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middle school.

OUTDOOR COMBINED CONCERT!!

To celebrate our year of musical growth, we will be hosting an outdoor band concert in May (date/time TBD) which will feature our 6th grade Concert Band and 7th/8th grade Symphonic Band members.
​
Five songs to practice:
"The Good Life"
"March Across the Seas"
"Procession - from Water Music"
"Banana Boat Song"
"Indigo Rock"


Here are LOTS of examples of this music to practice with at home:
"You're not bored, you're in Band"
- Owen Jensen, HPS 7th Grade Trombonist

Solo & Ensemble Festival

Click here to view the Solo & Ensemble slideshow that has all of the info, including links, rubric, tips and more!

Music Theory

Major Scales

The major scale is one of the most commonly used musical scales, especially in Western music, called diatonic scales. Like many musical scales, it is made up of seven notes: the eighth duplicates the first at double its frequency so that it is called a higher octave of the same note. 

Major Scales use the pattern:
W W H W W W H or T T S T T T S
Click Here to Print Your Scales
Click here to see where you are on the Chromatic Carnival

Key Signatures

A key signature is a visual symbol, printed on a musical staff, that indicates what key a section of music is written in. Key signatures are represented by using accidentals—better known as sharps and flats. The number of sharps or flats indicated in the key signature will tell the player what key the music is in.
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Lessons

Practice makes perfect.
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5 Reasons Why Private Lessons Work
One-on-one lessons (kind of like tutoring for instruments), would be a particularly good idea if you have a student who is brand new to their instrument, or a student who has plateaued/dropped in their practicing habits at home. They can also be helpful if your student is excelling quicker than the ensemble the are in, and they need more personalized supplemental work. Lessons are not required but can help immensely. As we get back into school, the addition of lessons may be helpful for you and your family - Let's help get kids back on track!

Instructors

Below are individual teachers that come highly recommended:
** There are MANY more options and people. If you do not see what you are looking for, please let me know. **
FLUTE
Shanna Toews (owns and operates her own flute studio)
970-590-4695
Shannatoews@gmail.com

OBOE/BASSOON
Michele Massey (Band teacher at Walt Clark Middle School)
michele.massey@thompsonschools.org

CLARINET
Andrea Hollenbeck (Clarinetist in the Fort Collins Wind Symphony and Band director at Preston Middle School)
970-691-2313
Andreah@psdschools.org

Kwami Barnett (Affiliate Professor of Music at 
Colorado Christian University/Principal Clarinet at 
Denver Philharmonic Orchestra)
kbarnett00@gmail.com

SAXOPHONE
Shawna Lemons (your student's Band teacher)
719-322-3015
shawna.lemons@thompsonschools.org 

TRUMPET
Pete Toews (MVHS Band Director)
peter.toews@thompsonschools.org

LOW BRASS/PERCUSSION
Chad Lemons (Band Director at Mead High School)
970-237-0176
lemons_chad@svvsd.org

LESSONS VIDEO

PERCUSSION
Kirstin Clark (BA in Music Education)
816-803-8108

kirstinclark2498@gmail.com
LESSONS FLYER

Studios

Below are local companies and studios that come highly recommended:
** There are MANY more options and people. If you do not see what you are looking for, please let me know. **
LOVELAND ACADEMY OF MUSIC
Address: 1355 N Cleveland Ave, Loveland, CO 80537
Phone: (970) 581-3553
Website: lovelandacademyofmusic.com

BOOMER MUSIC
Address: 3761 S Mason Street, Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: (970) 223-2424
​Website: boomermusiccompany.com

MUSIC & ARTS
Address: 238 E Harmony Road #D-10/D-12, Fort Collins, CO 80525
Phone: (970) 223-5837
​Website: musicarts.com

///it all starts with good fundamentals///

Please click on your instrument below for a YouTube channel specific to your instrument. These videos will be a great resource for any level of playing. Please browse their other videos and try to absorb the information they are sharing.  After watching (or as you watch) get out your instrument and start trying these tips and tricks!!

