The WGHS Band Update
September 6, 2026
How to Practice Effectively
Many folks are under the impression that more practice is always better. While that is sometimes very true, I would argue that more practice is sometimes just "more" if it isn't effective practice. This means you are doing certain things to make sure that you are actually improving during your practice session. Here are a few tips:
1. Outline what you need to practice and make a time specific plan. Try to isolate the smallest portions of music possible that you are having difficulty with. Decide exactly how much time you will spend on each of these sections and set a timer to hold your self accountable for when you move on to the next section.
2. Don't spend time playing things you can already play unless you are trying to specifically improves something like articulations or dynamics. You will only get better if you improve on things that you can't do already. Also, don't spend time just "playing through" things. One run through to put everything in context at the end is fine, but playing through is NOT really practicing to improve.
3. Practice in shorter bursts and stay fully engaged in what you are playing. Studies show a strong decline in engagement and concentration after 20 - 30 minutes of any activity, including practicing music. Take a 5 minute or longer break after 20 - 30 minutes. Your mind and body will be better focused and able make improvements.
4. Consistency is Key! Just like with exercise, it is far more valuable to practice a little every day versus a lot just one or two days a week. In fact, research shows to when you take more than one day off in between practice sessions you lose a majority of the gaines you made in the previous session. Carve out time at the beginning of the week and hold yourself accountable to those time slots. Try habit stacking, which is where you stack another habit on something you consistently do already, like brushing your teeth or eating a snack when you get home from school. This makes a schedule and habit easier to maintain because it is something you are already doing.
5. Have the right tools and location. Before you start practicing, make sure you are in a quiet location and have the right tools like a metronome, tuner, music and a pencil. Make sure you have a music stand so you can practice with excellent posture.
Spain Trip Meeting - THIS WEDNESDAY Sept. 9
Uniform Fittings
Missing a rehearsal or performance? Excused vs. Unexcused Absences
We must have a high percentage of our students in attendance to have a successful rehearsal or performance. While there are always legitimate reasons people have to miss scheduled events, we cannot excuse all absences from performances during the school year. Communicating is also important. I appreciate email and verbal reminders, but it is hard to keep all that organized. Please complete the link below if you need to miss a rehearsal or performance. The sooner we know, the better.
ALL performances once school starts are for a grade. An evergreen makeup assignment is on Canvas. Students may choose an option from the list of choices on this assignment to complete for the missed points. Make-up assignments are due 14 days after the missed performance. Assignments turned in later than this will not be given points.
Fundraising Corner
Want to earn money for your individual band account to use for Band Camp , New Orleans or Spain trips by simply purchasing items you already buy, eating at your favorite restaurants or shopping online? Raise Right is your answer. Download the app to your phone and purchase gift cards to places you know you will shop or dine. You will easily earn 2.5 percent to 17 percent back on your purchases. This money adds up quickly and easily. Click this link to get started: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aGuOpkvtxyYH3VZymjffUbNoSYHopMwS/view?usp=sharing
Mattress Sale Information
The Mattress Sale is a unique fundraiser in the fact that it benefits both individual student accounts and the band’s general fund. Students main job is to get the word out. Post on social media, hand out flyers to neighbors, text family and friends. The statistic says one in four people is looking to buy a mattress every year. Why not get one from a band student that you know and love. For each mattress sold, sales people will ask who referred the customer and that student gets $50 for their band account for each mattress sold! That can add up quickly!
Also, new this year, there is a scholarship contest for senior band students who make up to a 30 second video to advertise the sale. Please see the attached flyer for details!
A Note from our Band Aides
Football season is officially upon us! The sign-ups to help in the Concession Stand have been filling up quickly. At my last count, there were only 13 spots open for the regular season Varsity games and 2 spots open for the JV/Soccer games. That is AMAZING! Thanks for your support to raise funds for the Band. If you want to sign-up for one of those open spots, use these links:
Varsity Games: Concessions
JV/Soccer Games: JV Concessions
Our expectation is that each family volunteers for one Varsity game to support the fundraising efforts that benefit all band students.
Please join us for the next Band Aides Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 16th at 7 pm on Zoom and see how you can get involved. Here is the link: https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/85723461922?pwd=tixi63tFW3bdJ6GTazgv7vASsxFDHK.1&jst=2
We’re also looking for a few more volunteers to join our Hospitality Team. The team plans refreshments, social events, and leads the charge on our Spring Awards Banquet. Erica Morrison has agreed to lead the team, but we need more volunteers to help. If you are willing to help as your schedule allows, please send me an email.
Cathy Pettibone