In this issue:

• 5th grade: new ways of getting started

• Updates from the middle school bands

• AHS marching band recap, jazz preview, new facilities

Tips to Help Your 5th Grade Band Student Succeed

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 student.

Your student's success on their chosen instrument is of great importance to them, to you the parent/guardian, and to us the instructors. At each lesson, your student writes what material to practice on their assignment journal (found in the band binder). We realize that many outside factors cause home practice to become a struggle at times. To make practice as productive and positive 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 student 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 recommend setting a goal of 15-20 minutes of practice daily (100-120 minutes of practice each week). Arrange the practice schedule free from interruptions by television, outdoor play, and family members. 

• Try using the online lesson book to help your student practice more effectively. Information regarding this online resource can be found inside the back cover of your student’s Tradition of Excellence lesson book.

• 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 five-minute recital for you! (Every time you listen, they will be better than the last time!)

• Help your student to remember their instrument and music on lesson days. Emphasize punctuality and faithful attendance at lessons, rehearsals, and concerts. If there is a late start due to inclement weather, we WILL have lessons during the day, so students will need their instrument and music.

• Expose your child to a broad variety of music and concerts. There are many classical, jazz, dance, and musical programs at C.Y. Stephens Auditorium. Our Ames5thband.org website has some great performances to check out too!  Explore the list of professional musicians listed in the front of your student’s band binder. 

• 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. Ames Town & Gown concerts are free to all students K-12 (and free to university students with ID) - check out the concert schedule at www.amestownandgown.org.

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!

Ames5thBand.org

Ames High Welcomes ISU Student Teacher

To tell you just a little bit about myself, I am from Sioux City, Iowa. and attended East High School, where I had the opportunity to interact with an amazing music program that greatly influenced me and which later became a contributing factor in deciding to study music education. I come from a family that values education highly; both of my maternal grandparents were teachers and education activists in Mexico, and my own mother has been highly involved in the Sioux City Schools for more than 11 years, at one point serving as school board president. Originally when I came to Iowa State, I thought I wanted to be an aerospace engineer, but I quickly found that my passion no longer lied there. So, I switched into the music education track in my second semester, and I have never been more excited to build a future in a career. 

While at ISU, I've had the honor and privilege of being a part of the Wind Ensemble, Jazz One, and the Cyslides trombone choir. I have also had the opportunity to perform with the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble, the CJC Big Band, local jazz/funk group The Collective Indifference, and various other small projects in the area. As a trombonist, I had the opportunity to study with Dr. Nathan Dishman, and my learning in conducting thus far was overseen largely by Dr. Michael Golemo.”

Jazz Bands Off and Swinging!