Week of 5/4
UPCOMING CONCERTS
Tuesday, May 28: Loker in-school concert 9:30 (for students and teachers only)
Wednesday, May 29: Happy Hollow @ 9:15 (for students and teachers only)
Thursday, May 30: Claypit Hill @ 9:30 (for students and teachers only)
THURSDAY, May 30: GRANDBAND in HS Theater @ 7:00 (6:30 arrival)
Practicing Assignment
Please keep practicing your music. I have attached play along links on our band website so you can play with accompaniment (please see below).
Week of 4/7
BAND CONCERT T-SHIRTS
The links to order our band concert t-shirt is live. All of our 3rd-5th grade musicians will be wearing these shirts for all of our Spring concerts moving forward. Please consider sizing up if your child will be wearing it next year.
Please order your child's t-shirt by Friday, April 12.
Spring t-shirt order link
Week of 3/25
The 4th grade band is working on note values this month. We are learning about dotted half notes and ties. Ask your child to explain what happens when there is a dot after a half note (it makes the note 3 beats instead of 2). Ask your child to explain what a tie is (it combines the note and makes it longer).
4th Practice AssignmentWeek of 2/26
Our BANDFEST Concert is in 2 Weeks!
When: Wednesday, 3/13 at 7:00 pm (6:30 arrival time).
Where: HS Fieldhouse
What to Bring: Instrument, Music Stand, and Music
Dress: White Top, Black Bottom, Ties, Dark Shoes
Please practice your music with the recordings (below) so you are ready for the concert.
Week of 1/22
We are starting our first official band pieces now! These songs are much longer and each instrument section has their own part! Be sure to practice your parts so you are able to play them in band.
Band Concerts: Week of 12/11
Our band concerts will take place the week of December 11. Musicians will need their folding stands for the in-school concerts. Stands are not required for evening concerts.
Concert Attire (for all concerts):
white tops
black bottoms
dark shoes
ties
Monday, December 11:
Loker in-school concert (for school-families are asked to attend evening concert)
Tuesday, December 12:
Happy Hollow in-school concert (for school-families to attend evening concert)
Wednesday, December 13:
5th grade town-wide band & string concert @ 6:30 (6:00 report) HS auditorium
Thursday, December 14:
Claypit in-school concert (for school-families are asked to attend evening concert)
4th grade town-wide band & string concert @ 6:30 (6:00 report) HS auditorium
Week of 11/13
MAKE MUSIC: Wayland band students have been using the FREE Make music program in lessons. Please take a moment to register your child, if you have not done so already. To register, please click HERE.
SAVE THE DATE:
5th grade town-wide string and band concert: Wednesday, 12/13
4th grade town-wide string and band concert: Thursday, 12/14
Band members will wear white tops, black bottoms, dark shoes, and ties.
Week of 11/6
MAKE MUSIC: Wayland band students have been using the FREE Make music program in lessons. Please take a moment to register your child, if you have not done so already. To register, please click HERE.
SAVE THE DATE:
5th grade town-wide string and band concert: Wednesday, 12/13
4th grade town-wide string and band concert: Thursday, 12/14
Week of 10/23
The 4th grade band is learning their 6th note this week (on page 8). We are focusing on increasing our note range and playing with a focused tone. All students should be practicing at least 10-15 minutes for 5 days each week.
The High School practice partner list has been emailed home. Please email Ms. Keenan if you would like another copy. We highly recommend this program for students who would like extra support, an extra challenge, or just someone to practice with. The cost is $13/half hour to be paid directly to your HS practice partner. You can contact them directly to set up a time.
Week of 10/16-with a FREE code to join MAKE MUSIC below.
It's time to sign your child up for our FREE online practicing site. Please go to Make Music and join our 4th grade band class.
To join MAKE MUSIC for free, please click HERE.
This week, we are focusing on playing our 5 notes without looking at our fingers. Try playing a 'note drill' at home. Place instrument on your lap and ask a friend to call out one of your 5 notes. How fast can you play your note correctly with the correct fingerings?
Week of 10/9: This week, we will focus on reading our 5 notes on the musical staff. We will read music from page 6 in our book and add to our repertoire.
Treble Clef Poster.pdfBass Clef Poster.pdfPRIVATE LESSONS
Interested in private lessons at your child's school after school hours? Click link to find out more!
Practice Assignment (Aim for 10-15 minutes a day of practice)
This week, we are focusing on our first three notes on our instruments. We will learn how to finger them correctly, recognize them on the staff, and we will concentrate on holding our instruments correctly so we can get a better tone.
Watch warmup videos below and practice with them
Warm up each day with your mouthpiece warmups:
High Sounds (8 seconds)
Low Sounds (8 seconds)
Siren (8 seconds)
First three fingerings
Play each note for 8 seconds (this is called a 'long tone)
Play each note in a row (can you do this without stopping to find your fingerings?)
Play the notes backwards (can you do this without stopping to find your fingerings?)
Page 4 & 5 in your Essential Elements Book
Look at your new notes on #1 and #2.
Can you figure out the fingerings and play them?
Try to play numbers 1-10.
Sticker song this week (you will play this song by yourself or with friends in your small group lesson)
Hot Cross Buns
Sticker song next week
The Fab Five (number 10)
Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Percussion-can you memorize order of notes on treble clef lines?
Trombone and Euphonium-can you memorize the order of notes on the bass clef lines?
Week of 9/18: Let's Get Started!
Hello band families!
You have found the 4th grade Wayland band blog! This is where you will find useful information about your child's instrument.
This week, you will find a link to a VERY IMPORTANT video below. This video will detail how to care for your child's instrument. It is important that every band member knows how to grease, oil, and set the instrument up properly. If they do it incorrectly, they may damage the instrument. Please watch this video WITH your child.
Please check back on Monday of every week to see what we are doing in band.
Band students,
You should check here every week to see what you should practice. This week, we are practicing how to assemble our instruments and how to make our first sounds.
Watch the video below about how to set up your instrument.
Practice setting it up. This includes oiling and greasing. Can you do it in 3 minutes or less? Trumpets: make sure the number on your valve is facing your mouthpiece, otherwise you won't be able to make a good sound.
You will receive a handout of your first three fingerings in class. Find the fingerings next to this message. Can you figure out how to play these three notes?
Challenge: Can you figure out how to play 'Hot Cross Buns' using those three notes?
Be sure to check back next week for a brand new message!