*If you LOVE the channel, please subscribe so you can continue your learning. If not, that's ok - see if you can find one you like better. 
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How to Choose a Reed

While every part of the clarinet or saxophone has its own purpose in producing a good sound, perhaps the most important piece is the two-and-a-half inch long, wafer-thin piece of cane called the reed. Reeds come in different strengths and cuts, and can be good or bad. A good reed is vitally important for a good sound and tone, so it's important to be able to identify one.
​Please click the button below for lots of great information about choosing a reed that will work for you!!
Guide to Selecting Good Reeds
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​How to Care for Your Instrument

Your instrument is an expensive and delicate piece of equipment.   It is important to take proper care of your instrument so that it will always be in top playing condition.  With a little bit of TLC you can count on years of musical enjoyment from your AXE! (A term musicians use to describe their instruments).

Make sure your case is latched securely and carry your case top facing in like your director taught you.  Don't carry extra stuff in your case...music books, coins, very thick cleaning cloths, etc. can cause damage over time. Never drop an instrument even when in the case.
Brush your teeth before you play.  Don't drink sugary snacks or eat food while playing.  If you do, some will end up in your instrument and can cause lots of damage as well as make your instrument smell bad!
Too much heat or too much cold can cause serious damage to your instrument.  Rain can cause all sorts of problems so never let your instrument get wet.

These procedures, if followed regularly and carefully, can help an instrument work well and stay out of the repair shop. If at any time your horn needs repair first talk to a band director and then AS SOON AS POSSIBLE take it to a music store to be fixed.

Brass Care Tips
  • Trumpets and trombones should be thoroughly cleaned once every other month.
  • All mouthpieces should be cleaned every other Monday.
  • If you are sick please clean your mouthpiece every day to help not reinfect yourself.

Woodwind Care Tips
  • Clean the outside of your woodwind instrument after playing with a soft cloth to remove fingerprints and watermarks.  Do not give your woodwind instrument a bath!  This will damage your instrument.
  • (It is OK to give the mouthpiece a bath if you are a clarinet or saxophone player...cool water and mild dish soap only. Never clean a mouthpiece in boiling water).
  • Always dry the inside of your instrument with a thin silk swab. Your director will show you how to do this. It is important not to let your instrument sit overnight full of water!
  • Take care of your reeds by using a reed guard. Always store reeds off the mouthpiece, and remove the mouthpiece from your instrument at the end of the day. If you do not do these things, your reeds and your mouthpiece will mold.
  • Keep at least four playable reeds and rotate your reeds by playing a different reed every day.  It is OK to rinse reeds off in water once or twice per week, but don't leave them soaking for too long.

Adapted from Wayside Middle School: https://www.emsisd.com/Page/17324
Cleaning your instrument videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mgHz0HgWWA&list=PLbbQd-x3wgCRJN5sM1-3lnPX6ODtRc4ai 

Care Kits:
https://www.musicarts.com/search?q=instrument%20care%20kit 
https://www.alfred.com/search/products/?x=care+kits
Flute
Clarinet
Saxophone
Trumpet

Percussion Warm-ups


Percussion Basics


Mountain View High School Band/Orchestra Info

Registering for Band/Orchestra at MVHS is super simple:

All band students should sign up for Concert Band
All orchestra students should sign up for Orchestra


In addition, students may choose to join the following courses:
  • Jazz Ensemble - we are especially looking for piano, guitar, and bass players, but all are welcome.
  • Music Theory - a basic semester-long introduction to music theory/composition.
  • Music Ensembles - an opportunity to study music in smaller ensembles (quintets, quartets, trios, duets, solos, etc.).
  • Introduction to Guitar - 1 semester
  • Introduction to Piano - 1 semester

Some advice from a MVHS Marching Band Senior:
  • Double up on gloves (with or without fingers)
  • Find recordings of the music you're playing and listen to them a lot. It'll help you learn and memorize faster
  • Keep old instruments to use during marching band so you can do your best in concert band
  • Try to get in the habit of stepping in time when you're listening to music (it helps with marching in time)
  • Wear as little as you can under your uniform in summer and as much as you can under your uniform in winter
  • Bring a drawstring bag with you to band so you can carry your instructions (aka drill) and your water bottle.
  • Do whatever your instructors tell you, bur remember that they're trying to help you, so don't take it personally. 

​How Playing an Instrument Benefits Your Brain


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  • Home
  • About
  • Calendar
  • VIDEOS & PICTURES
  • Student Info
    • K-5 Music
    • Middle School >
      • 6-8th Band
      • 5th Beginning Band
      • 6-8th Jazz Band
  • Parent Info
  • Fundraising
  • Contact