Harpeth Middle School Band!
6th, 7th, and 8th
Week of October 20th
Dear HMS Band Parents/Guardians,
Welcome back! We hope you had a relaxing and fun Fall Break and are feeling recharged for the exciting weeks ahead in band. The second half of the semester is packed with performances, learning, and growth, and we can’t wait to get started again.
We have a few announcements to kick us back into the grind!
· HMS Band T-Shirts – I am still accepting HMS Band Apparel T-Shirt Order Forms. I know from the week before fall break, many of our students were absent due to school trips. I want to take the opportunity for parents to still turn in forms and money so I can make the order this weekend.
· Parents/Guardians – If you have any pictures or videos of your child practicing their instrument, performance pictures, etc. PLEASE EMAIL THEM TO OUR ADMINISTRATION (Susie.kephart@ccstn.org) (michel.morrow@ccstn.org)
· Rehearsals resume – We are getting back to rehearsals. Here is the layout
o Tuesday – Mr. Vaughn will be absent, so 7th and 8th-grade students will be in sectionals. 6th-grade band students will be assigned work in the classroom. 7th and 8th-grade band students will focus on music and intonation.
o Wednesday – 6th Grade Band will focus on building note reading literacy, 7th grade band will sightread a beginning band piece, and 8th grade band will continue to work on Thriller and the two octave chromatic scale on Concert F
o Thursday – 6th Grade Band will focus on Mary Had a Little Lamb with correct articulation and tonguing, 7th Grade Band will continue sight-reading music to increase note-reading capacity and blending, 8th Grade Band will look at their first full band chorale
o Friday – 6th Grade Band will record Mary Had a Little Lamb, 7th Grade Band will look at their first full band chorale, 8th Grade Band will work on the ending of Thriller
· Band Goals for the Quarter
o Strengthen tone quality and balance across the ensemble.
o Improve sight-reading and rhythmic accuracy.
o Build confidence and performance skills for the concert stage.
· Practice Reminders
o Students should continue practicing their concert music and scales daily. Consistent at-home practice helps our rehearsals stay productive and prepares everyone for upcoming performances.
· What is a quality band sound?
o I usually try and post as many recordings for the parents to hear what we do in the classroom. Today was an interesting day because we had not played in a week. I have posted four recordings. Two of them are 7th grade band and the other two are 8th grade band. Can you tell the difference parents? Can you tell what we need to work on in the band room? What can you do as a parent to help enrich your child’s success on their instrument?
· There will be an update on the calendar. Please check your email Wednesday. The HMS Basketball schedule is set so I will have to change the schedule. Thank you!
Let’s have a great first week back!
I believe the students are ready for BAND!!!!!!
Please share on your social media
HMS Band Social Media
Instagram – Harpethmsband1
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/harpethmsband1
HMSBandApp – https://band.us/n/a7aa97w1Zdo2H
HMS Band New Music Curriculum!
Each student in the HMS Band program is provided with a MusicFirst account. MF is an innovative way for students to interact with their performance music and receive immediate feedback. It will tell them notes that they may have missed and provide the correct fingering and even sound the pitch for them to match. Students can play along to full band accompaniments with our without a metronome and there is a built-in tuner.
From time to time, I may assign short segments of our music for students to assess. They can do this from home or in one of our practice rooms. While MF will assign a percentage on this assignment, that will not be recorded as their grade. Again, we are focused on growth. Students will receive credit for completing the assignment much as they would for completing a homework assignment in another class.
This is a fun tool and we are only beginning to fully realize its potential.
HMS Band Fee Revtrak Link
Here is the link for paying our band fees online on Revtrak
Minga Information for Harpeth Middle School
Introducing Minga: Your Child's New Digital Campus Management App 🎉🎊
We're excited to introduce Minga, a new platform designed to make your child’s school experience easier and safer. At Harpeth Middle, we’re committed to providing a safe and supportive environment, and Minga helps us achieve that goal.
