Sunday, March 30, 2008

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the Ellis Emeralds for a great performance this past Saturday. They traveled to Hoover High School to compete in their 3rd Winter Guard Competition of the season and represented Zora Ellis well. With a performance full of smiles, energy and dedication, the Ellis Emeralds happily took 1st place in the cadet class. They will travel to Nashville, Tennesse on Friday, April 4, 2008, to compete in their final competition of the season, SCGC Championships. They will compete against 6 other junior high groups in the cadet class, where the top three groups will receive individual medals. Good Luck ladies as you prepare and travel to Vanderbilt University. We are proud of you and know you will do your BEST!


If you would like to find out more about winter guard and all that is involved you may visit http://www.scgconline.org/.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Getting Back into the Swing of Things!

Spring Break is officially over. I hope that each of you had a great and relaxing Spring Break 2008. As we return to school, just a few reminders of how to get back into the Swing of Things!


1. Practice Routine..... It is important to have a practice routine. Set up a time each day that you practice. A little time is better than no time. Remember to practice things that you are not good at, not just the things you like to play. You must take your instruments home to practice, leaving them is the bandroom is not helping you, your band, or your band grade.

2. Morning Routine.... Those of you that come to the bandroom in the mornings, may certainly do so. Keep in mind that you MUST be playing your instrument. This is not a social time or homework time, its music time. This is also a good opportunity to get extra help from a peer or from Ms. Todd. Ask someone to help you with problems that you may be having.

3. Warm-up Routine.... It is important to develop an individual routine. You may draw from our class warm-up routine. Brass, do not forget to buzz and be sure that you are buzzing songs, scales, etc. with the correct pitches. Scales are a great thing to work into your warm-up routine. You may also use the orange areas in your Essential Elements Book for help. LONG TONES are very important in warm-up. Pick a scale, play it in long tones and listen carefully to your tone quality striving to make it better every time you play. (this is a good time to work on a scale that might be giving you problems, because you will be doing this slowly.)

4. Everyday Routine... You may have been out for Spring Break, but with school back in session please "Think before you Do". All of the rules are the same. Expectations have not changed and School is NOT out. Be sure that you quickly get back into the Swing of things by following rules and behaving properly. If you can't behave, you can't learn properly. Also be sure that you are doing your part in class and taking care of your equipment and music.

Lets get back into the Swing of Things quickly. We have a lot to do in the few months left of School. Lots of music and new concepts to learn, a few field trips to take and concerts to perform. WELCOME BACK!

Sunday, March 9, 2008

MARCH is Music In Ours Schools Month!

March has been officially designated by MENC: The National Association for Music Education for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. MIOSM began as a single statewide celebration in 1973, and has grown over the decades to encompass a day, then a week, and then in 1985 to become a month long celebration of school music. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community and to display the benefits school music brings to students of all ages.

The celebration continues to grow each year, reaching more and more students, teachers, musicians, and music supporters. Schools and communities throughout the country and overseas celebrate MIOSM with concerts and other activities. Classrooms, concert halls, civic buildings, clubs, parks, libraries, and shopping malls are just some of the arenas in which the public can observe the processes and results of music education.

Many times we don't think about real life musicans in everyday life how music education effected them when they were in junior high and high school. To hear a few comments from common artists and what they think about music education, click on their name.... Vanessa Williams, BoyzIImen, and Gloria Estefan. To view more artists and their comments click here.

Monday, March 3, 2008

A JOB WELL DONE!!




Congratulations to the Ellis Emeralds and the Dega Darlins for a great job on Saturday, March 2, 2008. Both groups attended competition at Oak Grove High School and represented their schools well. The Ellis Emeralds took first place by a margin of 8 points and the high school took first place by an astounding 18 points. What a great accomplishment for both groups. We look forward to what is to come. Our next competition will be at Hoover High School on March 29, 2008. Feel free to come and support both of these outstanding groups of young ladies. The schedule has not yet been released, but typically begins after 4:00pm. Admission is $7.00. We hope to see a large crowd from Talladega!