Mrs. Cancino’s Fifth Grade Band Newsletter
January 11, 2016
Dear Band Parents:
Only one more concert to go at Wade this Thursday at 6:30! Jenifer’s concert this past week was very
well-attended, and the students gave a great performance. Berry’s concert was also very informative, and the
excited students did a great job.
All of my classes, but one, have completed their final playing test and written test for the quarter.
I’ve updated grades that I have. I have been hounding your children to get unfinished work back to me, and I
think everyone is all caught up. Unfortunately, I can’t post the grades for you to see because EdLine has
been crashing the past couple of days every time I attempt to do so. I’ll give it another try tomorrow/Monday
and hope for the best. If you don’t have an EdLine account yet, to monitor your child’s grades, please
contact the main office for assistance.
I’ve been talking to the students about the idea that what was acceptable in September is no longer
sufficient. Playing with poor posture/hand position, not tonguing, stopping between the notes, breathing
after every measure, overblowing and squawking, incorrect embouchure, not blowing fast enough air and
producing a fuzzy tone…all are expected from beginners. But, your children are now halfway to sixth grade
as band members, and their playing should reflect this.
For the next few weeks, we’ll be working on pages 16-20 in the book. Students should NOT still be
practicing anything from the concert or number lines lower than 62. If you are still hearing Lightly Row, Hot
Cross Buns, or Merrily We Roll Along, your child is not moving forward with his/her peers. Ask to hear these
higher numbers that they are currently being expected to perform.
I introduced an extra credit opportunity this week, performing SawMill Creek on page 20. This is an
exercise that is about 3 times as long as our other pieces, it will not be played until the end of February, and
will be worth 20 bonus points if it is prepared well (i.e. it sounds like what is on the page). The students have
all of the information to correctly complete this task, IF they start now and work diligently for the next
several weeks. I have confidence in everyone’s ability to do this, provided they are practicing accurately and
regularly at home.
Have a great week!
Mrs. Cancino
Wade, Diggs, Jenifer, & Berry
mkcancino@ccboe.com
http://www.ccboe.com/departments/music/