The Cary Cadet Band is our beginning band. We learn to play an instrument, make new friends, and gain appreciation for all music. We are comprised mostly of 5th grade students.
LATEST NEWS AND INFORMATION
Our Concert! May 23, 7:00, Cary Jr. High Gymnasium. Performers should arrive at 6:30. Our concert attire is black shoes, pants or skirt, white on top. Boys wear a tie.
Our last day of band (including lessons) is May 23. Have a wonderful, safe, enriching summer.
Be sure you've registered for 6th grade band. Cost goes up after May 24.
Also, if you're looking for more enrichment and lots of fun, sign up for summer band. Definitely highly recommended. Forms can be downloaded off of the Home Page - Mr. Magnini from Cary Grove High School is the director. He would like registration to be in by May 20, if possible.
Check those backpacks for 6th grade band registration material! EVERY ONE of our Cadet Band students should join band in jr. high.
Congratulations to those who have reached the third and fourth merit levels (blue and green)! We have a number of students who are working toward the fifth level - black! Great work!
We're getting ready for our concert: May 23, 7:00 p.m. at the Jr. High!
Thank you, parents for checking in and signing the practice/assignment page each week in the Essential Elements Book. Remember that the grade I give each week on the practice page reflects the "at home" effort as shown by the time put in. The result of the effort should match the skill each student applies to their own playing, as reflected in their ability to play the assigned songs. The effort grade should match the skill. Ask your child to play songs for you. If they are practicing lots and not able to play the assignment, we should discuss how they are practicing. Knowing how to practice is something I constantly teach. As always, feel free to contact me!
Mrs. McKenzie
HOW TO PRACTICE
Practice does not make perfect — Perfect practice makes perfect
Practice makes possible
Infinite patience produces immediate results
Practice is easy when you know how and why you are practicing. Two things that
are essential are time and patience. By following some of these guidelines you can get a lot out of your practice time.
• Find a place to practice that is free of distractions and that you feel good in.
• Find a time slot to practice that is consistent each day and stick to it. If you feel compelled to practice past your allotted time, make sure it does not interfere with your other scheduled activities.
• Use this formula: Clap the rhythm while counting (write in the counting if you want), say the letter names while clapping, say the letter names while fingering, hiss the air while fingering, and finally play the instrument. This will get you to know the music inside and out!
• Go slow at first – it’s not a race! Remember that you can’t really play it if you can’t play it slow.
• Once you can play it slow, try it again a little faster.
• Practice in short pieces — one or two measures at a time, or even smaller if you need to.
• Use all your available resources to learn better – don’t be afraid to ask questions and look things up!
ALWAYS play with your best posture, hand position, embouchure and tone. Professional musicians sound the way they do because they do the basics extremely well. Every time you pick up your instrument you must produce a GOOD SOUND.
Keep trying, keep trying, keep trying . . .
You can only succeed if you try