AS 422 : Band Placement Questionnaire

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In this episode we talk about the questionnaire we are using to place our beginners.
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In this episode we talk about the questionnaire we are using to place our beginners.
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In this episode we talk about lots of thing… mostly pertaining to this thing called “online learning”.
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In this episode we talk through one of our planning meetings.
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In this episode we talk about what our beginners are up to.
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In this new year’s episode we talk about being good humans… as adults… to each other.
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In this episode, Darcy and Jenna talk about they recent Honor Clinic in North Carolina.
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In this episode Darcy and Jenna revisit the combined sax/trumpet class and then talk about all things contest ratings.
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In our last official episode of season 3, Darcy comes back for band auditions and talks about how the semester went with her on maternity leave.
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In this episode we talk about the point of solo and ensemble and considerations for choosing literature.
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In this episode we talk about what MUST be in place first before you can be “mean” plus Alex’s UIL recap.
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In this episode we talk about what beginner fundamentals we are focusing on this semester and planning when to approach them with each of our classes.
Fundamentals to be addressed:
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In this episode we talk about things you can do with your band classes while you are gone to things like TMEA.
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This episode is a podcast edition of our 2016 TMEA clinic entitled “Teaching Rhythm Logically”. If you are interested in this method of teaching rhythm, you can find out more at TeachingRhythmLogically.com.
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In this episode, Darcy, Jenna, and Alex wrap up the year with their greatest failures and successes from 2016-2017.
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In this episode, Robert Herrings and Jason Robb join Darcy ask they talk about interviews.
Know a band director getting ready to interview? Take 2 seconds to share this episode!
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In this episode we talk about solo and ensemble, rubrics for scoring, and the personal criticism each of us has received that has left a lasting impression on our careers.
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In this episode Darcy talks about how she teaches the concept of major vs. minor to the beginner classes ready to handle that concept, and then the ranting begins.
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By popular request, we talk about how we design our beginner instrument placement. In this episode we cover:
Below are the files we discuss in the episode.
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In this episode John and Darcy talk about Honors Band’s performance at UIL Concert & Sightreading from a backstage perspective.
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In this episode we talk about kids that are too involved to be in band… or stay in band.
If you enjoy our podcast, take 2 seconds to share it with a friend or 15 seconds to review us on iTunes… Okay maybe a solid minute for the review. Your word of mouth helps band directors like you find our voice with which to commiserate, learn, and just relax.
Thank you for sharing your car, band hall, and earbuds with us. #trypod
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In this episode we talk about sight-reading nerves, The Power of Vulnerability, and how we are using tuners in our classes on a daily basis.
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This episode of After Sectionals takes you into one of Darcy’s Honors trombone/euphonium sectionals.
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In this episode, we take a few minutes to rant… and THEN we talk about how we plan for the week ahead with beginners and our band.
A picture of Darcy’s “List that Leads to Life” can be found on the After Sectionals Facebook page.
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This episode is another direct window into Darcy’s flute/double reed class from January 2017. This class works:
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In this episode we finally answer the often asked question about the chicken.
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In this episode Alex, Jenna, and Darcy talk about what factors they consider as they choose music for their bands during contest season.
Concert Band
Symphonic Band
Honors Band
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In this episode we talk about our New Year’s resolutions for BAND.
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In this episode we talk about spring band auditions, final exams, and course expectations.
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In this episode, Sunil Gadgil (sax teacher at Stiles) and Darcy talk about private lessons, choosing solos, and smelling like alcohol. 🙂 Jenna’s band is rehearsing American River Songs in the background.
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This is the final episode in our 3 part series on teaching a new piece in a full band setting. In this episode, Darcy transitions her Honors Band from a unison page to real parts.
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In this episode Darcy’s band does a lot of duet work from their “Unison Attack” page for The Nightingale and The Two Sisters by Grainger.
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Jenna teaches half of the flute class, and the spring semester is all about vibrato in the flute world! In this episode Jenna expressed her concern about teaching vibrato when (as a horn player) that is not a skill she’s ever had to perform. The beginners are also incorporating octave slurs into their fundamental time, and the flexibility required to slur without over-blowing is not something her brass face has yet. In this episode we cover vibrato techniques and discuss exactly what a good flute face should do when changing octaves. An I-Play-You-Play demonstration is provided! 🙂
CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGES FOR A LIVE FEED VIDEO OF DARCY & JENNA’S I-PLAY-YOU-PLAY FLUTE FLEXIBILITY!
Or, watch the same (but less amusing) basic premise on this YouTube Video.
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With UIL completed, Darcy’s Honors Band starts working on The Nightingale and The Two Sisters by Grainger (grade 4). This episode focuses on approaching a new piece in a full band setting with no prior sectional work.
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In this episode, we discuss picking Spring Concert music. The goal of the Spring Concert is different for all three bands, and Alex, Jenna, and Darcy talk about what factors go into choosing the right music for their kids based on those goals.
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The last 12 weeks of school is 100% prep time for next year’s bands. While we definitely are still teaching beginner classes, we have split most of those periods amongst the three of us into two speeds: those who who need 12 more weeks to master Essential Elements book one and fundamental skills (ex. one octave scales), and those who are ready to potentially finish most of Essential Elements book two as well as more advanced skills (ex. unmetered vibrato, two octave scales, focus on musicality). Our number one goal is ensuring that 100% of our beginner students are prepared for 7/8th grade band, and that means meeting the kids at the level that they currently are at. Continuing to teach all students at the same pace denies the reality that kids learn at different speeds and sets some up for failure and others for boredom. We speak specifically about what that split looks like in the podcast.
In our full band classes, we are creating next year’s leaders. Whereas 8th graders might have been assign the majority of first parts most of the year, we are now pairing a 7th grade first part with an 8th grader so that they can learn to confidently take on harder roles while still with the safety of their older partner.
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On March 9th and 10th, Alex and Jenna’s respective bands went to UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest. Both bands did a fabulous job. Alex’s band played “Forward March”, “Storm Mountain Jubilee”, and “Phantom Ship.” Jenna’s performed “Alamo March”, “Broken Bow”, and “Moscow, 1941.”
Sitting in our office decompressing, Jenna and Alex had many thoughts on what brought their bands to this point this year and where they will be pushing their kids for the spring concert. While the kids might see the spring concert as their final concert of the year, we see it as the building blocks for next year’s bands.