YouTube Clip of the Week

Check out this guy beatboxing as he plays the flute. I bet you didn't think this was possible.

Homecoming Week!

We had a great Homecoming week here at HTMS. Enjoy these slideshows. Click on the "Play" button to watch each show.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

YouTube Clip of the Week

Check out this clip of the University of Alabama "Million Dollar Band" performing one of their shows from the 2005 season: James Bond! See if you can pick out Mr. Peters as he plays mellophone. What did you think of the show?




For more information visit www.mdb.ua.edu.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The number one way to improve our band program is for you to practice individually at home. So far this semester our band students have combined to practice over 66,000 minutes!!!

Congratulations to these students who have practiced the most minutes so far:
Beginning Band:
Jared H. (Percussion) = 480 minutes
Mary Beth B. (Clarinet) = 392 minutes
Bethany B. (Flute) = 300 minutes
Trevian J. (Baritone) = 300 minutes

Concert Band:
Jacob P. (Trumpet) = 925 minutes
Braxton O. (Trumpet) = 840 minutes
Jonathan A. (Percussion) = 825 minutes
Jonathan D. (Trumpet) = 707 minutes

Symphonic Band:
Patric T. (Percussion) = 1580 minutes
Nikki N. (Flute) = 855 minutes
Vishal M. (Trumpet) = 817 minutes
A.J. L. (Alto Sax) = 740 minutes
Kyle M. (Tenor Sax) = 725 minutes


How can you make the most out of your practice time???

1. Choose a spot in which to practice and practice there each day. Be sure that this is an area of your home that is as distraction free as possible.

2. Begin your practice section with a line from your method book that has long note values. This will allow your embouchure muscles to warm-up so that you can progress toward more difficult exercises. This will also allow you to think about your breathing. Make sure to breathe deeply and produce an air stream that is steady and controlled. Use a mirror to check your embouchure, hand position, and posture. These important concepts are essential to good tone production.

3. You should work from your method book each day. Your goal should be to stay several lines ahead of the class. Remember: before you play each line, use the "steps" we use in class to help you break things down (count/clap; count/finger; air play; play). Using this process will help you be more accurate when you play an exercise for the first time.

4. Practice your sheet music. Work on the portions where you are having difficulties in class. Practice these parts slowly to make them accurate. Sometime this means you will need to work one measure at a time – that’s okay!!! Make it your goal to play that measure five times accurately at the slow tempo and then gradually increase the tempo to the speed we perform it in class.

5. Pay very careful attention to the musical details: key signature, correct notes and/or accidentals, rhythms, musical signs and symbols, dynamics and articulations.

6. FINALLY – play something just for fun.

7. At the end of your practice section, make sure that you thoroughly wipe down or swab out your instrument. Woodwinds – make sure that your reeds go into your reed guard. This makes them last longer.

Suggested Practice Timeline
5 min. – warm-up
7-10 min – method book
10 min – sheet music
3-5 min – for fun
Pack up instrument in case

On Your Mark...Get Set...

It's time for everyone to get started with pass-offs for this year. Our Concert and Symphonic Band members have been doing pass-offs occasionally in band class when time has allowed. Now that pep band is almost over, we can all begin to focus more on the music in our pass-off books. All students have the opportunity to pass-off before school. This is done on a first-come, first-serve basis in the band room from 7:15 to 7:45. Students may have the opportunity to pass-off during class based on director availability. After school pass-offs will begin as soon as marching band practices are over in late October.

All students begin passing off out of the Essential Elements 2000 Book 1. When this book is completed students move into the Rubank series. Then students will begin passing off out of the Rubank Elementary Method book. The next book is the Rubank Intermediate Method book and then the Rubank Advanced Method book. Since the pass-off system is designed for students to work at their own pace, we will have students in all of the books at the same time. Students should keep track of their pace and be prepared to purchase the next book at the appropriate time so that they continue the pass-offs. Since many of our 7th graders are nearing the end of EE Book 1, they should begin purchasing the next book: Rubank Elementary Method. This book is available from the local music stores or online. We would like to see all 7th and 8th graders passing off in the Rubank books by January.

The pass-off system allows each individual student to compete with other students on his or her instrument. We will post the chair standings at least twice every 9 week grading period.

Now, On Your Mark...Get Set...PASS OFF!

YouTube Clip of the Week

Check out this clip from The Discovery Channel's How It's Made about the making of a trumpet. Please leave a comment after you watch the video. Did you ever think this much work went into making an instrument?

Cheesecake!

Our annual cheesecake sale will last from now until Tuesday, September 23rd. All HTMS and HTHS Band members are selling cheesecake, cookie dough, cinnamon rolls, funnel cakes, and many other items.

Cheesecake Questions

Do we collect money now? No, we will collect money when we deliver the products in mid-October.

Why do we sell cheesecake? With the profits from all of our fundraisers we buy new music, instruments, and other things needed for our band program.

How much profit do we make off each product? We make about 45% profit off each product sold. If we a box of cookies cost $13.00, we make about $5.85 of each box.

What do I get out of selling? Prizes, Prizes, Prizes!!!!!

Selling Tips
Be friendly
Take a pen with you
Always say thank you, no matter if the person buys or not

YouTube Clip of the Week

This video showcases one of the top Drum Corps in our country. Drum Corps are known as "Marching Music's Major League" or are sometimes considered professional marching bands. Check out this clip which includes Bohemian Rhapsody. For more information on Drum Corps visit www.dci.org. Please leave your comments about the show.

Band T-Shirts

Band T-Shirts go on sale this week. The shirts are $10 and must be ordered by Friday, September 12th. Order forms will go home this week. The shirts will be red and include this logo. What do you think about the new shirts?

Pep Band - HTMS vs. Oak Mountain

Here are some pictures from the HTMS football game vs. Oak Mountain Middle School.

ScaleFEST!

Symphonic Band and Concert Band Members:
Don't forget about ScaleFEST Week 1. On Thursday or Friday of this week each person will play the Concert B-flat Scale. Remember that the scale must be from memory. Good luck!

YouTube Clip of the Week

Check out this BASSOON QUARTET performing music from Super Mario Brothers.

Pep Band - HTMS vs. Berry

Enjoy the pictures from our latest football game. The HTMS Band did a great job adding to the atmosphere of the game. Way to go HT!