"You're not bored, you're in Band"
- Owen Jensen, HPS 7th Grade Trombonist
TSD Honor Band
- April 18 [Monday] 6:30-8:00 pm- TSD Honor Band Reading Rehearsal @ CBMS
- April 27 [Wednesday] 6:30-8:30 pm - TSD Honor Band Rehearsals @ MVHS
- April 28 [Thursday] 8:00 am-3:00pm; concert in the evening at 7 pm - TSD Honor Band Rehearsals AND Concert @ MVHS
Middle School Outreach Ensembles (MSOE) program at CSU
The MSOE program is for 7th/8th students currently enrolled in their middle school band or orchestra who have had at least one year of instruction on their instrument (6th graders can be nominated by teacher). Students will attend once a week and receive instruction from students and faculty at CSU. At the end of our MSOE season, students will put on a concert for their friends, family, and the community! MSOE is an incredible opportunity for middle school students to dive deeper into their musical experience and meet musicians from all around Northern Colorado.
Student applications are due Saturday, January 15. Applications are due by mail and the registration fee is $25. For more information about dates, registration, and more you can visit this website: https://music.colostate.edu/music-education/msoe-details
Student applications are due Saturday, January 15. Applications are due by mail and the registration fee is $25. For more information about dates, registration, and more you can visit this website: https://music.colostate.edu/music-education/msoe-details
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 ScalesThe 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 Key SignaturesA 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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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!
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InstructorsBelow 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 |
StudiosBelow 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.
*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!!
Please click the button below for lots of great information about choosing a reed that will work for you!!
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
Woodwind Care Tips
Adapted from Wayside Middle School: https://www.emsisd.com/Page/17324
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
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
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Flute
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Clarinet
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Saxophone
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Trumpet
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Percussion Warm-ups
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Percussion Basics
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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:
Some advice from a MVHS Marching Band Senior:
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.