5th Grade Beginning Band
Weekly Lesson Plans & Goals
Weeks of 12/4, 12/11, 12/18 Schedules
Week of 12/4: Monday - Flutes, Tuesday- Clarinets & Saxes, Weds - Trumpets & Trombones, Thursday - Percussion, Friday - Full Band
Week of 12/11: Full Band Monday - Thursday (each day), No Band Friday 12/15
12/18 - Full Band in the morning - Christmas Concert that night 6 pm (5th Grade, MS Band & Choir 6-6:50 pm, 10 minute intermission, High School Band, Jazz Band, and Choir 7 pm - 8 pm). No Band 12/19 - 12/22 5th Grade Band will resume after Christmas Break on January 8th.
Concert Attire - Nice pants/dress, Nice top (Christmas colors are okay :)
Week of 11/27 Schedule: As much as I was hoping to have a "normal" week this week, we can't do it. I have to make some last minute adjustments for tomorrow and Wednesday so thanks for the flexibility.
Monday and Weds - NO BAND or Sectionals
Tuesday - All Woodwinds - Flutes, Clarinets, and Saxes
Thursday - Brass and Percussion (Trumpets, Trombones, Drums)
Friday - Full Band
Please note, our Christmas Concert is December 18th at 6 pm, along with the Middle School Band and Choir. More information will be coming home soon!
Week 6 Lesson Plans & Goals (Week of October 9th)
Monday - Flutes
Tuesday - Clarinets/Saxes
Wednesday - Trumpets/Trombones
Thursday - Percussion
Friday - Full Band
Goals for week 6:
1st 5 Notes Worksheet - in class
Practice Log Check (15 minutes per day is the goal) - Use the practice log in the Essential Elements Book with parent initials. These are checked each week - special treat this week if they are completed and initialed! :)
Review pg. 6 & start on page 7
Play #13 Essential Elements Quiz Redos for those that need them
Complete #19 Activity and be ready to perform
Week 5 Lesson Resources (Week of October 2nd)
Back to Regular Schedule!
Monday - Flutes
Tuesday - Clarinets/Saxes
Wednesday - Trumpets/Trombones
Thursday - Percussion
Friday - Full Band
Goals for week 5:
1st 5 Notes Review & Confidence
Practice Log Check (15 minutes per day is the goal) - Use the practice log in the Essential Elements Book with parent initials. These are checked each week - special treat this week if they are completed and initialed! :)
Review pg. 5, start on pg. 6 in Book
Play #13 Essential Elements Quiz for Mr. Akers this week (we didn't get to this last week)
For Reeds and cleaning supplies, I do have some reeds on-hand for $2-$3 a piece (depending on what brands I have available - Rico Reeds usually run $2 but Vandorens are $3).
If you wish to purchase from Amazon or another source, look for the Orange Box of Rico or Blue Box of Rico Royals - both work well for beginners. Vandorens are great, too, but a little pricey for 1st year (may last a little longer though). If you find anything less than $2 a reed it's probably not great quality and a rip-off.
As far a reed strength, look for 2.5 for both Alto Saxophone and Clarinet.
If you would like to order from Meyer Music and have them deliver it free of charge on Thursday mornings, you can order supplies, reeds, etc. HERE. (Chat feature works best).
MM Accessories Postcard.pdf
Week 4 Lesson Resources (Week of Sept. 25th)
Schedule: (Please note no band Friday due to my high school class schedule that particular day)
Monday - Flutes
Tuesday - Clarinets/Saxes
Wednesday - Trumpets/Trombones
Thursday - Percussion
Friday - NO BAND FRIDAY - Homecoming & Comet Connections Day at High School
Goals for week 4:
Instrument Assembly & Cleaning Should be easy now
1st 5 Notes Review & Confidence
Practice Log Check (15 minutes per day is the goal) - Use the practice log in the Essential Elements Book with parent initials.
Work on pages 4 & 5 in Book, Begin working on page 6 #14-19
Play #13 Essential Elements Quiz for Mr. Akers this week
Week 3 Lesson Resources (Week of Sept. 18th)
Please make sure students bring their instrument, black music folder, and pencil (those were handed out last week). If your student received a music stand, those can stay at home for practicing.
