• Check out my webpage to find lots of ways to make practice fun. I will keep updating my website with more to do and also include them on my google classroom. See below the code for your school:

    Ferguson Township: d22eruo
     
    Grays Woods: n2bv5th
     
    Easterly Parkway: lvbp33e

  • Hi students! I hope that you are all doing well. We are going to figure out a new way to learn our instrument for now. Although this is optional, if you can, this week is simply trying to put practice into your online school day. Like, for example, if you are supposed to have a read aloud with your classroom teacher or read at 1:00, then maybe it could be practice time right after at 1:30. Anytime that works for you keeps us learning and enjoying music. You can work on the method book, band songs or songs that I gave you. Let me know if you need help with anything and I will respond with suggestions. I have all kinds of ideas to keep us learning so stay tuned! Please also keep checking in to tell me how you are doing. I would love to hear from you!
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  • At this point in the year, we talked about taking practice to the next level. For the beginning of the year, I have asked kids to try to put some practice into their day. Even a little will add up to being successful with their instrument. We started with at least 5 minutes a day, then bump it up to 7 minutes per day, and then 10 minutes a day. With days that are super packed, I encouraged the students to double up minutes to reach those goals. Students are not penalized, but are encouraged to have adequate practice time at home so that they can advance every week. 
     
    Starting for the second semester, we have a new challenge. We have been adding up our minutes as a GW team, but now we have the individual Star Achiever board. Students have been putting their name up on the poster if they are able to get over 120 minutes over the cycle week. Trying for over 120 minutes a week is not easy to do! Prizes are given when they do and also if they can continue to add up minutes over the weeks to reach that amount. So, all minutes will be important. Every minute helps in their progress.
     
    Practice at home can be daunting of the students feel that they can't remember how to play the songs. I put videos of every band part on my website under "Band Songs to Practice." They can play along or hear how the song should go. In addition, the songs in the method book will help them with note reading.
     
    Please let me know if you have any questions. We have been preparing for band to start in our lessons and it will be a lot of fun once it starts! Thanks!
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  • The final rehearsal is Wednesday morning, Nov. 6 at PSU. The next evening, the concert will be at the new High School Auditorium at 7:00 pm. The concert is free and open to the public. See the website for more details about when your band should arrive at the concert. Thanks!

     
  • Welcome to the band program! We are excited to get started. Please check out my website that is listed at the bottom of the email. It is now up and running with everything you will need to know for the school year. First, make sure to acquire the instrument and book in the next week. See me if you run into any difficulty with that. Many parents find success at RM Sides, which has everything you would need.
     
    Instrumental music lessons begin the week of the 23rd. I have a tentative schedule for each school on the website. Find your school on the left of the page and click on the lesson schedule for your school.  This will change once I meet the kids and sort through any errors I have in my records. It just has a couple weeks listed so that I can make changes. I will be around this week to give out schedules and see where we all are in the process of acquiring an instrument. We have this week to figure out how to get started. I will make sure they know what day of the cycle they will start bringing their instrument and book. 
     
    I am looking forward to teaching your student a new instrument. Please let me know if you have questions along the way.
  • Hello Parents!  
     
    I hope that your year is off to a good start.  Second year band lessons are set to start back up next week. I attached the first schedule that is for the first two weeks. A new schedule will be given out after I get to know the students in these lessons. I will give your student a copy of the schedule and it will be posted in their classroom. I always post current schedules on the website listed at the bottom of the email. It is updated when school cancellations affect the cycle days. 
     
    Daytime Ensemble Rehearsals.  For the first time ever, ensemble rehearsals will be during the school day!  You will not need to come in early for band rehearsals from January until the end of the year as you did last year.  Instead, when the calendar reaches January, we will have a 50min block of "ensemble time"  worked into the daily schedule.  During this time the band and orchestra will rehearse in different places in the building but at the same time!  More information regarding these rehearsals will be sent out to you as January approaches.
     
    The Penn State Band Opportunity (aka, Partners in Music).  This is the big "to-do" for 5th-grade second-year band students at the start of the year.  There is more information coming, but basically there will be a series of six (and only six) rehearsals to take place at the Blue Band Building on Penn State's campus.  Students in their second year of study (on their same instrument) will be invited to be a part of one of two "superbands" comprised of students from all 8 elementary schools, and a few private schools in the area.  After the six rehearsals, there will be a concert in the brand new HS auditorium for these 5th-grade kids.  Penn State instructors and student teachers run this event.  Rehearsals are on Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov. 6 with concert on Nov. 7 at the new HS auditorium.  These dates are on the SCASD music website and the concert is on the PSU calendar.  Sign up and directions to the Blue Band Building will be emailed to you as we get closer to the date.
     
