertoire, rhythm study, etc. It will be really interesting to see how far this band pushes itself--I'm optimistic at this point.
More to come in November!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Photos from the Football Game on 9/17
Here are some photos from the September 17 game against Andover HS. It was fun to watch our team win big, and the band did a nice job putting the final song, "Thriller," on the field for the first time. We have a few more final touches to add for our last two games, but I'm very happy with the current progress.
In other news, I was in Ann Arbor on Tuesday night for a saxophone quartet rehearsal. I had about an hour to kill, so I visited the Michigan Marching Band afternoon practice. It was really fun to see the BHS alums marching, including freshman Ben Duchan, sophomore Kathleen Elmquist, and junior Andrew Lapin. I also saw a number of alums from Andover HS where I student taught. The band looked and sounded great.
Enjoy the pictures!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Marching Band Reminders
I'm just writing with a few reminders about this week in marching band. First, we have our next football game performance this Thursday evening at 7:00 PM. This time, we'll be meeting at the fields across from the high school at 4:45 PM for a warm-up and run-throughs rehearsal. This rehearsal should last approximately 45 minutes, leaving about an hour for students to get dressed and get something to eat before meeting at Anderson MS (in the courtyard) at 6:30 PM. Don't forget to be in full uniform!
Second, as I've told the band several times, there is NO invitational this weekend. Because the scheduled invitational took place during the Jewish holiday, it was moved to this past weekend (which I thought was a little early in the school year). Therefore, again, there is NO invitational this weekend.
Second, as I've told the band several times, there is NO invitational this weekend. Because the scheduled invitational took place during the Jewish holiday, it was moved to this past weekend (which I thought was a little early in the school year). Therefore, again, there is NO invitational this weekend.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Band Camp Reminders
Hello marching band students and parents,
I'm writing with some important reminders for the upcoming band camp week. Please read each item and write back if you have questions or concerns.
--Please remember that band camp begins on SUNDAY NIGHT from 6-9 PM, not Monday morning. Please arrive 10 minutes early to Hurley field and meet near the baseball diamond (the field is in use from 6-7). You will NOT need instruments this evening. We'll have water and snacks, but please eat an early dinner before the rehearsal.
--Please remember that during the week this year, we are starting at 8 AM, not 9 AM like we usually do. That means you'll need to arrive 10 minutes early on those mornings, also.
--The parking lot at Anderson is torn up and, unfortunately, will be for most or all of the week. You will be able to park a car at the Rec Center around the corner or out on the streets around the school. Students should consider carpooling or getting dropped off when possible.
--During the week, students must provide their own lunch. You can either bring a lunch, or go out to lunch with your section.
--It will be hot and sunny. Please remember sunscreen, a big water bottle that you can refill, and a hat/sunglasses.
--We will have some evening activities, including our annual movie night in the BHS auditorium on Tuesday (time TBA), and a party at the Huntington Woods Rec Center on Wednesday evening (time TBA). Everyone should attend if possible, as these are really fun parts of the week.
--On Thursday, August 20, there is a big 4-way football scrimmage at Hurley field, all day long. As a result, we'll be having band camp at BHS that day. Details will be forthcoming throughout the week.
--On Friday, we will perform a show for parents on Friday at noon. Following the performance, please join us for a potluck meal. On Monday, I'll pass out a flyer that asks different sections in the band to bring in certain food. If we all chip in a little, we'll have a really nice get together to celebrate our week.
I can't wait to see you all on Sunday night. Our drum majors attended camp in Illinois and are primed to lead the band (especially senior drum major Umberto Fournier, who earned the "First Class" award). We have 4 excellent coaches coming in to work with us. Our numbers are up from previous years. Simply put, we are going to have a great time.
Remember, we start on SUNDAY night at 6 PM. See you soon!
Sincerely,
Mr. Shaw
I'm writing with some important reminders for the upcoming band camp week. Please read each item and write back if you have questions or concerns.
--Please remember that band camp begins on SUNDAY NIGHT from 6-9 PM, not Monday morning. Please arrive 10 minutes early to Hurley field and meet near the baseball diamond (the field is in use from 6-7). You will NOT need instruments this evening. We'll have water and snacks, but please eat an early dinner before the rehearsal.
--Please remember that during the week this year, we are starting at 8 AM, not 9 AM like we usually do. That means you'll need to arrive 10 minutes early on those mornings, also.
--The parking lot at Anderson is torn up and, unfortunately, will be for most or all of the week. You will be able to park a car at the Rec Center around the corner or out on the streets around the school. Students should consider carpooling or getting dropped off when possible.