Schedule:
Monday - Flutes
Tuesday - Clarinets/Saxes
Wednesday - Trumpets/Trombones
Thursday - Percussion
Friday - Full Band!
Goals for week 3:
Putting together the instrument with confidence
Embouchure & Beginning Tone
Hand Placement
1st 5 Notes
Practice Log Check (10 minutes per day is the goal)
Be able to play the 1st two pages of Book 1 Essential Elements
Practice log check at sectionals!
Week 2 Lesson Resources (Week of Sept. 11th)
Please make sure students bring their instrument, black music folder, and pencil (those were handed out last week). If your student received a music stand, those can stay at home for practicing.
Schedule:
Monday - Flutes
Tuesday - Clarinets/Saxes
Wednesday - Trumpets/Trombones
Thursday - Percussion
Friday - Full Band!
Goals for week 2:
Putting together the instrument with confidence
Embouchure & Beginning Tone
Hand Placement
3 Notes
Practice Log Check (10 minutes per day is the goal)
Begin practice log for this week
Woodwinds - please watch assembly videos from last week
Week 1 Lesson Resources (Week of Sept. 4th)
Goals for week 1:
Putting together the instrument
Embouchure
Hand Placement
1st two notes
Practice 10 minutes per day (practice log due next week)
Flute/Clarinet/Saxophone Handout
Percussion Handout
Meyer Music will have a table set up at ABC Night over at the Elementary School from 5-6:30 pm. If you miss it or would rather rent online, you can CLICK HERE.
Instruments, books, stands, etc. will be handed out on the first day of band class, not at the rental night. This is to make sure that your student knows how to properly assemble their instruments, put them away, etc.
The first week we will meet is the Tuesday after Labor Day.
Tuesday September 5th - Flutes Only
Wednesday September 6th - Clarinets & Alto Saxes Only
Thursday September 7th - Trumpets, Trombones, Baritones Only
Friday September 8th - Percussion Only
Beginning Band Schedule Fall 2023 starting Monday September 11th:
Mondays: Flutes
Tuesdays: Clarinets & Alto Saxophones
Wednesdays: Trumpets, Trombones, Baritones
Thursdays: Drums (Percussion)
Fridays: Full Band (All Students)
As we approach our concerts we may have a few weeks where we meet with the full band each day.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Instruction takes place from 7:40-8:20 a.m. in the H.S. Band Room.
2. Call the transportation department at 867-6409, if you need to arrange a bus pick-up in the morning. Please also mark the spot on the band-sign up form that you will return to the Elementary School Office. This will help our transportation department in arranging bus routes as well for beginning band students. NOTE: A bus WILL take them to the elementary after class!!
3. If you need to speak to me, I can be reached at 867-6489. Leave a message, and I will return your call. (Or, better and quicker, e-mail me at bryan.akers@hanoverhorton.org)
4. I will happily help you decide if you have found a quality instrument from somewhere other than one of our music suppliers. Please contact me at the High School.
5. Please sign up for our Band Remind Messages. I will be communicating scheduling changes through this app and you can also individually message me as well if needed. It allows me to communicate with you in a timely manner if the schedule changes or any last minute needs arise. (Instructions attached).
Recommended brands of Instruments:
WARNING!!! (BE CAREFUL IF BUYING ONLINE!!!!)
Brass & Woodwinds: Armstrong, Bach, Conn, Gemeinhardt, Getzen, Holton, Jupiter, Leblanc, Selmer, Vito, Yamaha
Percussion: Pearl or Musser percussion kit. Must include a full set of bells and a snare drum and/or practice pad. A stick/mallet bag is also highly recommended as they need their own by November (and will be available for purchase on rental night).
BRANDS TO AVOID: Cecilio, First Act, Pan Am, Silvertone, Simba, Lauren, Revere, and anything from WalMart, Sams Club, Etc.
BOOK USED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR: ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS Book 1
Meyer Music: (269) 366-3920
Musically yours,
Mr. Bryan Akers
Director of Bands
Hanover-Horton Schools
If you'd rather do your rental online, CLICK HERE
or you can text @5band23 to the number 81010
They’ll receive a welcome text from Remind.
If anyone have trouble with 81010, try texting @5band23 to (303) 731-4514.