Please see the Home Page for a May Update and what to do with instruments for the summer.
Friday, May 8, 2020
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Band Update: Week of April 27
"Lunch with the Band Director" Zoom meeting Thursday, April 30 from 12:15-12:45pm. Check your email/text/Google Classroom for information.
The 4/4 Rhythm Activity in Sightreading Factory is the recommended online assignment for the week. When finished, mark the assignment as complete in Google Classroom. This week's optional written assignment is to create a UIL/Spring Concert Program. Instructions are posted in Google Classroom.
Students with instruments at home should make every effort to pass-off their scales in Flipgrid by May 24. This ensures that they will be prepared for 7th grade band.
Please complete THIS FORM by May 3.
Only two more weeks of assignments. All school instruction will end on May 15. Students will be allowed to pick up items that were left at the middle school on Monday and Tuesday, May 18-19. More information about that will be posted soon.
Thank you to everyone that participated in the band fundraiser. You will be notified when the items arrive for pick-up. That's all the news for now! Stay safe!
The 4/4 Rhythm Activity in Sightreading Factory is the recommended online assignment for the week. When finished, mark the assignment as complete in Google Classroom. This week's optional written assignment is to create a UIL/Spring Concert Program. Instructions are posted in Google Classroom.
Students with instruments at home should make every effort to pass-off their scales in Flipgrid by May 24. This ensures that they will be prepared for 7th grade band.
Please complete THIS FORM by May 3.
Only two more weeks of assignments. All school instruction will end on May 15. Students will be allowed to pick up items that were left at the middle school on Monday and Tuesday, May 18-19. More information about that will be posted soon.
Thank you to everyone that participated in the band fundraiser. You will be notified when the items arrive for pick-up. That's all the news for now! Stay safe!
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Band Update: Week of April 20
Assignments for this week are posted in Google Classroom and also on our website.
Many of you are submitting work through Google Classroom. Here are some things about Google Classroom that I think may be helpful to you:
1. After you complete an assignment (google quiz, flipgrid video, etc.), you need to "Turn In" the assignment in Google Classroom. That notifies me that you did something, and it is only after you "Turn In" that I will then know to check for your work. This especially goes for assignments from previous weeks.
That being said...
2. Only "Turn In" assignments that you actually do! Remember, you don't have to do every assignment that is posted; you just have to complete one activity a week. It takes up a lot of my time trying to research if you actually did the assignment.
3. Please do not turn in old assignments from the 1st 4 six weeks, unless you are passing off your major scales. Old Stuff is marked "Old Stuff," and you do not need to do it.
4. Be sure to attach work to your assignments if you created a document or video on your own. I missed seeing a happy birthday video because the student did not attach the video nor did they turn in the assignment. I just happened to stumble across it 9 days later in a Google Drive folder.
5. Once the assignment is graded and returned to you, do not send it back to me.
6. Finally, email or leave a comment for me if you have any questions. I am getting between 50-100 emails a day. I am doing my best to make sure I don't miss anything. If I happen to miss yours, please just send me another email. I promise you that it is not intentional.
We are all doing our best with this new situation. Though we are away from school, this is not a break from school. You are still expected to do your work. I am working from home at least 8 hours a day.
I miss making music with all of you. I hope you all are doing well.
Many of you are submitting work through Google Classroom. Here are some things about Google Classroom that I think may be helpful to you:
1. After you complete an assignment (google quiz, flipgrid video, etc.), you need to "Turn In" the assignment in Google Classroom. That notifies me that you did something, and it is only after you "Turn In" that I will then know to check for your work. This especially goes for assignments from previous weeks.
That being said...
2. Only "Turn In" assignments that you actually do! Remember, you don't have to do every assignment that is posted; you just have to complete one activity a week. It takes up a lot of my time trying to research if you actually did the assignment.
3. Please do not turn in old assignments from the 1st 4 six weeks, unless you are passing off your major scales. Old Stuff is marked "Old Stuff," and you do not need to do it.
4. Be sure to attach work to your assignments if you created a document or video on your own. I missed seeing a happy birthday video because the student did not attach the video nor did they turn in the assignment. I just happened to stumble across it 9 days later in a Google Drive folder.
5. Once the assignment is graded and returned to you, do not send it back to me.
6. Finally, email or leave a comment for me if you have any questions. I am getting between 50-100 emails a day. I am doing my best to make sure I don't miss anything. If I happen to miss yours, please just send me another email. I promise you that it is not intentional.
We are all doing our best with this new situation. Though we are away from school, this is not a break from school. You are still expected to do your work. I am working from home at least 8 hours a day.
