A GOOD START

I am so excited to be back in the swing of things.  It is so exciting to hear all of the beginners making sounds that will soon turn into music.  I am enjoying reviewing the things we learned last year with my 2nd Year band students.  This week your child should bring home a Practice Log. This log should be filled out and turned in each week.   Their is a link to the Practice Log on one of the Pages on the Right Hand side of my Webpage in case your child forgets to pick one up at band or loses theirs during the week.  Each week they receive points that I use to determine their grade and which prize box they will get something from each 9 weeks.  They receive points for the following:

Lesson Attended: 1 point
Book Brought to Lesson: 1 point
Instrument Brought to Lesson: 1 point
Practice log completed, signed by parent and turned in:
     45 minute total for the week (3 fifteen minute practice sessions): 1 point
or
     1:15 minute total for the week (5 fifteen minute practice sessions): 2 points
      (These point totals will change after the Winter Break.)

At the end of the 9 weeks I will total up each students points.  The point totals for the prize boxes will vary each 9 weeks, depending on how many lessons we have.  The following is an example of how the points will equate into prizes.

Large Prize Box:  The student has the top number of points possible for the 9 weeks. (S+ on Progress Report)

Medium Prize Box:  The student has a point total between the maximum and minimum totals for the other two prize boxes.  (S+ or S, depending on point total.)

Small Prize Box:  The student has points that total the number of lessons in a 9 weeks with both instrument and book brought to each lesson.  (S- on Progress Report)

A student will receive a U on their Progress Report is they miss more than 3/4 of the lessons, or fail to bring their instrument and/or book to 3/4 of the lessons.

IT'S ALMOST TIME

Fall is upon us, which means it is almost time for band to start up again.  I hope all of my second year students have been practicing.  I am so excited to get started with all the new Beginner Band students.  If you are going to participate in Beginner Band and have not been able to come to one of the "Getting to Know Your Instrument" sessions you have one last chance.  The "Getting to Know Your Woodwind" session is for students that have selected flute, clarinet or sax.  That session will be held this Tuesday, August 27 from 2 - 3 p.m. in the music room at KGES.  The "Getting to Know Your Brass & Bells" session is for students that have selected trumpet, trombone or bells.  That session will be held this Wednesday, August 28 from 2 - 3 p.m. in the music room at KGES.  It is best for the students to bring their instrument with them to these sessions, but they can come even if they don't have their instrument. 

SUMMER IS HERE

We made it through the 2012 - 2013 school year!!  I hope you will all enjoy a wonderful Summer Break - but don't forget your band instrument.  I have updated the Practice Schedule page with what the students should practice this summer.  I have also updated the Important Elementary Band Dates pages with the Summer Calendar.  Please take a look now to see if your child will be able to participate in these activities.  Thanks again for a wonderful year of making music and I look forward to a exciting 2013 - 2014 school year.

GREAT CONCERT

I am so proud of both the Beginner Band and the 2nd Year Band.  They did a wonderful job of making music at their End of the Year Concert last night.  I want to thank all the parents and teachers for your support and encouragement.  We could not have done this without you.  I know that both the parents and the teachers make sacrifices for Elementary Band to happen.   I want you all to know how much I appreciate the sacrifices you all make.

THANKS!!!!!

Mrs. Conner

A LISTENING LINK

Here is a link for the students to listening to "Hot Fudge Sunday."  This can help them with their practicing. Once you click on the link you have to click on the song "Hot Fudge Sunday" and it will take you to the page where you can listen.

http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/search.jsp?keywords=hot+fudge+sundae

RECRUITING CONCERT

Our Spring Elementary Band Recruiting Concerts start next week.  Please make sure that your child brings their instrument and music on the day of their schools recruiting concert.  They need to wear their band shirt with nice jeans for the concert.

Potomac Recruiting Concert - Monday, April 22 2:45 PES Gym

Sealston Recruiting Concert - Wednesday, April 24 2:45 SES Gym

King George Recruiting Concert - Thursday, May 2 2:45 KGES Gym


There will be a parent information meeting at 6:30 for each school the same evening as the schools concert.  This meeting is for all NEW students wishing to join beginner band during the 2013 - 2014 school year.  All returning students will only need to fill out an intent to return form which will be available later in May.

COUNTY WIDE BAND CONCERT

The County Wide Band Concert is this Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. at King George High School.  All Elementary Band students (Beginner and 2nd Year) are to report to the High School no later than 5:50.  Students need to wear their band t-shirt with nice blue jeans and nice shoes.  We will be putting our instrument cases in a room just off of the Cafeteria before we go into the Auditorium.  The King George Band Parents are running a Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser in the Cafeteria from 5:00 - 6:45.  The cost is $5 in advance and $7 at the door.  All proceeds go to support the band programs.  The doors to the Auditorium will not open until 6:45 since we will be rehearsing up until that time.

I look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday.

MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS

Click here to see a great video that shows music can be made from trash.

MARCH - MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH

March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. MIOSM began as a single statewide celebration in 1973, and has grown over the decades to encompass a day, then a week, and then in 1985 to become a month long celebration of school music. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community and to display the benefits school music brings to students of all ages.

The celebration continues to grow each year, reaching more and more students, teachers, musicians, and music supporters. Schools and communities throughout the country and overseas celebrate MIOSM with concerts and other activities based on the year’s theme. Classrooms, concert halls, civic buildings, clubs, parks, libraries, and shopping malls are just some of the arenas in which the public can observe the processes and results of music education.  (NAfME Website)

PROGRESS REPORTS

I hope you all had a nice "Snow" Break.  I just wanted to let you all know to look for your child's Progress Report to come home with their report card.  If you have any questions about these please feel free to contact me.

We are busy getting ready for the County Wide Band Concert that will be held Thursday, April 11. Your child should be practicing the pieces I have listed on the "Practice Schedule" page of this website.   Please make sure to mark your calendars now so that your child will be able to participate in this wonderful concert.  All three Elementary School band groups will be playing together.  We will rehearse at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Auditorium before the concert.  All Elementary Band students will need to stay through  the Middle School Band performances.  I hope that you will be able to stay for the High School portion as well. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to see what they will be able to do in a few years.

One last item.  All students should be turning in Practice Logs if they want points for the Reward Box.  This Practice Log must be signed by a parent for the student to receive their points.  The point system is listed at the bottom of the log.  Please encourage your child to do at least 3 - 5 days a week.  This is the only way they can make the progress they need to play with the band as a whole.  Students can pick up Practice Logs from me at school or print one from this website.

Thanks so much for supporting your children and the King George County Elementary Band Program.

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a wonderful Winter Break.  You all did such a wonderful job at your Winter Concerts.  Our next concert will be the County Wide Band Concert on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. The concert will be at King George High School.  We will be starting our music for that concert next week.  You will find the updated band schedules on the "Band Schedule" page.  

As we get back into the swing of things I just wanted to remind everyone to make sure you are practicing.  Starting the 3rd Nine weeks you will have to turn in a Parent signed practice card to get your points for the treasure boxes.  I will make those practice cards available to you before the end of January and I will post one on the tools page so you can print another if you loose one.

I am looking forward to making great music with all of you and we start the New Year.