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Jr. District Auditions

We had Jr. District Auditions this morning in Methuen.  We had six students auditioning.  Mostly 7th graders, I think the culture of excitement will build for this event.  Hopefully word will spread and more students will be interested in it next year.  I think that this makes a great case for creating a community music lesson program starting next year.  I am trying to get the MICCA Taskforce to come in and meet with myself and the head of the district's continuing education department.

While at the event I saw one of my old band directors from Pentucket, Bill Gray, who is now working in the Masconomet Public Schools.  I talked to him about the middle school band jamboree we used to do with Masco, Ipswich, and Hamilton-Wenham.  Apparently it has not happened in a year or two.  Bill said he would contact the Ipswich director to see if we can start it back up again.  I think it is important for our students to see what is out there, outside the doors of Pentucket.  Plus this is a very fun event in general!  Band all the way!!

Also at Jr. Districts this morning, I saw some of my fellow collegiates working hard running the event.  Apparently UMass Lowell had a big turn out.  Gordon brought more collegiates than ever before.  It is so important as a college student to help with these events.  It shows to current music teachers your dedication and excitement for the trade....which could result in a new job!

Larry Willis, one of the teachers who I student taught for in Chelmsford, showed up right as I was leaving.  We talked for a few minutes.  This guy is an amazing teacher!  He teaches middle school band all-day at the McCarthy Middle School in Chelmsford.  He is the one who got me into using a microphone to teach.  I think that simple tool has made my teaching experience more genuine at Pentucket.  I use it everyday at the middle school and high school.  I can sing parts to the students while they are playing a piece of music.  This cuts down on the amount of times I have to stop and talk to the band...aka, less time for them to act up!  My kids love to play more than talk, which is exactly how I like to teach. 

Chris Noce was a fellow All-State Collegiate Ambassador with me a few years ago.  Now teaching in Andover, we chat at events when we see each other.  At the Senior District Festival, Chris gave me the idea to turn the band around at the middle school so they would not be facing the audience and seats in the auditorium as we practice on the stage.  I tried it and it was hugely successful!  Now my students are attentive and are not sidetracked by all the things going on in front of the stage.  Also, the number of students doing homework during band has been cut down dramatically (band competes with a study hall period for those not in band or chorus)!

I think overall, my students did fine this morning.  The chromatic scale was the kicker for most of them.  I'm going to try and incorporate that into the band rehearsal or Smart Music homework.  We'll see what happens!




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May 31, 2021 at 4:27 AM
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