tpter1

This week it's time for us in Northern NY to get back to business. Some of us have already been back to the classroom/bandroom/teaching studio for the first time this year; others, like me, are getting the furnaces stoked for the coming week.

I would like to wish all of you the very best in your year this year. I would also like to ask you:

• what challenges are you looking to pose to yourself and your students this year?
• What are you going to try that is new, different or have never done before?

For me, I am going to try to do more recording and listening with my students this year. I have always felt I could do with more critical listening. We get into the pressures of concert preparation, and everyting seems to go to the side. Then, it seems there is the next performance looming and pressing us.

trumpetmike

Back in the office here as well, although tomorrow is spent on a Training Day, then the next two weeks are spent trying to sort out timetables and recruit more students (assuming the budget allows us to - otherwise I will be praying instead).

I am always looking for new music to try with students - I will keep doing so.

Hopefully tomorrow's Training session will provide some new ideas.

Dave

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Vulgano Brother

Seems to be a common idea emerging here, and that is to awaken the awareness of the students by letting them know how they "really sound" by recording rehearsals and performances. We can give all kinds of advice, but it won't bring any results until the students really, truly believe they are not playing up to their own expectations. Then, when they ask, "How can I make that sound better?" We can toss them the right answer -- Utopia!

Unfortunately, recordings take time to make and eat up valuable practice time during playback. Anybody want to start a new thread sharing tips, tricks and experiences in giving students this valuable form of feedback?

uatrmpt

We've been in school since August 10th and had our first ballgame last Friday. Two performances this week: Friday morning at the local old folks' home and Friday night on the gridiron.

Our goal for the year: Improvement of basic playing technique. Gotta reverse the neglect that happens when you're the 7th director in six years.

tpter1

Well, here I am at the end of day 1. Pretty good opening, if you don't count the major hitch by guidance.

Here's the guidance hitch: They "lost" the 6th-7th grade sign-up sheets over the summer!!! Result: I had NO 7th graders at the start of band today! Implications: young 7th graders are nervous today about the start of school (to be expected!) and the "work load" generated by the move up to the "big time". Many just will not come out of their study hall now to get themselves back to band. This was devastating. I met with as many as I could, but the damage is pretty bad. I had good 6th grade, too.