OMS Band Weekly Updates 12/5/16
Hello everyone,
Here are the announcements for this week.
Holiday Concert
The OMS Holiday Concert will be here before we know it. Please mark your calendar and save the date for Tuesday, December 13 at 7:00 PM in the OHMS Auditorium. Students should dress nicely. 8th Grade students should be in the band room at 6:40 PM ready to play. 7th Grade students should be in the band room at 6:30 PM ready to play. 6th Grade students should be on the stage at 6:50 PM ready to play. All students are expected to stay for the entirety of the concert.
Any student involved with a school activity who wishes to stay for the concert after their activity to avoid riding the shuttle bus home may do so if a note/email is received on or prior to Friday, December 9. Students not involved in another activity will not be allowed to stay from 3:30 until the concert as this time is needed to set up the stage, prepare the auditorium, etc.
Reassessment
All grades are allowed to be reassessed prior to the end of the term. For formative assessments (weekly rehearsals/lessons), students should sign up for a time to work with me before/after school. For summative assessments (playing tests, concerts), students need to make sure that all formative assessments are completed, sign up for a time to play the test/music before/after school, and fill out this link: 8th Grade Band, 7th Grade Band, 6th Grade Band.
Performance Rubric
As we approach our final concert of the semester, we are again reviewing the rubric for concerts in an effort to clearly define what is expected of the students. Like the weekly lessons/rehearsal rubric, this rubric is posted in the band room. This is how we grade performances:
1 – Students are unable to play the music, get lost during the performance and are unable to recover.
2 – Students are able to play the music, get lost during the performance but are able to recover. One or multiple measures of music are not played.
3 – Students are able to play the music without getting lost during the performance.
4 – Students are able to play the music without getting lost during the performance and are able to accurately reflect on the performance. They are able to identify and explain areas that were successful and areas that were less successful.
IGSMA Solo and Ensemble (7th/8th Grade Only)
It’s that time of year again where we are starting to look for students to participate in IGSMA Solo and Ensemble. This year’s contest will be at Chiddix Jr. High in Normal on Saturday, February 18. For those who do not know what Solo and Ensemble is, it is an event where students perform either a solo or in a group (ensemble) in front of a judge. The judge then rates the group and gives them a rating of Division 1 (Superior), Division 2 (Excellent), or Division 3 (Good). Parents/guardians/families/friends are allowed to watch the performance.
In the OMS Band Program, our policy is that any 7th Grade or 8th Grade Band member may play in a solo or in an ensemble. Because of challenging aspect of this contest, we generally do not allow first year players to participate. If a student is signed up for an event (solo or ensemble), it is the expectation that students come in once a week to work with myself before or after school. The only exception to this rule is for any student who is currently taking private lessons. Students who perform a solo will need to find an accompanist to play the piano part (as written in the contest rules). Generally, people find former music teachers in their community or ask the piano player at their church. If you are unable to find one, Mrs. A-M may be able to play in an emergency scenario.
Any 7th or 8th Grade student interested in participating needs to sign up by December 22.
QotW
“Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making something out of it when it is found.” – James Russell Lowell
As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to email or call.
Thank you,
Kyle Brubaker
Director of Bands
Olympia Middle/High School