What this means for your child:
Access digital IDs and school updates from any school-issued or personal device at app.minga.io using their school email credentials. The app can be accessed through a 1-1 device (a school laptop, notebook, tablet, or other mobile computing device).
Stay informed with important school announcements and events, fostering school community and spirit.
Automates tasks like attendance and event check-in making it easier to focus on learning.
We take safety and security seriously and so does Minga. Learn more about Minga and its security features in the Welcome to Minga Family Guide.
If you have any questions or need further help please refer to the Minga Help Center or contact us directly.
Thank you for your support and for being a part of our school community.
HMS Band Swag Sale
Below is our Swag Sale! Band students are required to purchase a HMS Tribe T-Shirt! I will not be accepting money yet till the fundraiser is approved, but below is our T-Shirt form.
HMS Band Agenda Week of August 24
6th Grade Beginning Band
Monday - Focus will be on Number 6 and Number 3. Introduction to the word "articulation"
Tuesday
- Students will review the term articulation on their mouthpiece
- Students will learn will explain and demonstrate a whole note on their instrument
- Concert D and Eb
Wednesday
- Students will review the term articulation
- Students will apply articulation on four quarter notes on their mouthpiece
- Students will learn the art of musicianship breathing
- Students will display art of performance by learning their first note Concert D
Thursday
- Student will demonstrate performance playing with articulation on their mouthpiece
- Students will review the note Concert F
Friday
- Fun Friday for BAND....What can you share that you have learned on your own?
- Students will review the new Concert D and add the next note Concert C
- Students will review Number 1 in the Green Book
7th Grade Band/8th Grade Band
Monday - Long Tone 1 and 2/Concert Eb Major/Reviewing Key Signatures
Tuesday - Long Tone 2/Concert Eb Major/Dotted Quarter note Rhythm
Wednesday - Sightreading Wednesday (How can sightreading help apply to our performance?)
Thursday - Introduce the piece Night Fury and eighth notes and rests
Friday - Run Through Friday
HMS Band Private Lessons
Private lessons are for EVERYBODY!!! We are excited that you are enrolling your student(s) in private lessons at Harpeth Middle School. The Personal Trainers are here to provide one-on-one private instruction to help students to grow individually. Private lessons are designed to make quality instruction convenient and accessible in a comfortable learning environment.
Please complete the information below if you are interested in lessons and we will assign a private teacher to your student and confirm your enrollment.
Harpeth Middle School Band Students!
HMS Band Playing Tests - How do they work in BAND?
- TEST in BAND - A playing test is like a mini performance that helps your child's music teacher understand how well they are learning and playing their instrument. Just like taking a test in school shows how much you know about a subject, a playing test shows how well your child knows and can play music on their instrument. Here's how it generally works:
- Preparation: Before the playing test, your child will be given a specific piece of music to practice. This piece might have certain musical notes, rhythms, and techniques they need to learn. They'll practice this music at home and during band rehearsals.
- Scheduled Time: The teacher will schedule a time for your child to play the piece they've been practicing. This can happen individually or in a small group, depending on how the teacher organizes it.
- Performance: During the playing test, your child will play the assigned music in front of their teacher. This might happen in a practice room, the music classroom, or even during a regular band rehearsal.
- Assessment: The teacher will listen closely to how your child plays. They'll pay attention to things like correct notes, rhythm, tone quality, and how well your child follows musical instructions. The teacher might also take notes on areas where your child is doing well and areas where they can improve.
- Feedback: After the playing test, the teacher will provide feedback to your child. They'll let them know what they did well and offer suggestions on how to improve. This feedback is meant to be constructive and help your child become a better musician.
- Progress: Playing tests are not just about getting a grade. They help the teacher understand how your child is progressing and what areas need more practice. This way, the teacher can tailor their lessons to help your child improve in specific areas.
- Remember, playing tests are a normal part of learning music and are meant to be a positive experience. They give your child a chance to show off what they've learned and receive guidance on how to become an even better musician. Encourage your child to practice, do their best, and enjoy the process of learning and making music!
