Summer is almost over!

Greetings,

I hope you have had a fantastic summer, and you are almost ready to come back to school!
I am almost ready...maybe after the eclipse.

Below are some things you might like to know before school starts. I will be sure to share this information in class as well.

1. Getting your instrument.

• If you are in 7th-8th grade band, we will be playing on the 2nd day of school, so bring your instrument! I will also be checking out school horns on that day, if you need to rent one for the year.
• If you are a 6th grader or parent, please read this important advice about your musical instrument HERE. First day with instruments will be Monday, September 11.
• We will be hosting a rental night, with instruments provided by Beacock Music on Thursday, September 7, starting at 6:30PM in the SHS Commons.

2. Concert dates.

• Concert dates for the 2017-18 school year can be found HERE. Make sure you mark these dates into your family calendar right away.

3. Concert Uniform.

• We are changing things up this year, to hopefully look sharper, be less hassle, and be more affordable.
• 7th-8th grade band: All black, long sleeves, dress pants, or long skirts, or skirts with leggings or tights, black socks/shoes. For more information click HERE.
• 6th grade band: A t-shirt that will be fun and funky, not to exceed $10 in cost. Order forms will be available during class. Your choice for bottoms, must meet school dress code.

See you soon!!

Musically, 

McG

March Concerts re-scheduled

Invitational is Thursday, March 9th, 7PM at SHS auditorium.

The Band Festival was also re-scheduled to March 21st. Our performance time is 8:30AM at SHS auditorium.

Winter Concert recordings

Access Boring Middle's Concert recording HERE.

You will need to either convert the file, or if you have iTunes, download the file and it should play just fine. I am also happy to provide a CD to students who ask.
Please do not share these recordings; they are for your listening pleasure only.

Winter update

Good afternoon,

I can't believe January is almost over!

In beginning band, we have been continuing to learn new musical concepts so we can grow as musicians. More importantly, we are learning to express ourselves without using words, which is pretty cool! I am going to start using weekly practice records to see how much time (if any) each student is able to dedicate towards improving on his or her instrument. Right now there is no specific time requirement, just completion of the assignment. You should expect to hear at least 5 minutes of dedicated music making. Your student should be asking you for a signature on Sunday on the practice record. Please note that there is a menu of choices the student may write in the comments box. It is useful even just to clap or finger through the assignment. It is also useful to listen to the assignment. If your student was unable to practice, I would love to know about that as well.Please feel free to read the practice record and let me know if you have any questions. Here is a link to the beginning band practice record for CEDAR RIDGE (7th period) and here is a link for BORING (4th period). 

In the combined 7th/8th grade band we have started getting ready for our two big performances in March. They fall on the same date, but at different times of the day. The Band Festival is on March 7th, and will most likely occur during the school day. I will have more information as we get closer to that performance. The Invitational is also March 7th at 7:00PM at Sandy High School in the auditorium. Both concerts are required, graded performances and students will need to wear their band uniform for both.  I am going to start using weekly practice records to see how much time (if any) each student is able to dedicate towards improving on his or her instrument. Right now there is no specific time requirement, just completion of the assignment.Your student should be asking you for a signature on Sunday on the practice record. Please feel free to read the practice record and let me know if you have any questions.  Please note that there is a menu of choices the student may write in the comments box. It is useful even just to clap or finger through the assignment. It is also useful to listen to the assignment. If your student was unable to practice, I would love to know about that as well. Here is a link to the practice record for CEDAR RIDGE (8th period) and here is a link for BORING (1st & 2nd period).