I miss making music with all of you. I hope you all are doing well.
Monday, April 13, 2020
School Song Recording Project
We are trying to create a recording of the School Song
featuring band students from all over the district. We want to feature this
recording during the district-wide staff meeting on Friday morning.
The sheet music for instruments can be found HERE.
The click track to play along with can be found HERE.
Parts for all wind instruments are included below as well as
a click track you will need to play along with. You will need to listen to the
click track through headphones on one device while you record yourself playing along
on another device. Record AUDIO only (NO video). It is very important that we don't hear the click track in
your recording, or we won't be able to use it. Since this song is new to 6th grade, or if you don't have your instrument, you may choose to sing the school song. Here are the lyrics: https://www.blancoisd.com/253470_2.
Recordings must be uploaded to Google Classroom (6th Grade) or emailed to Mrs. Conard by Thursday at noon so we have time to mix down the project. This may count as your assignment for the week should you choose to participate. Let's create some school and community spirit!
Recordings must be uploaded to Google Classroom (6th Grade) or emailed to Mrs. Conard by Thursday at noon so we have time to mix down the project. This may count as your assignment for the week should you choose to participate. Let's create some school and community spirit!
The sheet music for instruments can be found HERE.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Band Update - Week of April 6
Dear 6th Grade Band,
(Sorry...this is a lengthy update, but I need to get this information to you.)
We survived our first week of distance learning! It was great to hear from so many of you! Over 100 students responded to the band survey, and I read each and every response. I also appreciated the Flipgrid videos and Google Classroom comments. I have over 170 students, and I promise I am doing my best to respond to each of you. If you leave me a message and don't hear back from me, then there's a good chance I just didn't see it. Message again!
I can't think of anything better than music to help us forget about the craziness that is going on in the world! I downloaded the acapella app, and I'm having fun playing duets, trios, and quartets with myself!
For this week, continue with the musical activities that are posted on the online learning page or that are in your packets. I have posted a new, fun Flipgrid video assignment. There is a really cool feature in Flipgrid where you can respond to each other's videos with a video reply. I replied to a few of your videos with my own video responses. Try it out! I will be posting my own fun Flipgrid video this week, too!
I am again asking you to fill out a Google form at the end of the week to show me what you've done. A new form will be uploaded every Wednesday from now until we return to school. This week, you will be asked to upload a picture or link to something that you completed for band. You can take a picture of a completed worksheet or weekly practice log, a screenshot of a completed note naming activity, copy the link to a video you watched, etc. If you made a Flipgrid video, then you will not need to upload anything to the form.
You may have noticed "due dates" on posted assignments. This is to keep us all on a schedule and help stay organized. It it okay to turn in something "late." If you miss an assignment one week and cannot go back and do it, just try to complete one the following week. We all must keep making progress while "in school." I will use grades to improve your current grade or replace missing grades from before spring break. No one should worry about their grade in band.
Finally, and most importantly, I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Keep practicing physical distancing, but stay social with your teachers, friends, and family online or on the phone. Contact me with anything you might need.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Conard
(Sorry...this is a lengthy update, but I need to get this information to you.)
We survived our first week of distance learning! It was great to hear from so many of you! Over 100 students responded to the band survey, and I read each and every response. I also appreciated the Flipgrid videos and Google Classroom comments. I have over 170 students, and I promise I am doing my best to respond to each of you. If you leave me a message and don't hear back from me, then there's a good chance I just didn't see it. Message again!
I can't think of anything better than music to help us forget about the craziness that is going on in the world! I downloaded the acapella app, and I'm having fun playing duets, trios, and quartets with myself!
For this week, continue with the musical activities that are posted on the online learning page or that are in your packets. I have posted a new, fun Flipgrid video assignment. There is a really cool feature in Flipgrid where you can respond to each other's videos with a video reply. I replied to a few of your videos with my own video responses. Try it out! I will be posting my own fun Flipgrid video this week, too!
I am again asking you to fill out a Google form at the end of the week to show me what you've done. A new form will be uploaded every Wednesday from now until we return to school. This week, you will be asked to upload a picture or link to something that you completed for band. You can take a picture of a completed worksheet or weekly practice log, a screenshot of a completed note naming activity, copy the link to a video you watched, etc. If you made a Flipgrid video, then you will not need to upload anything to the form.
You may have noticed "due dates" on posted assignments. This is to keep us all on a schedule and help stay organized. It it okay to turn in something "late." If you miss an assignment one week and cannot go back and do it, just try to complete one the following week. We all must keep making progress while "in school." I will use grades to improve your current grade or replace missing grades from before spring break. No one should worry about their grade in band.
