Instrumental Music Notes

We hope that everyone had a safe and healthy holiday break and a happy new year! Next week, we will be handing out spring concert music for ALL students! Be sure to send your child in to their next lesson with at least 4 empty sheet protectors in their binder for all the new music. Below you will find information regarding all upcoming performances.

When the term 2 report cards go home, all students will also bring home an instrumental music progress report based on the first 13-14 lessons of the year. If you do not see your child's progress report, please ask them about it.

In terms of success in playing, we find that all students make at least adequate progress if they are putting in consistent practice time at home and sending in their Seesaw videos. Attending lessons one time a week is not enough to be successful. If you have not been hearing your child regularly practice, then chances are they are struggling with learning the skills necessary to fully participate in the spring concert. While you shouldn't force them to practice, often a gentle parental nudge is necessary. Ask them to play for you and to explain what they have learned in lessons. Below are links to the term 3 practice charts in case you are unsure what they are expected to practice in the coming months.

As always, If you have any questions for us, please do not hesitate to email us at michele.delarosa@fcps.org or christina.caulfield@fcps.org. Please include your child's name and school attended in the email.

The following dates are for ALL students-

• May 20, 2024-ALL students who play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument (band)
• May 21, 2024-ALL students who play a string instrument (orchestra)

Both spring concerts will be held at Tuscarora High School and will be preceded by a rehearsal. Each evenings schedules will be the same. Please be sure to eat before coming to the rehearsal/concert.

• 4:45-5:45-Rehearsal for students who are participating in small ensembles
• 5:45-7:15-Rehearsal for ALL students
• 7:30-8:30-Concert

Keep in mind that students will need "concert dress" for all evening performances. This includes black dress pants/skirt, white dress shirt, black socks/stockings, black dress shoes. Please no t-shirts, sneakers, or jeans.

All students progress at different rates. We have found that the amount of progress a child makes on his/her instrument is directly correlated with practice and effort. The more you practice, the better you will sound. Below are some practice tips for your young musician:

1. Have a scheduled time every day to practice in a quiet spot. The student should sit on a chair or stand as appropriate and should use a music stand.

2. Establish a practice routine. We suggest the following:

1. Warm up-5 minutes (this varies due to instrument and ability level, but model after what we do in lessons)

2. Work on a challenging selection-5-10 minutes

3. Review previously learned selections-5-10 minutes

4. Once a week, upload the assigned video onto Seesaw. Come back later to read the teacher feedback.

5. Check off each day’s accomplishments on the practice chart

3. Students love for their family members to listen to a song or two. Please encourage your child to play for you and tell them how proud you are of their progress.

4. Keep in touch with us with any questions you may have! You can communicate with us via email or Seesaw. We do our best to reply within 24-48 hours.

Below are all the term 3 practice charts that will be given out to students at our next lesson. Each week's assignments are separated by a bold line. Anything marked "Seesaw Video" are the exercises that we expect students to submit to us each week after practicing. These practice charts were designed to meet each students needs and to ensure they had the necessary skills to participate in the spring concert.

The weather has been very cold! Extreme temperatures can damage instruments. DO NOT leave an instrument outside in the car, garage, or any area that is not temperature controlled. We have personally seen the following damage due to instruments being exposed to extreme temperatures:

• Cracked wood/fallen bridges/broken strings on string instruments
• Instruments going significantly out of tune
• Cracked/Broken reeds
• Frozen valve or slide oil. (Have seen the valve oil freeze while in the instrument and it had to thaw out before the valves would work-that can permanently damage the valves!)

If you do have damage to your instrument, please take it to one of the local music stores and get it repaired. Do Not try to repair it yourself as this often results in further damage! If you are not sure, you can always contact us to either try to fix it (if we are able) or advise proper next steps.

It's not worth the damage! Bring the instruments in the house and practice!

If you have a musical theater kid in the house, grades 3-8 who attend a Tuscarora feeder school, then they are invited to audition to be in the Tuscarora HS production of Shrek. Scan the QR code in the attached flyer and/or register your child to audition at the linked Google code-https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOJ6hWB2HeeKSzXmG2EO7g8QtTWKqBi85bMwhUMwDMz2EUPg/viewform

They are looking to fill the roles of Young Fiona, Teen Fiona, Young Shrek, Baby Bear, Dwarf, and other ensemble roles. If you have further questions, please email THS theater teacher Katie Moore at kathleen.moore@fcps.org

Mrs. Caulfield @FCPSCCaulfield

Mrs. De La Rosa @FCPSBand