From the Band Room

Wow! The first month of school has absolutely flown by, but we're starting to hit our stride in band class. 7th and 8th grade is well underway, and 6th grade is just now starting to rock and roll with instruments. Hopefully, instruments will go home in 6th grade this week or the beginning of next week. Please see below for more details on this process.

Please take time to review this entire newsletter. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Go Gators!

Mr. Ellison

Email: wellison@rhmail.org

Office Phone: (803) 985-1733 - If I cannot answer, please leave a voicemail!

**Email is the best way to reach me!**

Saturday, September 19 - 7:00 PM - Rock Hill Schools Band Exhibition @ District 3 Stadium

• Required Performance for 8th Grade Students (call time 6:00 pm)
• 6th and 7th Grade families are invited to come watch performances from all three high school marching bands, and combined high school and middle school bands.

Tuesday, October 20 - District Honor Band Auditions @ Saluda Trail MS

• Individual times TBD
• Required for all Honor Band students and highly encouraged for all 8th graders

Friday, October 23 - Deadline to Register for Region Band Auditions

• Required for All Honor Band students and highly encouraged for all 8th graders
• $15.00 per student

As beginners get started on their instruments, I utilize a "beginner checklist." This is a process of moving from their "small piece" to learning the first five notes on their full instrument. We will work through these in class. Once students get to the "first five notes" step, they can take their instrument home.

This ensures both the safety of the instrument and ensures that good habits are already being instilled prior to independent work.

Copies of the beginner checklists are linked below.

Need extra help or want a head start?

Come to the band room at 7:45 am on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays

What are private lessons?

● Weekly individualized instruction with area

professional musicians

● Guided practice with individualized,

instrument-specific feedback from your

instructor

Where are the private lessons offered?

● Varies teacher-to-teacher

● Some teachers may be able to teach during your child's band class

What is the cost?

● Each instructor will set their own rates

**ASK YOUR CHILD ABOUT THE PINK PAPER THEY RECEIVED**

Enrichment kicked-off at DCMS on Monday, August 31.

Honor Band is considered a "Tier 6 - Specialty Enrichment." What does that mean? It means that if students are in need of remediation, they may be asked to stay on their core team for extra help this rotation.

I have not gotten a list of which students will stay on team this rotation, but if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out, and I'll find out what I can!