St. Michael Catholic School Band Program Information 2019-2020
Welcome back to school and to our music program!!!! I am so thrilled to be part of your child’s education. St. Michael Catholic School will have in- house band through the St. Michael-Albertville School district with a program called “Shared Time”. If your student is new to our band program, s/he will need to be enrolled for this class through the public school.
Music Organization
All students will need a 1 inch 3 ring binder with 20 sheet protectors, with 4 Tabs or Index Dividers. Students will put their sheet music in the sheet protectors and organize music by sections. This is a great way to help our students stay organized.
Instruments
If you already have an instrument, please have it checked out by an instrument repair shop to ensure that the instrument is working order. Beginning a musical instrument is challenging enough without having to worry about leaky pads, stuck valves, or chipped mouthpieces. Musical instruments sold by retail stores are usually not quality instruments and will not last. I recommend renting first. It gives the opportunity to try band before investing in an instrument. Most music shops like Eckroth or Schmitt offer a 4 month trial period. After the trial period, it becomes a monthly rental. All rent paid goes towards the purchase price of the instrument. Please have your child’s instrument by September 12th so we can begin our small group lessons.
Practice Logs
Students are required to practice 20 minutes a day with two days off per week. A total of 100 minutes per week is required. Students need to record time on a practice calendar and turn it in with a parent/guardian signature.
Small Group Lessons
Students will have small group lessons once during each 6 day cycle, beginning on Sept. 11th. Students will be grouped according to ability and instrumentation. This schedule will be forthcoming.
Beginning Band Full Group Rehearsals
Full group band rehearsals will be held for beginning band on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It will start November 5th and run from 7:15-8:15 in the historic church basement. Students should be dropped off in West parking lot behind the Historic church. After rehearsal, we will walk back to the school together. We will have 2 concerts; February 11th and May 19th. Both concerts will be held at the Historic Church. Concerts are required and are a part of their band grade. An optional recital will be held on May 12th where students can showcase their performance skills by playing a solo or small group piece.
Advanced Band Full Group Rehearsals
Full group rehearsals for the Advanced Band (6th, 7th and 8th graders) will begin on September 9th.
Literature
Standard of Excellence, book 1 by Bruce Pearson, Kjos Publishing will be our primary text for beginning band.
Measures of Success, book 1 by Sheldon, Balmages, Loest, FJH Publishing will be our primary text for 2nd year students.
Measures of Success, book 2 by Sheldon, Balmages, Loest, FJH Publishing will be our primary text for 3rd year students.
Accent on Achievement, book 2 by John O'Reilly and Mark Williams, Alfred Publishing will be our 8th grade book.
To supplement our curriculum, various genres of concert music will be added. Parents should purchase the book prior to their child’ 1st small group lessons. Music stores like Eckroth, or Schmitt Music carry these books. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Email is the best way to contact me as I travel among 4 schools. I look forward to enhancing your child’s music education!
Musically Yours,
Victoria Van Beusekom
763-497-8025 ext. 6419
Concert Dates
8th Grade Band & HS Band Side by Side Concert
December 9th, 7 PM, PAC
Christmas Concert K-4 & ML Choir and Advanced Band
December 12th, 6:30 PM, New Church
Beginning Band Concert
February 11th, 6:30 PM, Historic Church
Early Spring Concert - ML Choir &Band
March 24th, 6:30 PM, Historic Church
Spring Recital - All Band Students
May 12th, 6:30 PM, Historic Church (Optional)
Holy Family Band Festival
Holy Family School, Victoria
May 14th - During the school day
Advanced & Beginning Bands
Spring Concert - Advanced & Beginning Bands and ML Choir
May 19th, 6:30 PM, Historic Church