Harpeth Middle School Band Leadership
MTSBOA Mid-State Honor Band Information
Auditioning for an honor band can offer numerous benefits and opportunities for musicians, regardless of their skill level or age. Here are some reasons why auditioning for an honor band is important:
Skill Development: Preparing for an honor band audition requires focused practice and improvement. The process of learning challenging music, honing technical skills, and refining musical interpretation can lead to significant growth as a musician.
Challenge and Motivation: Auditioning for an honor band pushes musicians out of their comfort zones and encourages them to strive for excellence. The competitive aspect can motivate individuals to put in the extra effort to achieve their best performance.
Networking: Honor bands gather talented musicians from various schools or regions. Participating provides a chance to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and build relationships that could lead to collaborations in the future.
Peer Learning: Working alongside other accomplished musicians in an honor band setting can foster a rich environment for peer learning. Musicians can learn from each other's techniques, approaches, and perspectives, enhancing their musical understanding.
Quality Instruction: Honor bands often involve working with renowned conductors or music educators who can provide valuable insights, guidance, and instruction. This exposure to different teaching styles can broaden a musician's understanding of music.
Performance Opportunities: Being a part of an honor band typically culminates in a high-quality performance, often in a prestigious venue. This experience can boost a musician's confidence and provide them with a memorable stage to showcase their talent.
Resume and College Applications: Participation in honor bands can stand out on college applications and resumes. It demonstrates dedication, commitment, and a desire to pursue musical excellence, which can be attractive to music schools and other institutions.
Personal Achievement: Successfully auditioning for and participating in an honor band can be a significant personal achievement. It provides a sense of accomplishment and recognition for the hard work put into practicing and preparing.
Musical Exposure: Honor bands typically perform challenging and diverse repertoire. Being a part of such an ensemble exposes musicians to different musical styles, genres, and composers, broadening their musical horizons.
Inspiration: Being surrounded by talented musicians in an honor band can be incredibly inspiring. It can fuel a musician's passion for music and motivate them to continue pursuing their musical aspirations.
In summary, auditioning for an honor band is important because it offers a unique combination of skill development, challenge, networking, and performance opportunities. It's a chance for musicians to showcase their abilities, grow as artists, and connect with others who share their passion for music.
The Harpeth Band Way!
HMS ROCK BAND CLASS IS AWESOME!
Standards Based Grading in the HMS Band
What is "Proficiency Based Grading?"
Proficiency Based Grading is a different and more accurate method of assessing student progress than the traditional 0-100 grade. In the proficiency system, students are measured against an identified proficiency or standard. This system more effectively shows a student's progress toward achieving each standard, as well as helping to show how they can improve or extend their learning.
What do scores mean?
In the the proficiency based grading system, students are progressing toward an identified standard or goal. Once the standard has been achieved, the student has earned a score of 3.0. This means the student has met the expectation for that particular standard.
On each assignment within this structure, students will receive a score on a four point scale (see below). Scores on individual assignments are not calculated on the traditional 0-100 point grading scale and instead indicate a student’s proficiency toward the standard.
General Description of Standards Based Grading Scores
4 Exceeds the standard:
The student demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications of the learning which go beyond what was taught.
3 Meets the standard:
The student has demonstrated the skill and/or content expected.
2 Approaching the standard:
The student is able to perform the basic processes and understands the vocabulary which are prerequisites to meeting the standard.
1 Partial success:
With help, the student is partially successful in performing the prerequisite skills or meeting the standard.
0 No evidence:
There is little or no evidence that the student has met the standard.
Please note that a score of 3 is a very good rating and shows that the student has met the standard.
How will these scores appear in Schoology?
Scores for each assignment will appear in Schoology under the particular standard they reference. For example, assignments tied to the "Individual Performance" standard will appear under that standard.
How will term grades be calculated?
At HMS, your overall grade for each standard will be determined through the use of “Power Law.” Power law reflects the trend of your learning for that particular standard. At the end of each term, student proficiency scores from each standard will be averaged and then will be converted into a traditional 0-100 scale (using the school-wide conversion scale) to determine your overall grade. This means that you will receive a grade for each standard (on a 0-4 scale) and an overall grade that combines all scores (on a 0-100 scale).