Finally, and most importantly, I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Keep practicing physical distancing, but stay social with your teachers, friends, and family online or on the phone. Contact me with anything you might need.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Conard
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Update from Mrs. Conard
Dear Band Students and Families,
What a crazy time this is! I hope you are staying healthy and safe inside your homes. While we can't change the situation, we can make the best of it. This is a great opportunity for you to spend time with your family and do things you wouldn't normally get to do while at school. I am enjoying spending time with my husband, cat, and dog, and I am really enjoying getting to play my flute and piano a lot more than usual. Here's a little something I did this week with a few other flutists from all over the world:
I am deeply saddened to announce that the 6th grade band contest in Lytle is cancelled as well as our fun trip that was planned for Main Event. I am also very sad that the 7th and 8th grade trip to Sea World had to be cancelled because the park is closed. If there is a way to reschedule before the end of the school year, we will try. If not, we will make next year's trip even better! As of now, we are still planning for a Spring Band Concert. That date is to be determined. I appreciate all of your hard work that was put in before the break. Let's hope that we can get to perform together as a band once again this school year.
The activities I have put together for you while learning from home are meant to be fun yet educational. You may choose whichever activities sound interesting to you. A good goal is to do 5 activities each week if you can. I don't want you to stress out over this. It can be as simple as practicing your instrument or watching YouTube videos. If you feel this is too much for you to handle at this time, start with 1 activity this week and then aim to do a few more the next week. If you have trouble accessing the online links or notice a particular link is not working, please email me. At the end of each week, you will submit a google form to me so I can see how you are progressing. Assignments can be viewed in the Online Learning Tab.
I miss making music with all of you, and I know you miss band and all your friends, too. We will get through this together. Hope to see you all again very soon. If you need anything (except a hug), please email or text.
Musically,
Danette Conard
#PanthersStayConnected
What a crazy time this is! I hope you are staying healthy and safe inside your homes. While we can't change the situation, we can make the best of it. This is a great opportunity for you to spend time with your family and do things you wouldn't normally get to do while at school. I am enjoying spending time with my husband, cat, and dog, and I am really enjoying getting to play my flute and piano a lot more than usual. Here's a little something I did this week with a few other flutists from all over the world:
I am deeply saddened to announce that the 6th grade band contest in Lytle is cancelled as well as our fun trip that was planned for Main Event. I am also very sad that the 7th and 8th grade trip to Sea World had to be cancelled because the park is closed. If there is a way to reschedule before the end of the school year, we will try. If not, we will make next year's trip even better! As of now, we are still planning for a Spring Band Concert. That date is to be determined. I appreciate all of your hard work that was put in before the break. Let's hope that we can get to perform together as a band once again this school year.
The activities I have put together for you while learning from home are meant to be fun yet educational. You may choose whichever activities sound interesting to you. A good goal is to do 5 activities each week if you can. I don't want you to stress out over this. It can be as simple as practicing your instrument or watching YouTube videos. If you feel this is too much for you to handle at this time, start with 1 activity this week and then aim to do a few more the next week. If you have trouble accessing the online links or notice a particular link is not working, please email me. At the end of each week, you will submit a google form to me so I can see how you are progressing. Assignments can be viewed in the Online Learning Tab.
I miss making music with all of you, and I know you miss band and all your friends, too. We will get through this together. Hope to see you all again very soon. If you need anything (except a hug), please email or text.
Musically,
Danette Conard
#PanthersStayConnected
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
6th Grade Band News - October 2019
6th Grade Band is off to a great start! I am excited for those that returned to band this year, and super excited for all of our new students as well!
The MS Band Hall is open almost every day after school from 3:30-4:30pm for extra practice. Several students have been taking advantage of that, and they are progressing very quickly. Some are even working on the 7th-8th grade All-Region Band music!
Playing tests need to be recorded using Flipgrid app or a cell phone video submitted through Google Classroom. Students have opportunities to record their videos after school, during tutorials, lunch (M, W, F), or at home. Students that do not record their video by the due date will have to play it in class and will be limited to the number of attempts they have to play it correctly. The next playing test is posted in Google Classroom and on Flipgrid.
We are currently preparing for our first performance of the year. The Fall Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5 at 6:30pm at the BMS Gym. This is a required performance for all band students. All band events are posted well in advance on the band calendar. Students cannot wait to show you what all they have learned so far this year!
Finally, students were sent home with T-shirt order forms. Forms need to be returned by Friday, October 11. Money is due by October 25.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, contact one of the band directors.
