COOKIE DOUGH FUNDRAISER

The money we make from cookie dough sales should be spent on band realted items. For example, new instruments, better music, lesson teachers, and technology.



How do you think we should spend the money from the cookie dough fundraiser?

Update on Christmas Concert

You guys are doing really good with your music. Keep up your hard work! Don't forget to invite everyone (i.e. friends, family, pets, neighbors, intruments etc). It is December 15th @ 6:30 in PAC.

I am looking for ways to make this Christmas Concert more unquie!!! Any suggestions? Please be tasteful.

Name Your Instrument

So a couple weeks ago my bass clarinet player name her instrument "Tom". Come to find out serveral my seventh grade band students instrument a name.

What is the name of your instrument?

The Difference Between Play and Practice

The Difference Between Play and Practice

Think of "playing" as going through the music one or several times over. "Practice" on the other hand has a focus. This focus includes:

1. Playing the established warm up (long tones, lip slurs, scales, Oh Breath practice etc)

2. Playing the music

3. Identifying the problem spots

4. Making exercises out of those problem spots

5. Work from a slow tempo (speed) to the required tempo

6. Working out the music from small sections to larger sections (i.e. 2 measures at a time, then 2 more measures, the those 4 measures put together)

7. Playing the piece from beginning to end as a wrap up

8. Using your "second brain" (the pencil) throughout the process

Tips for a better rehearsal

Hey Guys,

Here are a few tips to help rehearsal go smoother and efficient:

1. No talking (lots of that on Monday)
2. Take 10 sec to find a set; then get at attention when you do
3. Learn to read coordinate sheets
4. Have the following items coordinate sheet, music, poker chips and a great attitude.
5. Make mistakes one or two times and then find a away not to make them anymore. (learn from them)
6. Music should be marked with drill counts
7. 1st tune must be memorized!!!

Leaders lead by example.

If a stranger is looking on at band rehearsal I could not point out the leaders. A stranger should be able to point YOU out.

I believe the leaders are doing a great job. Keep up the good work!!

Good Luck at Practice TMR!!! I will be at instrument rental night!

Always make practice the BEST practice it can be.

Mr. Light

Summer Chops

Summer Chops happens when you don't play your instrument very little or not at all during the summer. I know that summer is very busy for most of you guys and you don't have time to pull out your instrument and play for twenty or thirty minutes. Well...here are some tips to prevent summer chops and to help restore you lips back into shape.

Prevent summer chops!!

1. PRACTICE!!!!
2. Buzz your mouthpiece (Its not that big)
3. AND PRACTICE!!! at least one or twice a week. I know you guys can find 20 to 30 to practice once or twice a week.
4. Practice your forming your embouchure.

REMEMBER - PRACTICE IS THE PATH WAY TO GETTING BETTER AT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO. PRACTICE TO LEARN!

Restoring your chops

1. Practice long tones.
2. Buzzing for brass
3. lips slurs
4. Scales
5. more long tones
6. make sure you warm-up and warm down every time your practice.
7. Practice!!!

Wanted to let everyone know that their is an article about the GCMS band in the newspaper today Aug 6. 2008!!

About Me and Getting in Shape

Welcome! This is my blog that I will from time to time post on. I hope you will enjoy reading my blog. You are welcome to comment on any of the blog posts. Since, I am getting to know some of you. Here is a little bit about me:

I am 29 years old. I live in Paducah with my wife Kate and my son Brody. One of my favorite pictures of them. (above) I enjoy reading, playing video games (Wii), watching movies, teaching, and playing golf. I am currently reading Book 7 of the Harry Potter series. I can't wait until the last two movies come out. Obviously, I enjoy music; I play in a band call the Murr-Vegas All Stars, in which I play the trumpet. I love to listen to all kinds of music such as, classical, jazz, rap, R&B, blues, country, Rock, Alternative, and Heavy metal. I love to watch all kinds of sports. I am big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Kentucky Wildcats, Dallas Cowboys, and Tiger Woods.

I am current trying to get healthy and fit. I am working with a personal trainer in Paducah and I have lost a total of 8.5 lbs and 5% of my body fat in 12 weeks. I really enjoy working out and eating the right foods. However, I have learned and experience that being healthy helps me play my instrument better. I can physically breathe in more air, play higher notes, and have more energy as I play. I am not saying you need to go out and get a personal trainer, but I am saying eat better (you know what’s bad) and go outside and do something active.

General Music: Do not for get to have a pencil and spiral notebook by FRIDAY!

Band Students: Please turn you BLUE band folder ASAP!

Next blog will be on PRACTING!!!