HOLIDAY Teaching BLUES

So I've had ONE lesson today. Grrr. I have new music I want to pass out and stuff I want to get accomplished but most students are checked out already. If my back hadn't been so sore I would have been able to do this stuff last week & then I'd be more relaxed.

BUT it's been worth it for the one student, who is definitely my most improved. Last year she never practiced her clarinet and usually either forgot the instrument at home or forgot her lesson. This year she's practicing and has come a very long way. Today I gave her festival music to start working on because she has made such a huge turnaround. Good stuff.

December Concerts

Another great concert season is over! It began for me with a band concert that went really well. Other than two sick kids, I had 100% attendance, which hasn't happened at that school in a LONG time. Very cool. The beginning band played as well as is expected, and the advanced group was right on as well. One issue we did have was that the beginning players decided they could move around, sit where they want, and even talk during the advanced band. NOPE! After the first advanced song, I went over and rearranged them. It's only like 15 minutes that they need to sit there - come on! The Advanced Band played First Rockin Christmas, Big Rock Candy Mountain, Anasazi, and Tidings of Joy. The Beginning Band played two pieces I wrote - Beginning Band Piece No.1 & 2, then Hot Cross Buns, Au Claire de la Lune, Merrily We Roll Along, Good King Wenceslas, and Jingle Bells.
Anyhow, my next concert went well, too. Actually it was great. The dress rehearsal had to be on Monday even though the concert was on Tuesday. That made me nervous, as well as the fact that all of my fifth graders were skiing all day Tuesday! They really pulled through, though. The beginning band and advanced band were both very strong. The Advanced Band played Christmas Parade, Big Rock Candy Mountain, Concerto for Sleigh Bells, and We Wish You A Merry Christmas (with the chorus). I really feel like we can tackle tougher music there because we meet twice a week, with fewer interruptions in the fall. The Beginning Band played the same pieces and had a few of the same problems, notably in Au Claire. Many started with wrong tempos or rhythms, and each group needed to be re-started almost immediately. Odd.
The high school concert was great. My favorite was "Troika" from Lieutenant Kije, by Prokofiev. The jr high band played the same piece, though arranged differently, and did a nice job as well (except for the trumpets missing their cue in a big way!). The jr high played an African version of the Ukrainian Bell Carol that was great, and the high school did a fantastic transcription of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite.
Thoroughly enjoyable concert season!

Music programs

So Lake Region High School board wants to cut their music program. This scares me. They have a teacher there who has been teaching for a VERY long time, and is well-respected and well-liked. How can they possibly think that cutting a program that many kids need will improve their odds to pass the school budget? This job is simply impossible to do at 50%. The music program at LR is chorus, select chorus, band, jazz band, and music theory & appreciation. The program will be DECIMATED with this cut.

The Lake Region Union High School Board of Directors will hold their next meeting Thursday, December 3rd, at 6:30 PM at Lake Region Union High School. As stated in this week's issue of the Chronicle, the Board has proposed a 50% reduction in Peter Gage's position as Music Director at Lake Region. Please come to the meeting to show your support. Call your town's School Board Members. Encourage friends to call and write letters.

Please show your support by attending the next school board meeting this Thursday. You should arrive between 6:00 and 6:15 PM.

Let the decision makers know what a positive force Mr. Gage has been in your life as a music teacher and mentor, and how essential he is and the music program is to the educational offerings at Lake Region.

You can make a difference. Spread the word and please let your voices be heard.

FACEBOOK EVENT

busy & tired

I'm itching to write some new music, and continue on some good ideas, but don't have much time yet. Next week I'll be working on it! I need to start playing some bass again, as well as other instruments. Haven't touched my bass in months - football has consumed my time. Actually, I need to work on that now.....

Fantastic clarinets

WOW - had a lesson this morning with some clarinetists that was incredible. 5th graders playing confidently above the break. Great way to start the day.

Beginning Band

Beginning Band is starting off GREAT. I had a much higher percentage of parents remember to come to the instrument night, probably because I called every family. It took a lot of time, but it was worth it, and I'll do that every year now. The kids I had so far this morning are so enthusiastic and well-behaved. Some are obviously very talented too, but it's a little hard to see that with many kids after a first lesson. Today we're pretty much just getting a sound, and some kids will put together their instruments. What a great day!

Instrument night

This was the best instrument night!