In this issue:

• 5th grade: helpful pointers for parents
• Updates from the middle school bands
• AHS marching band recap, jazz & concert band preview

Ames 5th Grade Bands

The success of the band is directly related to the individual progress that is made by each student in the group. We would like to thank the students, parents, classroom teachers, and the administration for their continuous support of the instrumental music program. We would like to offer some helpful suggestions for you to continue to provide support to your child.

Helpful Pointers to Parents of Fifth Grade Band Students

Students' success on their chosen instrument is of great importance to them, to parents, and to us, the instructors. At each lesson, your child is told what material to practice and how to practice it. However, we realize that many outside factors cause home practice to become a struggle at times. To make practice as productive as possible, we would like to give you some helpful suggestions based on our experiences, first as students and then as teachers. We hope that the following suggestions will help you to help your child at home.

• Provide your child with as good an instrument as possible. Help find a safe place to keep the instrument in your home.
• Provide your child with a music stand. It will promote good posture and proper breath control.
• Set aside a consistent, regular time and place in your home for practice. We would recommend setting a goal of 100-120 minutes of practice each week (15-20 minutes of daily practice). Arrange the practice schedule to be free from interruptions by television, outdoor play, and family members.
• Try using SmartMusic as a practice tool. Students can practice their lesson assignment in SmartMusic at a tempo that is comfortable and SmartMusic can aid them in assessing their progress. Students can record themselves and email the recording to us so, they can cross off the song and keep going in the book. SmartMusic allows students to play along with a professional recording when they practice their full band music. You can get more information at www.smartmusic.com. This can be purchased through the school. We will be submitting another order on November 15. Email tascha.hauber@ames.k12.ia.us if you are interested in ordering this for your student.
• Show an interest in your child's practice and study. Be generous in your praise and encouragement. Occasionally, reward them for consistent practice. Encourage them to perform a 5-minute recital for you!

• Attend music concerts at Ames Middle School, Ames High School, and Iowa State University. The public school and college musicians at our schools in Ames can be great role models. ISU students perform several recitals and concerts at the Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall throughout the year. Through our combined efforts, we feel that your student has an excellent chance to succeed on their instrument and enjoy many rewarding musical and social experiences.

Mrs. Cheryl Todey joins 5th grade staff

With everyone in the routines of the school year, November is a great time to take stock of a few band-related items.

• Does your clarinet or sax player have enough reeds? Do they need an upgrade in quality or strength?
• Does your student need a mouthpiece upgrade? If your student is 7th grade or above and still playing on a beginner mouthpiece, it’s probably time to upgrade. Ask your student’s instructor for recommendations.
• Looking to go deeper? There’s nothing like upgrading to an advanced level instrument (see below) and/or taking private lessons to move to the next musical level. Your student’s instructor can recommend an excellent private teacher for your student.
• Is your child's progress being limited by the quality of instrument they are currently using? Could an instrument upgrade spark a renewed interest in music? After 4-5 years in band, an instrument upgrade is definitely something to consider. Benefits include improved tone quality, additional keys and range of notes, and ease of playing.

Ames Middle School Bands

Little Cyclone Marching Band has a rockin’ season!

AHS Musicians earn selection to Iowa All-State ensembles

On Oct. 26, twenty-eight Ames High band students auditioned at Indianola High School for selection to the Iowa All-State Music Festival, to be held at the Iowa State Center, November 21-23. All students worked hard and spent many hours preparing for the audition. The students below were accepted into the 2019 Iowa All-State Band or Orchestra. Congratulations!

What’s coming up at Ames High?

All of the students who were accepted into the Iowa All-State Music Festival will perform November 23 in Hilton Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. For more information on the performance, please email Andrew Buttermore at andrew.buttermore@ames.k12.ia.us.

On Dec. 5, interested AHS Band students will travel to Roosevelt High School and audition for the South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association (SCIBA) Honor Band. The audition process is very similar to All-State. Students will perform the same music and follow the same processes as the All-State audition. Students who were already accepted into All-State will not be allowed to audition.

The Ames High Holiday Band Concert will be Dec. 16. All four concert bands have started rehearsing and are working hard in preparation for the performance! The concert will be in the High School Auditorium with Percussion Techniques, Freshman Band, and Symphonic Band starting at 6:30 p.m., followed by Concert Band and Wind Symphony at 8:00 p.m.

Ames Band Staff

Andrew Buttermore, Ames High School

Chris Ewan, Ames High School

Ron Ferneau, Ames Middle School, 8th grade

Nick Gardner, Ames High School

Tascha Hauber, Ames Elementary

Paul Tallman, Ames Middle School, 7th grade

Peter Thompson, Ames Middle School, 6th grade

Cheryl Todey, Ames Elementary