Please take a moment to remind your child to go to our Google Classroom site tonight.  They can post videos of their practice sessions to improve their grades.  All students should have a Cadet Pin by the end of this card marking period.  They can pass the songs by posting videos in the Cadet pin assignment area of our google classroom.

A reminder that daily practice is so important in developing the fine muscle skill set necessary for success on a musical instrument.  This is very ‘do-able’ if children break it down into small sets:

1. Practice daily for 5 minutes sets 2 or 3 times a day
2. Practice daily for 10 minute sets once or twice a day
3. Build up to practicing 20-30 minutes each day
4. Be a Master and practice for 30+ minutes more than once each day

For Band students a great resource is the Basic Band website with some great training videos students can watch and play along with.  For violin students there are many resources posted in our Google Classroom site to help them with bow hold and playing with proper posture.  Violin students also have resources made available to them through Essential Elements Interactive.

One last important step for great progress is consistent encouragement from the family.  Encourage and remind your child to develop the habit of daily practice will ensure greater success.  Ask your child to perform for you and the family.  Have them perform a mini concert for guests.  This will help build their confidence when they see that you are also pleased with the progress they are making.

Let’s encourage our young musicians to be the best they can be!

All of these Maples students worked hard during vacation so that they could pass on all of the required Cadet Pin songs.  Now they can begin practicing songs in the Intermediate, First Class and Master categories.  When you see them in the halls or in your classroom please congratulation their efforts.

All of the band/violin students have a progress chart listing the required songs to pass each level.  Please be encouraging to them.  This is the time of year where those who have not regularly practiced begin to lose confidence.  Everyone can do it – it just takes time to practice at home. Students can add their assignments to their daily planners.  Parents and guardians can set aside a time and space each day for their child to practice.  It would also be fun for the family to have the student perform for everyone.  condiser it an ‘after dinner concert’ in your own living room.  😀

Five Maples Elementary School violin students proudly wearing their Cadet Pins.

We have 2 more students who have earned Cadet Pins in band class.  Congratulations and keep up the great work!

Two fine young musicians have earned their Cadet Pins in band class.

Congratulations to the first Cadet Pin Recipient of the year!  We have a few more who are just a song away from earning their first pin.

The First Cadet Pin Awardee of the year!

Band and Violin students are participating in a challenge with each level resulting in earning a pin.  Here is a PDF of the chart the students can use to keep track of their progress.

Band & Strings Pin 2018.docx

A few of our Dearborn Music Teachers had the great opportunity to participate in the AOSA (American Orff Schulwerk Association) National Conference Professional Development.  Our days were filled with sessions which trained us for improved teaching strategies.  Here is a photo of a group of music teachers, many of whom are from Dearborn.  We are all members of the Detroit Orff Schulwerk Association and we meet 5 times a year for Saturday Professional Development.

Detroit Orff Schulwerk Members pose for a photo under the AOSA 2018 National Conference Banner.

We are back on schedule for our Band and Violin Classes this week.  I am looking forward to seeing you all.  Just as a reminder, here is the schedule:

• Maples 5th graders meet on Wednesday
  • Band 1:00-1:45
  • Violin 1:50-2:35
• Becker 5th graders meet on Thursday
  • Violin 8:50-9:35
  • Band 9:40-10:25
• Howard 5th graders meet on Thursday
  • Albertson Band 11:50-12:35
  • Szalai & Dearth Band 1:50-2:35
  • All Violin 2:40-3:25