December 3, 2009 Progress Reports have recently been distributed. As you know, the band grade uses a bonus point system so that the performance standard remains high. Yet, the student is still in total control of earning a high grade through bonus points. As you can imagine, the paperwork and record keeping is very intricate with the points so all students have his/her points constantly updated in his/her record, NOT on oncourse. I will update the points on oncourse the day that grades are due. In the mean time, if you or your child would like to know their points, please email me and I will give you the number of points he/she has. Remember the bonus points ONLY HELP. I take the higher of the 2 grades. If the student has a 65 on his progress report and 175 bonus points, he has 175% (100%) in the class. 88 bonus points = an 88% To view a pdf document of the bonus points, please click HERE. The first page is reduction of points and page two is addition of points. I hope this clears up the questions but please email me with any further questions you may have. Pam Chaffin Winter Concert Tuesday, December 8 7 p.m. Call time: 6:15 p.m. Concert Blacks Men: Long sleeved button-down BLACK dress shirt Black, plain, satin finish neck-tie Black dress trouser pants Black socks; Dress shoes (no tennis shoes) or marching band shoes Clean-shaven. No ear rings, or facial jewelry. Long hair must be pulled back. Women: LONG dress/skirt, black hose and closed toed shoes (pumps), no stilletto heels OR- dress slacks with black dress shoes Studded earrings only BLACK hair ties only No jewelry on the face November 14 As we close on the marching season and begin our Jazz and Concert seasons, I want to take the time to reflect on the success of this MUSTANG marching season.  We have grown so much as an ensemble as well as individual musicians through team work.  This concept transfers into the next chapters of your music education.  Jazz and Concert bands are teams of musicians who make music together!  Each of you has a responsibility to come prepared to all rehearsals.  You need your Black 1'' binder with clear page covers, your tuner/metronome on your stand everyday, and your pencil.  Your instruments need to be kept in optimum playing condition; and most of all you need to prepare yourselves to grow as musicians.  How?  Work on your technique and your musicianship.  Study with a private teacher, download and buy classical music, learn who the classical players are on your instruments and learn about their styles and personalities.  Whose sound do you like?  Whose style do you like?  Learn it and adopt characteristics and make it your style.  Everything that you bring into the rehearsal contributes to the growth of our ensemble and your classmates.  CONTRIBUTE!  LISTEN!  and ENJOY IT!  Remember that these times are very short in the grand schemes of our lives.    Study etudes and learn what the etude books are for your instrument.  Buy them and study those etudes so you can incorporate your musicianship into your ensemble playing as well as your solo & ensemble playing.  Make technique your top priority because your musicianship is paralyzed without technique; but with technique, you are limitless in expressing yourselves through your music.     I am called your "teacher" but you and I both know that I am not your teacher.  YOU are your teacher.  I am a "shower."  I show you concepts and explain phenomena, but you have to decide for yourselves what is important and what you will learn.  YOU are ultimately responsible for your education.  You are the ones that must practice tirelessly passages and listen endlessly to recordings in order to move to the next level.  Your efforts will undoubtedly pay off.  Hard work and preparation ALWAYS pay off.   That is my promise to you.  I will work extremely hard for you, if you in turn, work hard for yourselves and for each other.  It will be worth it-I promise.   Rock on, my young friends; greatness awaits...

Nov and Dec happenings

Concert Blacks:  Men:  Long sleeved button-down BLACK dress shirt;                                            Black, plain, satin finish neck-tie                                          Black dress trouser pants                                         Black socks; Dress shoes (no tennis shoes) or marching band shoes        Clean-shaven;  no ear rings, or facial jewelry                                        Long hair must be pulled back                            Women:  LONG dress/skirt, black hose and closed toed shoes (pumps); no stilletto heels                                         OR- dress slacks with black dress shoes                                        studded earrings only,                                        BLACK hair ties only                                      No jewelry on the face Tuesday is All District Audition Night.  If you signed up to audition, check the schedule in the hall to see your time.  We will need approx 5-6 volunteers to work the evening (community service hours & bonus points) See Ms Chaffin if you are intersted. Jazz Combo performance/Fundraiser at New Orleans Cafe (Julington Creek Marina) from 6pm-8pm  on Tues, Dec 1. The band receives 10% from all food sold so come out and listen to some great music and eat some great food! Concert:  Tues Dec 8 at 7pm in the auditorium.  Rehearsal schedule to follow. Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Color Guard, and Chamber groups will perform Solo/Ensemble registration is approaching!  The week we get back from Thanksgiving, we will begin registration.  So choose your solo or your ensemble! -For a list of FBA approved solos and grades, visit the Florida Bandmasters Association website. -Order those pieces from JWPepper.com or Florida Music Service

Individual Daily Practice Schedule: Goals:  1.Developing good habits (posture and marching, self discipline)             2. Improving embochure endurance             3. Learning the music Assignment: -EVERYDAY--play your instrument (even if it is only long tones for 2 minutes) -Practice standing 60/40 (60% of your body weight to the front of your body); feet together, horn angle above parallel for brass and TAKE UP SPACE (largest circle you can make standing at          attention). -warm up (printed off the download page):  Play:  Buzz and play or F/C/C long tones;  Choose a lipslur 1 or 2;  Brass play meas. 121//WW's play 151;  Meas 181 -light and detached  notes;  Dallas or Number 5 Alive -Music:  be able to sing the articulations for the Mangione Opener:  > is dAH!,    ^ is dAHt!,  legato is doo,  and staccato is dit. Remember to get the necessary supplies:  flip folder, chromatic tuner and a metronome, lyre for your instrument, extra flip folder pages, and a 2 quart Coleman Jug **PRACTICE---You will be glad you did. * You should have been contacted by your section leader for a sectional.  If you haven't, make sure we have your correct contact information and you'll be contacted soon. "If I do not practice one day, I know it.  If I do not practice the next day, the orchestra knows it.  If I do not practice the third day, the whole world knows it."   -Ignace Paderewski, pianist

Journey
	The Journey is the Reward              -Chinese Proverb