The MS Band Hall is open almost every day after school from 3:30-4:30pm for extra practice. Several students have been taking advantage of that, and they are progressing very quickly. Some are even working on the 7th-8th grade All-Region Band music!
Playing tests need to be recorded using Flipgrid app or a cell phone video submitted through Google Classroom. Students have opportunities to record their videos after school, during tutorials, lunch (M, W, F), or at home. Students that do not record their video by the due date will have to play it in class and will be limited to the number of attempts they have to play it correctly. The next playing test is posted in Google Classroom and on Flipgrid.
We are currently preparing for our first performance of the year. The Fall Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5 at 6:30pm at the BMS Gym. This is a required performance for all band students. All band events are posted well in advance on the band calendar. Students cannot wait to show you what all they have learned so far this year!
Finally, students were sent home with T-shirt order forms. Forms need to be returned by Friday, October 11. Money is due by October 25.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, contact one of the band directors.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Christmas Concert this Friday!
Blanco 6th Grade Band Christmas Concert
What: Christmas Concert (featuring BMS 6th-8th Grade Bands)
Where: BHS Cafeteria
When: Friday, December 14 at 6:30pm (students need to be there by 6:00pm)
Dress: Nice, dressy, festive clothes.
Cost: FREE!
Invite all your friends and family! See you there!
Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Need help with your music? After-school practice
Mrs. Conard and Mr. V are available for after-school practice most days of the week from 3:30-4:30pm. Students that want to audition for the All-Region Band MUST plan to stay after school to work on the music. Students that are new to band should also make arrangements to stay after school to get caught up with the rest of the class.
If you have any questions about after-school practice, email Mrs. Conard. There is no charge for lessons at the school.
If you have any questions about after-school practice, email Mrs. Conard. There is no charge for lessons at the school.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
6th Grade Band Receives Straight 1s!
Congratulations to the BMS 6th Grade Band for receiving straight 1s at the Pirateland contest!
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Pirateland Band Contest and Celebration - Thursday, April 26
On Thursday, April 26, the 6th
Grade Band will perform at the Pirateland
Band Festival at Lytle HS. There will be three judges, and we will receive
comments and ratings from the judges. Trophies will be given out to Superior
performing bands. After our performance, we will go to Main Event – San Antonio North to celebrate a year of hard work. The
cost for each student will be $20. This will include a $10 video game card, 2 slices of pizza
and a medium drink, 1 hour of bowling (socks and shoes included), and one
additional activity (laser tag, gravity ropes, or billiards). Parents are
welcome to attend the band contest and Main Event with us. There is no fee to watch the band perform or to enter Main Event, but the cost will be $20 for adults that want to eat and play
games with the band students. Students are welcome to purchase additional game cards or games if time permits.
This is a required performance for all eligible 6th grade band students. Students must have passed all classes on the 5th 6 weeks report card. Students will wear their BMS Band T-shirt with blue jeans and school-approved shoes for this performance. (A very limited amount of shirts are still available for purchase. Please contact Mrs. Conard if you need to purchase a band t-shirt.)
Schedule for April 26th:
8:00am Meet in the band hall, warm-up, load bus
8:30am Depart BMS
10:00am Arrive at Lytle HS (FM2790 S, Lytle, TX)
10:30am Band goes into the Warm-up room
11:00am Band Performs on Stage (Cheer for our kids! Performance is
free and open to the public.)
12:30-1:30pm Pizza/Video Games/Laser Tag (or Gravity Ropes) at Main Event
(1911 N. Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX)
(1911 N. Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX)
1:30-2:30pm Bowling (ALL students will participate)
3:30pm Approximate arrival time back at BMS
All payments are due by April 13th. Cash payments only. Contact Mrs. Conard if you have any questions or concerns.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
6th grade band has finished Book 1!
I am happy to report the 6th grade band finished Book 1 and is now moving into Essential Elements Book 2. All students should have purchased the 2nd book at the beginning of the school year.
In addition to working in the book, we will also be preparing for the Pirateland Contest and our Spring concert. This means students will be receiving all new music this 6 weeks.
As a reminder, students should be taking their instruments home to practice new music. They should not wait to learn their music at school. Practicing is their only homework, and it should be FUN! After all, it is called "PLAYING" an instrument. Play=fun!
In addition to working in the book, we will also be preparing for the Pirateland Contest and our Spring concert. This means students will be receiving all new music this 6 weeks.
As a reminder, students should be taking their instruments home to practice new music. They should not wait to learn their music at school. Practicing is their only homework, and it should be FUN! After all, it is called "PLAYING" an instrument. Play=fun!
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Welcome back!
