Checking in After the Fourth

Well, the Fourth of July has come and gone again... This signals high summer, heat and humidity, and the last week of summer band lessons and rehearsals, the summer ensemble performances and the final municipal band concert! I suppose like all good things, these must come to an end. What a summer it has been, though. I've had some amazing lessons with some excellent students and have started to look forward even more to the 2008/2009 school year. If this summer's lessons are any indication, we're going to have some pretty powerful sections in our band and jazz band come fall at Howar.

Just a few reminders for this week... First, remember that this is the last week of summer lessons. Mr. Taylor and I won't be back next week to teach lessons (I might be in taking care of some cleaning and filing, maybe working on some new flag moves...). Don't forget to have a little fun as this summer progresses...but also don't forget to grab your horn when you get a little bored and play a little...pick out your favorite lesson lines or work ahead a little. Eighth graders auditioning for honor band in the fall will want to work on those scales (C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D, A and Chromatic). Everyone is welcome to work on scales, arpeggios, rudiments, etc. for the scale club. I'm going to get Mr. Taylor to post PDFs of my scale sheets for you in case you loose yours, your hamster used it for toilet paper, or you're working into the next level.

Last week's municipal band concert was pretty outstanding. The band played well, there was an excellent audience, the band boosters had a spectacular turn out for their ice cream social, and the weather completely cooperated for us (which hasn't happened much this summer). I'm looking forward to this week's concerts, starting with Summer Jazz at 5:30, Junior Band (going into 6th) at 6:00, Youth Band (going into 7th and 8th) at 6:30, and the Centerville Municipal Band at it's regular 8:00 p.m. time on Thursday. Feel free to pack a picnic dinner, grab a few bucks to buy dessert, and enjoy an evening of fine performances.