What are "Habits of Work?"
You will also receive a “Habits of Work” grade for this class (the “HOW” grade). Like your final grade in the class, this grade will appear on your final transcript. The Habits of Work standards are related to responsibility, collaboration, and perseverance. The HOW grade is separate from academic achievement indicated in other areas discussed above and is not reflected in your overall grade.
What are the "Overarching Standards" in Band?
A student's proficiency is determined for identified course standards. Those "overarching standards" (the big ideas) are below. Click on the ensemble headings for more in-depth information.
Harpeth Middle School
Technique:
By the end of the course, the student will demonstrate technical mastery of their instrument as appropriate for their grade level.
Expression:
By the end of the course, the student will demonstrate effective use of identified expressive elements of music in their performance.
Ensemble Skills:
By the end of the course, the student will be able to critique a performance, set goals for musical growth, and collaborate in an ensemble to create successful music performances.
Within each overarching standard, there are also more specific concepts or "priority standards" that work toward the bigger goals. Please note, however, that scores on report cards and listed within Infinite Campus are only given under each broad heading or overarching standard.
Why is music and band important???
Harpeth Middle School Band Facebook
We are on Facebook! Follow the band page with the tag harpethmsband1. Excited to add more to our communication portals.
Here is the website:
Your Band Directors
New Band Website is ready!
Reeds
Students who play instruments that require reeds should have 3 good reeds with them at all times. If your student is running low on reeds, please contact Paige's Music to order a box (clarinets and saxes) or individual reeds (bassoon and oboe). Brand and strength of reeds are listed below for your convenience:
Clarinet (6th grade)
Vandoren 2 1/2
Clarinet (7th and 8th grades)
Vandoren 3
Bass Clarinet
Vandoren 2 1/2
Alto Sax (all grades)
Vandoren 2 1/2
(7th and 8th grades may use strength 3 if desired)
Tenor Sax (all grades)
Vandoren 2 1/2
Bari Saxes (all grades)
Vandoren 2 1/2
Oboe (6th grade)
Jones medium soft
Oboe (7th and 8th grades)
Jones medium
Bassoon (6th grade)
Jones medium soft
Bassoon (7th and 8th grades)
Jones medium
Bandwagon Phone Number 615.721.2263
Bandwagon Website
Practice!!!!
Practicing at home is the most important part of learning an instrument. It is recommended to practice a little each day to get the most benefit. The more you practice, the easier it becomes!
Musical Donations
The value of the arts in education is something that the Harpeth Middle School Band Program takes very seriously. The district feels that every child deserves the chance to play a musical instrument. Studies have shown that it makes kids smarter, improves the quality of their education, and helps to teach them the skills necessary for success later in life.
In times when instrumental music programs are shrinking and being threatened due to budget constraints, the program at Harpeth striving. Students are enjoying the positive educational benefits of playing in the band. Participation is at an all time high and the programs continue to grow exponentially each year.
This unprecedented success also has its challenges. Acquiring instruments for eleven schools during these tough economic times is difficult. Not all students can afford to rent or buy an instrument and our inventory in the district is quickly shrinking with additional participation. Help keep music alive for everyone in our schools and consider donating an instrument for our students!
Perhaps you have a saxophone or trumpet in your attic that hasn’t been used in awhile. Maybe you know someone who has a violin gathering dust. If you have an instrument that we could put to use, please click on the attached form from the email and fill out the required information to schedule a drop off of the instrument.
I will send you a thank you letter documenting your donation and you will be giving the gift of music to a deserving student. Playing in the band or orchestra may have shaped who you are today. Please help us allow our students to have that same experience.
About the Harpeth Band Program
Email: chris.vaughn@ccstn.org
Website: https://hmsbandofblue.weebly.com/
Location: Harpeth Middle School, Harpeth View Trail, Kingston Springs, TN, USA
Phone: 7314872677
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harpethmsband1