Instrumental Music

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News, Notices, and Current Events                           

Welcome to the 2011-2012 School Year in Band
 

 NEWS, NEWS, NEWS
We have changed vendors for Instrument Rentals, Repairs
 and Supplies Service.  Our vendor will be Rick's Musical Instruments

in Cumberland, RI.

Parents who rented from Music and Arts will still be covered by them for damage etc to those instruments.
Continuing with this years students, all rentals will be from Rick's Music. 
We will also be visited every Wednesday for service and deliveries
Please see Rick's New Music Accessory Order Form

Please Remember
Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble

rehearsals begin promptly at 7:30 am.

"Early is on time, On time is late!!!"

Concert Band rehearsals begin promptly at 8:00
on Thursday Mornings beginning in January

• Group Lesson Schedules are complete for Mr. Benjamin and Mr. Heater. 
  Please print out as many copies as you need.
   

• All Students - Remember to practice at least 60 minutes per week and have your
  practice chart initialed by a parent. 
  Any questions please ask Mr. Benjamin or Mr. Heater.
   

• Please Note the Following Rehearsal Days and Times for Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Chorus and Symphonic Band:
  Chorus-Monday and Wednesdays 7:30 am
  Wind Ensemble-Monday and Wednesdays at 7:30 am
  Symphonic Band-Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:30 am
  Concert Band-Thursdays at 8:00 am
   

Welcome to the Instrumental Music Department                        

Welcome to the Band! The rewards of being a part of this exciting musical organization will be great. The first few weeks of learning to play a band instrument are especially important. Good practice habits need to be established at home from the beginning and a parent or guardian can HELP.

Help to set-up the best possible practice facility. The area should be well lit and free from other distractions, and should accommodate a straight chair and a music stand. New students can play along with the new TRADITIONS OF EXCELLENCE ACCOMPANIMENTS that are available as part of the method book. These accompaniments follow all of the exercise lines in the TRADITIONS OF EXCELLENCE BAND METHOD by Bruce Pearson, which we now use here at BFCCPS starting with the 2011-2012 Grade 4 Students. All other students will continue to use the STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE Method by Bruce Pearson.

Establish a regular time and routine for practice sessions. Students should begin with warm-up exercises, and then move into this week's assignment. Troublesome parts should be isolated and worked out before the entire song is repeated. Students should end the practice session with a few favorites, just for fun! We introduce all of our students to "Wynton's 12 Ways to Practice."

Listen enthusiastically to your child's practicing. Recognize his or her efforts with a comment such as, "I really liked the sound of the low tones on that piece." You are the audience your child will most appreciate.

Participate in our three-way partnership: parent(s)/guardian(s), students, and teacher working together to make band an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. Start by reinforcing your student's practice routine. Acknowledge his or her home practice time on the practice chart he or she will be asking you to initial every week.

Enjoyment in playing a band instrument and a desire to practice come with success; success is the result of dedicated practice. Together, we can guide your child on the road to those great rewards. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, or if we may be of additional help.