Welcome, 6th grade band students! I'd like to also welcome our brand new 6th grade students to band. We are so excited to have you join us. Mr. H will be working with new students during class. Please make arrangements with Mrs. Conard to stay after school for extra help/practice. Those who stay after school as little as once/week have shown great success in band.
Reminder to all - If you haven't sent in your band forms and money, they are due Friday!
Looking forward to a great year!
Reminder to all - If you haven't sent in your band forms and money, they are due Friday!
Looking forward to a great year!
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Band Buddy Social - May 25th
Students have been writing back and forth all year to an anonymous band buddy, and tomorrow during 1st period, 6th grade band students will finally find out who their high school band buddy is!
We will do a meet and greet, play some fun games, and have some light refreshments.
Parents, please drop off all 6th grade band students at the HS Band Hall before 8:00am.
Students that ride the bus should ask the bus driver to let them off at the high school.
Students will be taken back to the middle school after 1st period by school bus.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Pirateland Band Contest in Lytle - May 16th
On Tuesday, May 16, the 6th
Grade Band will perform at the Pirateland
Band Festival at Lytle HS. There will be three judges, and we will receive
comments and ratings from the judges. Trophies will be given out to Superior
performing bands. After our performance, we will go eat at CiCi’s Pizza, and then we will go roller skating to celebrate a year of hard work. The cost for pizza
buffet and a drink will be $8.00. The cost for each person to go skating will
be $7.00. This includes admission, skate rental, and 2 hours of skating. Parents
are welcome to attend the band contest and to come skate with us. Skating for
adults is the same price as the kids. Everyone that enters must pay this price
whether they skate or not. PAYMENT IS DUE BY MAY 12TH!
This is a required performance for
all eligible 6th grade band students. I am happy to report that ALL 6th grade band students passed for the 5th 6 weeks! Students will
wear their BMS Band t-shirt with blue jeans and school-approved shoes for this
performance. (Some shirts are available for purchase. Please contact Mrs.
Conard if you still need to purchase a band t-shirt.) Students may bring shorts to change into for skating. Be sure you have a good pair of socks for skating, too!
Schedule for May 16th:
8:00am Meet in the band hall, warm-up, load bus
8:30am Depart BMS
10:00am Arrive at Lytle HS (FM2790 S, Lytle, TX)
10:30am Band goes into the Warm-up room
11:00am Band Performs on Stage (Cheer for our kids! Performance is free
and open to the public.)
12:00-1:00pm Lunch at CiCi’s (on SW Military)
1:30-3:30pm Skating at The Rollercade (Recoleta Rd, San Antonio)
4:45pm Approximate arrival time back at BMS
Monday, April 10, 2017
Six Weeks Written Test on Tuesday
6th grade band students have a 6 weeks written test on Tuesday, April 11. They have been learning how to count and play sixteenth note rhythms for the past 6 weeks. Their test comes straight from the Essential Elements Red Book (Book 2), page 42, measures 13-24. They will have to write in the counts under each note or rest. They have practiced doing this in class.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Test this Thursday - Rubric Grading System
I am trying something new for this next chair test. I will use a rubric system for scoring. This is more in line with how other classes test. These are our objectives for Line 54 in Book 2. Students will show mastery by how well they perform the following things:
Posture 5 points
Tone/Forte (full sound) 5 points
Measure 3
“Concert A natural” 5 points
Measure 5
“Concert A natural” 5 points
Constant Foot
Tap 10 points
Tonguing/Sticking
10 points
Measure 5
“accent” > 10 points
These things are REALLY
important!
Measure 6 (next to last note) “Concert E natural” 15 points
Measure 7 (last note)“Concert E natural” 15 points
16th
notes 20 points (20 notes, each one is worth 1 point)As always, you can visit our weekly assignment page for more info.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
We made it to Book 2!
The 6th grade band has officially completed Essential Elements Book 1 and is now working out of Essential Elements Book 2 (red book). All students should have their own copy of the book. If your child does not have one, they may purchase a book at school or you may buy one at a music store or off the internet. All 6th grade band students are required to have their own book by Monday, January 16.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Wow! Bravo! Great first concert!
Wow! What a great concert Tuesday night! I hope everyone was able to come out and enjoy the wonderful music that was made by the 6th grade band students. Though the students were a little nervous, they truly had an outstanding first performance of the year. I received so many wonderful compliments. I am so proud of them. If anyone has any pictures or video from Tuesday night, please send them my way. Thank you!
Next up is All-Region Band Auditions on January 17th. If students have not played their music for me and they want to audition, they must play it before school gets out on Tuesday. I will be making recordings of the music so the students can practice along with them over the break.
Congratulations, band! Way to shine! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)