    I am looking forward to getting lessons started next week. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

  • Dear Parents. For school cancellations, the cycle days will shift. For example today is still a day 5. Please have your student always bring their instrument on the day they have their lesson, even with the shifts in calendar days versus cycle days. Dates on the schedule subject to changes. Cycle days are solid. The cycle day that they were given is solid for the rest of the year. Hope that makes sense. However, on 2 hour delays or 3 hour delays, I will still try to fit them in when the classroom teacher deems it possible so have them bring their instruments that day. Home schoolers should come when convenient after the start of the school day. 

    Thanks!

  • Schedules updated

    Posted by CAROLYN GARDNER on 2/1/2019 9:00:00 AM

    With the snow days, the dates have changed on the schedules. These are now updated as of 2/1. Thanks!

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  • Great job beginning band!

    Posted by CAROLYN GARDNER on 1/17/2019 9:00:00 AM

    Band rehearsals are underway. Students have done a great job getting to rehearsal for the downbeat at 7:15. We worked on the basics of how to have a productive rehearsal together. We practiced staying in rest position, no talking or playing, eyes on the teacher and listening for directions. Our songs we worked on were Shockwave, Procession of Heroes, Temple of Darkness and Royal March. Each section has a mix of easy and difficult parts. I'm encouraging students to prepare their soli sections for next week.

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  • Percussion Sectional

    Posted by CAROLYN GARDNER on 1/17/2019 8:00:00 AM

    Great job to students who came to the percussion sectional last night. Continue to work on the following principles of a good percussionist:

    Keep a steady beat.

    Know where you are in the music.

    Count rests as well as rhythmns.

    Know what part you were assigned.

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  • End of the Year

    Posted by CAROLYN GARDNER on 6/7/2018 6:00:00 AM
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  • End of the Year

    Posted by CAROLYN GARDNER on 6/7/2018 6:00:00 AM
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  • Summer Events

    Posted by CAROLYN GARDNER on 5/10/2018 10:00:00 AM

    Hello parents,


    Now is the time to get in on our amazing summer music program in SCASD. Check out this link to summer band and orchestra. It is a rather economical way to have music over the summer. 4 weeks of band or orchestra and I am lucky to be the director! You don't have to go to all of the rehearsals. We end with the program with a concert.
     
     
    Feel like too much? Give your student a private music lesson here and there over the summer. One on one instruction to review and keep their skills sharp. You can choose one or more and schedule it at a convenient time for you throughout the summer.
     
     
    Just for band members, there is also 'Dust Off Your Instrument Day' at the end of the summer! Lessons at school will start soon so let's remember our basic skills together on our instruments in a large group of friends from Ferguson, Mount Nittany and Houserville. A showcase for parents will be given at the end this fun musical event.
     
     
     
    Exclusively for flutists: SCASD flute day is new this year. Flute choir and solo performance opportunities for a unique musical learning experience. 
     
     
    Please let me know if you have any questions. I encourage you to sign your student up for one of theses amazing musical opportunities to enrich their summer with music.
     
    Thank you,
     
    Carolyn
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  • Great Concerts!

    Posted by CAROLYN GARDNER on 5/9/2018 2:00:00 PM

    The concerts at HO, FT and MNE were fantastic! I am so proud of all the work your student put in to make the concert successful!

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  • Concert time!

    Posted by CAROLYN GARDNER on 3/1/2018 2:00:00 PM

    Hello parents,

     
    It is hard to believe that our concert is almost here! I am so proud of all the work your student has put in to preparing for the concert. Please make sure that your student attends the remaining rehearsals before school so we can be fully prepared for the concert. 
     
    In addition to our concert, we will also get a chance to play an assembly for the students during the school day. Details will be provided as we get closer. For concert attire, we ask that students wear 'picture day' clothing. Something nice that they would be comfortable in is recommended. For the concert, it is recommended for the student to come a little early to set up their instruments but they will be staying with you, so you will have to gauge how early you would like to arrive. 15-30 minutes is more than enough, just so they can put their instrument near the stage and take a seat with you. 
     
    Please let me know if you have any questions and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your support of instrumental music and we are looking forward to seeing you at the concert!
     
    Carolyn
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  • January Ensembles

    Posted by CAROLYN GARDNER on 12/7/2017 1:00:00 PM

    Information about ensembles starting in January are listed on the website for each school. Information was sent through email and a copy of the information will be sent home with students next week. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

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  • Congratulations 5th graders in Partner's in Music!

    Posted by CAROLYN GARDNER on 11/22/2017 8:00:00 AM

    Great job to 5th graders participating in the PArtner's in Music opportunity! The concert was fantastic!

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