--During the week, students must provide their own lunch. You can either bring a lunch, or go out to lunch with your section.
--It will be hot and sunny. Please remember sunscreen, a big water bottle that you can refill, and a hat/sunglasses.
--We will have some evening activities, including our annual movie night in the BHS auditorium on Tuesday (time TBA), and a party at the Huntington Woods Rec Center on Wednesday evening (time TBA). Everyone should attend if possible, as these are really fun parts of the week.
--On Thursday, August 20, there is a big 4-way football scrimmage at Hurley field, all day long. As a result, we'll be having band camp at BHS that day. Details will be forthcoming throughout the week.
--On Friday, we will perform a show for parents on Friday at noon. Following the performance, please join us for a potluck meal. On Monday, I'll pass out a flyer that asks different sections in the band to bring in certain food. If we all chip in a little, we'll have a really nice get together to celebrate our week.
I can't wait to see you all on Sunday night. Our drum majors attended camp in Illinois and are primed to lead the band (especially senior drum major Umberto Fournier, who earned the "First Class" award). We have 4 excellent coaches coming in to work with us. Our numbers are up from previous years. Simply put, we are going to have a great time.
Remember, we start on SUNDAY night at 6 PM. See you soon!
Sincerely,
Mr. Shaw
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Are you bored?
If so, watch this:
http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/07/31/bobby-mcferrin-at-the-world-science-festival/
Students: this has to do with what we do in class, when I ask you to hear the pitch in your head before you play (audiation).
Maybe we'll try this someday this year...
http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/07/31/bobby-mcferrin-at-the-world-science-festival/
Students: this has to do with what we do in class, when I ask you to hear the pitch in your head before you play (audiation).
Maybe we'll try this someday this year...
Monday, July 27, 2009
Calendar Updates
Hello marching band students and parents,
Today is July 27, which means a few things for the marching band. First, we have a music-only rehearsal this Wednesday from 9:30 AM to noon in the BHS band room. I hope to see as many people as possible. Second, we have only three weeks until the start of band camp at Hurley Field. I’m getting very excited to see everyone and start the process of putting together our “Michael Jackson” show. It’s certainly strange what can occur in the world between selecting a show in April and performing it in the fall.
The reason for this email is to alert everyone to a few changes on the calendar. These changes do not affect football games performances, only the fall indoor concerts. The district has been working on a new way of organizing the main calendar. As a result, dates on the original marching band information packet had to be selected before the scheduling process had completed, and thus have changed slightly.
Here are the changes:
--The indoor marching concert scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20th has been moved to Wednesday, Oct. 21st.
--The marching band lock-in scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23rd has been canceled for that date (there is no school that day for students); every effort will be made to reschedule for a different day.
--The Winter band concert scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 15th has been rescheduled for Thursday, Dec. 17th.
One addition to the calendar is the OPTIONAL field trip to Ann Arbor for the University of Michigan’s “Band-O-Rama” concert. This is a great evening and it is usually very well attended. This concert will occur on Saturday, Oct. 31st (Halloween) at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor. We take buses from BHS and enjoy dinner beforehand. Please add this to your calendar and consider attending.
Can’t wait to see you all soon!
Bears!
Mr. Shaw
Today is July 27, which means a few things for the marching band. First, we have a music-only rehearsal this Wednesday from 9:30 AM to noon in the BHS band room. I hope to see as many people as possible. Second, we have only three weeks until the start of band camp at Hurley Field. I’m getting very excited to see everyone and start the process of putting together our “Michael Jackson” show. It’s certainly strange what can occur in the world between selecting a show in April and performing it in the fall.
The reason for this email is to alert everyone to a few changes on the calendar. These changes do not affect football games performances, only the fall indoor concerts. The district has been working on a new way of organizing the main calendar. As a result, dates on the original marching band information packet had to be selected before the scheduling process had completed, and thus have changed slightly.
Here are the changes:
--The indoor marching concert scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20th has been moved to Wednesday, Oct. 21st.
--The marching band lock-in scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23rd has been canceled for that date (there is no school that day for students); every effort will be made to reschedule for a different day.
--The Winter band concert scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 15th has been rescheduled for Thursday, Dec. 17th.
One addition to the calendar is the OPTIONAL field trip to Ann Arbor for the University of Michigan’s “Band-O-Rama” concert. This is a great evening and it is usually very well attended. This concert will occur on Saturday, Oct. 31st (Halloween) at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor. We take buses from BHS and enjoy dinner beforehand. Please add this to your calendar and consider attending.
Can’t wait to see you all soon!
Bears!
Mr. Shaw
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